If you start with the power cable connected to the single USB-C port, in order to connect the USB dongle for a wireless mouse, you need to disconnect the power cable and plug in a short USB-C to USB-A cable (sold by Apple for $19, £15 or AU$29). Staying connected on the new MacBook realistically requires plugging and unplugging accessories fairly frequently.

Most of these assumptions are correct, but there's something to be said for being able to use a full-size USB or HDMI port to connect to any USB key or HDTV with minimal hassle. Bluetooth for a mouse, Wi-Fi for internet access, AirDrop for file transfer, and so on. Why only one port? And a new one at that? The official pitch is that MacBook users will use wireless connections for just about everything. And as both the top and bottom of a USB plug look the same unless you're examining it very closely, that happens fairly often. The plug slides in either side up, which is a big deal if you've ever tried jamming a USB key or cable in upside down. The smaller plug and socket is miles better than the previous Type A and Type B ones, and their much-hated micro and mini variations, because it's fully reversible.

Now you've got a single port - and what's more, it's a new USB-C port, which means absolutely nothing you own will work with it without an adaptor or dongle.įormally known as USB 3.1 Type C, this new port combines faster data transfer speeds (up to 10Gbps) with a new shape. If there's one thing about Apple's new 12-inch MacBook that seems to drive people crazy, it's that the slim, 2-pound laptop has only a single shared port to handle data, power, video output and accessories.įorget Apple's current scheme of packing in USB, Thunderbolt/mini-DisplayPort, HDMI and even an SD card slot on laptops such as the 13-inch MacBook Pro.

Usb hub for macbook 12