We’re presently transitioning via a form of dongle purgatory. Whereas the trade aggressively pushes towards a USB-C-only period, we imagine within the philosophy of “one cable to rule all of them.” However the true world remains to be hooked up to the previous. And that’s the one purpose why, regardless of proudly owning top-rated docking stations, I nonetheless really feel the necessity to carry round a tiny but essential Kind-A to Kind-C adapter and keep old cables around.

Carrying this dongle is not by alternative, although. It’s essential in a mixed-media setting. And since day one, I’ve been carrying this tiny dongle; it has confirmed itself helpful as a rule. Whether or not you might be in search of the best laptop accessories or the precise instruments to hold, a USB-A-to-USB-C dongle is a must have.

Why this tiny dongle is essential

An old USB keyboard plugged in a Type-C port in Windows laptop using adapter, Credit score: Keval Shukla / MUO

Global Growth Insights research says that just about 70% of recent telephones and laptops use USB-C. Nonetheless, there are billions of older gadgets on the market. Many of those work simply advantageous, however don’t have a Kind-C port. For those who don’t make room for them, you find yourself limiting what you are able to do.

Take into consideration the gadgets you employ day by day. Many individuals nonetheless depend on a favourite mechanical keyboard, an older webcam that works higher than built-in ones, or a reliable wi-fi mouse with a 2.4GHz receiver. Most of those use USB-A. With out an adapter, your new laptop computer can’t connect with your favourite instruments.

The advantage of the single-port adapter relies on its common compatibility. It unifies your ecosystem, turning an iPad, an Android, a Home windows laptop computer, or a MacBook into a bunch for nearly something. Mainly, in case your gadget has a Kind-C port, you’ll be able to join any legacy peripherals with a Kind-A port with this easy, tiny adapter.

Unlocking superpowers

It is much more than only a bridge to new and outdated

OTG permits your cellular gadget to modify roles from peripheral to host; you’ll be able to plug all sorts of things into your phone’s USB port. However probably the most transformative utility of that is in cellular gaming. Contact controls are sometimes imprecise and irritating.

Through the use of this adapter to plug a wired Xbox or PlayStation controller — or perhaps a low-latency devoted gaming mouse — into your Android cellphone or iPad, you get rid of enter lag. You acquire console-quality precision on a conveyable display screen, turning a protracted flight or a practice trip right into a reliable gaming session.

Close-up photo of a laptop with a Thunderbolt USB-C port and a thunderbolt icon


I Went All-In on USB-C and It Changed My Life

Life turns into so easy as soon as you’ve got made the change to USB-C.

In consequence, productiveness additionally sees a noticeable increase. With an OTG adapter, you’ll be able to plug a compact moveable keyboard or perhaps a mechanical keyboard on to your cellphone. With bigger screens thanks to raised screen-to-body ratios, drafting longer emails or jotting down a fast doc on the go will get simpler.

The enter is immediate, and you’ll jot down full paperwork in a espresso store with out ever opening a laptop computer. For photographers, plugging a card reader immediately right into a cellphone for speedy edits in Lightroom Cellular modifications the workflow completely, eradicating the laptop computer from the equation.

It isn’t a substitute

You continue to want these USB hubs

Baseus Metal Gleam Series II 6-in-1 USB Hub plugged with all devices
Jowi Morales / MakeUseOf
Credit score: Jowi Morales / MakeUseOf

You may really feel that when you nonetheless want to hold the USB hubs, why carry yet another dongle? And that’s appropriate, the hub has an HDMI port, pass-through charging, SD card slot, and extra. However you might be forgetting the purpose of nuance of friction and ergonomics.

USB hubs work properly for stationary desk setups, however they’re clumsy for cellular EDC. These hubs are sometimes heavy, characteristic dangling cables that put stress in your gadget’s ports, and are annoying to arrange only for a 30-second-long process.

A tiny, thumb-sized dongle basically turns into a part of your peripheral. You possibly can even go away it hooked up to your wi-fi mouse receiver or your favourite flash drive. It additionally matches within the coin pocket of your denims or in a small slot of your pockets. However, the USB hub requires its personal carrying case.

Various USB-C devices on a desktop with a coffee cup.


These USB-C accessories make working from coffee shops actually viable

Enhance your productiveness and make life simpler with these must-have USB-C equipment for distant work.

There’s additionally an element of loss. Excessive-quality hubs are costly; when you lose one, it’ll put an enormous dent in your pocket. However, adapters are low cost; you may get 5 good-quality ones for the value of 1 most cost-effective USB hub.

You should purchase a pack of 5 and stash them all over the place — one in your laptop computer sleeve, one in your automobile, one in your keychain, and one in your desk drawer. This backup plan ensures you might be by no means caught unprepared.

Give this tiny instrument an area in your EDC

With so many gadgets targeted on further options, a easy Kind-A-to-Kind-C adapter stands out for being minimal. You hardly discover it till you want it, however then it’s crucial instrument you may have.

For those who use your cellphone for work or enjoyable, maintain certainly one of these dongles in your on a regular basis carry. It’s a small funding that doesn’t appear essential till you want it. Then, it offers you peace of thoughts and retains you prepared for something.


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