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Is it possible to use the USB ports of an external screen with a MacBook? (lemmy.world)
submitted 3 years ago by to c/apple_enthusiast@lemmy.world
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Hi all, I'm trying to connect a mouse with a standard USB-A plug, which is of course missing from the M1 laptop. I'd like to avoid using extra converters if possible, so I thought the screen's USB socket will just work fine, except that they don't. Do you know, is it possible somehow to use these as intended?

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[+] 8 points 3 years ago* (last edited 3 years ago) (1 child)
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  • [–] [S] 3 points 3 years ago (2 children)

    Yes, that's what I did. The screen is connected using a HDMI/USB-C cable, the mouse's USB-A is plugged into the screen's socket, and nothing.

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  • [+] 18 points 3 years ago* (last edited 3 years ago) (1 child)
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  • [–] [S] -1 points 3 years ago (3 children)

    Thanks, I think that's it. That also means I can't avoid using a dongle, because according to Apple, two USB-C slots are enough for everything, one is taken by the power, the another by the screen input. Damn.

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  • [–] 8 points 3 years ago (2 children)

    It costs a pretty penny, but USB C docking stations are really nice, especially if you have more than one computer. You can have your power, mouse, keyboard, monitor, speakers, ethernet cable, external storage etc. all plugged into the docking station, then just have one USB C cable from the docking station to your laptop and everything is connected.

    My work sent me one, and now I can swap between my work laptop and my personal laptop easily.

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  • [–] [S] 0 points 3 years ago (2 children)

    I have something similar, a hub with several USB slots and HDMI, but it drains the battery and gets insanely hot which annoys me. I don't know if that's a design flaw of this exact thingie or a general issue of these things

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  • [–] 1 point 3 years ago

    My dock provides power for my laptops, so I don't need to worry about losing power. It also doesn't get very hot, just a little warm. I have the Dell dock since that's what my work provided for me. I feel it's overpriced for what it is, but it is nice, and I didn't pay for it. :)

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    • [–] 5 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    What type of external screen is it? Many generic monitors (i.e. not Apple) require a separate USB cord from the monitor to the computer to use the monitor's USB ports.

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