Yes, you can on the 2016 MacBook. You can absolutely run 4K with a monitor that has built in USB-C.
There is even 4K 60Hz HDMI output with an active adapter and with power delivery passthrough.
Cable Matters makes one for about $25 on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XNS7W63/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_1ObFzb3PSYEB0
Cable Matters USB C to HDMI Adapter (USB-C to HDMI Adapter) Supporting 4K 60Hz and 60W Charging Black - Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 / Thunderbolt 3 Port Compatible with MacBook Pro, iPad Pro https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XNS7W63/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_A2SQ25640BXN8YK8CMNP
I got this USBC to HDMI Adapter. It allows charging while playing and there's no lag from phone to screen, unlike wireless screensharing with unplayable lag: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XNS7W63/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_g_8899MTBR54YWDSJZ9VHN
I use an xbox one controller and Bluetooth it to the phone. It's like playing a console, aside from the few things you need to touch the screen for in menus.
Using this exact thing - Cable Matters USB C to HDMI Adapter (USB-C to HDMI Adapter) Supporting 4K 60Hz and 60W Charging Black - Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 / Thunderbolt 3 Port Compatible with MacBook Pro, iPad Pro https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XNS7W63/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_CXTFBHK18P69H6SRX2D3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I'm using the supplied cable that came with the monitor. Presumably that supports all the latest standard? It's connected via thunderbolt to hdmi plug from cable matters (which supports 4k 60hz, this model https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XNS7W63/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
I've got an Intel Iris Plus Graphics Card (dell xps 13 2-in-1 7390).
Should I go ahead and order a display port to test out?
Yup I do this all the time when I travel. Sentio works pretty well and Project Linda was using it in their demos. I use this dock. Just know there's no input so you'll have to connect to it with Bluetooth devices. There are some docks that have usb input. I just like to make sure it has power delivery too. I also mount the phone on a fan grip so it doesn't overheat. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XNS7W63/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_KsBVCbPKA8D8Z
If you get a display port one, you can shoot 120 for into a high fps monitor too.
Any USB C to HDMI cable should work. As mentioned, it obviously drains the battery. There are a few inexpensive USB C to HDMI adapters on Amazon that also have Power Delivery built in that allows you to charge at the same time.
Like this one: Cable Matters USB C to HDMI... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XNS7W63?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I bought this to use as a dock https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Delivery-Thunderbolt-compatible/dp/B06XNS7W63/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1504580717&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=s8+hdmi+adapter&psc=1
But the switch doesnt seem to understand that it's supposed to output anything through the HDMI. To my knowledge, this is the exact same tech as the sfans dock and switchcon. With everything plugged in, the switch charges but it unfortunately doesnt try to display the image on the TV, and stays in handheld mode.
My current dock is busted and I know my switch is fine because it functions perfectly on other docks.
Can anyone help, please? I really can't afford to buy a new dock which is why I opted for this one.
I’m using this
Cable Matters USB C to HDMI... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XNS7W63?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
It’s small and unobtrusive. Works great
I am going to be buying these to items for my pocket 2 once it arrives https://www.amazon.ca/Cable-Matters-Adapter-Supporting-Charging/dp/B06XNS7W63 https://www.amazon.ca/Cable-Matters-Ethernet-Gigabit-Supporting/dp/B01J6583NK
And possibly some of these too https://www.amazon.ca/Spigen-Holder-Tablets-Compatible-Magnetic/dp/B07F1Z9WTL
I tried looking for something similar but didn't have any luck. Perhaps a USB-C hub with HDMI out and PD in combined with a bidirectional USB-c HDMI cable could work together?
Cable Matters USB C to HDMI Adapter (USB-C to HDMI Adapter) Supporting 4K 60Hz and 60W Charging Black - Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 / Thunderbolt 3 Port Compatible with MacBook Pro, iPad Pro https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XNS7W63
Here's a commonly-recommended cable.
See this post for a rundown of bidirectional USB-C video cables.
If it matters to you, using display port instead of HDMI might get higher resolution. And maybe a bidirectional USB-C to DP uses only passive components?
Something like CABLEDECONN USB C to DisplayPort 1.4 8K 3M Cable with USB-C PD and this Display Port cable.
I'm not sure how power works with the bidirectional cables, as a couple have an extra USB port for power (micro in one case). When going USB-C to DP/HDMI, power presumably comes from the USB-C port. Not sure when going from DP/HDMI to USB-C.
MHL was the protocol mostly used on older samsung phones with micro-usb, but now with USB type C you just need an adapter. I've found this one: https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Adapter-Supporting-Charging/dp/B06XNS7W63 which claims to support the s20, and that's only the first result when searching "s20 usb-c to hdmi adapter".
Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
---|---|---|---|
Cable Matters USB C to HDMI Adapter (USB-C to HDM… | - | - | 4.3/5.0 |
Cable Matters USB C Hub with HDMI, DisplayPort, V… | $59.99 | $59.99 | 4.0/5.0 |
Cable Matters USB C Multiport Adapter (USB C Hub… | $76.51 | $76.51 | 4.1/5.0 |
^Item Info | Bot Info | Trigger
Bad news first: globally, dock prices continue to increase, with availability decreasing. 😛 You may have to reset your expectations on "cheap".
Good news: For your monitor, just about any USB-C DisplayPort-capable dock which meets your requirements should work 😊
You might consider whether you want a portable vs. desktop-class/full-size dock. The former tend to cost less, have a captive (permanently attached) cable, and have fewer ports (but are portable), while the latter cost more, have more ports, may have a detachable cable allowing for more positioning options on your desk, but less portable.
In your scenario, I'm guessing a portable dock will work--unless you want to position it farther from your laptop. If so, you might need a desktop-class/full-size dock, which will cost more (unless you buy used).
​
CHEAPEST SOLUTIONS
The absolute cheapest option--can't be beat--do nothing and stay with three-cable solution (power adapter, USB-A keyboard, HDMI cable). 😜
What we're really talking about is going from a three-cable solution to a two-cable or one-cable solution. And how you define cheap.
​
No-name solutions make up a lot of products in the cheapest category. You generally take a risk that the product will not work--poor build quality, poor components, etc. So whatever you get make sure it has a good return policy 😜
Alternatively, used devices--including OEM (e.g., Lenovo like the 40AS model, HP, Dell)--might represent an option. E.g., ebay.ca. Again, risk device will not work, etc.
​
However, in my opinion, pretty easy to get to a cheap single-cable solution for your monitor, as long as you have time to possibly iterate through buy/test/return cycles.
These third-party vendors typically do NOT fall into no-name status: Anker, Cable Matters, MonoPrice, Plugable. See below for links to Amazon Canada. You might look for used docks for these third-party vendors, and also at used docks from OEM vendors like Lenovo, Dell, HP, etc.
​
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Some products don't quite meet all your requirements:
​
DOCKS
As time and motivation permit, you might consider browsing products from companies in this list, as they seem more known and their lower-end tech may prove more reliable:
In looking at some of their options, I tried to define "cheap" as <= CAD$65 (USD$50) or so.
Also, I didn't include them, but you might look at used Lenovo, Dell, or HP docks. Buying used is an option.
Another list:
​
What to avoid:
​
More background on docks from the ThinkPad subreddit dock wiki (since you have a Lenovo product):
https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/wiki/newdocks#wiki_docks_to_avoid
​
If you see one you like, please feel free to ask us to review and share our opinions. Thank you.
​
REFERENCE
ThinkPad T14 Gen 1 (AMD) Product Specifications (c. 2020-2021)
Processor
Chipset
Graphics
Monitor Support
Ports
Power Adapter
User Guides
1.
I'm not aware of a program, utility, or API to do this, with one exception - Radeon drivers will tell you the current link rate. Windows, Intel and Nvidia don't AFAICT, though each surely must know it.
The datasheet is always the best way to know if the chip (not device) supports it. And that goes for the chips inside the hubs, but figuring out what chip is in a hub or dock is difficult. Sometimes an Amazon listing will have a diagram with a chip name, but it often isn't correct. For interface chips, the datasheet is often under NDA.
For example, Synaptics makes a bunch of these chips (https://www.synaptics.com/products/video-interface-ics#), but some aren't even on their website. They're still in production, but last-gen so they don't advertise them anymore (ex. Synaptics VMM3332). No datasheets publicly available on their site, but you might find one from a supplier if you go digging. It might even be accurate.
The best estimate for a particular device/laptop is to check both its spec sheet and try to find reviews or experience from other people (that aren't paid to give a good review or something). Bench-marking websites, maybe. Tech forums? Here? Some Amazon reviews are good, others are paid. It's kind of a mess. Don't be afraid to ask the seller, or to return it, or to ask an acquaintance (health-permitting) if they can test it on their computer/cable/display. There is still no replacement for actual testing.
It is harder to guarantee without testing if a given device will be able to achieve that data rate, because to do so, -everything- has to work right- gpu, type C/ TB chip, the driver/firmware, the board traces, the socket (dirt, etc.), the cable, and the same in reverse to the second chip, and then again to the display.
If any one of those elements can't pass the signal integrity test after being plugged in, it slows down until it can. It's like a pair of 3 inch water pipes with a 1 inch fitting in the middle.
A laptop might correctly list HBR3 support, but if you're using a cheap or damaged cable you might not get it.
A -lot- of type C cables leave out wires. Even Apple, which uses it for everything on their laptops and pretends to care about e-waste, ships a power-only cable with their laptops. $2000 laptop, save $1 on the cable.
And they're not alone. That review I linked in my previous post said this:
"One of my test laptops, the Razer Stealth refused to connect at HBR3, even though both GPUs should support it. Even though that laptop has two GPUs and both a USB-C and a Thunderbolt 3 port (both work with the dock), the ports are only internally connected to the Intel GPU. Apparently it acts as a middleman between the displays and the GTX 1650. This also means that it can only output to three displays total, since that is a limitation of the Intel GPU. According to the Intel datasheet for this chip, it definitely supports HBR3. But I could only get it to connect at HBR2. I suspect this is a limitation caused by Razer somehow. The other Razer laptop connects all video outputs to the RTX 2070 and has no issues connecting at HBR3. So the dock and its included cable can definitely handle the HBR3 data rate."
Yikes. I don't know if that review is correct about how Razer handles it, but I've read that some other dual-gpu laptops use a mux chip (multiplexer) to electronically switch output from one gpu to another. The electronic equivalent of unplugging the screen (or type C port) from one gpu and into another. Those Razer laptops cost as much as apple laptops do, why don't they just have a mux and a simple driver program to let the user control the switch? How much would that cost per unit? $2?
Some type-C ports are USB 5/10 Gbit data only. Even on expensive laptops.
I recently bought a Pinephone to tinker with, and it came with a little type C hub. 1 hdmi, 2 usb 2, 100mbit eth. I thought: "Aha! This might be a neat 4 lane dock to carry around". Nope, only two lanes, even though all four would have been available since all the other ports were usb 2. Or maybe the chip just didn't support more than 4k30? No way to tell. I'm not mad about it though - it works fine with the phone's desktop mode.
/rant
2.
USB PD has dedicated wires, and doesn't interfere with anything else. So does usb 2. Note that many docks have a limit to how much power they can pass, and they will use some of that power themselves. Won't be a problem for the Pocket 2, but can be for bigger laptops. Note that the real limit is Amps, not Watts. If a hub can only pass 3A, then if your power source is 5V you'll only get 15W.
And even though the Pocket 2 charger is a 12V one, it'll handle 5-20V from any power adapter just fine. The voltage regulators in mine run just as blisteringly hot on any voltage I feed it...
Pinout: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB-C#USB_Type-C_Cable_and_Connector_Specification
and: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB-C#USB-C_receptacle_pin_usage_in_different_modes
I still find it impressive that it is supposedly safe to put 5A over four of those tiny contacts...
What you're looking for is something with 1 hdmi output and no usb 3 or gigabit ethernet. I searched amazon for "usb c to hdmi 4k 60 pd" and found a couple possibilities. I haven't used any personally, although I have had only good experiences with other Cable Matters adapters. None of them say how many lanes they use.
https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Adapter-Supporting-Charging/dp/B06XNS7W63
https://www.amazon.com/CHOETECH-Powering-Adapter-Thunderbolt-Compatible/dp/B078M57FVJ
https://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Supports-Passthrough-Connected-AVC002btBK/dp/B0893452HR
If you want to really max out the interface ability of the Pocket 2, a four lane display adapter (with PD) and a separate powered USB 3 hub is the way to go. It'll cost more and it isn't a single-cable solution, but it gets you 4k60 plus fast external storage and networking.
For the more complex type C hubs/docks, I am impressed by how thoroughly the overseas manufactures try to document what the devices can and can't do. The manuals are improving rapidly.
I think they get a lot of product returns from people who buy one, plug it in, get frustrated, and return it with a 1 star review. I don't blame the buyers, though, this is complicated and Windows/Intel/etc. aren't helping. Users are used to usb 'just working'.
Imagine how useful it would be if windows had a pop-up in the settings menu showing you the hub's capabilities, link speed, bandwidth capacity remaining, lane assignments, which gpu was driving which display, etc.
But then I think about how many years it took for windows to be able to reliably tell you your usb 3 device was only connecting at usb 2 speed...
That ended up being way longer than I intended when I started writing this, but I hope it helps.
Thanks for the gold!
Connecting each monitor via ~20$ USB-C to DisplayPort dongle (or cable) is the most cost-effective solution. Still, it lacks support for peripherals and multiple monitors (some do provide charge, though - e.g., https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Adapter-Supporting-Charging/dp/B06XNS7W63/ or https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-DisplayPort-Supporting-Charging/dp/B0746NM5H9/).
If you only need one monitor - USB-C docks might be enough for USB2/3 + HDMI or DisplayPort output + charge. For example, https://www.amazon.com/Anker-PowerExpand-Adapter-Delivery-Ethernet/dp/B087QZVQJX enough for 1440p 60Hz on any DisplayPort 1.2 over USB-C system (even MacBook 12") + USB3. DP1.4 capable MacBooks can do up to 4K60Hz + USB3 with that dock.
To get multiple monitors from a single cable on macOS, you will have to get a Thunderbolt 3 dock or monitor. USB-C-only docks with MST work only with Windows/Linux for "extended desktop."
The optimal configuration depends on the exact model of the laptop (to figure out DisplayPort 1.2 vs. 1.4), monitor (resolution + refresh rate, to know bandwidth limits necessary), what peripherals do you want to connect (USB2 only leaves more bandwidth for the video signal).
I think the oneplus7T does USB to HDMI.
Here's what I've used for my setup.
USB C to HDMI Adapter with inline power
Sonofa... I just tried it last night and couldn't get it to work, and it definitely did on Android 6 (now on 7). I have this one: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XNS7W63/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and it works like a champ on my Samsung S8+ so that could be an option, but now I need to figure out what happened to my Asus!