Dock or hub for legacy usb devices with M4 MacBook Air

Hardware
1

Hi,

I’m considering investing in a M4 MacBook Air (currently have Intel 2017 iMac 24") but have a couple of questions:

  1. I have a number of legacy USB A devices (scanner, hard drives, microphone) and am not sure whether to invest in a dock or a hub. To be honest I’m not sure of the relative merits of either. I would like to connect an ethernet cable and I may want to connect the laptop to a separate display at some point but otherwise my needs are reasonably straightforward.
  2. I know the quality won’t be as good, but would it be possibly to hook the MacBook Air up to the iMac, purely to use as a larger screen occasionally?

Would appreciate a steer, thanks

John Foster

2

Back in the day a “dock” was a big physical thing that you plugged a special port on the laptop into. In modern parlance, a “dock” is just what you call a USB hub that also has network, video, etc. capabilities.

The question for you is whether or not top performance and reliability are a big deal to you. If so, look into Thunderbolt hubs with whatever ports you need and be prepared to spend $200 on up. If not, there are recommendations on these forums for $30-ish Amazon USB-C docks that work fine 99% of the time.

3

The answer to 2 is probably no, unless your iMac is about 10 years old or older.

4

This came through on Friday

There are versions for later generation Intel iMacs.

I have no experience with it but there is an interesting video demonstrating the installation process.

5

For that price, they could purchase a nice monitor and not have to open up their 2017 iMac. Maybe even get some ports to avoid buying a hub/dock.

2 Likes
6

Never do something the easy way when you can find a way to make it complex and wonderful. :rofl::rofl:

7

Really grateful for the responses, many thnx

8

Thnx, appreciate you taking the time. It was just a thought.

1 Like
9

Not something I have done myself!

But I should point out:

  1. Those prices are in South Pacific pesos so if the OP is in the US, about one half to on third less;

  2. The iMac monitors are so good;

  3. as the guy in the video pointed out, he wound up with something similar to a Mac Studio display for half the price (or less)

  4. his version did have some ports (but I don’t remember if they were an add on like the webcam); and

  5. (3) was before he started reselling the no longer used parts from the iMac like the logic board.