5 ms·

Just got my first MBP. Found problems with USB devices on day 1 with USB 2.0 devices intermittently freezing. Documented https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments

by buro9 6y ago

Just got my first MBP. Found problems with USB devices on day 1 with USB 2.0 devices intermittently freezing. Documented https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/gp5b1z/usb_20_issues_on_new_macbook_pro_13_2020/ https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/gp5b1z/usb_20_issues_o... , and there is a workaround... do not use any hub that shows a USB 2.0 device to the Mac, find and use a USB-C hub that presents everything as USB 3.0 to the Mac even if it's USB 2.0 I believe that this is a Catalina software bug, and now I have a workaround I am happy. Sucks for those who can't figure out the debugging though.

carlesfe 6y ago
THANKS so much! I was experiencing this same issue!
dustingetz 6y ago
literally the reason to drop $3k on a mac is to never have to debug
- MikeTaylor 6y ago
  Exactly! Exactly!
x3haloed 6y ago
Anyone know of a good hub that works that way?
- buro9 6y ago
  CalDigit TS3+ is the one that solved my issue.
  - johnnycab 6y ago
    I might be missing something here: CalDigit TS3+ costs £230 -- that is a fuck-tonne of money, to solve a problem that should not exist in the first place. https://www.amazon.co.uk/CalDigit-TS3-Plus-Thunderbolt-Dock-Space-Grey/dp/B07CVMV8VC https://www.amazon.co.uk/CalDigit-TS3-Plus-Thunderbolt-Dock-...
    - buro9 6y ago
      I spent over £600 on 4 USB hubs, to find 1 that allowed USB 2.0 devices to work with the £3k MacBook Pro. Apple hardware is an expensive hobby it seems.
bambataa 6y ago
Sometimes my wifi drops out when I connect a USB-C hub to my MBP (Mojave). I should really look into it.
- jamestnz 6y ago
  I just got through researching this issue for a client. Apparently it is at least somewhat common, and appears to be caused by RF interference/noise radiating from USB 3.0 ports and cables, which stomps over 2.4 GHz band. Popular solutions seem to involve applying custom shielding to dongles/cables/adaptors, trying different models of these, or experimenting with their physical proximity and layout. Sigh. Discussion, including a link to an Intel whitepaper on the topic, here: https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/329970/usb-c-dongles-killing-wifi-on-2016-2017-macbooks-who-s-to-blame https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/329970/usb-c-dongl...
  - FabHK 6y ago
    Yes. Best fix (when possible): switch to 5 GHz WiFi. When the MBP with USB-C first came out in late 2016, I noticed this issue and documented it and brought the machine to Apple, and they offered to exchange the motherboard. However, work and travel prevented me from bringing the machine in, and when I brought it to the shop next time to have it fixed months later they said it’s a known issue that can’t be fixed. Use WiFi, plug in an external HD - choose one. Edit to add: I even asked HN, but it didn’t get answers: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13494910 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13494910
  - bambataa 6y ago
    Thanks for the info (and the child comment). I'm really glad I spent so much money on this laptop.

by buro9 6y ago

carlesfe 6y ago

THANKS so much! I was experiencing this same issue!

dustingetz 6y ago

literally the reason to drop $3k on a mac is to never have to debug

MikeTaylor 6y ago
Exactly! Exactly!

x3haloed 6y ago

Anyone know of a good hub that works that way?

buro9 6y ago
CalDigit TS3+ is the one that solved my issue.
- johnnycab 6y ago
  I might be missing something here: CalDigit TS3+ costs £230 -- that is a fuck-tonne of money, to solve a problem that should not exist in the first place. https://www.amazon.co.uk/CalDigit-TS3-Plus-Thunderbolt-Dock-Space-Grey/dp/B07CVMV8VC https://www.amazon.co.uk/CalDigit-TS3-Plus-Thunderbolt-Dock-...
  - buro9 6y ago
    I spent over £600 on 4 USB hubs, to find 1 that allowed USB 2.0 devices to work with the £3k MacBook Pro. Apple hardware is an expensive hobby it seems.

bambataa 6y ago

Sometimes my wifi drops out when I connect a USB-C hub to my MBP (Mojave). I should really look into it.

jamestnz 6y ago
I just got through researching this issue for a client. Apparently it is at least somewhat common, and appears to be caused by RF interference/noise radiating from USB 3.0 ports and cables, which stomps over 2.4 GHz band. Popular solutions seem to involve applying custom shielding to dongles/cables/adaptors, trying different models of these, or experimenting with their physical proximity and layout. Sigh. Discussion, including a link to an Intel whitepaper on the topic, here: https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/329970/usb-c-dongles-killing-wifi-on-2016-2017-macbooks-who-s-to-blame https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/329970/usb-c-dongl...
- FabHK 6y ago
  Yes. Best fix (when possible): switch to 5 GHz WiFi. When the MBP with USB-C first came out in late 2016, I noticed this issue and documented it and brought the machine to Apple, and they offered to exchange the motherboard. However, work and travel prevented me from bringing the machine in, and when I brought it to the shop next time to have it fixed months later they said it’s a known issue that can’t be fixed. Use WiFi, plug in an external HD - choose one. Edit to add: I even asked HN, but it didn’t get answers: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13494910 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13494910
- bambataa 6y ago
  Thanks for the info (and the child comment). I'm really glad I spent so much money on this laptop.