What is the best USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 hub to use with the MacBook Air while traveling? As many MacBook Air users certainly have noticed - based on e-mail received - there are definitely times when the single built-in USB 2.0 port on models released prior to the 'Late 2010' line is inadequate. Even for subsequent MacBook Air models, which have two USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 ports, there still are times. Users are reporting issues with USB connectivity with the 2020 MacBook (Pro and Air) models. Apparently there are compatibility problems with USB 2.0 accessories that can lead to the Mac freezing. USB generally works great. But given all the devices that use USB, you may run out of available ports. Macbook how to reduce pdf size. In that case, you can buy a USB expansion hub — preferably one that you can plug in to an electrical outlet. The state of the art for USB ports is USB 2.0. Older Macs have slower USB 1.1 ports. Best USB-C Display for 2018 & 2019 MacBook Air. Naturally, the ideal option is to use a Thunderbolt 3/USB-C equipped display without any adapters. Lower resolution displays additionally will work, but an ideal choice for the 'Late 2018' and '2019' Retina MacBook Air models is the Apple-recommended 27' LG UltraFine 5K Display.
- Usb Cable For Macbook Air
- How To Use Usb Superdrive With Macbook Air
- How To Use Usb Headset With Macbook Air
July was the month in which Apple released Mac OS X Lion through its Mac App Store. Later on this new OS was also released in USB flash drives which costs $69.99 whereas the downloading of OS X Lion from App Store costs you only $29.99. The USB stick loaded with OS X Lion is also sold with all new models of MacBook Air.
You may also like to read the following posts:
Since MacBook Air doesn’t contain the optical drive, so this USB stick is the only solution to restore to OS X Lion in case anything goes wrong with your machine and you couldn’t log into it.
![How To Use Usb With Macbook Air How To Use Usb With Macbook Air](https://cdn.blessthisstuff.com/imagens/stuff/mac-accessories-2.jpg)
However, those users who purchased their MacBook Air before Mid 2011 containing a USB stick of Snow Leopard but they have already updated their devices to OS X Lion through AppStore or they have purchased a new stikc, they can use the old one as a regular USB flash drive after unlocking it.
All you have to do is to follow these simple steps to unlock MacBook Air’s USB. Before proceeding make sure that you have basic requirements to accomplish this simple task.
- Snow Leopard loaded USB stick
- Windows 7, Vista or XP, or a virtualized Windows
- SM32XTest Software which can be downloaded from here
Step 1. Connect your USB with PC.
Step 2: Extract downloaded software and run it. It should be like this.
Step 3: Click on Scan USB.
Step 4: After few seconds your Flash drive will be ready to be formatted.
You can follow us on Twitter or join our Facebook fanpage to keep yourself updated on all the latest from Apple, Google, Microsoft and the web.
If you have an older iMac sitting around then you may have wondered if it can be used as an external display. There used to be a feature on iMacs called “Target Display Mode”, and while it unfortunately doesn’t exist on newer iMacs, some models made in 2014 or prior do have it. This effectively lets the iMac act as a monitor for another computer. While it is possible to use Target Display Mode with the source as a Windows computer, in this article we will be focusing on how to connect a MacBook specifically. So read on to find out how to setup your iMac as an external display for your MacBook step-by-step!
Determine if your iMac supports Target Display Mode
The first step is to determine if your iMac supports Target Display Mode in the first place. Any iMac since 2014 will not support it, according to Apple, as the resolution of the Retina displays are too high to be run by one Thunderbolt or Mini-DP cable.
Is the iMac a compatible model?
To find your iMac’s model go to the Apple Menu > About This Mac. If it is any of the following models then it will support Target Display Mode:
- 27″ iMac late 2009 & mid 2010
- 21″ & 27″ iMac mid 2011 to mid 2014
![Usb Usb](https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1knngRVXXXXXKapXXq6xXFXXXY/Dsupport-Aluminum-Alloy-Desktop-Monitor-Stand-Space-Bar-Laptop-Stand-Riser-with-4-ports-USB-charging.jpg)
Does the iMac run a compatible version of macOS?
You will also need to make sure that the iMac is running macOS High Sierra 10.13 or earlier. Newer versions of macOS do not support Target Display Mode, even if the iMac is one of the compatible models.
Determine which video output your MacBook has
The next step is to determine what sort of video output your MacBook has, as this will tell you which video cable you’ll need to connect the iMac, or if it’s even possible to connect it at all. How do i erase my macbook hard drive. Unless the MacBook is super old, it will be one of these four ports:
Mini-Display port
This port is found on older MacBooks. You should be able to see the Mini-Display port logo next to the port, which features on the following MacBooks:
- MacBook Air 2008-2010
- MacBook Pro 2008-2010
Thunderbolt 1/2 port
Thunderbolt ports look the same as the Mini-Display port, however they will feature a Thunderbolt logo next to the port instead. They come on the following MacBooks:
- MacBook Air 2011-2017
- MacBook Pro 2011-2015
USB-C (Thunderbolt 3) port
A USB-C port with Thunderbolt 3 capability is included on the following MacBooks:
- MacBook Air 2018 or later
- MacBook Pro 2016 or later
USB-C (Display-port only, no Thunderbolt) port
The 12″ MacBook (2015-2018) will have a USB-C port that supports only Mini-DP, not Thunderbolt.
Find a video cable to connect your MacBook to the iMac
Now you’ll need to find a video cable (and possibly adapter) to connect the MacBook and iMac. Which video cable will be needed depends on the MacBook being used, as well as the iMac model. Not all combinations of MacBook and iMac are compatible either, so take a look at the table below to find out which cable/adapter you’ll need based on the Macs you are trying to connect together:
MacBook with Mini-Display port | MacBook with Thunderbolt 1/2 | MacBook with USB-C (Thunderbolt 3) | MacBook with USB-C (Display-port only) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
iMac Late 2009 27-inch | Mini-DP to Mini-DP cable | Mini-DP to Mini-DP cable | USB-C to Mini-DP cable | USB-C to Mini-DP cable |
iMac Mid 2010 27-inch | Mini-DP to Mini-DP cable | Mini-DP to Mini-DP cable | USB-C to Mini-DP cable | USB-C to Mini-DP cable |
iMac Mid 2011 21.5-inch | Not compatible | Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 2 cable | USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 adapter + Thunderbolt 2 cable | Not compatible |
iMac Mid 2011 27-inch | Not compatible | Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 2 cable | USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 adapter + Thunderbolt 2 cable | Not compatible |
iMac Late 2012 21.5-inch | Not compatible | Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 2 cable | USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 adapter + Thunderbolt 2 cable | Not compatible |
iMac Late 2012 27-inch | Not compatible | Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 2 cable | USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 adapter + Thunderbolt 2 cable | Not compatible |
iMac Late 2013 21.5-inch | Not compatible | Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 2 cable | USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 adapter + Thunderbolt 2 cable | Not compatible |
iMac Late 2013 27-inch | Not compatible | Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 2 cable | USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 adapter + Thunderbolt 2 cable | Not compatible |
iMac Mid 2014 21.5-inch | Not compatible | Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 2 cable | USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 adapter + Thunderbolt 2 cable | Not compatible |
iMac Mid 2014 27-inch | Not compatible | Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 2 cable | USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 adapter + Thunderbolt 2 cable | Not compatible |
Purchase the correct cable via Amazon
Below are Amazon listings for the different cables that were specified in the table above, so you can purchase the appropriate one to connect your MacBook and iMac if you don’t already have it:
Usb Cable For Macbook Air
Mini-DP to Mini-DP cable$8.49USDBUY NOW VIA AMAZON
USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 adapter$49.99USDBUY NOW VIA AMAZON
Unidirectional USB-C to Mini-DP cable$17.99USDBUY NOW VIA AMAZON
Thunderbolt 2 cable$44.99USDBUY NOW VIA AMAZON
USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 adapter$49.99USDBUY NOW VIA AMAZON
Unidirectional USB-C to Mini-DP cable$17.99USDBUY NOW VIA AMAZON
Thunderbolt 2 cable$44.99USDBUY NOW VIA AMAZON
Put the iMac into Target Display Mode
Once you have connected your MacBook and iMac using the appropriate cable, all you should need to do is enter Target Display Mode on the iMac. This can be done by pressing Command-F2 on the iMac’s keyboard. Press the same combination to go back to normal, or simply unplug the video cable.
What if Target Display Mode doesn’t work?
If after pressing Command-F2 the iMac doesn’t start displaying your MacBook’s screen, review the below troubleshooting steps:
- Make sure the MacBook is logged into an account, not sitting on the login screen.
- In System Preferences > Keyboard make sure the box is ticked to “Use F1, F2 etc keys as standard function keys”.
- Try starting both the MacBook and iMac in Safe Mode to see if third party apps are interfering with Target Display Mode. To start in safe mode shut the Mac down, then hold the Shift key while starting back up until the Apple logo appears.
- Try using an original Apple keyboard (such as the one that came with the iMac) if possible, as some third party keyboards will not work correctly to activate Target Display Mode.
How To Use Usb Superdrive With Macbook Air
Additional Resources
Below are resources this article sourced information from, or which you may find helpful:
Share your experience!
How To Use Usb Headset With Macbook Air
Were you unable to get Target Display Mode working? Do you have some tips or other information not mentioned in this article? Then please share it in the comments section below to assist other people, or so other people can assist you.