I got myself a Mac for learning SwiftUi because I want to make an iPhone game. I got myself a used 16/256 M1 Air model that has 2 USB-C ports and that’s it.

This made me create a workstation, where I have a high quality Thunderbolt 3 dock that works with DisplayLink, so I can have up to 4 external displays on windows and 3 on my MacBook Air. On this dock, I have connected 2 monitors, a mouse, a keyboard, a webcam, still have some USB A and C ports free to use. Best thing is that this dock has a micro SD and a regular SD slot!

All this through a single USB-C cable!

I want to connect my work HP Probook to this setup? Just plug the USB-C cable in and all comes to life!

I want to connect my gaming-PC? Just plug the USB-C cable in the Thunderbolt slot of the Graphics card and all comes to life!

Oh, I want to connect my USB-C emulator console, iPad, Tablet, etc. to the monitor, or the USB-stick? Or the Ethernet ? Just plug it in!

Basically I got my single cable workstation, and all that because of Apple removing useful at-home-things from a on-the-go device

  • ArcaneSlime@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    6·
    3 months ago

    I like my Framework 16’s solution: 6 hot-swappable expansion ports. Only want one USB-C? Get one and 3d print fillers for the other 5 slots or use the expandable memory because why not (other than $). Want an SD or MicroSD? You can get that too, along with 3.5mm, hdmi, USB-A, ethernet, or display ports. Everyone can configure it exactly how they want.

    • apfelwoiSchoppen@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      3 months ago

      I had a preorder for a 16 but because life I had to cancel it and go with something else. I’m still rooting for them so hard. Glad to see folks out there using them and liking them enough to talk about their experiences.

      • ArcaneSlime@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
        2·
        3 months ago

        I love it! I understand how it goes with the life stuff, I’m just lucky that it worked out really. Definitely keep an eye on them in the future, you can get refurbed and factory seconds of 13s now from https://frame.work/marketplace, so by the next time you’re hunting that may be a decent option for less money! Still pretty expensive, but at least they’re less!