macbook pro thunderbolt external hard drive

Connecting Your MacBook Pro to External Hard Drives and Devices

If you're looking to connect your MacBook Pro to external hard drives and devices, there are several options available depending on what type of device you need to connect to. One option is to use a USB-A card reader, but if you only have a USB-C port on your MacBook Pro, you'll need an adapter. Apple offers a USB-C to USB Adapter for $19/£19, or you can get a USB-C dock.

If you're looking to access an SD card, you'll need a different type of adapter. The SanDisk Extreme PRO SD UHS-II USB-C Card Reader is a good option and can be found on Amazon for $21/£21.

If you use a DSLR or other type of standalone camera, it may have the ability to transfer files wirelessly. This can be a convenient option if you need to move large files between devices.

In addition to wireless connections, you may also want to consider connecting your MacBook Pro to an Ethernet network. To do this, you'll need an adapter like the Anker USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter, which is available on Amazon for $23/£17.

Using an Ethernet connection has several advantages over a Wi-Fi connection, including faster transfer speeds and greater security. Apple has a support document that details the differences between USB-C adapters and Ethernet adapters.

When shopping for adapters, be sure to check the model number to ensure you're getting the latest version. The older version of the adapter (model number A1621) supports HDMI 1.4, while the newer version (model number A2119) released in August 2019 supports HDMI 2.0.

If you need to connect your MacBook Pro to a high-definition display, you'll want an HDMI cable that supports 48Gbps bandwidth. The Belkin Ultra HD HDMI 2.1 Cable is a good option and can be found on Amazon for $28/£42.

Apple also offers the USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter, which provides multiple ports, including a USB-A port and a USB-C port for charging only. This adapter is available for $69/£75.

The M2 Pro/Max 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro has an HDMI 2.1 port, which can support up to an 8K display at 60Hz or a 4K display at 240Hz. However, the port only supports HDMI 2.0, so the maximum resolution and refresh rate it can run is 4k at 60Hz.

If you have a regular HDMI cable, such as the Amazon Basic HDMI Cable, you can use this to connect your MacBook Pro to an external display. The 14- and 16-inch M1 Pro/Max MacBook Pro or Mac Studio also have a full-sized HDMI 2.0 port.

Macbook pro thunderbolt external hard drive