How to connect your existing accessories to USB-C on the MacBook Pro (2016)

Need to find a way to use all your accessories with the new MacBook Pro? We've got your back!

On the new MacBook Pro lineup, the only ports you'll find are Thunderbolt 3, meaning you'll need USB-C connectors to plug anything into your MacBook Pro. I know that some of you are looking around the room at all your peripherals and probably feeling a little like this:

I'm here to tell you that there is hope for those wanting to purchase a new MacBook Pro and use all their favorite accessories. Let's take a look at some of the popular devices you may have sitting around and what you need to hook them up to the new MacBook Pro.

Printers, microphones, and flash drives

Probably still one of the most used technologies in various peripherals is USB-A, the traditional USB connector that you're used to. On top of printers, microphones, and flash drives, USB-A can also connect to a plethora of other technology such as external hard drives, webcams, and even DSLR cameras.

If you're looking to use any of these with your MacBook Pro, you'll need a USB-C to USB-A adapter. Apple sells one of its very own, and right now you can pick it up for $9.

See at Apple

iPhone and iPad

Although you could use the USB-C to USB-A adapter and connect your iPhone or iPad that way, I think it's worth mentioning you can also just buy a USB-C to Lightning cable, meaning you don't have to use a dongle. You can pick one up from Apple for $19.

See at Apple

Thunderbolt 2 Mac monitors

If you're still sporting a gorgeous Thunderbolt display and don't feel any reason to get rid of it, you'll need a Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter. The bonus of this solution is you can take advantage of all the ports included on the Thunderbolt Display, which would probably save you from having to get other dongles.

See at Apple

Power banks, Bluetooth speakers, and Android devices

Micro-USB is still used quite frequently for charging batteries in many peripherals and is especially popular among Android devices (until recently). Since Apple devices have pretty much never used this technology, the company doesn't sell any adapter or cable; however, third-party companies do, and they do the trick just fine.

CHOETECH sells a 1-meter USB-C to microUSB cable for about $25.

See at Amazon

SD Cards

Super important to a lot of people, SD cards carry information and files from a lot of high-quality cameras. If you're a photographer, videographer, or just a person with a point-and-shoot camera, you're going to want an SD card reader.

Apple sells a third-party one from SanDisk that is designed to work with USB-C; you can pick it up for $29.

See at Apple

Ethernet

Some people prefer a wired internet connection rather than wireless. If that's you, you'll want to get an adapter.

This third-party dongle from Belkin comes recommended by Apple and can support Gigabit Ethernet. You can pick it up for $35

See at Amazon

TVs and HDMI monitors

Another popular connection for 4K and HD video is HDMI. An HDMI connection is the easiest way to connect your MacBook Pro to plenty of different brands of monitors and TVs.

Apple does sell a USB-C AV adapter that has an HDMI port and two others, but it's a little pricier than some third-party options.

You can pick up a great little USB-C to HDMI dongle made be AUKEY for only $32.

See at Amazon

Other accessories?

Are you making the jump to the new MacBook Pro, despite current peripherals? Let us know in the comments below!