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Expand Your iMac 2019 USB-C Ports with a Simple Adapter Solution

Learn how a USB-C Female to USB-A Male adapter can solve the port limitations on your iMac 2019

USB C Adapter

If you're like me and love having a dual-monitor setup on your iMac 2019, then you might be familiar with the frustration of limited USB-C ports. The iMac 2019 only comes with two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, and when both of those are dedicated to external monitors, you might feel stuck when you need to connect another USB-C device. Today, I want to share a simple workaround that has worked well for me: using a USB-C Female to USB-A Male adapter.

The iMac 2019 USB-C Port Dilemma

The iMac 2019 boasts two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports capable of impressive data transfer speeds - up to 40 gigabits per second (Gbps) with Thunderbolt and 10 Gbps with USB 3.1 Gen 2. While these ports are powerful, they can be used up quickly when you're connecting external monitors or other accessories. My own setup consists of two external monitors, which means I'm often left with no USB-C ports available for other devices.

The USB-C Female to USB-A Male Adapter Solution

This is where the USB-C Female to USB-A Male adapter has been a lifesaver. It allows me to plug USB-C devices into one of the available USB-A ports on the back of my iMac, eliminating the need to unplug a monitor every time I need to use an external USB-C accessory. With this adapter, I can keep my dual-monitor setup intact while adding extra connectivity.

The Guermok USB C to USB-A Male Adapter came with my SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD.

Compatibility and Power Considerations

For those of you considering this solution, here are some important things I've discovered about using this adapter with different devices:

  • SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD: This adapter works great with my SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD. I can easily connect it to my iMac through one of the USB-A ports, and data transfers are seamless and speedy. However, I don't recommend using the adapter when saving video stream to the device, as it seems the video stream had a lot of noise. The adapter handles the power requirements without any issues, allowing me to keep all my important files accessible.

  • Apple Thunderbolt Display: Unfortunately, the adapter doesn't work with the Apple Thunderbolt Display. The Thunderbolt Display requires a direct Thunderbolt 3 connection for power and data, and using a USB-A adapter simply doesn't provide the necessary power or data bandwidth to support it.

Power Capabilities of the iMac 2019

The power output capabilities of the iMac 2019's USB-C ports are crucial to keep in mind when connecting different devices. The Thunderbolt 3 ports offer plenty of power for most USB-C devices, but when you're using a USB-C to USB-A adapter, the available power drops to whatever the USB-A port can supply - which is generally lower. This means it's great for smaller peripherals like SSDs or USB-C flash drives, but not for power-hungry devices like monitors.

Amazon Has Them

You can find all sorts of USB-C Female to USB-A Male adapter on Amazon.com. You can get a three-pack for around $7. They make great stocking stuffers if you don't need three of them!

Conclusion

If you're running into connectivity limitations with your iMac 2019, a USB-C Female to USB-A Male adapter can be an affordable and simple way to expand your options. It's not a perfect solution for every USB-C device - as I learned with the Apple Thunderbolt Display - but it works well for many peripherals, especially storage devices like my SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD. Just be mindful of the power capabilities and the specific devices you're connecting.

Have you found other creative solutions for expanding the connectivity of your iMac 2019? I'd love to hear what has worked for you in the comments!

 

About

A Mac veteran since 1989, I'm here to share my experience with tips and tricks every Friday. Witnessing the evolution of Mac software and hardware firsthand, I've gained a deep understanding of how these machines work and can help you troubleshoot any issues that may come up.

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