I want a converter to plug a standard USB3 external drive into the USB C socket on my laptop.
There are lots of these things on eBay, but I have no idea which are rubbish and which are okay. If anyone knows of one that works well, could you recommend it to me please?
Cheers, Timmee. :-)
I've just purchased these, nice and small and seem to work fine
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07449RJV8?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
I bought one of the converters (like Ken and TBG have linked to). Mine worked for about three weeks. Then the hard drive stopped mounting. Or rather it would mount then instantly unmount (or should that be dismount?), then try again. It was pinging on, then off, then on again. And pop up boxes would appear, and moments later disappear again.
I eventually contacted Lacie (makers of the hard drive) who advised me to buy a cable. USB to USB C rather than a converter.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334014963317
No problems since.
Of course, I might just have had a duff converter.
I have bought two sets of these Syntech USB adaptors ... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CVX3516?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
They work on my Macbook Pro 14in as well as my work Dell laptop. Next day delivery on Amazon.
Edited by Tarmoo
Tarmoo said
I have bought two sets of these Syntech USB adaptors ... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CVX3516?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
They work on my Macbook Pro 14in as well as my work Dell laptop. Next day delivery on Amazon.
Edited by Tarmoo
I use the same ones and have never had a problem with them on various laptops.
B.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01GGKYYT0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
Works a treat with my USB 3 external hard disk. Amazon sell a lot of them it seems (45,000 ratings) and does the job properly with zero fuss.
I have a USB-C to everything gadget in my bag (SD, Micro SD, USB-A, VGA, HDMI, ethernet), but the cheap one is permanently on the the drive cable.
Thanks EVERYONE. I've got lots of options now. :-D
(As some regular forum users will know) I'm a terrible cheapskate - so I've ordered Ken's recommended item.
Edited by Timmee
Timmee said
(As some regular forum users will know) I'm a terrible cheapskate - so I've ordered Ken's recommended item.
Four pence cheaper than a new cable. 
That very expensive cable has a male USB A connector whereas Ken's recommendation (4p cheaper) as the female socket that I need. LOL
ps. Love the Ron Moody Fagin 🤣 👍
Edited by Timmee
Personally I'd go the cable route too - one less set of contacts to worry about.
Its not Fagin, but Scrooge as played by Alistair Sim in the 1951 film Scrooge ...
You have to be careful with some cheap USB Hubs as they can brick your laptop if you buy the wrong one.
I recently wanted to get an Ethernet to USB-C connector for my M1 Macbook Pro and did a bit of research on Amazon. Some reviews mentioned that some hubs got hot when used. In the end I got a UGreen USB-C to Ethernet cable https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07M8GSLQB?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details as this seemed to have good reviews. Apple do sell a Belkin Ethernet to USB-C adaptor, so presumably that is a good alternative.
