Home CasaVerdeSmart ,,,,, The spread of Macs with Type-C ports has brought interesting prospects from the point of view of performance and flexibility, given the power of this technology, but also some concerns. Among them, how to connect a computer to a TV or a display, a need that is also very common but which in some cases presents itself as problematic due to technical difficulties and the not very wide availability of accessories of this type. To solve this problem there is, among others, Choetech with a couple of products that we have had the opportunity to test these days: a Type-C cable to HDMI and a Type-C cable to HDMI but with pass-through power socket.
The packages of the two Choetech Type-C to HDMI cables
Both cables basically perform the same function: connect a Mac (or PC) to a device with HDMI input. The first of the two cables is quite common, although at the moment much less common than a standard cable, the second is the ideal solution for those who have a MacBook 12 ″ Retina, but not only, as we will see.
The description in the first case is also rather superfluous: just connect the cable on one side to the computer and on the other to the TV or monitor and that's it. We have not, in fact, had the slightest problem; the TV immediately recognized the computer and presented the images from the very first attempt.
The second cable, on the other hand, is more interesting precisely because it can also be used to power the machine. The secret of this accessory is the Type-C port that we find next to the HDMI plug; here we can in fact connect a power supply, using a Type-C cable, to power the computer. The advantage is immediately obvious: it will not be necessary to occupy a different door to keep the Mac running. This in some cases, as for MacPro, is a significant logistical advantage, in other cases it makes a substantial difference.
The Type-C cable with power input
Let's think, for example, of a 12 ″ Retina MacBook that has only one HDMI port. In this case, to connect the Mac to the TV for a movie or to a projector for a demonstration, we will necessarily have to resort to a Hub or resign ourselves to finish viewing or presentation when the battery runs out. We emphasize that there are also numerous smartphones with Type-C ports. And even in this case, the same goes for the MacBook 12 ″ Retina: if you want to use your phone to view a movie on a TV, you may not have many alternatives to a cable like this.
The maximum transmission power is 60W, enough to function and recharge, without problems not only a phone but also a MacBook 12 ″ Retina (which requires less than 30W) and a latest generation 13 ″ MacBook. As for the 15 ″ MacBook Pros, it would take 80W, but 60W is still enough to keep the computer running without draining the battery and to recharge it, albeit slower than the performance of the power supply found in its box.
Functional differences aside, the two cables stand out for being both well constructed. The plastics of the coating are of high quality, the connectors well made. Those of the Type-C plug cable with feed-through are also made of metal. The length is ideal: 1.8 meters, in the package there is also a velcro strap to roll up and keep in order of two cables.
Type-C connectors are very well built
In conclusion, if you are looking for a good cable to connect your Mac or a computer with Type-C with a very affordable cost, both products from Choetech are worth considering. If you need a system to power a Mac or a phone without resorting to complicated and expensive hookups, then the model with Type-C input is the most rational solution and probably also one of the few that gives you this possibility
The cable with power port costs 19.99 euros
The cable without port two power supply costs 14.99 euros
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