Microsoft Will Sell USB-C Dongles Too

I was rather surprised that Microsoft didn’t announce any USB-C dongles alongside Surface Go. Surprise: They’re coming.

Two Surface-branded USB-C dongles are currently available for pre-order at Best Buy, a U.S.-based electronics retailer. They are:

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Microsoft Surface USB-C to Ethernet and USB Adapter. This $55 adapter is “compatible with all Surface models with built-in USB-C port” (e.g. Surface Book 2 and Surface Go) and provides both a full-sized USB-A port and a 1 Gbps Ethernet port.

Microsoft – Surface USB-C-to-USB Adapter. This $20 adapter is likewise “compatible with all Surface models with a built-in USB C port” and provides a single full-sized USB-A port.

Why these adapters weren’t mentioned in Microsoft’s Surface Go announcement this week is unclear. Likewise, they are not available for pre-order from Microsoft yet, which is doubly-curious.

Note, too, that any USB-C adapter or dongle will work just fine with Surface Go. You don’t need the Microsoft ones.

 

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Conversation 18 comments

  • glenn8878

    11 July, 2018 - 6:08 pm

    <p>Shouldn’t people convert to USB-C instead of trying to retain their outdated products? And it’s not worth spending $50 to save anything older than 1 years old. And I’d rather buy a PC that has both USB A and C than invest in transitions dongles. </p>

    • digiguy

      Premium Member
      11 July, 2018 - 6:33 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#290768"><em>In reply to glenn8878:</em></a></blockquote><p>outdated products, like any decent wifi mouse? or virtually any pen drive? Speaking of it, I have several large and fast pen drive including one which is basically an SSD in pen drive format and cost me 250$…</p><p>We are not in a USB C world yet. And when you look at the share of usb C mice and pen drives we won't be for quite a few years…</p>

      • glenn8878

        12 July, 2018 - 8:29 am

        <blockquote><a href="#290774"><em>In reply to digiguy:</em></a></blockquote><p>So all the pressure on Microsoft to include USB-C was premature and customers are not ready? Hilarious. Frankly, I’m ready if I’m buying a PC with only USB-C ports. Otherwise I’ll buy a PC with both A and C. </p>

        • Andi

          12 July, 2018 - 9:51 am

          <blockquote><a href="#290994"><em>In reply to glenn8878:</em></a></blockquote><p>What pressure? Only the tech blogs living mostly in an Apple bubble exerted any pressure. Thankfully MS, probably backed by actual telemetry, kept cool and refused to add TB on the Surface line. One USB-C port is plenty and the magsafe-like connector is a great and predictable differentiating feature. </p>

          • MikeGalos

            12 July, 2018 - 10:22 am

            <blockquote><a href="#291017"><em>In reply to Andi:</em></a></blockquote><p>And very few of those tech sites and tech blogs even bothered to inform their readers about all the various modes that may or may not be supported or that support may or may not continue down a chain based on the design and chipset used in a specific dongle or hub or even cable.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

          • glenn8878

            12 July, 2018 - 10:31 am

            <blockquote><a href="#291017"><em>In reply to Andi:</em></a></blockquote><p>Is Paul in Apple's bubble?&nbsp; He did complain about the lack of USB-C when Surface Laptop debut.</p>

            • Andi

              12 July, 2018 - 12:22 pm

              <blockquote><a href="#291032"><em>In reply to glenn8878:</em></a></blockquote><p>I was talking about the TB dogma that is preached by tech blogs. Paul was right to ask for USB-C and MS most recently provided(the latest SB and the SGo). Surface Laptop is good enough without USB-C as it is.</p>

  • RossNWirth

    Premium Member
    11 July, 2018 - 6:21 pm

    <p>Dell has a great one that includes USB A, ethernet, HDMI and VGA</p>

    • ivarh

      Premium Member
      11 July, 2018 - 7:41 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#290770"><em>In reply to RossNWirth:</em></a></blockquote><p>Not so great. No 4k 60Hz support</p>

      • wright_is

        Premium Member
        12 July, 2018 - 3:05 am

        <blockquote><a href="#290798"><em>In reply to ivarh:</em></a></blockquote><p>If you are talking about the DA200, it is a USB-C adapter and not Thunderbolt 3 (the Go also doesn't have Thunderbolt).</p>

  • bbold

    11 July, 2018 - 6:57 pm

    <p>I wish they had just put a USB A port along the left side of the SGO, but I also know they probably were limited on space and an area to place your Surface Pen without area being obstructed. At any rate, I think it's a good idea that Microsoft makes its own dongles, because when customers buy their products in store (students, for instance) they may want to pick up a dongle to avoid having to track one down elsewhere. I'm guessing in the past customers would just go elsewhere to buy one, so why not provide that service in Microsoft stores. I'm sure enterprise customers will probably buy them in bulk, as well.</p>

  • harmjr

    Premium Member
    11 July, 2018 - 7:31 pm

    <p>Does anyone know if Logitech will start selling a USB C unifying receiver?</p>

  • paulkbiba

    Premium Member
    11 July, 2018 - 7:35 pm

    <p>The Wirecutter just posted a review of USB C hubs and docks: https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-usb-c-hubs-and-docks/</p&gt;

  • Stoicjim

    Premium Member
    11 July, 2018 - 10:38 pm

    <p>The Microsoft Display Dock (for the 950XL) works with the Surface Book 2 USB-C port. Of course, it has to be powered.</p>

    • PeterC

      12 July, 2018 - 2:11 am

      <blockquote><a href="#290893"><em>In reply to Stoicjim:</em></a></blockquote><p>I keep wondering what to do with my old 950 display doc too. </p>

  • wright_is

    Premium Member
    12 July, 2018 - 3:03 am

    <p>That is pretty pricey, just to have the Surface name on it. Aukey sell a USB-C to Ethernet + 4 USB-A for 19€. I've been using the USB-A version for a couple of years and it is a great device.</p>

  • Davor Radman

    12 July, 2018 - 7:17 am

    <p>That's trange.. What about HDMI, where is video out?</p>

    • robincapper

      12 July, 2018 - 10:04 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#290946"><em>In reply to Markiz von Schnitzel:</em></a></blockquote><p>They have a USB C to HDMI adapter already, sold for Surface Book 2 and 4K 90hz capable to support the Mixed reality headsets (not that Go will!)</p>

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