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Comment by buro9 | Hacker News Reader

Just got my first MBP.

Found problems with USB devices on day 1 with USB 2.0 devices intermittently freezing.

Documented https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/gp5b1z/usb_20_issues_o... , and there is a workaround... do not use any hub that shows a USB 2.0 device to the Mac, find and use a USB-C hub that presents everything as USB 3.0 to the Mac even if it's USB 2.0

I believe that this is a Catalina software bug, and now I have a workaround I am happy. Sucks for those who can't figure out the debugging though.

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literally the reason to drop $3k on a mac is to never have to debug

Exactly! Exactly!

Sometimes my wifi drops out when I connect a USB-C hub to my MBP (Mojave). I should really look into it.

I just got through researching this issue for a client. Apparently it is at least somewhat common, and appears to be caused by RF interference/noise radiating from USB 3.0 ports and cables, which stomps over 2.4 GHz band.

Popular solutions seem to involve applying custom shielding to dongles/cables/adaptors, trying different models of these, or experimenting with their physical proximity and layout. Sigh.

Discussion, including a link to an Intel whitepaper on the topic, here: https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/329970/usb-c-dongl...

Yes. Best fix (when possible): switch to 5 GHz WiFi.

When the MBP with USB-C first came out in late 2016, I noticed this issue and documented it and brought the machine to Apple, and they offered to exchange the motherboard. However, work and travel prevented me from bringing the machine in, and when I brought it to the shop next time to have it fixed months later they said it’s a known issue that can’t be fixed. Use WiFi, plug in an external HD - choose one.

Edit to add: I even asked HN, but it didn’t get answers:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13494910

Thanks for the info (and the child comment). I'm really glad I spent so much money on this laptop.

THANKS so much! I was experiencing this same issue!

Anyone know of a good hub that works that way?

CalDigit TS3+ is the one that solved my issue.

I might be missing something here: CalDigit TS3+ costs £230 -- that is a fuck-tonne of money, to solve a problem that should not exist in the first place.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CalDigit-TS3-Plus-Thunderbolt-Dock-...

I spent over £600 on 4 USB hubs, to find 1 that allowed USB 2.0 devices to work with the £3k MacBook Pro.

Apple hardware is an expensive hobby it seems.

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