First look at the new Surface Connect to USB Type-C Adapter from Microsoft

It's been just over one year since the Surface Pro for 2022 was announced and with it, the eventual release of a Surface Connect to USB-C adapter.

The omission of a Type-C port – even if not full Thunderbolt 3 – has been seen as a black-eye on the Surface Pro, but that is now existence partially fixed with the new $79.99 adapter, which is at present available.

I've been using the adapter for the final few hours and while I'll practise a full review later this week here are my initial thoughts on it.

More of a mini-dock than a dongle

Much has been about the size of the Surface Connect to USB-C Adapter. It is rather big when compared to typical dongles or Type-C adapter, but this is more than that.

Weighing in at 91 grams this accompaniment is more of a mini-Surface Dock meant for a desk surroundings versus something you use in your lap. That's because the principal idea behind the Surface Connect to USB-C Adapter is to let the Surface Laptop and Surface Pro connect to Type-C hubs, displays, and power sources rather than a simple USB-C pollex drive.

The size and weight allow the Surface Connect to USB-C Adapter lend it to working better when stationary on an office desk, or permanent setup. Instead of sliding all around or stressing the Surface Connect port it rests on the desk without slipping.

Indeed, it does work well. So far, everything I take thrown at it has worked without issue, including:

• External USB-C display (Asus ZenScreen)
• USB-C docks with SD, Ethernet, USB-A, etc.
• USB-C external drives.
• USB-C power adapters (65W and 130W tested).
• USB-C portable battery/Air-conditioning adapter (Dell hybrid ability bank).

Equally expected, the Surface Connect to USB-C Adapter does not support Thunderbolt 3 so that pricey portable Dell SSD does not piece of work.

This is for enterprise (not really consumers)

Another signal of confusion is who should be buying the Surface Connect to USB-C Adapter. While consumers are certainly welcomed to drop $80 if they need this accessory, information technology is positioned for businesses who have invested in the latest Surface Pro or Surface Laptop and who also converted to Type-C accessories and hubs in the role.

That toll tag may seem expensive, but if a business concern is buying in bulk, they presumably become a discount. It'due south mutual for companies to sell PC and laptop accessories at a premium price, e.g., Lenovo's $25 RJ-45 adapter or Dell's $60 Type-C dongle.

From that perspective, the Surface Connect to USB-C Adapter makes sense for companies who have invested in Surface Pro and Surface Laptop for the next few years.

As of now, the Surface Connect to USB-C Adapter does non work with the Surface Pro four or original Surface Volume, but support may come later through a firmware update if it'due south possible. That would make the Surface Connect to USB-C Adapter an even ameliorate investment for companies who have those devices.

Update: Farther testing so far has revealed that the adapter does work with Surface Pro 4.

Offset impressions are great

Surface Pro charging with a Dell Blazon-C adapter.

Putting bated some expectations that the Surface Connect to USB-C Adapter would be just a small device that changes the port blueprint the adapter does piece of work well.

The power to utilise any USB-C ability source is beneficial for those who take those AC adapters laying around. Beingness able to leverage smaller, more affordable Type-C hubs that back up Ethernet, display out, ability, USB and SD cards also makes the Surface Pro and Surface Laptop much more exciting and useful in the office.

The biggest win for me is the ability to apply my Asus ZenScreen with the Surface Laptop or Surface Pro — that portable second screen is great for when I travel.

Nosotros'll do a full review of the Surface Connect to USB-C Adapter subsequently this week to do some more testing. Let united states know in comments beneath what you think and if y'all have any questions.

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Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/first-look-surface-connect-usb-c-adapter

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