Plugable USB Charging Adapter
SKU: USB-MC1
List Price : $7.95
Amazon Rating :
(237 Reviews)
Features
- PEACE OF MIND—The Plugable 'USB-MC1' adapter enables you to turn any USB data port in to a charge-only port. This can be advantageous as some devices charge too slowly or do not charge when connected to a USB data port. It also serves to protect your device and its data from hackers and viruses. The MC1 is smaller than a pack of chewing gum and will easily fit in your pocket. Perfect for on the go charging at airports, coffee shops, libraries, and more.
- SAFETY—Don't risk your device and data by charging unprotected on an unknown and unsecure USB port. Our MC1 acts as a USB port 'firewall'. It isolates your device from the USB data so it cannot enter data transfer mode. With the MC1 there is no risk of hacking/viruses when charging as only the 5V power is allowed through the USB port. Protect your data, identity, and device by keeping hackers and unwanted data access while charging (known as 'juice jacking') out.
- COMPATIBILITY—Adapter simulates an Apple 1A charger signal (nearly all USB devices on the market are capable of charging from this signal as it has become the unofficial standard for USB charging).
- FASTER CHARGING—Computer USB ports and many other stand alone chargers will only charge devices at 500mA (.5A) with a normal data cable, this adapters allows charging at 1A or more—twice as fast! Adapter also allows supported devices to charge on most powered USB hubs even when the computer is off or not connected.
- PREDICTABLE CHARGING—Battery charging over USB has become a standard practice but the actual charging behavior of different devices is often unpredictable and sometimes disappointing. Read the description below for more background information and if this is the right adapter for you.
Plugable's USB Charge-Only Adapter
Plugable USB-MC1
The Plugable USB-MC1 adapter enables you to turn any USB data port in to a charge-only port. This can be advantageous as some devices charge too slowly or do not charge when connected to a USB data port. It also serves to protect your device and its data from hackers and viruses. The MC1 is smaller than a pack of chewing gum and will easily fit in your pocket. Perfect for on the go charging at airports, coffee shops, libraries, and more.
Battery charging over USB has become a standard practice but the actual charging behavior of different devices is often unpredictable and sometimes disappointing. Read below for more background information and if this is the right adapter for you.
USB Charging Information - How it Works
Most devices can't or won't charge from normal USB ports and powered hubs if the computer is turned off or not connected. That includes most Android, iOS, and Windows Mobile devices. The phone or tablet must negotiate how much power to pull, to do so by the original USB specification, devices are supposed to only draw 100mA at first and then they can then negotiate up to 500mA. This negotiation requires a PC that's attached and on. Unfortunately even at 500mA, charging most devices will take a very long time to charge.
Most devices can't or won't charge from normal USB ports and powered hubs if the computer is turned off or not connected. That includes most Android, iOS, and Windows Mobile devices. The phone or tablet must negotiate how much power to pull, to do so by the original USB specification, devices are supposed to only draw 100mA at first and then they can then negotiate up to 500mA. This negotiation requires a PC that's attached and on. Unfortunately even at 500mA, charging most devices will take a very long time to charge.
For example, the iPhone and most other phones will charge on a standard port this way, but they can also charge faster (up to 1A) if the USB port sends a special, non-standard signal to say "I'm an Apple 1A charger". The Plugable MC1 adapter simulates that Apple 1A signal, turning any powered USB port with at least 1A power available into a charging port. Even though it's not standard, it's how Apple pioneered faster charging, and fortunately, nearly all phones and tablets on the market today recognize this signal as it has become the unofficial standard for USB charging.
For larger devices such as tablets like the iPad, this adapter is even more important because their batteries are larger and charging at 500mA would be too slow.
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USB Port Types
USB-A
pietz, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
This is the standard USB connection that most computers offered prior to the introduction of USB Type-C (USB-C). Even after the introduction of USB Type-C, this is still quite common.
It can provide data transfer rates up to the USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 gbps) specification depending on the host and device, but does not directly support video in the way that USB-C Alternate Mode does. This limitation makes DisplayLink USB graphics adapters and docking stations ideal on systems that do not have USB-C, or in instances where more displays are needed beyond available video outputs of a PC.
USB-B
Fred the Oyster, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
IngenieroLoco, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This type of connection comes in a couple different styles depending on whether USB 3.0 and higher transfer rates are supported (bottom graphic). Usually this type of connection is used to plug into USB devices that do not have a fixed cable connected, such as USB docking stations, USB hubs, printers, and others.
USB Mini-B
Fred the Oyster, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
One of the first connectors for charging a smartphone, wireless game controller (such as the Sixaxis and DualShock 3), and other small devices such as external hard drives. Not commonly used today, but is still used in some cases. Most devices using USB Mini B are using USB 2.0, though a USB 3.0 variant does exist. This specification also added USB On-The-Go (OTG) functionality, though it is more commonly implemented with Micro USB.
USB Micro-B
Fred the Oyster, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
IngenieroLoco, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
A smaller connector that serves many of the same uses as the Mini B connector, with added optional features such as Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) to allow devices like smartphones to output video to larger displays without requiring a dedicated port for video output.
The larger variant of USB-B is most commonly used for external hard drives for higher 5Gbps transfer rates.
USB-C, Thunderbolt™ 3, and Thunderbolt™ 4
Niridya , CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The most recent USB connection, USB Type-C (USB-C), represents a major change in what USB can do. The connector is smaller, can be connected in two orientations, is able to carry substantially more power and data, and can directly carry video signals of multiple types (HDMI, DisplayPort, etc.) Intel has also adapted the USB-C connector for use with Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4.
It is important to note that while all Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 connections are USB-C, not all USB-C connections can be used with Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 devices.
More details regarding physical USB connections can be found on Wikipedia . The graphics depicted here are adapted from Wikimedia Commons by various artists under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
Do Plugable products support the Apple SuperDrive?
Unfortunately Plugable products do not support the Apple SuperDrive.
The Apple SuperDrive has stringent power requirements that can only be met by directly connecting the SuperDrive to your host laptop. As a result at this time Apple recommends only using their USB-C adapter cables. You can find more information on that here -→ How to connect the Apple USB SuperDrive
If you have purchased a Plugable product to use with your Apple SuperDrive, and would like some additional assistance please do not hesitate to reach out. You can do so by emailing support@plugable.com, or going to Plugable.com/Support.
