What cables do you need to use each Apple product now – Quartz

There was a time, many moons ago, when it was relatively simple to know which cables you needed to use your Apple products. There were long 30-pin connectors for iPods, iPhones and iPads, as well as the MagSafe power cable for laptops, and that was just about it all.

But in recent years, Apple has diversified into different types of cables for different devices. Just this week, Apple has abandoned the Lightning cable that it has been using for six years on all iOS devices with the new iPad Pro.

Here is a quick reminder of what you will need to use the latest Apple products:

iPhone

For the moment, all iPhone models still use Apple's proprietary technology. Lightning cable charge and connect phones to computers. They are always delivered with a cable with a Lightning connector on one end and a standard USB connector on the other.

But there are two problems: First of all, Apple's recent laptops do not have a standard USB port – they use the newer, smaller USB-C standard – so you have to choose a laptop. Lightning to USB-C cable to charge your phone from a Mac. Apple sells one for $ 19.

The second problem is that all iPhone since iPhone 7 do not have a headphone jack, that is to say that if you want to use a wired headset, you will need to a headphone adapter plug into the Lightning port. Apple has added one in the case of each new phone before the iPhone X this year. If you still need it, Apple sells one at $ 9. (Another much more expensive option is to give up the cables and buy a wireless headset, like Apple's $ 159 AirPod.)

If you want to listen to music and charge your phone at the same time, you will need to a splitter cable. Apple does not manufacture it, but there is a whole range of options, starting at around $ 15.

Every iPhone since the iPhone X has been able to charge quickly, getting a charge of about 50% in about 30 minutes, but oddly, you can not use the cables that come with the phones. Instead, you need one Lightning to USB-C once again 30W USB-C Power Adapter, which is a larger version of the one that came with the new iPad. Apple sells one at $ 49.

iPad

Every iPad since the fourth-generation model released in 2012 has used a Lightning cable, including early versions of the iPad Pro and the iPad Mini.

Just like iPhones, you'll need a Lightning to USB-C cable to charge from a Mac laptop.

iPad Pro (2018)

At this week's event in Brooklyn, Apple unveiled a new iPad Pro abandoning the Lightning connector for the benefit of a USB-C port, much like those found on his most recent laptops. The tablet will also come with a USB-C to USB-C cablewhich means that you will have to choose a Lightning to USB-C use it to charge an iPhone.

In addition, the tablet has no headphone jack and is not supplied with an adapter. You will have to choose one if you need it.

And if you want to fully exploit the processing capabilities of the iPad Pro and if you want to use it to edit images from a camera, you will need a USB-C SD Card Reader, which Apple sells for $ 39. If you want to connect the iPad to an external monitor, you will need a USB-C Digital Multiport AV Adapter, which Apple sells for $ 69.

MacBook Pro / MacBook / MacBook Air (2018)

If you use one of Apple's newest laptops, including the new MacBook Air, introduced this week, you're probably aware that they do not have many ports and that They are all USB-C. This means that you need some sort of adapter to connect to your old accessories and probably your phone.

For an external monitor, Apple's best choice is still the USB-C Digital Multiport AV Adapter, because it gives you an HDMI connection, as well as a USB-C port and a standard USB port for playing. Apple also sells a version for VGA connections, which also costs $ 69.

If you need an Ethernet connection, Apple sells a USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter made by Belkin for $ 35.

If, for some reason, you still need a CD / DVD drive, Apple does not do anything USB-C CD PlayerAlthough you can theoretically buy the standard USB, it sells for $ 79, then buy an adapter, or you can turn to other manufacturers, like Nolyth's drive with $ 59 on Amazon.

The latest Apple laptops are no longer delivered with an extension cord, so if you want one, you'll have to shell out $ 19 to get one from Apple.

Apple Watch

Each generation of watches comes with a magnetic charger with a standard USB connector. If you want to recharge your watch from the new iPad Pro or from a newer laptop, you will need the new USB-C chargerwhich will cost you $ 29.

How much will it cost me?

If you're an unconditional fan of Apple buying your laptop, phone, watch and tablet from Apple and want to make sure everything can connect and work with everything else, it will slow you down considerably. By purchasing each of the cables listed above, you would be spending $ 342 which is close to the cost of a brand new Apple Watch. It's almost like Apple is trying to force you to do everything wirelessly.