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Apple drops dongle prices to make USB-C upgrade affordable

Users rebel at $69 price to keep old peripherals alive

Apple won't admit it got the pricing wrong, but has nonetheless slashed the cost of USB-C-to-connectors-people-actually-use dongles.

Apple's new Strip Poker edition MacBook Pro offers only USB-C ports, a pain in the peripheral for anyone who has accrued a collection of USB 2.0 gadgets over the last decade. Which is to say, everyone who uses a computer.

Cupertino caters to owners of USB 2.0 kit by offering conversion dongles, starting at US$19 for a USB-C to USB 2.0 adapter, or a $69 VGA or HDMI adapter.

None of which were hailed as happy news by fanbois, who wondered why upgrading a Mac meant being nickel-and-dimed for peripherals.

Apple's therefore halved the cost of its USB-C-to-USB, USB-C-to-Lightning and USB-C-to-other-video-standards dongles, and explained its decision with the following widely circulated statement:

We recognize that many users, especially pros, rely on legacy connectors to get work done today and they face a transition. We want to help them move to the latest technology and peripherals, as well as accelerate the growth of this new ecosystem. Through the end of the year, we are reducing prices on all USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 peripherals we sell, as well as the prices on Apple's USB-C adapters and cables.

Or in other words, Apple is cutting its early adopters a break and saving Christmas just a little at the same time.

Users who aren't underwhelmed by the pointless and proven failure of the Touch Bar or over-the-odds price rises in the UK can therefore now buy the new Pro safe in the knowledge that they're only being gouged a little bit rather than a lot. ®

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