Cannot connect my H2O to new MacBook Pro with Apple M1 chip. - Page 3

johnnyb · 12-21-2020, 08:26 AM

Kobos not connecting to Macs properly is probably as old as Kobo readers...
It's to do with the way Apple implements USB and also with the crappy unreliable USB drivers that the Kobo readers have. Try a USB2 hub.

Sirtel · 12-21-2020, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

Or perhaps that Apple would stop offering latest and greatest hardware that—unnecessarily—breaks compatibility with older hardware.

Looking at Intel's Thunderbolt 4 specifications and testing on the only device I have access to that has an Intel Thunderbolt 4 port (Lenovo laptop we are testing for staff use), a simple USB-C to USB-A adapter allowed me to plug multiple USB-2 devices including 3 different Kobo ereaders and an older Kindle and have Windows 10 mount them without issue.

It's been said before that it's not only Apple. My Kobo Libra won't connect to my 2020 Dell laptop either, and I have tried several USB C to USB A adapters. My Kindles connect just fine. So it's something to do with Kobo as well.

Gone · 12-21-2020, 02:50 PM

Could a new Kobo firmware fix this ?

DNSB · 12-21-2020, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claude_C

Could a new Kobo firmware fix this ?

It's possible an update might allow more reliable connections. It all depends on how the kernel and hardware are able to handle the USB handshake. As I've mentioned, I've found my USB charging ports are iffier when directly connected to my Kobo ereaders.

JSWolf · 12-21-2020, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

It's possible an update might allow more reliable connections. It all depends on how the kernel and hardware are able to handle the USB handshake. As I've mentioned, I've found my USB charging ports are iffier when directly connected to my Kobo ereaders.

I've a USB 3.0 charge port and I have no problem using that port for my PW3 and H2O.

DNSB · 12-21-2020, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I've a USB 3.0 charge port and I have no problem using that port for my PW3 and H2O.

And I have found on multiple machines that a charging port is a lot iffier than a non-charging port when it comes to connect my collection of Kobo and other USB 2.0 devices.

YMMV applies here.

MGlitch · 12-25-2020, 06:45 AM

Seems to me this would be resolved if kobo ditched micro usb and switched to the superior USB C.

Not a fix for current kobo owners but maybe the next kobo release will finally switch to USB C.

Quoth · 12-25-2020, 09:42 AM

For 5V charging up to 2A and data, USB-C isn't better. It's inordinately complex and does a lot of stuff eReaders, mice, keyboards, Memory sticks and other things don't need.

The ONLY use case is laptops where the maker wants to ditch a dedicated charging port and ditch a dedicated video port. Both backward steps for the user. Also higher performance laptops can't use USB-C charging as the 100W isn't enough. It may not even be enough if there are downstream devices charging at 20W each on a regular laptop.

Chipmakers think it's too complicated and it adds pointless expense to eReaders, mice, keyboards, Memory sticks, USB-Serial adaptors and many other things.

It's a marketing concept, not a sensible need.

USB-C is USB + an extra data channel, a video channel and charging up to 20V @ 5V rather than one data channel and 5V charging/power up to 2A. It's different, or complimentary, there is no sense in which it's superior.

MGlitch · 12-25-2020, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quoth

It's different, or complimentary, there is no sense in which it's superior.

By default, I don't need to consider which way is 'up' for USB C. This alone is why it's superior.

PeterT · 12-25-2020, 10:42 AM

I have usb 2 cables that work either way...

MGlitch · 12-25-2020, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

I have usb 2 cables that work either way...

Thus the "default", USB 2 and 3 -can- be made to be reversible, but aren't as a standard.

steveparry · 12-30-2020, 10:35 AM

I'm using an M1 chip MacBook Pro. I have a USB-C hub with USB-A port. Just plugged in and all works fine; charging and browsing files on my Libra.

Gone · 12-30-2020, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveparry

I'm using an M1 chip MacBook Pro. I have a USB-C hub with USB-A port. Just plugged in and all works fine; charging and browsing files on my Libra.

Great. I’m getting a Mac Mini M1. It has 2 USB A ports. I guess I won’t have any problem.

DNSB · 12-30-2020, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claude_C

Great. I’m getting a Mac Mini M1. It has 2 USB A ports. I guess I won’t have any problem.

You may have. The two USB A ports are probably USB 3.2.

Gone · 12-31-2020, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

You may have. The two USB A ports are probably USB 3.2.

2 USB A (up to 5 Gb/s).

And I also have a USB hub.

12-25-2020, 09:42 AM	#38
Quoth Still reading Posts: 14,071 Karma: 105206895 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	For 5V charging up to 2A and data, USB-C isn't better. It's inordinately complex and does a lot of stuff eReaders, mice, keyboards, Memory sticks and other things don't need. The ONLY use case is laptops where the maker wants to ditch a dedicated charging port and ditch a dedicated video port. Both backward steps for the user. Also higher performance laptops can't use USB-C charging as the 100W isn't enough. It may not even be enough if there are downstream devices charging at 20W each on a regular laptop. Chipmakers think it's too complicated and it adds pointless expense to eReaders, mice, keyboards, Memory sticks, USB-Serial adaptors and many other things. It's a marketing concept, not a sensible need. USB-C is USB + an extra data channel, a video channel and charging up to 20V @ 5V rather than one data channel and 5V charging/power up to 2A. It's different, or complimentary, there is no sense in which it's superior. Last edited by Quoth; 12-25-2020 at 09:44 AM.

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12-21-2020, 08:26 AM	#31
johnnyb Cloud Reader Posts: 1,124 Karma: 4000066 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle Oasis, Kindle Scribe, iPad Pro 11	Kobos not connecting to Macs properly is probably as old as Kobo readers... It's to do with the way Apple implements USB and also with the crappy unreliable USB drivers that the Kobo readers have. Try a USB2 hub.

12-21-2020, 02:50 PM	#33
Gone Out of order Posts: 601 Karma: 1652684 Join Date: Feb 2014 Device: Libra Colour	Could a new Kobo firmware fix this ?

12-25-2020, 06:45 AM	#37
MGlitch Wizard Posts: 2,855 Karma: 22003124 Join Date: Aug 2014 Device: Kobo Forma, Kobo Sage, Kobo Libra 2	Seems to me this would be resolved if kobo ditched micro usb and switched to the superior USB C. Not a fix for current kobo owners but maybe the next kobo release will finally switch to USB C.

12-25-2020, 10:42 AM	#40
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,532 Karma: 78910202 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	I have usb 2 cables that work either way...

12-30-2020, 10:35 AM	#42
steveparry Connoisseur Posts: 83 Karma: 513524 Join Date: Dec 2019 Device: none	I'm using an M1 chip MacBook Pro. I have a USB-C hub with USB-A port. Just plugged in and all works fine; charging and browsing files on my Libra.

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