What can I use instead of a dongle?

Dongles have become an ubiquitous sight in offices and homes. Those little USB sticks protruding out of laptops and devices – enabling a magical connection to the wireless world. But dealing with dongles day in and day out can be a headache. You probably wonder if there‘s a better way. Well my friend, let‘s explore some options beyond the dongle!

A brief history of dongles

To understand why dongles came about, we need to step back in time. When personal computers first emerged in the 1980s, wireless connectivity was nonexistent. The only way to connect peripherals was via physical ports using cables. As more devices and connectors proliferated, people found themselves tangled up in a mess of cables.

Early dongles provided a novel solution by condensing multiple connectors into a single compact device. For example, parallel port dongles allowed connecting printers, scanners and other peripherals to computers lacking compatible ports. Over time dongles evolved into USB devices as that interface became ubiquitous.

The advent of wireless technologies like WiFi and Bluetooth in the 1990s gave rise to a new breed of dongles providing wireless network and audio connectivity. Laptops back then didn‘t have WiFi built-in, so a WiFi dongle was essential for getting online. Bluetooth dongles enabled wireless headsets and keyboards.

Dongles also became a popular form of software copy protection, requiring a physical key to be inserted before programs would run. Other use cases like authentication dongles emerged too.

So in summary, dongles gained traction by solving real connectivity issues and enabling new use cases. But constant improvements in integrated ports, wireless standards and cloud services have reduced the need for dongles. Let‘s look at some better options now available.

Integrated USB ports

The increasing number of USB ports integrated into modern laptops, desktops and mobile devices alleviates the need for USB dongles. Entry-level laptops now ship with at least 2-3 USB-A ports, with premium models offering 4 or more. Desktop computers have even greater port availability, with options to expand using internal USB cards.

Latest generation USB-C ports consolidate data, video and power delivery into a single connector. The smaller USB-C connector leaves more room for additional ports in compact devices. The 2019 MacBook Pro offers 4 Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports, moving away from traditional USB-A ports. The iPad Pro with USB-C port minimizes any accessory connectivity issues.

Choose devices with sufficient built-in ports to avoid purchasing multiple dongles. Carry a compact USB-C hub for older USB-A accessories to maximize port availability.

Evolution of wireless standards

Early versions of WiFi like 802.11b/g operate on crowded 2.4Ghz bands with speeds up to 54Mbps. But modern standards using 5Ghz bands like 802.11ac and the latest WiFi 6 (802.11ax) deliver blazing multi-gigabit speeds. WiFi 6 integrates optimizations like OFDMA modulation and TWT scheduling for better efficiency and performance in dense deployments.

Bluetooth has evolved significantly as well. Bluetooth 5.0 offers 4x range over Bluetooth 4.0 along with 2x speed. Bluetooth 5.1 adds direction finding capabilities. The latest Bluetooth 5.2 offers improved audio quality for use cases like wireless headphones.

Choosing devices with the latest wireless standards can provide connectivity on par with wires. For example, WiFi 6 laptops and phones maintain full-bandwidth connections even in crowded public networks. Bluetooth 5.2 headphones deliver pristine stereo audio quality wirelessly.

The promise of true wireless connectivity

Previous wireless technologies have promised, but not quite delivered on, completely untethered computing. Removing wires and dongles provides immense freedom and flexibility for using mobile devices or moving within connected environments like offices, homes and cars.

Emerging standards like WiGig/802.11ay operating at 60Ghz will help realize the vision of fully wireless connectivity. 802.11ay promises speeds up to 20 Gbps at distances up to 10 meters. Applications include wireless docking, displays, VR/AR headsets.

Bluetooth continues to expand supported use cases in the direction of wire-free computing. Bluetooth LE Audio promises a new audio architecture optimized for truly wireless devices without needing physical cables for stereo audio or microphones. Even battery charging can occur wirelessly over distances of several meters.

Adapters & Hubs

While newer laptops and mobile devices are transitioning to USB-C ports, millions of existing USB-A devices and flash drives still rely on that legacy connector. Rather than using a USB-A dongle, investing in a multi-port USB-C hub can enable connecting all those older peripherals. These hubs feature multiple USB-A ports plus HDMI or VGA ports for older displays. Many offer pass-through charging to power your laptop too.

I personally use the Anker PowerExpand+ 7-in-1 USB C Hub to directly connect all my existing USB-A accessories to my USB-C only laptop. It saves me from carrying various dongles. I just toss the hub in my bag.

Thunderbolt 3 offers 40Gbps transfer speeds over USB-C cables. Thunderbolt hubs like the OWC Thunderbolt Hub can add multiple USB ports, Ethernet, display connectors and power delivery to newer Thunderbolt 3 equipped PCs.

Make sure to get a quality hub – I‘ve had issues with cheap hubs leading to disconnected devices or limited port throughput. Shop for hubs with stellar reviews from reputed brands.

Troubleshooting your connections

Before rushing out to buy new wireless adapters or dongles, try troubleshooting your existing setup. You can resolve a surprising number of connection issues through simple software and hardware tweaks.

USB ports – Try reinserting problematic dongles into another USB port. Some USB ports get worn out over time. Use USB-C ports which have higher durability. Update Chipset/USB drivers and BIOS firmware.

WiFi – Ensure using 5Ghz band instead of congested 2.4Ghz. Update router firmware and WiFi drivers. Change WiFi channel to reduce interference. Upgrade to mesh WiFi system for wider coverage. Replace old routers incapable of latest wireless standards.

Bluetooth – Update Bluetooth drivers. Remove and re-pair troublesome Bluetooth devices. Avoid crowding too many Bluetooth devices in a small area. Use Bluetooth 5.0+ compatible devices for 2x range. Place Bluetooth adapter into an open front facing port.

Speed testing – Validate actual wireless bandwidth using online speed tests before assuming it‘s a connectivity issue. Many times ISP performance is the bottleneck. Test wired connection directly to modem to isolate problems.

Expert advice on going dongle-free

As a tech specialist focused on connectivity, I hope this guide gave you a comprehensive overview of alternatives to using dongles day to day. The key takeaways are:

• Evaluate your dongle requirements and use cases – can you fulfill them with built-in ports or wireless?

• Carefully choose devices with sufficient and future-proof ports – prioritize USB-C, Thunderbolt 3, latest WiFi/Bluetooth.

• Invest in a good USB hub for connecting legacy USB-A accessories to modern USB-C only machines.

• Troubleshoot wireless connectivity issues before assuming hardware is faulty. Tackle software and configuration issues first.

• Adopt cloud storage and streaming services to reduce reliance on cables and local storage.

Applying these tips will help you adapt to emerging wireless standards and progressively reduce dependence on dongles. Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to help people achieve better connected experiences.