Which USB-C adapter is needed for a Gaomon pen display with MacBook Pro?

Icantb wrote:

I am an animator who owns a gaomon pd1561 pen display.

Gaomon – Gaomon PD1561 Pen Display

Gaomon - Gaomon Graphics Pen Display PD1561 V2 User Manual

Page 4 of the User Manual shows the PD1561 V2 as having a USB-C port and a Mini HDMI port. If this version of the display is the one you have, the best way to connect it to a new MBP might be with a USB-C to USB-C cable which supports 4K video, USB data, and USB Power Delivery (such as the Amazon (sold by Cable Matters) – Cable Matters 20Gbps USB C to USB C Monitor Cable, 3ft / 0.9m or any of a large number of competitors).

According to the User Manual, there are two main ways of connecting the Gaomon tablet to a computer:

Method 1.

Use a Mini HDMI (tablet) to HDMI (computer) cable to carry video.

Use the special USB-C (tablet) to twin USB-A (computer) cable to carry data and to draw electrical power from the computer. You could plug the USB-A ends of Gnomon's "forked" cable into two of Apple's USB-C to USB adapters (USB-C to USB Adapter - Apple), then plug the USB-C ends of the Apple adapters into the MacBook Pro. Why two connections? The Gaomon tablet clearly wants to draw more electrical power than a single USB-A port is required to supply. Thus, one of the USB-C to USB-A to USB-C connections is for USB data and power; the other is just for drawing extra power.

Method 2.

Use a USB-C to USB-C cable to connect the tablet to a computer. This assumes that the computer in question has a USB-C port that supports transferring video, USB data, and power over a single USB-C link. A new MacBook Pro would definitely support transferring video and USB data over a single USB-C link, and my main question would be whether it would be willing to provide the Gaomon tablet with as much power as the Gaomon tablet wants.

If Method 2 works for you, it would be by far the easiest.

"Which USB-C adapter is needed for a Gaomon pen display with MacBook Pro?: [...]The only problem is, with no usb port on the laptop I want, I’ll have to buy an adaptor. Ive been getting a lot of mixed signals online about the right one to get, and I just want to be safe, so is there a specific kind I should get?[...]"

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Which Adapter to Use?

I use this: USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter - Apple, as it has a female Thunderbolt (USB-C port) to use to that you don't lose the port, and can use it for the power adapter. A female HDMI port is on there, for both audio and video connectivity. And, finally, there is a USB-A port on it, for another device, such as a laptop cooler or an external hard drive. Note: Not all monitors may work, however. So, look up the user manual on the Manufacturer's Website, to verify if it is incompatible. You need macOS Sierra or later. See

Screenshots:

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TheLittles wrote:

Which Adapter to Use?

I use this: USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter - Apple, as it has a female Thunderbolt (USB-C port) to use to that you don't lose the port, and can use it for the power adapter.

Please do not post inaccurate information.

The USB-C port on that adapter is not a Thunderbolt port, and won't keep you from "losing a Thunderbolt port". As per Apple's description of that adapter, "You can also connect a charging cable to the USB-C port to charge your Mac, iPad, or iPhone."

It's a special-purpose port, for plugging in a power source, only.

Whereas the USB-C ports on MacBook Pros with M-series processors are multi-purpose ports that support

• USB 3.1 Gen 2
• USB4 20 Gbps and 40 Gbps
• DisplayPort Alt Mode
• Thunderbolt
• Charging from a power source that supports USB-C Power Delivery

Icantb wrote:

Hi! I have been using 2015 MacBook for awhile now, and have finally decided to upgrade to a 14 inch or a 16 inch (2021, and one with an hdmi port preferably).

FYI, all 14" and 16" MacBook Pros with M-series Apple Silicon processors have HDMI ports. This is one of several features that separates them from MacBook Airs, 13" MacBook Pros, and the MacBook Neo.

I would suggest that you avoid

• 13" MacBook Pros with plain M1 and M2 chips.
• 14" MacBook Pros with plain M3 chips.

All of those are limited to one external display with the lid open – and your Gaomon tablet would count as that one display. The 13" models have only two USB-C ports, and no HDMI ports, and no MagSafe 3 charging port, and are limited to a single external display even with their lids closed.

FYI, all of the MacBook Pros in Apple's current lineup are 14" or 16" models using M5-series chips.

Hopefully Gaomon has updated their driver so that the latest version is compatible with Apple Silicon Macs and with current versions of macOS.