PSA for anyone who buys a Stream Deck to work with a USB-C MacBook:
The Stream Deck comes with a "USB-C to USB-A" cable. The USB-C side plugs into the Stream Deck, leaving the USB-A side (aka "what everyone called 'USB' before USB-C") to plug in to your computer.
If you have a recent MacBook (Air / Pro) you might be tempted to replace the USB-C-to-USB-A cable with a USB-C-to-USB-C cable. However, as I learned when I tried this Not All USB-C Cables Are Created Equally and trying to use mine left the Streak Deck acting as if it was not connected.
I contacted Elgato support who had this to say (edited for length and clarity):
Not all USB type C cables work at USB 3.0 speeds; it is quite possible that the cable you picked up is one of the ones that does not. For example, the cable Apple provides with some of their products only work at USB 2 speeds.
While we haven't tested this cable with the Elgato Stream Deck XL, we have tested it with the Elgato Game Capture HD60 S and it worked with that: https://www.amazon.com/Belkin-USB-IF-Certified-USB-C-Cable/dp/B00WJSPCSG
We've also had a customer report that this cable worked well for them with the Elgato Game Capture HD60 S: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C6lxWgbVoAAK-H8.jpg
The key thing to look for is a cable that is capable of up to 10 Gbps of data.
Or, to put it in more technical terms, you need a USB-C cable which is "USB 3.1 Gen 2" compatible.
(I believe this is also known as "Thunderbolt" which sounds like a cartoon superhero.)
Unfortunately the item they link to on Amazon is out-of-stock, but an Amazon search of "USB-C 10gbps" led to several results, including:
[Intel Certified] Anker Thunderbolt 3.0 Cable (USB-C to USB-C) Supports 100W Charging / 40Gbps Data Transfer (Compatible with USB 3.1 Gen 1 and 2), Perfect for Type-C Macbooks - 1.6 ft
Now that I'm looking at these, I remember Federico Viticci talking about trying to find cables that were "USB 3.1 Gen 2" compatible (gawd what a stupid name).
There's also
TIEGEM USB Type C 3.1 Gen 2 Cable (100W/10Gbps) USB C to USB-C Cable USB-IF TID Interface Type-C PD Cable E-Marker Power Delivery Wire for MacBook Pro Galaxy S9 S9 Plus OnePlus 6 (Red, 6.6ft): Gateway
which is:
- $11 for 3.3 foot (that's "1 meter" to you folks outside the USA) or
- $12 for 6.6' / 2 meter.
and it comes in red or black.
The Anker one is $30 for 1.6 ft / 0.5 meter, but only comes in black. I'm considering getting the red one, just to make it easier to spot as different from all my other "USB-C" cables, although I'm tempted to buy the Anker one, mostly because of their reputation.
Fakespot's adjusted review of TIEGEM only ranks it as ★★★☆☆ vs
Fakespot for the Anker is ★★★★☆
The difference in "feel" (mostly thickness) of the "Thunderbolt" cable is immediately noticeable, but that doesn't help when fishing around your laptop bag for a cable. On the other hand, it's not like I'm going to be bringing the Stream Deck with me places… it's most likely going to sit on my desk, so I probably won't need a cable that I can differentiate easily, because it will always be attached to the Stream Deck anyway.
At least initially I'm just going to use the cable that came with it, attached to the USB-A-to-C adapter that I already have (I have the Apple one which also has HDMI, and that worked fine).
If I need/want a USB-C-to-USB-C/Thunderbolt cable, I'll buy one then.
Anyway, I hope this info will be useful to others.