The HyperDrive Duo Pro 7-in-2 USB-C Hub plugs into the side of a MacBook to add a variety of useful ports. The standout is Ethernet, but there’s also USB-A, HDMI and microSD.
I did real-world testing of the 2022 version of this clip-on hub, and found that it lives up to the hype.
HyperDrive Duo Pro 7-in-2 USB-C Hub review
Apple truly believes in the USB-C port, and that’s about all MacBook users had to get along with for years. And while the company woke up and added an HDMI port and SD card reader to the 2021 MacBook Pro, buying a new notebook just for a couple of ports isn’t practical for most people.
That’s where the HyperDrive Duo Pro comes in. Despite small size, it greatly extends your port options. And that includes Ethernet.
This is an updated version of the HyperDrive Duo, which does not have Ethernet.
- USB-C hub specially for MacBook Pro
- HyperDrive Duo Pro USB-C Hub ports
- HyperDrive Duo Pro 7-in-2 USB-C Hub final thoughts
- Pricing
USB-C hub specially for MacBook Pro
The HyperDrive Duo Pro doesn’t sit next to your MacBook — it clips to the side, almost becoming a part of it. There’s a plastic clip and magnets to make a secure connection. The accessory comes with two swappable clips that make it compatible with every MacBook released since 2016, both Pro and Air
My testing shows this accessory doesn’t slip off easily. You wouldn’t want to carry the notebook around with it attached, though. And the clip also keeps the hub from putting twisting pressure on the MacBook’s USB-C ports.
For greater compatibility, Hyper includes a short extension cable that’s lets you connect the hub to any computer with a USB-C port. With it, you can also use this MacBook’s hub with an iPad Pro, for example.
HyperDrive Duo Pro USB-C Hub ports
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The Duo Pro takes up two USB-C ports on your MacBook. But it adds those back, and a whole lot more.
The HDMI port supports 4K video at 60Hz. That’s a reasonable resolution and refresh rate for work. Gamers want more but, sadly, “gaming MacBook” is an oxymoron. I used the port to connect to an external monitor without any problems.
There’s a USB-A port in the hub with a max speed of 5Gbps. Not particularly quick, but I was able to copy a 1GB file onto a thumbdrive in under 11 seconds, and copy it back in 5 secs. And speed won’t matter if you plug in a keyboard or mouse.
Just note that you’re getting one (1) USB-A port. This isn’t the hub for people who need to plug in several USB-A accessories.
The Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port helps set the HyperDrive Duo Pro apart from its rivals. There are other USB-C hubs with Ethernet, but you won’t find many that are this small. The port has to expand a little to fit in the cable.
I tested it worth my home network, and everything worked fine. The port is ready to give you an internet connection more secure than Wi-Fi. And perhaps faster.
On one end of Hyper’s clip-on hub is a microSD card reader that that can transfer data at 104MBps. That’s really not very quick, but it’ll let you pull images off a drone or some other small camera. In my tests, a 1GB video copied onto a microSD card in 11 seconds, and copied back in 5 secs.
There’s also a 3.5mm Audio Combo Jack, which means it can be used for speakers or two-way headphones.
There are two USB-C ports on the HyperDrive Duo Pro that actually work very differently. One of these is a direct, pass-through port to one of the USB-C ports on your MacBook. This one is Thunderbolt compatible and capable of 40Gbps and 100W Power Delivery.
But the other port is limited to data transfers at 5Gbps. And it can’t be used to power your MacBook. You need to either use the other USB-C port for that, or MacBook Pro users can get power through another port on their MacBook.
Despite all these ports, the USB-C hub is surprisingly small. It’s 4.7 inches by 1.25 in. by 0.4 inches. It weighs 2.0 ounces (0.125 pounds).
HyperDrive Duo Pro 7-in-2 USB-C Hub final thoughts
Photo: Hyper
The HyperDrive Duo Pro is ready to be an important part of a mobile office in a client’s office or a hotel room. This clip-in USB-C hub takes up two USB-C ports on your MacBook but adds the most-used ports to your notebook.
Pricing
The HyperDrive Duo Pro 7-in-2 USB-C Hub lunched April 19, and costs $99.99.
Buy from: Hyper
Don’t confuse it with the HyperDrive Duo. This includes a pair of USB-A ports but no Ethernet, and is $99 on the Hyper website.
Hyper provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out more in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.
