Plugable launched two new USB-C hubs that let compatible Macs drive high-refresh-rate monitors at up to 4K 144Hz or 8K 30Hz thanks to support for HDMI 2.1. And without requiring additional drivers.
The USB-C 6-in-1 Hub and USB-C 8-in-1 Hub with Ethernet also provide extra ports and up to 85W of pass-through laptop charging, with prices starting at $39.99.
New Plugable hubs target professionals and gamers with 4K 144Hz
A 4K 144Hz monitor is best suited to Mac users who want both sharp detail and exceptionally smooth motion, including gamers, video editors, animators and anyone who spends hours scrolling through documents or working with timelines. An 8K 30Hz display, by contrast, is aimed more at professionals who need extremely high resolution for detailed imagery, large creative projects or specialized video work.
“We built the 6-in-1 and the 8-in-1E to give customers flexibility. It isn’t just about counting ports,” said Lynn Smurthwaite-Murphy, CEO of Plugable. “With industry-wide constraints driving prices higher, and availability lower, we are always looking for ways for our customers to extend the life of the hardware they already own. These hubs do just that.”
The productss make high-refresh-rate display support more affordable within Plugable’s lineup. Until now, the company’s more expensive USB-C 10-in-1 Hub with Ethernet was its only one supporting 4K 144Hz.
Need the right Mac
Achieving 4K 144Hz or 8K 30Hz on the Plugable USB-C 6-in-1 Hub and USB-C 8-in-1 Hub requires a compatible Mac running macOS 26 or later. Supported configurations include M1 Pro or M1 Max chips, M2 Pro or M2 Max chips and M3 or newer processors.
Note that base M1 and M2 MacBooks and the MacBook Neo are limited to 4K at 60Hz with these hubs.
And, of course, users also need a compatible HDMI 2.1 cable and a display that supports the desired resolution and refresh rate.
Plugable says the hubs also work with Windows and ChromeOS laptops.
Plugable USB-C 6-in-1 Hub keeps things compact
Photo: Plugable
The Plugable USB-C 6-in-1 Hub (USBC-6IN1) is the less expensive of the two new models. At $39.99, the six-port hub is designed for MacBook users who want to connect a high-refresh-rate or high-resolution monitor while adding ports for peripherals such as external storage, keyboards and mice.
The space gray aluminum accessory measures 4.8 by 1.3 by 0.4 inches and includes a built-in 6.7-inch USB-C cable. Along with its HDMI 2.1 port, it offers one USB-C data port and three USB-A ports, all supporting data speeds up to 5Gbps.
The USB-C port and one USB-A port also provide up to 7.5W of charging power for connected devices.
Plugable USB-C 8-in-1 Hub adds Ethernet and card readers
The Plugable USB-C 8-in-1 Hub with Ethernet (USBC-8IN1E) offers more connectivity for $59.99. It includes the same HDMI 2.1 video output and adds Gigabit Ethernet for a wired network connection.
Plus, the new accessory includes SD and microSD card readers that can operate simultaneously. Both use the UHS-I standard and support transfer speeds of up to 104MB per second, making the accessory useful for photographers and video editors who need to transfer files from two memory cards without swapping them.
Additional connectivity options in Plugable’s hub include a 5Gbps USB-C data port, a 5Gbps USB-A port and a USB-A 2.0 port suited to keyboards and mice.
The aluminum accessory measures 6.0 by 1.3 by 0.6 inches and includes the same 6.7-inch built-in USB-C cable.
And pass-through charging
Both of these new Plugable hubs accept up to 100W from a USB-C Power Delivery charger and pass up to 85W to the connected laptop. The remaining 15W powers the hub and its ports.
They support USB Power Delivery 3.0 Fast Role Swap, which helps keep connected devices running if the charger is disconnected. A power adapter is not included, but one isn’t required to use the hubs.
Pricing and availability
The Plugable USB-C 6-in-1 Hub is available now for $39.99, though a launch deal drops that cost to $31.99.
The USB-C 8-in-1 Hub with Ethernet normally costs $59.99, but a deal lowers it to $47.99.
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 26 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh SE/30 (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer.
That’s because he’s a “tablet first” type of guy. Rather than use a Macbook, he connects a keyboard case to the iPad. And instead of a desktop Mac, he connects his tablet to a 27-inch display and full-size keyboard. (So don’t try to tell him that everyone has to use a Mac to be productive.)
Before coming to Cult of Mac, Ed wrote for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
