Stop guessing about how much power is going to your devices. Photo: Plugable
You’ll always know how much current is flowing to your devices with the just-launched Plugable USB Type-C Extension Cable with Power Meter. A small display shows how many watts are being transferred by the affordable cable.
Plugable also introduced on Tuesday a tiny 30W USB-C GaN charger plus a 32W wall charger that includes USB-C, USB-A and AC power ports.
★★★★☆
The Plugable USBC-4IN1 can connect a 4K HDMI TV to a Mac or iPad, and add more high-speed USB accessories, too. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The movies and shows on a MacBook or iPad can be easily played on a full-size TV, but many computers need an adapter to add the HDMI port. The Plugable USBC-4IN1 has just what’s needed, offering 4K video at 60Hz. Or Plugable’s USB-C dock is well suited for using an HDMI monitor to get work done.
Plus, it stands out from the pack with a USB-C port that supports simultaneous 100W power pass-through charging and 10Gbps data transfers. There’s a couple of high-speed USB ports, too.
I put the surprisingly affordable accessory through a series of test to see if it lived up to its promises. Here’s what I found.
This low-cost hub can handle a high-res monitor and high-speed USB accessories. Photo: Plugable
Connect the new Plugable USBC-4IN1 hub to a Mac or iPad to add an HDMI port, and two USB-A ones, also. And its USB-C port supports simultaneous 100W power pass-through charging and 10Gbps data transfers.
Add four useful ports to Mac or iPad with Plugable's inexpensive USB-C hub. Photo: Plugable
Plugable just launched a hub for MacBook or iPad users who need to connect to multiple USB-A accessories. It includes four ports for legacy accessories, and connects to the computer via USB-C.
The inexpensive hub is designed for use in an office or on the go.
★★★★☆
Plugable's new hub is small and lightweight, and adds handy ports to MacBooks. Photo: Plugable
The just-released Plugable AMS-5IN1E is a USB-C hub that attaches to the side of a MacBook and adds ports that Apple won’t, including USB-A and Ethernet. And it does so without blocking one of the USB-C/Thunderbolt ports and MagSafe charging.
I tested the five ports in this affordable hub to see how well they perform in the real world.
The Plugable UD-768PDZ (at left) and UD-3900PDH are USB-C docks that add up to three external displays to a Mac. Photo: Plugable
Plugable expanded its product line with two new triple display USB-C docking stations. These can add three screens even to Macs that are ordinarily limited to one external monitor.
The UD-3900PDH and UD-768PDZ docks also feature additional ports, including USB-A, Ethernet and SD card readers.
There's no need for a separate iPad stand and USB-C hub. Plugable just launched a combination device. Photo: Plugable
The Plugable USB-C Stand Dock goes beyond just holding up an iPad so the display can be seen — it’s also an 8-port hub with HDMI, two USB-A ports and many more.
The design reduces clutter on the user’s desk. And the stand/hub is also portable.
Add a pair of 4K monitors on the go with this portable USB-C dock. Photo: Plugable
Plugable’s new USB-C dock is small enough to be mistaken a hub but has room for seven ports. And that includes dual 4K HDMI ports that can be used even with Macs that ordinarily support only one external monitor.
The USB-C HDMI Docking Station also has USB and Ethernet ports, as well as an SD card reader.
Your M1 or M2 MacBook can handle a wall full of monitors with the Plugable Quad HDMI Adapter. Photo: Plugable
Plugable’s new Quad HDMI Adapter can add up to four displays to a MacBook, even even ones that would otherwise only support only a single external monitor.
The Plugable USBC-VAmeter3 tests the quality of the connections between your computers and chargers and other peripherals. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Your MacBook isn’t charging right and you can’t figure it where the problem is? Plugable’s USBC-VAmeter3 can help. Connect it to the power cable running to your Mac, iPad or iPhone to see the voltage, wattage and amperage.
I’m no electrical engineer, but I tested this miniature power meter. I found it both useful and kind of fun.