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USB-C hubs - page 3

Portable hub adds plethora of USB-C and USB-A ports [Review]

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EZQuest USB-C Gen 2 Hub Adapter review
The EZQuest USB-C Gen 2 Hub Adapter takes just one port but adds four USB-C ports. And three USB-A ones.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

You can never be too thin, too rich or have too many USB ports. The EZQuest USB-C Gen 2 Hub Adapter adds four USB-C ports and three USB-A ones, making room for an array of peripherals for your Mac or iPad.

I put the USB-C hub through real-world testing. Here are its strengths and weaknesses.

Kensington’s powerful StudioDock stand/hub expands to 2021 iPad Pro

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The Kensington StudioDock was named a CES 2021 Innovation Awards Honoree.
2021 iPad Pro 12.9 owners now have a version of the amazing Kensington StudioDock.
Photo: Kensington

The Kensington StudioDock is now compatible with the 2021 iPad Pro 12.9 thanks to a new version of the docking station that launched Tuesday. The desktop stand adds numerous ports to the tablet, and wireless chargers too.

There were already models for the 2020 and earlier versions of Apple’s largest tablet, as well as the 11-inch ones.

Add Ethernet and 6 more ports to MacBook with HyperDrive Duo Pro

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Add Ethernet and 6 more ports to MacBook with HyperDrive Duo Pro
The HyperDrive Duo Pro adds the ports your MacBook needs without too much bulk.
Photo: Hyper

HyperDrive Duo Pro is a 7-in-2 USB-C Hub that plugs into the side of a MacBook to add a variety of ports, including Gigabit Ethernet, USB-A and microSD.

It’s designed to not interfere with the new MagSafe 3 power port on the 2021 MacBooks, but the hub is also compatible with any Apple laptop going back to 2016.

Alogic’s new Thunderbolt 4 docks deliver max speed and connections

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Unlock the potential of your MacBook Pro with a blazing-fast Thunderbolt 4 dock.
Unlock the potential of your MacBook Pro with a blazing-fast Thunderbolt 4 dock.
Image: Alogic

This post on USB-C docks is brought to you by Alogic.

Not all USB-C hubs and docks are created equal. While all Type-C ports look virtually identical, the fact is that some are faster and more capable than others. If you want the best possible throughput, you need to seek out ones that support the latest standards — Thunderbolt 4/USB 4.

Buying the right USB-C dock or hub will let you get the most out of living the “one cable for everything” dream. And it will future-proof your setup (at least as much as is possible in the fast-paced computing world).

New HyperDrive USB-C MacBook dock adds amazing 15 ports

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New HyperDrive USB-C MacBook dock adds amazing 15 ports
Add up to 15 ports to a MacBook with a new USB-C hub/dock from Hyper.
Photo: Hyper

The HyperDrive 4K Multi-Display Docking Station for 13”-16” MacBook has room for 15 ports, including a trio of HDMI ports that support 4K 60Hz. There’s also Gigabit Ethernet, a trio of USB-A ports, a trio of USB-C ports, memory card readers and more.

Rather than sitting beside or behind the laptop, Hyper’s latest dock props it up.

Add even more ports to MacBook Pro with Satechi Pro Hub Mini

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Add even more ports to MacBook Pro with Satechi Pro Hub Mini
Plug the Satechi Pro Hub Mini into a 2021 MacBook Pro to add USB-A and other useful ports.
Photo: Satechi

While the 2021 MacBook Pro brings back some classic ports, those who want USB-A need to turn to an adapter like the Satechi Pro Hub Mini. The accessory clips to the side of the notebook and adds a pair of USB-A ports and Ethernet.

Preorders began Wednesday with a 25% discount until the launch.

Satechi adapter cleverly combines SSD storage compartment and USB-C hub

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Satechi USB-C Hybrid Multiport Adapter cleverly combines SSD storage compartment and USB-C hub
The Satechi USB-C Hybrid Multiport Adapter lets you add additional storage and peripherals to your Mac or iPad.
Photo: Satechi

Because you can never have too much storage or too many ports, the just-launched Satechi USB-C Hybrid Multiport Adapter includes an SSD storage compartment as well as four additional ports.

The multiuse Mac or iPad accessory launched Friday.

Add dual 4K monitors to M1 MacBooks with Hyper’s new adapters

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Add dual 4K monitors to M1 MacBooks with Hyper's new adapters
With the HyperDrive Dual 4K HDMI 3-in-1 USB-C Adapter you can easily connect a pair of displays to an M1 MacBook.
Photo: Hyper

A pair of adapters just launched by Hyper let MacBooks with an Apple M1 processor connect to dual HDMI monitors. Apple says the macOS notebooks can only use one external display, but users found a workaround. And Hyper built this workaround into its latest accessories.

There’s a basic HyperDrive Dual 4K HDMI adapter, plus a second version that offers additional ports.

Add convenient media controls and 6 ports to iPad with one USB-C hub [Review] ★★★★★

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HyperDrive 6-in-1 USB-C Media Hub review★★★★★
Kit out your iPad with physical media controls as well as six commonly used ports.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The popular Apple Magic Keyboard turns an iPad into a laptop, but unlike some rivals, it doesn’t include physical media controls. However, the HyperDrive 6-in-1 USB-C Media Hub adds these advanced options. And that’s only the start, as it also includes ports for connecting a monitor, headphones and a range of useful USB-A accessories.

I love it. Here’s why.

OWC’s new 6-port USB-C hub is tough and portable [Review]

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OWC’s new 6-port USB-C hub is tough and portable [Review]
Expand the capabilities of your Mac or iPad with the OWC USB-C Travel Dock E.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The OWC USB-C Travel Dock E adds the most commonly used ports to your Mac or iPad. It lets you use an HDMI monitor, two USB-A accessories, Ethernet and more. And the stylish hub ready to be used in your office or on a business trip.

I put the accessory through a battery of tests. Read on to see how well it stood up.

‘Finally, 1 cord to rule them all!’ [Setups]

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Maybe
Maybe "1 cord to rule them all," but not replace them all.
Photo: [email protected]

You’ve got to love somebody bragging about getting their computer setup’s cable management down to one cord, because it’s never really one cord. They don’t mean it literally. It’s just that one cord to a hub or dock helped reduce their previously tangled mess of cables splaying out all over the place.

Everything iPad mini owners need to know about USB-C

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Everything iPad mini owners need to know about USB-C
Replacing the Lightning port with USB-C in the iPad mini 6 might seem like a minor change. It’s not.
Photo: Apple

The just-released iPad mini is the latest Apple tablet to make the switch from Lightning to USB-C. That allows it to do quite a few things out of reach of its predecessors.

As a proud new owner of the device, you’ll surely want to make sure you’re living up to its potential. Here’s everything iPad mini owners need to know about USB-C.

Brydge’s new Stone Pro Thunderbolt 4 hub expands your connectivity

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The new Brydge Stone Pro TB4 Docking Station has 12 ports.
The new Brydge Stone Pro TB4 Docking Station has 12 ports.
Photo: Brydge

Brydge has unveiled what looks to be a formidable, 12-port Thunderbolt 4 hub to expand your laptop’s connectivity. It’s the Stone Pro TB4 docking station. The only catch is you can’t get it just yet.

You may know Brydge more for its iPad keyboards than its docking stations. Recently Cult of Mac‘s Ed Hardy said the Brydge 12.9+ iPad Pro keyboard beats out Apple Magic Keyboard. But the new Stone Pro TB4 is one of several docks the company makes.

Add a trio of blazing-fast ports to your Mac with new Plugable Thunderbolt 4 hub

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Add trio of blazing-fast ports to your Mac with new Plugable Thunderbolt 4 hub
Plugable’s just-launched Thunderbolt 4 hub makes your Mac more useful by adding accessories that require very fast connections.
Photo: Plugable

The new Plugable TBT4-HUB3C hub turns a single Thunderbolt 4 port into three of them, expanding the number of high-speed accessories that can be connected to a Mac or iPad Pro. That includes big displays and large-capacity drives.

And Plugable also launched new 1-meter and 2-meter Thunderbolt cables Thursday.

Pocket-size USB hub adds 4 useful ports to iPad or Mac [Review]

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Twelve South StayGo mini review
Tremendously expand the usefulness of your iPad with this tiny USB-C hub.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Plug the Twelve South StayGo mini into the USB-C port on an iPad Pro or Air and you’ll add a USB-A port, HDMI and a headset jack. All without sacrificing the USB-C port. And it can be used with a Mac thanks to a handy cable.

I put this matchbook-size adapter through its paces. Here’s how it stood up to my testing.

Connect 4 USB-C accessories to your Mac with Satechi’s handy new hub [Review]

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Satechi 4-Port USB-C Hub review
With the Satechi 4-Port USB-C Hub, you can add USB-C ports to your computer quickly and easily.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Satechi 4-Port USB-C Hub adds a quartet of useful USB-C ports to your Mac or iPad. The days of struggling along with too few ports are over — you can finally connect as many accessories to your computer as you need.

I put Satechi’s new hub through some real-world testing. Here’s how well it works.

Plugable’s new hub adds 7 USB-A ports to your MacBook

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Plugable's new USB-C charging hub keeps gadgets going and files transferred.
Plugable's new USB-C charging hub keeps gadgets going and files transferred.
Photo: Plugable

Nobody’s too happy when Apple decides to subtract ports from a new MacBook, but that’s what connectivity hubs are for. The newly launched Plugable 7-in-1 USB-C Charging Hub is no exception, adding seven USB-A ports to your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air.

Handy portable iPad stand is also a 6-port hub [Review]

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Satechi Aluminum Stand & Hub for iPad Pro review
The Satechi Aluminum Stand & Hub has what you need to make your iPad Pro or Air into a portable desktop.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Satechi Aluminum Stand & Hub turns your iPad into a useful desktop. Not only does it prop up your tablet, it includes six useful ports. And it goes almost anywhere, from a meeting room to a coffee shop.

I’ve used the tablet stand for weeks, including on a recent vacation. Here’s why I love it… despite a limitation or two.

Satechi improves Mac mini stand/hub combo with new SSD enclosure

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Satechi Type-C Stand & Hub for Mac Mini with SSD Enclosure
Add front-facing ports and additional storage to your Mac mini with an improved Satechi Stand & Hub.
Photo: Satechi

Satechi’s stylish Mac mini stand includes an array of front-facing ports. A new version adds space for a sold-state drive to further increase the macOS desktop’s storage capacity.

The Satechi Type-C Stand & Hub for Mac Mini with SSD Enclosure launched Wednesday. And it’s currently on sale.

Improved HyperDrive is the USB-C hub your iPad needs [Review]

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Sanho HyperDrive USB-C 6-in-1 Hub for iPad review
Attach the Sanho HyperDrive USB-C 6-in-1 Hub to your iPad to use a wide variety of accessories.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Sanho HyperDrive USB-C 6-in-1 Hub clips to an iPad and adds a collection of ports, allowing the tablet to make use of a variety of popular accessories, from mice and headphones to external displays. The multiport adapter offers outstanding functionality in minimal space.

The original version is one of the best iPad accessories ever. I tested the followup and it’s even better.

Linedock 16” adds everything to MacBook but the kitchen sink [Review]

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Linedock 16” review: 10-port USB hub, 2TB storage and 100Wh battery
Linedock 16” gives you a MacBook Pro+ with loads of additional ports, terabytes of storage and a huge battery.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Linedock 16” is for anyone who’s ever thought, “I wish my MacBook had more ports and a longer battery life. And more storage!” The docking station fits under your notebook and adds ten ports, a 99.9Wh battery and up to 2TB of storage.

I tested the version of Linedock for 16-inch MacBooks. It totally blew my socks off.

Last chance! Enter to win a mini Vava USB-C hub for MacBook Pro/Air [Cult of Mac giveaway]

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VAVA USB C Hub
Tiny but mighty: The Vava USB-C hub greatly expands your MacBook's capabilities.
Photo: Vava

This week, we are giving away two tiny but mighty USB-C hubs from Vava worth $75 each.

The Vava five-port hub turns your MacBook’s two puny USB-C ports into five powerful ports, allowing you to connect two 5K external monitors to your MacBook Pro or Air. You also can hook up external hard drives, printers, memory sticks and more, making you more productive and connected.

If you’d like your shot at winning one, be sure to enter this week’s giveaway below.