Lighter, thinner, faster – that is the top priority of many computer manufacturers when it comes to new laptop models. On the one hand, this is nice and on the other, it’s annoying: in order to save space, manufacturers are increasingly abandoning popular connection options such as HDMI or USB-A sockets. Instead, they rely on the flat USB-C connectors with Thunderbolt or USB 3.1 Gen. 2 protocol.
This is practical in many ways because the Thunderbolt or USB 3.1 interface can not only be used to transfer files from the USB stick, but also to connect image signals to the monitor, Internet, power or input devices such as a mouse and keyboard. In many cases, however, you will need adapters because Ethernet or HDMI cables, mouse and keyboard obviously do not fit into the oval USB-C port.
Because most new laptops only have two to four USB-C sockets, there is a need for a multiport adapter, so-called USB-C hubs, when working from home. They connect the laptop to power, internet and screen at the same time via USB-C and also offer additional connection options for mouse, keyboard, USB sticks, external hard drives and, in some cases, microSD cards.
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There isn’t much to consider with most USB-C hubs. Simple devices like this ugreen USB-C hub cost around 50 euros. Compared to higher-quality devices, it differs in data throughput because the manufacturer only uses the USB 3.0 protocol.
This means that it offers a maximum bandwidth of 5 gigabits per second via its USB connection, which is enough for most users. However, if you want to upload 4K video material to your laptop via a USB connection, you should make sure that the USB port supports at least USB 3.1 Gen.2. This is due to the size of the files. If you’re moving at 5 gigabits per second via USB 3.0 protocol, you’ll have to wait quite a while for the 4K footage to transfer to the laptop.
Otherwise, the ugreen hub offers a worry-free package: People with a 4K screen will be happy that the 7-in-1 hub achieves 4K at 60 Hertz refresh rate via its HDMI socket. You should also pay attention to this, because many manufacturers save money here and equip their USB-C hubs with too little data throughput, so that they only allow a maximum of 30 Hertz refresh rate at high resolutions. And that leaves a shaky feeling even when doing simple office work.
Nice: Laptops can also be charged with a maximum of 100 watts if you connect the laptop charger to the USB-C port of the hub.
The USB-C hub from Dockteck is similar to the USB-C hub from ugreen. Once again, the manufacturer uses USB 3.0 for the USB protocol, so you can move data just as slowly as with the first hub. Nice: Dockteck’s USC hub also transmits image signals at a maximum of 60 Hertz at 4K resolutions. 60 Hertz is completely sufficient for office work. However, gamers who connect a gaming laptop to the screen will not be happy with it.
Compared to the first 7-in-1 USB hub, the Dockteck hub also offers two practical functions: First, you can connect USB-C chargers with up to 100 watts of power to the hub. This means that a USB-C port on the laptop remains free and the device is still charged. Secondly, it offers an Ethernet port for wired internet. Practical for all home office workers who are fed up with poor WiFi.
The docking station from Novoo goes one step further. Unfortunately, it also only uses USB 3.0, but you can connect two monitors with up to 4K resolution at 60 Hertz to the laptop via HDMI. On top of that, it offers a DisplayPort connection if your monitor does not have an HDMI input. Of course, you can also charge the laptop via this USB-C hub with a maximum of 100 watts of power.
Photographers and videographers know the annoying wait until high-resolution photos or videos end up on the computer from the SD card. You should use a USB-C hub that works with the USB 3.1 protocol. Compared to USB 3.0, with a maximum data throughput of 10 gigabits per second, it ideally offers twice as fast transfer.
The manufacturer CallDigit offers one of the few USB-C hubs with USB 3.1. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have as many connection options as the 12-in-1 hub, but it still has many amenities that you don’t want to miss when working from home. This of course includes an Ethernet port for a wired Internet connection, a USB-C and a USB-A socket with 3.1 protocol and up to 10 gigabits of data throughput per second, a USB-C port for charging the laptop, a microSD and an SD card reader as well as an HDMI and a DisplayPort socket with enough data throughput for 4K up to 60 Hertz.
Only Thunderbolt 3 offers even more data throughput than USB 3.1. Unfortunately, the interface is particularly expensive and USB-C hubs that offer it are particularly rare. Premium manufacturer Belkin still offers a USB-C hub with a Thunderbolt 3 port. Up to 40 gigabits of data per second squeeze through the interface. You can only use it if your laptop also has Thunderbolt 3. This is the case with most premium models such as Apple MacBooks or the top models in the Dell XPS series.
The remaining connection options of the Belkin USB-C hub are also impressive: It offers four USB-A sockets with USB 3.0 (up to 5 gigabit data per second), a DisplayPort input (4K at 60 Hertz), a USB -C socket (with USB 3.1, 10 gigabits per second), two Thunderbolt 3 sockets (40 gigabits per second), a jack plug for headphones or microphone, an SD card reader and of course the Gigabit Ethernet socket for the Internet.
When looking for a USB hub, buyers usually stumble across docking stations and adapters. The differences to the hub are easily explained: an adapter usually does not offer the option of connecting the charger to it in order to charge the laptop. USB-C hubs, on the other hand, already offer that. The docking station goes one step further: it usually has a charger integrated into it, so you don’t have to use the laptop’s own charger. However, manufacturers are not always very precise with the names. That’s why you should always double-check what the advertised device can really do.
Most USB-C hubs pass up to 100 watts of power from a power supply. This is usually enough for the included power supplies, as they usually do not offer more power than the rumored 100 watts. However, fast charging is not included. For example, if you use Apple’s 140 watt USB-C charger for your MacBook Pro to pump your battery to more than 50 percent charge in 30 minutes, you are not allowed to connect the charger to the USB-C hub, but rather have to Plug directly into MacBook Pro.
Note: The article was first published in October 2021.
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