Looking for a straight USBc Hub, not a dock.

[MacInWin]

Subject says it all. My MBP has three USBc/TB4 ports, I have more devices than that. So far I'm unplugging and plugging as I want them connected, but I'm looking for a simple 1 to many USBc/TB hub. I don't need USB3, HDMI, Ethernet, SD cards, etc., etc., etc. Just a USBc hub. One to three, four? Haven't been able to find one after searching OWC, B&H, Amazon, general Internet. OWC is close, with one with three additional USBc ports and one USB-A port, but it looks a bit large physically, and is $180 US, which is, IMHO, a bit expensive for a hub.

Anybody know of one?

 

[chscag]

Hey Jake:

I found this one on Monoprice.com:

Monoprice SuperSpeed 4-Port USB-C Hub, Gray - Monoprice.com

Expand your laptop's USB capabilities by adding four SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports. Designed to connect to a laptop or PC with a USB-C® port, this hub allows you to connect external hard drives, fl

www.monoprice.com

 

[MacInWin]

Charlie, that one, like most of them, converts from USBc to USBA, typically USB3. I'm looking for USBc to USBc, one to many. Other than the one from OWC, I've not found one.

 

[krs]

Hard product to find.

Will this do the trick for you?

Sitecom USB-C to 4x USB-C Hub

With the USB-C to 4x USB-C Hub you can turn one USB-C port of your notebook into 4 super-fast USB-C ports and charge your devices.

www.sitecom.com

 

[MacInWin]

Close! I need to see if they sell in the US. The store locator said no stores in the US. Thanks, @krs!

 

[Lifeisabeach]

You need a Thunderbolt hub. I don't think there is one that is strictly USB-C. And they will be expensive. That's Thunderbolt for ya. (EDIT: Well okay, maybe they except Sitecom don't make one... LOL!)

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

Here's one by OWC that has 4 TB ports and a single USB-A port.

OWC Thunderbolt Hub: More Ports, More Power, More Creativity

Enhance your setup with 3 Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) and 1 USB 3.2 port. Perfect for creatives needing seamless access to storage, displays, and accessories.

eshop.macsales.com

 

[MacInWin]

I've seen those. More than I want to pay for a hub. I'll wait on it. Prices will come down with some competition.

Thanks to all for trying.

 

[pm-r]

According to these folks, unfortunately you may have to wait a little bit longer...

The current USB specification has not defined how to develop USB Type-C hubs. Without clear direction on the technology future for Type-C hubs, developers have not moved forward in designing a solution to this issue facing consumers. Fortunately, the USB-IF and USB developers have recognized this challenge. With the upcoming release of the USB4 specification, developers will begin to have guidance on how to move forward with this enabling technology.

Why Can't I Add More USB-C Ports to my USB Type-C Host with a Hub?

USB Type-C is becoming widely adopted, but with the limited number of Type-C ports on devices and no options for a port expander, what is the solution?

www.totalphase.com

- Patrick
=======

 

[krs]

Close! I need to see if they sell in the US. The store locator said no stores in the US. Thanks, @krs!

I'm in Canada and I have bought directly from the UK and also the rest of Europe many times.
They are much more willing to ship internationally than many vendors in the US who won't even ship to Canada.
What becomes awkward with international shipments is if one has to return it, so I try to get as much info and resd reviews to try to make sure that doesn't happen.

 

[MacInWin]

Yes, and the reviews I could find were not outstanding. I'll hold off for now, but thanks for finding it. I am planning to travel to UK in the Spring, maybe I'll see if I can pick one up there then.

 

[pm-r]

Yes, and the reviews I could find were not outstanding. I'll hold off for now, but thanks for finding it.

Maybe I am missing something, but it seems to me that many manufacturers do not know how to use the English language to describe their product properly, for example this hub:
Insignia 4-Port USB-C Hub (NS-PCHC4A-C) - Only at Best Buy

and then their description follows with this:

Pair multiple devices to your computer with this Insignia 4-port USB-C hub. Equipped with one USB-C Gen 1 input and four USB-A 3.0 output ports,

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/insignia-4-port-usb-c-hub-ns-pchc4a-c-only-at-best-buy/14924034?cmp=seo-14924034&cmp=knc-s-71700000061237381&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_JWOBhDRARIsANymNOYuKBUZG7M0J1_Jyvyt1Blj075ZfQRQO0ohS-d2mYz1yi4NKc8nf38aAvciEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Gheese... It would seem to me that a 4-Port USB-C Hub would be exactly that, a simple hub with four USB-C ports.

I wish companies would learn to use English to describe their product correctly then do so accurately and properly.



- Patrick
=======

 

[MacInWin]

Patrick, that has been part of the challenge of the search. There are tons of options for USB-C/TB to USB-A ports, storage cards, ethernet, HDMI, just about any connection you might want. Some are called "docks" and some are called "hubs." None, except those mentioned in this thread, are what I set out to find. All of the ones listed here are pretty pricey, or not readily available in the US, or have poor reviews. Hence my frustration and the reason for the thread. And to make things even more interesting, the few that are close (OWC and Sitecom), count the input port as one of the ports on the device. So, a "4 port" hub adds not four but three ports because one of the "four" is for input. The search has been very interesting as I read through the detail, tech specs and look at the images to see what they are saying, claiming and NOT saying, claiming.

 

[pigoo3]

Hey Jake.

Reading post #1...sounds to me like you're only looking for extra USB ports (none of the other stuff). Just the USB type of port circled in the screenshot below.

Is this correct?

 

[MacInWin]

@pigoo3, that is not what I want. What I want is a hub with JUST USB-C ports. What you have circled is USB-A, used for USB2, USB3 and USB3a devices. I want just USB-C, which is in the third row, third from left in you picture. One in, four out. Nobody has one. OWC is closest, but at prices I don't want to pay. Sitecom has one, but reviews are not good and availability in the US is a challenge.

 

[krs]

Gheese... It would seem to me that a 4-Port USB-C Hub would be exactly that, a simple hub with four USB-C ports.

I wish companies would learn to use English to describe their product correctly then do so accurately and properly.

The way I see it just calling a a hub a USB-C hub is meaningless.
USB-C Just describes a physical connector nothing else, what's important with a USB-C HUB (Usb-C ports in and out) is the protocols that hub supports and at which speeds.
I would think that USB-C hubs that are more flexible, support more protocols and higher speeds would end up costing more.

 

[pigoo3]

What I want is a hub with JUST USB-C ports.

Good deal...totally understand now. I'll do some searching...and see if I get lucky & find something reasonably priced.

Nick

 

[krs]

While looking for some reviews on the Sitecom unit, I found that one can buy that unit on amazon.com

Amazon.com

Reviews vary from "Greatest thing since sliced bread" to "Utter garbage"

Reading through a dozen of them or so, seems some people have higher expectations on what the unit can deliver and then get very upset that Amazon won't accept them back or will only offer a partial refund.
I find that a bit strange since I have never had Amazon (US, UK or Canada) not provide a refund when I had a return.

 

[pigoo3]

Here are a couple:

1. $39.99:

4-Port USB-C Hub | Satechi - Apple and PC Accessories

satechi.net

2. $48.07:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YN54Q33/?tag=macforums0e4-20

HTH,

Nick

 

[pigoo3]

While looking for some reviews on the Sitecom unit, I found that one can buy that unit on amazon.com

Amazon.com

I found the same one (I'm assuming from a different seller)...for about $14 less.

Strange difference in pricing! Lol

 

[krs]

This one has pretty impressive specs... and only $250.-

Thunderbolt 4 | USB4 | Element Hub | CalDigit – CalDigit

www.caldigit.com