- sir appleot - A passion for Apple knights for over 20 years
Chapter in this post:
If you look around for USB-C hubs, you will usually only find ones with a maximum of two C ports, several A ports and interfaces for SD cards, HDMI, etc. What I would need, for example, would be a USB-C Hub with ten USB-C ports so that I can connect all sorts of things to the Apple MacBook Pro with the cable provided for this purpose. But such multi-port hubs simply do not exist. I tried to research why this is so. In this post you will find the knowledge gained. Do you still have information on the topic? Then leave a comment;)
Why aren't there USB-C multiport hubs with five, ten or more USB-C ports for the MacBook with Thunderbolt 3? Here is an explanation for the missing accessories.
It would need USB-C hubs with many C ports
Dongles, hubs and adapters have played a big role here in the blog since the first MacBook models with Thunderbolt 3 (TB3). Because monitors, mouse and keyboard, external hard drives, external graphics cards, Ethernet, various end devices and more can be connected to the all-rounder connection - but only if the connection is correct.
Since, over time, however, many devices and their cables switch to USB-C and one would perhaps like to connect the many dongles that have accumulated to a hub, a "multiple socket" for USB-C or TB3 is needed. Alone, it doesn't exist. Maybe at most this Sitecom model with mixed reviews or the expensive Elgato solution.
Why are there no USB-C multiport hubs?
As already mentioned at the beginning, I did a little research on the question - and those of you who are more familiar with it are welcome to write a comment. According to this thread In the Super User Forum there are no USB-C hubs with five, ten or more C ports because the chips required for this are missing. The technology for the junction boxes is therefore not yet available.
Intel -- the driving force behind USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 -- simply hasn't yet offered a technology solution that would leverage the benefits of USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 across umpteen of the same ports. This is how the technical requirements for HDMI, VGA, network cables, SD cards, printers, scanners, cameras, hard drives and the like only if hubs offer the explicit ports for them.
Cheap accessories: When hubs interfere with Bluetooth and WiFi
When will there finally be a USB-C multiport hub?
The forum thread linked above states that a podcast mentioned that the chips required for this should come onto the market in 2020. It is now mid-August 2020 and I have not yet found any news that describes the Intel chip and the junction boxes possible with it for the all-rounder connection.
Something similar is also in one other forum complained. There I also came across the mention of the Elgato hub linked above, which has two Thunderbolt 3 and two USB-C (USB 3.1 Gen 2) and also a display port, headphone connection, Ethernet port, SD card reader , Headset connection and two USB-A supplies. This may remain one of the few solutions to the problem presented until 2021 or longer.
- One cable: all connections to your MacBook Pro or Ultrabook at once
- Two Thunderbolt 3 ports: enormous versatility thanks to Thunderbolt, supports 5K monitor
- Two screens: each up to 4K with a refresh rate of 60 Hz via DisplayPort and Thunderbolt
Impractical workaround: Connect USB-C devices to the USB-A hub
Do you primarily want to connect hard drives, rechargeable batteries, the iPhone or iPad and similar things to the Mac or PC at the same time via USB-C? Then there is a logical, if not very practical workaround: For example, you can use a USB-A hub like the Orico A3H13P2 (here is my test report) via adapter (USB-C to USB-A) to the computer and then connect the USB-C devices with USB-A to USB-C adapter.
However, it must be ensured that the adapters also support data and power transmission to the desired extent. One could recommend, for example. this Nimaso adapter. All in all, however, a small-scale adapter spectacle with too many extras ... So only to be carried out if you really need ten or more connections at any time and can cope with downgrading everything from USB-C to USB-A. Do you have a better solution? Then let me know;)
Did you like the article and did the instructions on the blog help you? Then I would be happy if you the blog via a Steady Membership or at Patreon would support.
Maybe also interesting?
In the test: Orico A3H13P2 - active USB 3.0 hub with 13 ports and 2 fast charging ports
Linedock - MacBook dock, hub, power bank and SSD storage in one
Thunderbolt 3 adapter: Satechi USB-C hub for MacBook Pro (late 2016)
In the test: USB-C mini dock from Egolggo especially for the MacBook Pro - with charging function
Readers' tip: USB-C hub and external DVD player for the MacBook - pretty much best friends!
In the test: Inateck HB4103C USB-C hub with 3x USB 3.0 ports and network connection
USB-C to HDMI: 4K @ 60Hz adapter from Anker ensures a high refresh rate
In the test: Anker Qi-Charging Powerbank with USB-C input and 10.000 mAh
Jens has been running the blog since 2012. He appears as Sir Apfelot for his readers and helps them with problems of a technical nature. In his free time he drives electric unicycles, takes photos (preferably with his iPhone, of course), climbs around in the Hessian mountains or hikes with the family. His articles deal with Apple products, news from the world of drones or solutions for current bugs.
The page contains affiliate links / images: Amazon.de
39 comments
Hello!
I have also been looking for a suitable USB-C hub for a long time to use in the recording studio on iMacs and Mac Minis. And by that I mean a pure USB-C distributor, with enough resources to be able to connect midi / audio interfaces, external rack hard drives. It is sad to see that Intel and Apple have been promoting this new format for years, but on the other hand do not have the technical possibilities and resources to be able to offer it to the market in full. So I'm all the more pleased to have finally found a concrete statement on the topic through your article. The Sitecom model would be a good solution if it weren't for the difficulties here.
Yes, that's the problem again. The Sitecom model is basically a USB hub, only with a USB C connector. But it doesn't support the speed and functions that we Mac users would like ... hopefully something will happen.
Nothing has changed until today (January 12.01.2021th, XNUMX ... Unfortunately.
Hello Harald! Yes, unfortunately I have not noticed any new products in this regard. A real shame. :(
Hi Jens,
thanks for the post. Nowhere else can you find information about why there are still no USB-C hubs.
Found this hub today 21/05/2021 but didn't try it:
https://www.owcshop.eu/catalog/product_info.php/thunderbolt-p-2005
If it does not match what we are all looking for, please delete this entry ...
Hello Norbert! That looks pretty good. : D Now someone should take a closer look at him. At least it has 3x Thunderbolt 4 outputs, which would double the outputs on the MacBook Air and the small MacBook Pro. I haven't found the hub in stores yet ... but it will probably open at some point.
Nice to read that I'm not the only one with the "problem". :)
I'm curious if there will be something else this year ...;)
Hi,
look here I found that from 4 or 6 weeks ago.
https://dancharblog.wordpress.com/2020/12/08/10-usb-c-hubs-with-2-or-more-usb-c-downstream-ports/
Cheers TJ
Thanks for the link. Some of them are not available, some cannot transfer video via USB-C, and only one can actually transfer video. In my opinion, the list is a collection of compromises. But maybe better than nothing. : D Thanks you in any case for the hint!
hey jens,
yes, I know ... but I don't need a graphics port, for example ... the hub with charging cable goes into the one socket on the MBP M1 and a Novation Launchpad and an Ext.MV disk and, if required, a second external MV.
the other port in the MBP M1 is connected to the monitor, that would be my setup ... also mobile wise (of course without external monitor: -x) Other variant in the studio because I have a different solution in mind ... there are some of the cans on the market. I just took a look at this one that could be interesting: ICY BOX (Raidsonic) IB-HUB-1429-CPD and the company is located in Ahrensburg, not far from me, which is already thinking about calling them and asking where to buy the can Or buy directly there if possible :-P
LG Tj
Sounds understandable. Monitor on the 2nd port makes sense. : D
And about Icy Box: I think they have some interesting things ... I could take a look at one or the other. ;-)
Yes you are right, I have an external housing for the MV disk from the company and I can't complain :-) solidly processed, priced ok too ... everything fits :-)
Cheers TJ
small addendum (if allowed) https://www.digitec.ch/en/s1/product/icy-box-ib-hub1429-cpd-4ports-usb-hubs-13170672 the small device is offered under the link.
Hello Sir Apfelot. I would just like to charge 16 iPads via usb c. Data doesn't have to flow at all. Is there such a USB c multiple socket?
Thanks and regards
Ben
Hello Ben! Are you in a hurry with the shop? If not, I would take one with USB A outputs and then use USB-A to USB-C cables. With pure USB-C outputs, there is practically nothing useful. LG, Jens
Hallo,
I operate my MBP 16 “via USB-C on a display, so that the display is basically my docking station.
I also have two smaller (mobile) USB-C displays that I also connect to the MBP. It would be nicer if I could connect it to the display and really only have one cable to the MBP, but the large display has no connection options for any (!) Displays.
I think that's really weak…. Docking station without the option of connecting displays.
Connecting several computers as image sources would of course work, but I don't need that.
Ralf
Hi Ralf! I understand exactly what you mean, but I guess the monitor doesn't have enough bandwidth in its USB-C dock to operate another monitor. But it could be that with Thunderbolt 4/5 this will change at some point. But then your monitor should also support this standard ...
Was looking for it too. Found your post and comments. Thx! Went looking today for usb-a multiplier hub to do the adapter cable conv approach. But I found one! Has anyone seen or tried it? SotMa 10 connection USB c 2.0 hub.
Hi brad! The SotMa charger looks good so far, but two comments: 1. It is a pure charging hub. It cannot be used, for example, to connect multiple hard drives or other USB-C devices to the computer. 2. It has a built-in fan and can make noise under certain circumstances. : D
More than a year later:
I think this is close to what many of us are looking for when it comes to docking laptops, but it costs a whopping $ 320 (in gray, $ 10 more for black?): Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock
I don't see much in terms of a simple USB-C to multi-USB-C hub, but I still see a lot of electronics reviews that have devices without USB-C ports with a derogatory "No USB-C in." Year 2021? " dismiss.
What a disappointing disaster.
Yes, such a Thunderbolt Dock is currently the best alternative. There are also solutions like that Satechi 4-port USB-C hub, but with 5 Gbit / s it slows down the speed of the devices strongly.
Finally something new: https://ezq.com/usb-c-gen-2-hub-adapter-7-ports.html
3x USB-C 10Gbit, 1x USB-C 5Gbit + PD, 3x USB-A 5Gbit
But it doesn't seem to be widely available yet.
This product is now available on Amazon.com:
EZQUEST USB-C Gen 2 Hub Adapter 7 Ports (unfortunately not yet on Amazon.de)
Yes, you could test that. It is always interesting whether the hubs are also able to control a 4K or 5K display.
I inevitably take the delock, at least 2 usb-c and 2 usb-a
and you can run a longer cable to the tower pc on the ground. the hubs with very short cables are for laptops?
the only question is whether the usb-a ports can also charge?
https://www.delock.de/produkt/64054/merkmale.html?setLanguage=de
Hello Pe! Yes, that's a good question. The power supply seems to deliver 60 W. There would already be power for the USB A ports. Theoretically…
https://www.corsair.com/de/de/Kategorien/Produkte/Thunderbolt-Docks/USB100/p/CU-9000003-EU#tab-overview
"corsair usb100″
seems to be a completely new one for about 90 (01/2022), it remains unclear why usb-c is still installed in usb3.0 speed: 5Gbps" in 2022? I had this speed in 2012 with external ssds expect at least one usb 3.2 gen2x2.
Yes, the speed is unfortunately a bit underground. Not what you imagine a USB C hub to be. 😂
I did not order the delock, the ezq is not available and the corsair usb100 only has 5Gbps. so I ordered the new anchor from a. will report how it is.
Anker PowerExpand 9-in-1 USB-C PD Docking Station
Not really completely USB-C, but at least USB 3.2 Gen 2 with 10Gbit/s:
Inateck USB Hub HB2025, is connected to the laptop with USB-C and offers 4x USB-A 10Gbit/s. Very cheap at around €15 compared to the other hubs listed here.
Ordered one a few days ago, works well so far.
Hello Odi! Thank you for your recommendation. This is super helpful!
Hallo,
I have a question that I can't find anywhere, but I think this topic is related to my question.
So, I have a laptop with a USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 port (msi gf63 8rc - Intel i7-8750h).
I want to buy a hub with as many USB-C ports as possible. I am willing to pay for a future proof product (hub) that I will use with my next laptop or PC for years to come.
So I decide to go with a Thunderbolt 4/3 hub. Like the Razer product that someone here already featured.
So my question is: Does z. For example, will USB-C headphones and USB-C SSDs still work if I connect them to a Thunderbolt 4/3 hub connected to a PC that only has USB-C 3.1 Gen 1?
I understand that I can't connect a monitor, but since I'm buying a future-proof product for my future PC, I'm willing to overpay 🤷.
I hope you understand what I'm getting at.
I thank you in advance.
Hi Vad! Yes, as far as I know the hubs are backwards compatible. This means that even if the current PC does not yet "can" Thunderbolt, devices such as hard drives, headphones and the like should still work. VG, Jens
Thanks for the answer. Found a cheaper alternative to the Razer product
https://www.club-3d.com/en/detail/2542/thunderbolt_4_portable_5_in_1_hub_with_smart_power/
https://www.owcdigital.com/products/thunderbolt-hub
https://www.sonnettech.com/product/echo5-thunderbolt4-hub/overview.html
only 3 Thunderbolt ports, but still
What do you think?
Hello Vad! All three are brands or manufacturers that I associate with good products. I think you can't go wrong with that. I currently have a Sonnet Echo TB dock and am very happy with it.
Hi Jens,
and of course all other interested readers. Does anyone have any experience of how far the Thunderbolt 4 hubs and docks are "backwards compatible with USB-C?
It is clear that the (entire) screen functionality cannot be used (e.g. due to a lack of bandwidth). But are the thunderbolt4-hubs to be used as a USB-C hub, i.e. are the USB-c ports usable?
Best regards,
Lukas
Not thunderbolt, but what about this:
USB-C Gen 2 Hub Adapter 7 Ports - 3 x USB-C 10Gbs
- Sofa
This is the same one I mentioned in the comments above in November. Haven't heard from anyone who has tested it though.
So far the hub topology doesn't seem to work properly with 3.x. Maybe it's more complex and with more tech. Effort and cost to build such a hub.
Then the maximum data transfer of 10 Gbs, for example distributed over 5 USBC3 hard drives: Each only has 2 Gbs available. And what about the current drawn per plate?
Also the version hickack at USB3.x Gen/Typ xx ... I don't want to see through that at all. And constantly worrying are the USBC cables and hubs working correctly?
In addition: Intel plays a major role in both formats, only TB is Intel alone and you can secure market share with the advantage ;) TB4 is simply easy for the user: A standard where all cables and devices fit and are now twice as fast .
USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 now support the hub topology, so that every TB4 output is available as a full TB3 output. TB3 and TB4 are USB4 (/3.x) backward compatible.
USB4 devices were expected in 2021, it will probably take years - 2025?
USB4 devices must also come onto the market. I haven't found a USB4 hard drive yet.
Currently I only see the choice to use the TB3 better TB4 distributors. A TB4 with three TB3 hubs for 9 USBC3/TB3 ports. Will be expensive fun.
Or just USB3.x adapter with lots of USBA to USBC female adapters... Hopefully it doesn't tear the USB port of the notebook...
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Serial_Bus#USB4
https://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/USB-4-bekommt-Hub-Topologie-4327190.html
https://plugable.com/products/tbt4-hub3c
What were the days with the old plugs ... USB2 and USB3 type A simply "hubben" ;)