this post was submitted on 17 Jul 2023
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1039
USB-C hubs and my slow descent into madness - Dennis Schubert (overengineer.dev)
submitted 11 months ago by [email protected] to c/technology
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I was looking for a new USB-c hub and came across this article. It's an interesting write-up of what is on the inside of some popular options

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[–] antijava 52 points 11 months ago (4 children)

I'm confused why everybody calls these USB hubs -- they aren't hubs they are docking stations. A hub provides N USB ports so you can connect multiple. These provide other ports like ethernet, HDMI, etc. But do nothing if you actually want to plug more USB devices into your computer.

The best actual USB C hub I found is this:

https://www.cambrionix.com/products/thundersync3-c10

It is crazy expensive, and still doesn't work that well, but it seems to be the best thing on the market. I still have to power cycle mine once a week or so because the connected devices stop being visible.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Now that's a USB C hub.

I hate the way when you search for USB C hub on amazon you get a list of USB C dongles with ethernet and HDMI, a couple of A ports and 1 or maybe 2 C ports.

[–] antijava 1 points 11 months ago

This one has a massive power brick and all ports can charge and run full speed. I’ve restores multiple iPhones and iPads simultaneously with it. It would be about perfect if it didn’t randomly drop ports once a week or so.

[–] steakmeout 6 points 11 months ago (1 children)

That's because it's not a USB C hub, it's a Thunderbolt 3 hub. And the claims it makes are just about Thunderbolt 3 specs. There are better and cheaper Thunderbolt 3 and 4 hubs.

[–] antijava 4 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Any recommendations? I primarily want to plug in a lot of USB C devices.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

What about ethernet?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

Get a standalone adapter.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

I concur

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago

I'm still confused because no one explained why they do this.
And for USB hubs it was hard enough to find a decent powered version for regular Type A ones. It felt like everything was some chinese garbage that would fry your devices, based on various reviews - if you could even find a powered one that is. Ended up paying somewhat premium for an Icybox. Not that I regret the purchase, but I feel something as simple as an USB hub should neither be that expensive nor that hard to find, or in regards to quality to produce.

[–] LifeInMultipleChoice 3 points 11 months ago

Many companies changed the name of dockimg stations to port replicators (ex. Dell) specifically because you can no longer set your laptop/notebook on it to charge. So instead of 'docking" you are adding/replicating ports