USB-C Hubs

The purpose of a USB-C hub is like any other connectivity hub, and that’s to connect multiple devices at the same time. With devices getting slimmer and thinner, there is less room for extra ports, and that’s where hubs can be handy tools to facilitate the connections you otherwise don’t have.

An advantage with USB-C is that the connector is double-sided, so you can plug it in on either side. Hubs come in a variety of different models and sizes to account for the ports and features they provide. They may also be specific to a type of laptop, like the ones made for certain Apple MacBooks.

Some hubs are so versatile, they can handle monitors for dual or multi-screen environments, though most are portable enough to take with you whenever or wherever you need them. With a hub, it matters less what ports your laptop is missing because you will have the flexibility to not only connect peripherals and devices, but also charge at the same time.

What can you connect to a USB-C hub?

With more and more devices supporting USB-C as the industry standard, there is no shortage in products that can plug into the hub. Laptops are largely equipped with at least one USB-C port, making compatibility easy to manage. Plug in or connect the devices you need on the other end and you have greater functionality.

This isn’t just limited to smartphones, tablets, external monitors or headphones. It could also apply to memory cards, HDMI cables, external drives, keyboards, mice and other gadgets you could utilize. The power of USB-C means that it can handle the throughput at the same time, transferring data from one device, while charging another, for example.

That’s why hubs are convenient when you need them. The more elaborate the hub, the more likely it has a port you need. They can even facilitate wired Internet connections, in case you need to plug in via Ethernet for faster throughput when downloading or uploading files.

What is the difference between a USB-C Hub and a USB-C Dock?

For the most part, hubs and docks perform the same basic function, which is to connect various components in one place and ensure they work with a computer. While a hub can vary in size to accommodate as little as one device, to multiple devices, docks are usually made to be desktop computer replacements.

What that means is that they make it easier to plug in more than one external monitor for a truly multiscreen office setup, either at home or at work. This can be HDMI, DisplayPort or mini DisplayPort, depending on the dock. They often have Gigabit Ethernet ports, effectively giving a desktop or laptop a wired Internet connection without having to plug anything into the computer.

In addition, docks can handle various other devices to make compatibility seamless and user-friendly, be it memory cards, external storage, peripherals, and more. They can help keep a desk clutter-free because the majority of the ports connecting those devices are found in the rear. Hubs are more portable by design, so tidying up cables is more challenging when trying to maintain a less messy desk.