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USB-C hubs and my slow descent into madness - Dennis Schubert
(overengineer.dev)
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this post was submitted on 17 Jul 2023
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Any recommendations? I primarily want to plug in a lot of USB C devices.
What about ethernet?
Get a standalone adapter.
I concur
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.
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