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macsorcery

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Aug 19, 2020
1,368
3,513
Can someone recommend a usb-c hub that has multiple (3 or 4) usb-c ports also? I am only seeing them with multiple usb3 ports. Thanks for any info.
 

DeltaMac

macrumors G5
Jul 30, 2003
13,104
4,194
Delaware
As the USB-C connections provide multiple protocols (data, audio, video, network,Thunderbolt), the hubs/docks also offer multiple choices.
I suggest getting a multiple-USB-A hub, and use USB-C to USB-A adapters, such as
 

macsorcery

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Aug 19, 2020
1,368
3,513
As the USB-C connections provide multiple protocols (data, audio, video, network,Thunderbolt), the hubs/docks also offer multiple choices.
I suggest getting a multiple-USB-A hub, and use USB-C to USB-A adapters, such as

I don't want to lose USB3 ports on the iMac. I just want to plug in one usb-c hub and gain 3-4 usbc ports.
 

DeltaMac

macrumors G5
Jul 30, 2003
13,104
4,194
Delaware
Keep in mind that the USB-A ports (USB 3.0) on your iMac are USB-only.
The 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports (which are also USB-C) are much more useful to you (more capabilities/options)
But, if you only need more USB ports, use a USB-3 hub, with however many USB ports you want. Buy some USB-A to USB-C adapters, like I suggested. Add those for the ports where you need to use USB-C devices.
Found a 4-port for USB-C. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MCTET84/
That just needs the little USB-A to USB-C adapters for each port where you would need a USB-C device.
 

macsorcery

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Aug 19, 2020
1,368
3,513
Keep in mind that the USB-A ports (USB 3.0) on your iMac are USB-only.
The 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports (which are also USB-C) are much more useful to you (more capabilities/options)
But, if you only need more USB ports, use a USB-3 hub, with however many USB ports you want. Buy some USB-A to USB-C adapters, like I suggested. Add those for the ports where you need to use USB-C devices.
Found a 4-port for USB-C. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MCTET84/
That just needs the little USB-A to USB-C adapters for each port where you would need a USB-C device.

thanks, I am trying to get away from the dongles and adapters. I just want to run a usb-c out to more usb-c ports.. if there isn't an option for this yet, I can wait.
 

DeltaMac

macrumors G5
Jul 30, 2003
13,104
4,194
Delaware
I don't care to use adapters, either.
Most of my USB devices are backup storage or multi-partition drives, and have 4 different USB connectors among those.
I make it a point to connect with cables without adapters, so bought some cables with the various combinations of USB connectors that I use.
 

joevt

Contributor
Jun 21, 2012
6,381
3,881
I did not see one that offered 3-4 usb-c ports on the hub. if you did, point it out. thanks.
The Anker 7-in-1 has only 1 USB-C.
The Anker 7-in-1 Thunderbolt has only 1 USB-C.
The Anker 8-in-1 also has only 1 USB-C.
The Anker 13-in-1 has 2 USB-C.
The Juiced Systems Quad only has 2 USB-C.

The Anker 13-in-1 Thunderbolt has 3 USB-C (Thunderbolt port also supports DisplayPort Alt Mode)
The HP Thunderbolt Dock G2 has 3 USB-C (two of these support DisplayPort Alt Mode - one is Thunderbolt)
The Juice Systems VertexHUB has 4 USB-C.
 

macsorcery

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Aug 19, 2020
1,368
3,513
The Anker 7-in-1 has only 1 USB-C.
The Anker 7-in-1 Thunderbolt has only 1 USB-C.
The Anker 8-in-1 also has only 1 USB-C.
The Anker 13-in-1 has 2 USB-C.
The Juiced Systems Quad only has 2 USB-C.

The Anker 13-in-1 Thunderbolt has 3 USB-C (Thunderbolt port also supports DisplayPort Alt Mode)
The HP Thunderbolt Dock G2 has 3 USB-C (two of these support DisplayPort Alt Mode - one is Thunderbolt)
The Juice Systems VertexHUB has 4 USB-C.

the VertexHUB seems to be the one. Thanks! $80 on Amazon
 

joevt

Contributor
Jun 21, 2012
6,381
3,881
the VertexHUB seems to be the one. Thanks! $80 on Amazon
When you get it, let us know what USB hub chips it uses (as seen in System Information.app).
I believe it could use two four port hubs, one connected to the other, such that 3 of the ports might have slightly better performance than the remaining four.

A USB 3.x Hub includes a parallel USB 2.0 Hub since the wires for USB 3.x and USB 2.0 are separate.

For example:
The HP Thunderbolt Dock G2 uses a four port 3.1 gen 2 hub: (2109/0820 , 2820) "VIA Labs, Inc." manufactured by "VIA Labs, Inc." named "VL820".
Connected to that internally is a four port USB 3.0 hub: (0424/5807 , 2807) "SMSC" manufactured by "Microchip" named "USB5807".
 

macsorcery

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Aug 19, 2020
1,368
3,513
When you get it, let us know what USB hub chips it uses (as seen in System Information.app).
I believe it could use two four port hubs, one connected to the other, such that 3 of the ports might have slightly better performance than the remaining four.

A USB 3.x Hub includes a parallel USB 2.0 Hub since the wires for USB 3.x and USB 2.0 are separate.

For example:
The HP Thunderbolt Dock G2 uses a four port 3.1 gen 2 hub: (2109/0820 , 2820) "VIA Labs, Inc." manufactured by "VIA Labs, Inc." named "VL820".
Connected to that internally is a four port USB 3.0 hub: (0424/5807 , 2807) "SMSC" manufactured by "Microchip" named "USB5807".

will do.
 

/V\acpower

macrumors 6502a
Jul 31, 2007
620
481
I'm upping this.


This thread illustrate one major problem I have with "USB C". It was sold to the market as the "Port that does everything" and that yes now we need dongles, but one day everything will be USB C.

But it's clear that this will never happen.

Basically because it's absolutely impossible to find a dumb and cheap "USB C to multiple USB C" hub, like you can with USB A.

So right now, if you decide to go all in USB C. You charge your phone with USB C-Lightning, you buy a USB C wired mouse, a USB C external drive, a USB C to MicroSD dongle, etc. well, it just can't work. You will have to get a USB C hub from Amazon that may give you one USB C port for the charging port, then one more if you are lucky. But it will give you tons of USB A ports. So you will need dongles to connect all those USB C devices at the same time. It's absurd.

Right now when I'm thinking about buying peripheral, I'd like to all in USB C, but it essentially is the worst thing I can do as a consumer.

So, we are kind of stuck forever with USB A unless something change.
 
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ght56

macrumors 6502a
Aug 31, 2020
839
815
I'm upping this.


This thread illustrate one major problem I have with "USB C". It was sold to the market as the "Port that does everything" and that yes now we need dongles, but one day everything will be USB C.

But it's clear that this will never happen.

Basically because it's absolutely impossible to find a dumb and cheap "USB C to multiple USB C" hub, like you can with USB A.

So right now, if you decide to go all in USB C. You charge your phone with USB C-Lightning, you buy a USB C wired mouse, a USB C external drive, a USB C to MicroSD dongle, etc. well, it just can't work. You will have to get a USB C hub from Amazon that may give you one USB C port for the charging port, then one more if you are lucky. But it will give you tons of USB A ports. So you will need dongles to connect all those USB C devices at the same time. It's absurd.

Right now when I'm thinking about buying peripheral, I'd like to all in USB C, but it essentially is the worst thing I can do as a consumer.

So, we are kind of stuck forever with USB A unless something change.

I agree. This 'port of the future that will replace everything' is kind of nonsense...the hardware options are not there for it (e.g., low cost hubs), its durability in practice isn't always that great, and the protocols USB-C carries--specifically the naming and lack of clear labeling--are just confusing as hell. USB-A is as popular as ever and it probably isn't going anywhere for at least another decade or so.
 
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