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Connecting USB-C the "wrong" way?

carlsson

carlsson

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 18, 2001
616
524
Situation:
- MBP 2017
- USB-C hub with integrated USB-C cable
- Apple Charger with the detachable USB-C cable

Question:
Can I connect the hub to the charger, and use the Apple cable between the hub and the MBP?


The hub is this one: https://www.hypershop.com/collectio...timate-usb-c-hub-for-macbook-pc-usb-c-devices

As you can see the integrated USB-C cable is very short, and attaching this thing to my MBP on my desk, with cables from both ends, creates a cable hell like nothing else.

I *think* it should be okay to place the hub under my desk, and connect the hub to the MBP, but I'm not sure. And I don't want to shortcircuit anything...
 
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As far as I know, Apple's charging cable only supports USB 2.0, so it probably won't work too well. I'd look into purchasing a high-quality USB-C cable that does full data + 100W charging (there aren't too many, unfortunately).
 
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@leman is right in that the supplied cable is 2.0, and is for charging only really.

Your best bet is to send the manufacturer an email and ask if you are at all concerned.

Personally I don't think that port would be reversible, and is likely not a full speed USB-C port - as it would only be for charging and so keep the cost of the unit down. So I don't think you'd be able to do what you are asking, but ask the manufacturer.

For future, don't buy something with an integrated cable. There's no need for it and if anything happens to it, it renders the product useless. It also prevents use cases like this where you want to move it further away from the unit.
 
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leman said:
As far as I know, Apple's charging cable only supports USB 2.0, so it probably won't work too well. I'd look into purchasing a high-quality USB-C cable that does full data + 100W charging (there aren't too many, unfortunately).
Click to expand...

Since that has a tethered cable I am not sure how it would work in this case... (I hate expensive accessories with tethered cables!)

I've had some luck finding affordable IF-Certified braided 3.1 gen 2 100W charge cables for cheap (although the 3.3 foot variety is a good bit cheaper than the 6's)
https://www.amazon.com/Veckle-Certi...515676353&sr=8-6&keywords=veckle+charge+cable
(the $17 price is high...I got mine for like $11...other companies sell the same product with just a different branding as it's made by one specific Manufacturer) Quality is as good, and it's got IF-Cert and Benson L approval.
 
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carlsson said:
Question:
Can I connect the hub to the charger, and use the Apple cable between the hub and the MBP?
Click to expand...
I think not, but why would you want to? Connect the Apple charger cable to the Hub's USB-C port, and connect the integrated cable to the MacBook Pro. That's how it's designed to work. As others have said, Apple's charger cable isn't designed for high speed data, so keep it out of the data path.
 
Thank you all for the answers!

I have mailed the manufacturer, I'll let you know if I get an answer.

As I said, I want to get rid of the hub and the cable mess. Just one cable from under my desktop is enough, and that solution would've done that.

And yes, it was probably the worst $139 spent...

Better spent money – including charger – is this Asus hub.
I have one as well, and that also have flaws. But at least it includes a charger, is cheaper, and the integrated cable is somewat longer.

I love the USB-C ports, but I hate that there are no perfect hub.
 
Got an answer from the support:

Hello Andreas
to answer your question
unfortunately you cannot due to the fact that the hub has its
own un attachable cable built in
Regards
Mike
​

Ok. So what I need is an USB-C extension. Ie female-male. Anybody that knows if such an extension exist?
 
carlsson said:
Got an answer from the support:

Hello Andreas
to answer your question
unfortunately you cannot due to the fact that the hub has its
own un attachable cable built in
Regards
Mike
​

Ok. So what I need is an USB-C extension. Ie female-male. Anybody that knows if such an extension exist?
Click to expand...

Google tells me there's loads.
 
New_Mac_Smell said:
Google tells me there's loads.
Click to expand...

Yeah, sorry. Correct question should've been: "Anybody that can recommend such a cable (that is fully compatible with the USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 standard)?"
 
Last edited:
You can't extend the hub you have, however you can get a clutter-free setup with a powered Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C dock and an appropriate cable (up to 2 metres).
 
chabig said:
The official USB standard doesn’t allow extension cables. See https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/usb-c-extension-cable.1882075/

Since support was responsive, ask them. Maybe they’ll have a different solution. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Maybe not, but I have purchased some and they work just fine with a USB-C monitor. I have been using it for over a year now and the monitor also works as a USB hub and provides power delivery, but I still dislike the idea of a tethered cable.

I have this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FM4ZQLQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

As for the OP's question, I would not recommend a USB-C hub with a tethered cable, if at all avoidable.
Here are some options:
I am sure there are others, but a admittedly, a lot of hubs have tethered cables, which to my mind means they will have a shorter lifespan.
 
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Just a heads up on this as well. If you have a 4K screen it only supports 30hz. I found this frustrating with any hubs I found, they all did 4k@30, which I've tried strongly dislike.
 
djnigelchung said:
Just a heads up on this as well. If you have a 4K screen it only supports 30hz. I found this frustrating with any hubs I found, they all did 4k@30, which I've tried strongly dislike.
Click to expand...

Agree. All the USB-C hubs I tired on Amazon including hyperdrive can only support 4K@30, the only one that can do 4K@60 is Caldigit's USB-C dock, but it requires their special firmware and the USB 3.0 speed will be down to USB 2.0. It's the bandwidth limitation. But if you need 4K60, Caldigit's USB-C dock is the only choice.

Or you can pay a little bit more to get a Thunderbolt 3 dock. Take a look at Caldigit's and Belkin's TB3 docks.
 
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