Mobee Debuts Discreet 'Magic Hub' for iMac/Apple Display With 4 USB 3.0 Ports

[theluggage]

what about this is usb 3? the only thing this does is charge usb devices while the imac or thunderbolt display is OFF.

It is described as a USB 3 *hub* so, presumably, like other USB3 hubs, it has a USB B-to-USB A cable (or a captive USB3 A cable) that goes to one of the USB3 ports on the iMac, turning 1 USB 3 port into 4.

That's a guess - the announcement is an information-free zone.

Hopefully, the USB-in cable is located under the power cable on the bit that slots into the iMac stand, but they haven't cluttered up their nice computer rendering of the product with any such detail, so that's still a guess.

Of course, it won't be USB3 if you use it on an older iMac or a Thunderbolt/Cinema display.

Personally, I think what the iMac/Display needs is not more ports around the back but a nice brushed-aluminiym box that sits towards the front of the "foot" giving you some front-facing ports.

 

[Intelligent]

Cool! Most USB 3 Hubs require external power.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

I've read the article twice and it just doesn't seem to answer my question:
How does it connect to your iMac? Thunderbolt? USB2? USB3? Something else? Or none at all? Is it charging power only, with no data connection to your iMac?

 

[RightMACatU]

So wait... is this a 4-port USB charger... or a USB hub ???

There's no mention of the connection to your computer to turn one USB port on your iMac into 4 ports on the hub.

Or is there?

Exactly.... I assume that's where the 'Magic' occurs

 

[powaking]

From the website it appears you can either have 4 charging ports or add 3 additional ports to your mac which would mean one of them would be connected to the mac.

A compact additional USB charging port attached to your iMac.

- Uses the latest USB 3.0 ports
- Charges up to four devices
- Adds three USB ports to your iMac
- Charges devices even when your iMac is turned off
- 2.1 Amps power output from each USB port
- Directly powered by the Apple iMac or Monitor, no additional wall adaptor required
- Doesn't restrict the swivel of your Apple display

http://www.mobeetechnology.com/magic-hub.html

 

[rainydays]

what about this is usb 3? the only thing this does is charge usb devices while the imac or thunderbolt display is OFF.

Yeah, it's actually not clear how this device works. Since it's called "hub" I just assumed that it works as an USB3 hub. But it just seems to be a charger.
However, they state that it "Adds 3 USB ports to your iMac", and there's four ports on it? It just doesn't make any sense.

 

[trainwrecka]

I'm not an expert nor do I play one on tv but I'm pretty sure that this would not work. But again I'm not an expert, I'm just kinda OK at looking at things and using my brain. Not even that good at that but I'm almost positive it's not for you. Actually, I'm sure it is not for wall mounted macs. Great question though!

Love it.

 

[BurgDog]

Yeah, it's actually not clear how this device works. Since it's called "hub" I just assumed that it works as an USB3 hub. But it just seems to be a charger.
However, they state that it "Adds 3 USB ports to your iMac", and there's four ports on it? It just doesn't make any sense.

It has 4 ports and a cable to connect to a USB port on the Mac. It adds only 3 ports as one of the existing ports on the Mac is taken up with the connection to the hub leaving 1 less on the Mac itself for general use.

 

[roland.g]

If your iMac is wall mounted, then, [jedi hand wave], this is not the hub you are looking for.

Wow, hope you didn't burn out to many synaptic connections on that one.

I personally think peripherals that use the stand are kitschy and have limited appeal. As for wall mounted Macs, there are many types of mounts, articulating arms, pneumatic swing arms, etc. Just because a Mac doesn't use the stand, doesn't mean it is pinned against the wall. It could have a fairly large range of motion. Could this hub be attached directly to the back of the iMac. Or does it use the stand hole. There is NO info on the company website about their product.

 

[Iconoclysm]

Uh, why? If you just want Thunderbolt-to-USB-3.0, those already exist.



It doesn't need to be - it's just a bone-stock USB 3.0 hub, using a bone-stock IEC C14 plug. Then shaped so that it fits in place by wedging in to a circular opening. No Apple approval needed.

While this is slick, it is also horribly overpriced. It's just a USB 3.0 hub with a good form factor. It has no special characteristics over any of the many cheap USB 3.0 hubs you can find, other than the form factor. I can just as easily use double-sided tape to put a small-footprint USB 3.0 hub on the back of my iMac...

I haven't looked for a while but I've had issues finding a high power output USB hub in the past. People will pay a premium for a design that doesn't look like junk sitting on your desk, maybe those "underpriced" hub makers should take notice.

 

[rainydays]

It has 4 ports and a cable to connect to a USB port on the Mac. It adds only 3 ports as one of the existing ports on the Mac is taken up with the connection to the hub leaving 1 less on the Mac itself for general use.

Of course! I should do some more thinking before I write.
However, that is if it actually works as a hub, which I hope it does. Either way, they need to hire someone to do a better copy.

 

[wgnoyes]

I don't get it; what's the point? The USB ports are still behind the main display where you can't really get at them. I would just get a regular usb hub* and sit it below the screen where I could actually conveniently plug in peripherals.

*-or what I really did and just plug in some short usb extension cables.

 

[taptic]

Whew... Harsh replies on the wall-mount comment...

 

[JAT]

Cool! Most USB 3 Hubs require external power.

So does this one, they've just worded things in bizarre ways to fool people. Or because they are dense, because it really doesn't make sense to fool people in this way.

All they are saying is it doesn't use an in-cord transformer block. So, the power supply must be internal. It still plugs in, just providing a pass-thru for the iMac's power cord.

 

[D.T.]

That's all I really need atm.

Bloody hell...

80€ for the first guy to pass me a TB->USB3.0 4x hub.
The docks always come with ports I already have or the dreaded USB 2.0 ports... Pfft...

Glassed Silver:mac

Yeah, I’ve been looking for a cheap-er-ish solution that’s: TB in/out + 2 or more USB 3.0 ports. I’m in the same situation, I’d like some 3.0 ports (only have 2.0), and I only have one TB port (no HMDI) that’s driving my external display.

The Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock is now $199 MSRP (USD) and on Amazon for $159.00, that’s pretty much what I want, but just haven’t felt like dropping the $200 (once you get a cable) just to hook up one USB 3.0 external drive.

If your iMac is wall mounted, then, [jedi hand wave], this is not the hub you are looking for.

Then you don't buy it.

The same applies if your Mac is actually an old Teddy bear

Wow, people spending all their time in the new section are missing out on the funniest posts of the week.

 

[JAT]

I want one for my Mac Mini 2012... This is a cheap USB 3.0 expansion option for me!

I don't see how you can use the word "cheap" to describe this if you just want a USB hub for the Mini. There are larger ones for 1/3 the price or less. Also, it looks like it has the wrong kind of connector for use with a Mini.

However, if it can actually charge 4 iPads at once, it might be worthwhile as a standalone charger. That remains to be seen, though. Other products have promised this and not delivered.

 

[bpeeps]

Whew... Harsh replies on the wall-mount comment...

Probably because it's a really dumb question. I bet you that user doesn't even have a wall mounted iMac.

 

[taptic]

Probably because it's a really dumb question. I bet you that user doesn't even have a wall mounted iMac.

Yeah, it may be dumb, but sometimes it's better to just let someone sit in their dimwittedness than call them out on it...

 

[PocketSand11]

Wait, does this even connect to the iMac at all, or is it just for USB charging? I don't see any cables.

----------

I've read the article twice and it just doesn't seem to answer my question:
How does it connect to your iMac? Thunderbolt? USB2? USB3? Something else? Or none at all? Is it charging power only, with no data connection to your iMac?

Good, I thought I was the only one wondering. If it just charges devices, that's silly. Also, personally, when I want a hub, it needs to have at least 6 ports on it or no deal.

 

[BurgDog]

Elegant solution if need what it provides

I think this is an elegant if somewhat costly solution for those who want to add 3 USB3 ports that can also be used to charge iPads. Using a passthru on the monitor power removes the need for yet another wall wart power supply - I hate those things with a passion. Adds to cost, of course, as the complete power supply has to be inside the unit.

Obviously the image didn't show the necessary input USB3 cable - seems to be common for advertising copy to not show clutter of cables.

I would consider buying one if I needed more USB3 ports. So far, in my configuration, I have 4 USB3 ports on my Mac and 3 USB2 ports on my Thunderbolt monitor - sufficient for my current collection of USB3 and USB2 devices. I have an extension cable coming from one of USB3 ports that I use to plug in devices as needed that I don't need permanently connected.

 

[Gasu E.]

Yeah, it's actually not clear how this device works. Since it's called "hub" I just assumed that it works as an USB3 hub. But it just seems to be a charger.
However, they state that it "Adds 3 USB ports to your iMac", and there's four ports on it? It just doesn't make any sense.

If you add a connection from this device to one of the USB3 ports on the Mac; then, just like any other hub in existence, you subtract one port from the Mac and add four on the hub.

4 - 1= 3

QED

 

[scottsjack]

Looks pretty good. Since Apply always puts too few USB ports on their computers this looks like a great solution.

 

[randian]

Mobee must know something we don't. This product has much less appeal if Apple comes out with a new Cinema Display that has a bunch of TB and USB 3.0 ports.

 

[B2FiNiTY]

delete

 

[Dustman]

Yeah, it may be dumb, but sometimes it's better to just let someone sit in their dimwittedness than call them out on it...

There's generally an underlying snootiness in this forum, and it actually does my heart good to see those getting called out for it.