Multiport hub for M1 Air

[Gabardine]

Hi everyone I have just ordered a Macbook Air M1. I see it has just the 2 ports + 3.5mm jack, and wanted to know what multiport hub would be best to buy for it. I am going to need to connect up:

External monitor 4k at the most
Virgin Router Hub3 which has Ethernet ports
SSD External drive usbc
Couple of USB spare for wired mouse or keyboard etc
Power for charging

The "Anker USB C Hub for MacBook, PowerExpand Direct 7-in-2 USB C Adapter Compatible" seems to plug into both Macbook ports at once and provide most of what I want, (assuming I can get a cable to go from the router Ethernet to usb, because no Ethernet port.)

Is this a good choice - they seem to be reduced in price and I wondered if the Macbook Air M1 pair of ports are the same spacing as the previous Intel models, if they aren't I guess the hub is pretty useless ....

Are there any other / better options for the M1 Air that you could recommend - sub £100 would be favourite!

Thanks for any help

 

[ElliotReidMD]

Yes they are the same spacing, I bought a hub for my M1 Air and the one I bought was listed as for the 2018-2020 models.

 

[Gabardine]

Brilliant that’s good to know thanks for your helpful reply

 

[Stalico]

I ordered this one and the Uni that had the Ethernet port. The Ankar 7-1 was cooler, the Uni was just warm, and the Ankar played a little nicer with my monitor, just 1920x1200. Both have had some flickering issues a few times a day but simply shutting the lid fixes it. I tested all the ports on each except Ethernet and all worked. Both charged also but maybe slower. I also keep the power plugged into the free port and not into the adapter. At first I was going to keep the Uni, because it got better reviews, but now leaning towards the Ankar because it was only $22, ran cooler, hardly gets warm, while Uni was definitely warm, and seemed to work just as well and maybe better with the HDMI with my particular monitor. But both backed up my M1 mac in the same amount of time, both ran Lacie 7200 rpm external with just the USB c port and no power. So think they are both probably working fine and some bug with my monitor, M1 or HDMI cable.

 

[Gabardine]

Hi Stalico thanks for taking time out for your helpful reply- that is very useful - much appreciated

 

[Stalico]

Your welcome Gabardine. BTW I just noticed my M1 monitor is having the same issues when not using an external monitor. The entire screen goes black except for the message box on some websites. Both the adapters preformed the same, although didn't have a chance to test the throughput on faster drives or ethernet.