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Need a USB-C hub for M1 MBA for monitor, keyboard, mouse and charging

A

Aggedor

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Dec 10, 2020
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Sorry, I'm a noob when it comes to this stuff!

I need a hub for my M1 MBA. I need to connect:

- Power (USB-C, so I can use my MBA in clamshell mode)
- A display (DisplayPort, but can use an adaptor)
- Wired keyboard (USB-A or USB-C)
- Mouse with USB-A dongle (but can use an adaptor)

I've looked online and found a few hubs, but they seem limited in that they only offer one Thunderbolt 3 USB-C port for charging and a display, and one simple USB-C data port, AND they take up both USB-C ports on the machine.

There is the Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adaptor, and while I don't need the HDMI port, it does give me a charging USB-C port, and an USB-A port, and it leaves the other USB-C port on the MBA free for the display.

Any help much appreciated!
 
Phil77354 said:
Take a look at the posts on this thread, lots of good information on hubs with various configurations of ports, etc:

Which USB 3.0 Hub? [MERGED]
Click to expand...
Ah thanks, very useful! Although, dang it, it looks like most of the good ones are out of stock! I guess everyone is working from home!

I wonder if I'm being too hung up on having DisplayPort? My monitor has HDMI as well. Connecting my MBA directly using a USB-C to HDMI connector, I get 60Hz. I had thought I might get a higher refresh rate with DisplayPort (the monitor is 144Hz).

Edit: Actually, went for the CalDigit Soho. Seems to have everything I want - including DisplayPort. Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Aggedor said:
Ah thanks, very useful! Although, dang it, it looks like most of the good ones are out of stock! I guess everyone is working from home!

I wonder if I'm being too hung up on having DisplayPort? My monitor has HDMI as well. Connecting my MBA directly using a USB-C to HDMI connector, I get 60Hz. I had thought I might get a higher refresh rate with DisplayPort (the monitor is 144Hz).

Edit: Actually, went for the CalDigit Soho. Seems to have everything I want - including DisplayPort. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Good choice! I have the CalDigit TS3 Plus.
 
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Well, my Soho dock arrived... and it's going straight back. I might have got a faulty unit, but the DisplayPort would only work if something was plugged into the HDMI port, and the other USB ports would work, and then stop working, requiring everything to be plugged in again. Likewise, it would charge via the USB-C charge-through port... until it stopped, and needed to be replugged. The DisplayPort also only gave me 60Hz on a 1440p monitor - that might be the MBA M1 limitation, but it therefore has no benefit over HDMI.

So yeah, could be a faulty unit. I'll return it. I went and picked up the Apple multi AV adaptor, and that works just fine - monitor via HDMI, mouse dongle via USB-A, charging via USB-C, and the MBA's other USB-C port for the keyboard (which for some reason wouldn't work via the adaptor).
 
It sounds like you found one already, but I have had a good experience with my NOVOO 8-1 USB-C Hub which has 3 USB A ports, a gigabit Ethernet port, USB-C PD port, HDMI port, SD/TF card slot, and a MicroSD card slot. I've had it for over a year and I have yet to have any problems with it.
 
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Aggedor said:
Well, my Soho dock arrived... and it's going straight back. I might have got a faulty unit, but the DisplayPort would only work if something was plugged into the HDMI port, and the other USB ports would work, and then stop working, requiring everything to be plugged in again. Likewise, it would charge via the USB-C charge-through port... until it stopped, and needed to be replugged. The DisplayPort also only gave me 60Hz on a 1440p monitor - that might be the MBA M1 limitation, but it therefore has no benefit over HDMI.

So yeah, could be a faulty unit. I'll return it. I went and picked up the Apple multi AV adaptor, and that works just fine - monitor via HDMI, mouse dongle via USB-A, charging via USB-C, and the MBA's other USB-C port for the keyboard (which for some reason wouldn't work via the adaptor).
Click to expand...
That is disappointing, sorry to hear that you had a bad experience with the Caldigit. I would have suggested that you contact their customer support before deciding to return it, but it looks like you may be past that point now.
 
Phil77354 said:
That is disappointing, sorry to hear that you had a bad experience with the Caldigit. I would have suggested that you contact their customer support before deciding to return it, but it looks like you may be past that point now.
Click to expand...
I'm okay with the return - the Apple AV adaptor is actually better for me, in a way. I had thought the M1 MBA would support higher Hz on a 1440p monitor, but when the DP was working, it was only giving me 60Hz, which is the same as HDMI. So... I'll use HDMI, which means I don't need to keep swapping cables.
 
MacDividend said:
It sounds like you found one already, but I have had a good experience with my NOVOO 8-1 USB-C Hub which has 3 USB A ports, a gigabit Ethernet port, USB-C PD port, HDMI port, SD/TF card slot, and a MicroSD card slot. I've had it for over a year and I have yet to have any problems with it.
Click to expand...
Nice, looks very portable!
 
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Can I suggest a different approach.

A USB-C to Displayport Cable plugged directly in the MacBook Air + a simple USB C to USB A adapter with charging port.

A USB C adapter that simply act as a USB A hub is likely to be more reliable than an adapter that do USB and Displayport. Same goes for a simple USB C to Displayport cable.

Like this :

https://www.amazon.com/uni-Charging...rds=usb+c+to+usb+a+hub&qid=1628057471&sr=8-14

https://www.amazon.com/DisplayPort-uni-Thunderbolt-Compatible-More-Gray/dp/B07CL31FR6/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=usb+c+to+displayport+cable&qid=1628057679&sr=8-1&th=1

Note : Those are just quick amazon searches, it's not recommandation of particular products.
 
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