Question about hubs

[phoenix-mac-user]

I asked this in the "just purchased my..." thread but I not sure how often users look at that thread so I will post it here.

I just purchased a M1 Macbook Air. Switching from the M1 Mini which has a couple more USB ports, the laptop will be docked 90% of the time and connected to a 4K/60hz monitor with no scaling via displayport. I see a lot of hubs on Amazon that have Displayport 4K and like 10 other things in one hub. Multiple USB 2 and 3, Ethernet, Charging...

Is there any concern having so many things flowing through one port? Will my display or usb keyboard and mouse start to lag when I am downloading over my gigabit ethernet?

I have a thunderbolt 3 external drive that I store all of my photos and files on that would be the only thing connected to the other port, but if there are going to be bottlenecks with everything else, especially my keyboard/mouse or video, I will find a different USB-C drive and use 2 hubs and spread it across both hubs/ports.

 

[circatee]

I have been researching something similar. Thinking of purchasing an M1 MBA, and connecting to a Display Port or HDMI to my Samsung monitor.

The concerns people talk about with the hub, is the amount of power it can handle and produce. Thus, one has to be mindful of 'all the things' that are connected to the hub. And, more than likely, a hub that is powered, would supply more power.

 

[phoenix-mac-user]

Thanks for the reply!

I was definitely looking at powered hubs. I was concerned about having so many things all flowing through one 10GB USB-C device. If you have a 4K monitor, 1GB internet, and a couple USB devices it seems like the potential for a bottleneck.

So I did more research and I think I am buying the hub below since it it a Thunderbolt 3 hub. Seems like 40GB TB3 should be able to handle it a lot better than 10GB USB-C.

There is even a TB3 port so I could connect my external TB3 SSD and have everything running through one port, but I think I am going to leave the drive still running off the second port.

Plugable Thunderbolt 3 Dock Compatible with MacBook Pro and Thunderbolt 3 PCs (4K DisplayPort or HDMI, 1Gb Ethernet, Audio, 3 USB Ports, 85W Charging)

Plugable's Thunderbolt 3 Dock with 85W charging (TBT3-UD1-85W) eliminates the need to constantly plug and unplug multiple devices to your notebook or tablet. Connect a DisplayPort display up to 4K@60Hz. DP to HDMI passive adapter included if HDMI connectivity is needed. Connect to wired Ethernet ...

www.amazon.com