Satechi's USB-C Hub for 2018 iPad Pro Now Available: 4K HDMI, Headphone Jack, USB-C With Power Delivery, and USB-A

[afd]

Why does he cover up the port with his arm when he connects it?
I'd prefer a short cable to attach it, a dunt on the side and damage could easily happen, to the hub if you're lucky.
If apple is getting serious about plugging in external monitors, shouldn't they support other screen's resolutions? Would be very useful in education if you could plug an iPad into a LCD touch screen and control ipad from it.

 

[sos47]

too much cables. but good job. i wish the ipad runs with macOS instead of iOS.

 

[vicviper789]

I feel like Apple is intentionally trying to dongle things up (anyone remember the jerry rigged MacBook to iPhone to headphone wire mess?) so that in a few years they can transition to all wireless and brag about how ‘magical’ it is.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

All these accessories - I fondly remember the days when Apple had them built into their laptops.

Yes, this is supposed to be for an iPad, I know.

When measuring an iPad or a MacBook or whatever, we should start adding the dimensions of these dongs into the specs. Now, we have not so portable or thin or light-weight devices.

Just because 10% of users might need a dongle some of the time for extra functions doesn't mean Apple has to match their specs with them. Personally I prefer a portable device, especially a tablet, to be as portable as possible with possible extra functions only when needed. Modularity is much better than having everything inside when I don't need it most of time. The DVD drive on the old MacBook Pros is a prime example of this. I would much rather have had a thinner computer with a USB superdrive than a disk bay that I've touched maybe once or twice throughout my ownership.

 

[Glockworkorange]

In before all the antiquated port lovers bash this, but I think this is pretty cool actually. If I had the iPad Pro, I'd deeply consider this. It offers a lot of productivity in a compact attachment. Especially if I was using an iPad Pro as a primary device, or as a sideways primary device alongside my MacBook Pro. For $49 that's pretty enticing, for $99, a bit less so, but still cool.

Here’s my issue. I absolutely get the HDMI port for an external display.

What’s the point of a USB A port? Keyboard is the example above, but I think most folks would use Bluetooth or a smart keyboard accessory.

What else would you use the USB A port for? can’t hook up a mouse.

Point being while a dock is a cool feature, how useful is it for anything other than a display?

 

[JayMysterio]

Here’s my issue. I absolutely get the HDMI port for an external display.

What’s the point of a USB A port? Keyboard is the example above, but I think most folks would use Bluetooth or a smart keyboard accessory.

What else would you use the USB A port for? can’t hook up a mouse.

Point being while a dock is a cool feature, how useful is it for anything other than a display?

It's his other use he mentions that some use the USB A port. The person does mention that microphones can be used, it's thru the USB A port that an individual who does everything on iPad Pro, records his podcasts. I believe music makers also connect some of their devices thru that port as well.

In this video you can see a YouTuber who used a different hub before Satechi brought their's to market and how he does many of the things they do but earlier.

 

[31 Flavas]

Very nice. I can hook up my hard drive, wired keyboard and Logitech mouse. Oh wait...

Question - if these are nice to have features or even -necessary- needed functionality why has the 2012 surface tablet failed to sell?

Seriously - shade gets tossed at Apple just like you’re doing now. This has been a solved problem for going on 5 years now starting with with the x86 surface tablet pro. How well has that sold to businesses or indivduals?

There is a disconnect between this continued criticism of Apple’s iPad and actual market sales or desire. Early Andriod tablets with say Adobe Flash (for the full web experience) should have sold better or, at least, later more refined tablets. But, noone else seems to be able to challenge the decidely self-crippled Apple iPad.

If Apple is so wrong and hard drive, wired keyboard and Logitech mouse functionality isn’t niche then *someone* should be able to get the right combination of weight, thickness, hardware and software correct to kick over Apple’s apple cart and strip the market from them. I mean, the product is there - surface and android tablets - the competition capable of engineering, manufacuring, and marketing such products. So why isnt anyone or any business buying in on this?

 

[richpjr]

Here’s my issue. I absolutely get the HDMI port for an external display.

What’s the point of a USB A port? Keyboard is the example above, but I think most folks would use Bluetooth or a smart keyboard accessory.

What else would you use the USB A port for? can’t hook up a mouse.

Point being while a dock is a cool feature, how useful is it for anything other than a display?

You could use if for an audio interface, keyboard, microphone, card reader to name a few.

 

[glindon]

One small concern with both of these hubs, neither one supports USB 3.1 Gen 2 for output ports, just Gen 1 - the new iPad Pro itself is Gen2 (10GB/s instead of 5GB/s). The Kickstarter one does take USB 3.1 Gen 2 on input, but I don't know if it makes use of it for any other ports besides the USB ports (both of those are listed as being Gen1).

It probably would not matter much but there are a few USB 3.1 Gen 2 devices like external drives out now...

 

[KPandian1]

What happened here?

 

[richpjr]

What happened here?

What happened with what?

 

[KPandian1]

What happened with what?

Glindon's post - the kgelner post is evident, but the reply by "glindon" is missing. So, my question - "what happened here".

 

[silvetti]

Here’s my issue. I absolutely get the HDMI port for an external display.

What’s the point of a USB A port? Keyboard is the example above, but I think most folks would use Bluetooth or a smart keyboard accessory.

What else would you use the USB A port for? can’t hook up a mouse.

Point being while a dock is a cool feature, how useful is it for anything other than a display?

Audio dac from apogee for me, for example.

 

[Jemi9OD]

I'm totally on board with USB-A, but most of the port replicator type things I see only have a single USB-C port. So yeah, it "gives" you an extra USB-C port, but since you're probably going to use that for power anyway, it still doesn't truly provide an "extra" USB-C port. I'm trying to USB-C all the things, but even with one of these I'm still stuck between "do I charge now or do I use my external keyboard now? Do I use my external keyboard, or do I download photos from my camera", etc. I'd expect a minimum of 2 USB-C ports so that you can charge and still have an available USB-C port while doing so.

 

[blackcrayon]

Look back - people complained then too!

An all-in-one device should not have toilet paper dangling from it! iPad or any MacBook laptops!

Not all these ports have the "be-all and end-all" specs of USB 3.1.

Just accept the point - Apple is skimping too much and inconveniencing its customers.

Having Four Thunderbolt 3 connectors (of the MacBook Pros that do) is the opposite of skimping if you know anything about port capabilities or bandwidth.

These are also optional connectors. Apple goes "standard" with USB - C on the iPad and you still have people whining and complaining about it, as if the tablet can't work without a hub. Portable computers have always been this way- they work alone, or can be expanded by plugging something in that doesn't NEED to travel with it if you don't want.

 

[Delgibbons]

Satechi today announced that its new USB-C hub for the 2018 iPad Pro is now available for purchase for $59.99 on the accessory maker's website and Amazon.

Designed for the new iPad Pro with a USB-C port, the hub features a HDMI output, one USB-C port with Power Delivery, one USB-A port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, enabling the tablet to be connected to a wide variety of peripherals, such as a 4K display via HDMI, a wired keyboard via USB, and wired headphones.

Satechi is currently offering 20 percent off with code MPH20%OFF at checkout, lowering the price of its USB-C hub to $48 for a limited time.

For comparison, accessory maker Hyper has launched a Kickstarter campaign for a USB-C hub that features six connectivity options: a 4K HDMI output, a 3.5mm headphone jack, SD and microSD card slots, one USB-A port, and one USB-C port with Power Delivery. The early bird price is $49 and the regular price will be $99.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Satechi. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Article Link: Satechi's USB-C Hub for 2018 iPad Pro Now Available: 4K HDMI, Headphone Jack, USB-C With Power Delivery, and USB-A

So streamlined. So svelte.

 

[jlc1978]

No SD card slot is a big miss for me. Plenty of cheaper options available that provide this mind you.

Hyper’s on Kickstarter has a SD card slot. I have their USB-C dock for the MacBook Pro and really like it.
[doublepost=1544641700][/doublepost]

Look back - people complained then too!

An all-in-one device should not have toilet paper dangling from it! iPad or any MacBook laptops!

Not all these ports have the "be-all and end-all" specs of USB 3.1.

Just accept the point - Apple is skimping too much and inconveniencing its customers.

I can use my MBP without a dongle. I have USB - C cables for my printer, external HDD, blu ray drive; so no need for dongles. The only reason i have a hub is to connect a microSD card I use for hourly backups of key files; which is not normal for most users. I could dump ot for my cloud backup but am overly cautious about having multiple backups just in case.
[doublepost=1544641835][/doublepost]

One small concern with both of these hubs, neither one supports USB 3.1 Gen 2 for output ports, just Gen 1 - the new iPad Pro itself is Gen2 (10GB/s instead of 5GB/s). The Kickstarter one does take USB 3.1 Gen 2 on input.

Are you sure? The comments by Hyper say it is only Gen 1.

 

[joelhinch]

Why does this not have SD Card reader????

 

[jlc1978]

Why does this not have SD Card reader????

Probably cost, and maybe wanting to keep is as small as possible. An SD card would add more electronics, increasing its cost as well as require space for the slot. Given that iOS doesn't have a file system that is designed to use external memory they probably decided it would be of limited use and didn't want the tradeoffs necessary to add one.

 

[joelhinch]

Probably cost, and maybe wanting to keep is as small as possible. An SD card would add more electronics, increasing its cost as well as require space for the slot. Given that iOS doesn't have a file system that is designed to use external memory they probably decided it would be of limited use and didn't want the tradeoffs necessary to add one.

That’s a fair assumption but, for a Photographer or someone wanting to quickly import footage from a Drone or GoPro an SD card reader is essential.
Me personally I have only used the USB-C port for 1, charging and 2, importing via SD card.

 

[jazz1]

As long as it's not a TB3 hub, I don't see why not. Given, the only difference between this and the Apple Digital AV adapter is the headphone port which... if you're in the Apple ecosystem in 2018, you probably have wireless cans.

I have the Apple dongle from my 12” MacBook. Can I assume it will work with my IPP? Even so I’m not sure having the Apple dongle hanging off the side is safe. I like the design of this aftermarket device.

 

[mixel]

Umm.. Is it just me or could it really do with a lightning port? You know.. The one Apple replaced for the new iPads in question, so anyone who was using their old iPads has loads of specialist dongles for already? That would make it perfect?

I have.. HDMI, Ethernet, Camera connection kit, SD card reader... All as lightning dongles. Would be nice not to have to trash those if I upgrade!

 

[jlc1978]

That’s a fair assumption but, for a Photographer or someone wanting to quickly import footage from a Drone or GoPro an SD card reader is essential.
Me personally I have only used the USB-C port for 1, charging and 2, importing via SD card.

Good points and I agree there are certainly valid reasons for wanting an SD card slot. I would like to see Apple make iOS read / write to external devices so apps could access files on them; that would make an SD card slot more mainstream.

 

[groove-agent]

Question - if these are nice to have features or even -necessary- needed functionality why has the 2012 surface tablet failed to sell?

What are you basing this failure on? Clearly they sell, I see people using them at coffee shops etc.
[doublepost=1544680839][/doublepost]iPad Pro is a bit of an oxymoron. I'm not trying to trash the product, but when I think of a professional photographer, video editor, audio engineer, programmer etc, I can't see an iPad working well. Firstly using your fingers instead of a mouse isn't efficient or accurate while doing a lot of work. Mostly though, not being able to connect external drives etc can be a real problem.

 

[glindon]

Glindon's post - the kgelner post is evident, but the reply by "glindon" is missing. So, my question - "what happened here".

What happened was...

Safari on iPhone has a text scroll bug on this site. If the text box has too much text in it you can’t see what you are typing and you can’t move the cursor to scroll the text inside the text box. I don’t know if anyone else sees this issue. It’s maddening! This is a re-occurring bug that comes and goes between betas and releases. I’m on the latest release...

Anyways, I hit post by accident and then got sidetracked and never got back to typing my post.

My only comment (complaint?) on these hubs is I would be worried about accidentally damaging the port on my iPad. You’ve got a lot of leverage area for such a small port. A short cable makes much more sense. Also, I don’t know if it’s just a limitation of the chip in the hub or not possible but how come none of these hubs have 4k60p support? Not even Apple’s does.