USB-C Hub with Mini DisplayPort, PD & USB for rMB

[leeuk321]

I know there's a sticky for USB-C hubs, but I cruised over to it and it's nearly 50 pages long, with everyone speaking over each over about a hundred different hubs for a hundred different purposes that different people want. I figured it would be great to have a dedicated thread for Macbook users who want to connect to a DisplayPort monitor, since most people in this boat will also:

1) Want a standard USB-A port(s)
2) Want 29W power delivery
3) Have no other ports to rely on

I figured this probably accounted for almost all rMB users who want to connect to a DisplayPort monitor, and so figured this would also be the best place for the thread. Hopefully it won't get bumped or removed, because I think it would be a genuinely good thread for Macbook users, and will also be irrelevant to non-rMB users (who have at least two USB-C ports).

I've got my 2017 rMB hooked up to my Dell P2415Q, and it works a treat, but I need a good USB-C hub which will give me 29W power delivery, 4k 60Hz DisplayPort / Mini DisplayPort and at least one standard USB-A port. I realize that the rMB can only have so much going down the pipe of it's USB-C port, but at least with that hub I can one single solution for everyday tasks. For instance, if I've got my rMB connected to my monitor, and I just need to copy some files off a stick, I'd happily accept that temporarily it might go to 4K 30Hz, or maybe USB 2.0 speed, or the power delivery might pause. But at least I could fluidly keep working. I imagine that a lot of people connecting their rMB to a 4K DisplayPort monitor are of this mindset.

The ones I've come across so far are:
- Satechi Aluminum Type-C Multimedia Adapter: says that it only output 4K 30Hz DisplayPort
- HyperDrive SLIM 8-in-1 USB-C Hub: Only just released, so no reviews about it currently
- OWC USB-C Dock: Poor reviews, supposedly having issues with sleep and power draining
- Xiaomi USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adapter: Looks good, good price. Simple USB-C hub with Mini DisplayPort, PD and two USB-A ports. Good reviews but not many user reviews from known large purchasing / tech sites (I think the product is only available on ebay and in China). Someone on this site has ordered it though and said it works well.

If anyone has used a hub that checks these boxes I'd love to hear which you've used and how well it's performed. Cheers

 

[apiro]

First thing you (and others) have to decide for yourself is whether you want 4K@60Hz + USB-A 2.0 (there are few of these, some even get discontinued) or 4K@30Hz + USB 3.0 (plenty of these). Macbook's USB-C 3.1 gen 1 does NOT let you have both 4K@60Hz and USB 3.0.
[doublepost=1533490185][/doublepost]I own https://www.kickstarter.com/project...eless-charger-iphon?ref=421556&token=379bf98a (4K@30Hz + USB 3.0), http://www.qacqoc.com/product/gn30h...-superspeed-usb-3-0-for-macbook-12-inch-gray/ (same), http://cc.bingj.com/cache.aspx?q=https://www.hypershop.com/products/hyperdrive-usb-type-c-hub-with-mini-displayport?variant=19600733702&d=4504357357095209&w=jxT8XCdq_V4AWFAK4AkyaXQ3yEvkGigq (4K@60Hz + USB 2.0, discontinued). All work well.

And I've read positive things about http://caldigit.com/usb-3-1-usb-c-dock/ (can work both as 4K@30Hz + USB 3.0 and 4K@60Hz + USB 2.0, depends on the firmware you upload) but I don't own it.

If I were buying now I would probably buy https://satechi.net/collections/usb-type-c/products/aluminum-type-c-multimedia-adapter for 4K@30Hz + USB 3.0 (thicker and +1 USB-A port compared to HyperDrive SLIM 8-in-1 USB-C Hub; if you prefer style over number of ports and especially if you don't intend to use Gigabit Ethernet port often I'd buy HyperDrive - they've proven to be quite reliable as well in my small experience) or discontinued HyperDrive for 4K@60Hz + USB 2.0 (Xiaomi is probably the same chip but without SD ports).
[doublepost=1533490789][/doublepost]

- HyperDrive SLIM 8-in-1 USB-C Hub: Only just released, so no reviews about it currently

Max 4K@30Hz as well.

- OWC USB-C Dock: Poor reviews, supposedly having issues with sleep and power draining

Max 4K@30Hz as well. CalDigit USB-C Dock is better.

- Xiaomi USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adapter: Looks good, good price. Simple USB-C hub with Mini DisplayPort, PD and two USB-A ports. Good reviews but not many user reviews from known large purchasing / tech sites (I think the product is only available on ebay and in China). Someone on this site has ordered it though and said it works well.

This one looks cool and Xiaomi is usually a good product. The only question I have is if this one a USB-C 3.1 gen 1 or USB-C 3.1 gen 2 product. It says it supports 4K@60Hz which means the USB ports are 2.0 or it's an USB-C 3.1 gen 2 device and will throttle on Macbook 12" in a way that is yet to be discovered (which of the 2 is unknown from its specs as it does not say whether USB-A ports are 2.0 or 3.0).

 

[leeuk321]

First thing you (and others) have to decide for yourself is whether you want 4K@60Hz + USB-A 2.0 (there are few of these, some even get discontinued) or 4K@30Hz + USB 3.0 (plenty of these). Macbook's USB-C 3.1 gen 1 does NOT let you have both 4K@60Hz and USB 3.0.
[doublepost=1533490185][/doublepost]I own https://www.kickstarter.com/project...eless-charger-iphon?ref=421556&token=379bf98a (4K@30Hz + USB 3.0), http://www.qacqoc.com/product/gn30h...-superspeed-usb-3-0-for-macbook-12-inch-gray/ (same), http://cc.bingj.com/cache.aspx?q=https://www.hypershop.com/products/hyperdrive-usb-type-c-hub-with-mini-displayport?variant=19600733702&d=4504357357095209&w=jxT8XCdq_V4AWFAK4AkyaXQ3yEvkGigq (4K@60Hz + USB 2.0, discontinued). All work well.

And I've read positive things about http://caldigit.com/usb-3-1-usb-c-dock/ (can work both as 4K@30Hz + USB 3.0 and 4K@60Hz + USB 2.0, depends on the firmware you upload) but I don't own it.

If I were buying now I would probably buy https://satechi.net/collections/usb-type-c/products/aluminum-type-c-multimedia-adapter for 4K@30Hz + USB 3.0 (thicker and +1 USB-A port compared to HyperDrive SLIM 8-in-1 USB-C Hub; if you prefer style over number of ports and especially if you don't intend to use Gigabit Ethernet port often I'd buy HyperDrive - they've proven to be quite reliable as well in my small experience) or discontinued HyperDrive for 4K@60Hz + USB 2.0 (Xiaomi is probably the same chip but without SD ports).
[doublepost=1533490789][/doublepost]
Max 4K@30Hz as well.

Max 4K@30Hz as well. CalDigit USB-C Dock is better.

This one looks cool and Xiaomi is usually a good product. The only question I have is if this one a USB-C 3.1 gen 1 or USB-C 3.1 gen 2 product. It says it supports 4K@60Hz which means the USB ports are 2.0 or it's an USB-C 3.1 gen 2 device and will throttle on Macbook 12" in a way that is yet to be discovered (which of the 2 is unknown from its specs as it does not say whether USB-A ports are 2.0 or 3.0).

Thanks for your detailed reply, I really appreciate it. Yes, I'd definitely be looking for a hub that delivered 4K@60Hz DisplayPort, and would accept the USB 2.0 compromise (I figured something would take a hit). To be honest, I don't see the purpose of 4K@30Hz DisplayPort hubs, with the exception of people using them to connect to a device that doesn't accept HDMI (is the Apple Cinema display DP only?). Almost all DP monitors also have HDMI, so if a user was fine with 4K@30Hz, then surely they'd just go down the HDMI route and get a HDMI hub, which are so much more readily available. But, maybe I'm missing something?

So, with the 4K@30Hz hubs ruled out, I guess my only option is the Caldigit hub, or the largely untested Xiaomi. I've read issues about the Caldigit hub, but I guess there's always going to be bad experiences for any product. Since posting I've also come across a good article at https://www.imore.com/best-usb-c-hubs-macbook-pro. However, it details Thunderbolt 3 hubs for the Macbook Pro, so I'm not sure how any would work with the Macbook, since it has the same port (USB-C) but isn't Thunderbolt 3. The other one I've come across is the Nonda Hub+ mini, but again - some bad experiences.

I'm in a tough spot, because all of the 4K@60Hz hubs seem to be north of £150/$150 (some well, well north), and that might be acceptable if one of them had ridiculously good reviews (and maybe was aesthetically pleasing, as an added bonus). They seem to be all-or-nothing, as in 4K@60Hz hubs either don't exist or they're gigantic, expensive beasts with 20 ports (with the exception of the Xiaomi and Nonda). It'd be great to have the same amount of hubs available for 4K@60Hz DP as there were HDMI hubs.

I'm thinking of holding off until the 2018 Macbook is released, to see if that brings any changes. What's the chances of Apple adding a second USB-C port?

 

[apiro]

What's the chances of Apple adding a second USB-C port?

Very small. But there is a possibility of USB-C 3.1 gen 2 which will double the bandwidth and allow 4K@60Hz + USB-A 3.0.

 

[leeuk321]

Very small. But there is a possibility of USB-C 3.1 gen 2 which will double the bandwidth and allow 4K@60Hz + USB-A 3.0.

That would be good. You'd think that with them doing away with the headphone jack on the iPhone, they'd be tempted to do away with the headphone jack on the Macbook now. With bluetooth headphones and speakers becoming more and more mainstream, and adapters being an easy purchase for those that still required a jack, it would make more sense to have a USB-C port there instead. I know there's probably more to it than that, like the space inside for the tech involved for a USB-C port, maybe a bigger/better motherboard would be required, I'm not sure. But, if it was possible, I'm willing to bet that almost all Macbook users would prefer a second USB-C port to a headphone jack.

 

[apiro]

That would be good. You'd think that with them doing away with the headphone jack on the iPhone, they'd be tempted to do away with the headphone jack on the Macbook now. With bluetooth headphones and speakers becoming more and more mainstream, and adapters being an easy purchase for those that still required a jack, it would make more sense to have a USB-C port there instead. I know there's probably more to it than that, like the space inside for the tech involved for a USB-C port, maybe a bigger/better motherboard would be required, I'm not sure. But, if it was possible, I'm willing to bet that almost all Macbook users would prefer a second USB-C port to a headphone jack.

The problem is not lack of space, the problem is lack of bandwidth. 4.5W CPUs don't have extra PCI-E lanes necessary for second USB-C 3.1 gen 1 port.
I. e. they might still remove headphone jack. Unfortunately this will still not let them add second USB-C port.

 

[EugW]

This Cable Matters one does it, and isn't expensive. I don't have this hub, but I have a few of their dongles for my 2017 12" MacBook and they are good. They sell through Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, etc. or through their own site.

http://www.cablematters.com/pc-899-114-usb-c-to-4k-60hz-displayport-multiport-adapter.aspx

This is full DisplayPort though, and it's pretty big for a dongle, although from the pix it seems much smaller than many of the pseudo-dock type hubs out there. OTOH, it includes Ethernet as well.

For power delivery and 4K p60, I just have a Cable Matters HDMI adapter with power delivery. No USB. However, I use this very infrequently and only on a very short term temporary basis, so it isn't a big deal to unplug it as necessary to plug in a USB 3.0 drive.

 

[leeuk321]

The problem is not lack of space, the problem is lack of bandwidth. 4.5W CPUs don't have extra PCI-E lanes necessary for second USB-C 3.1 gen 1 port.
I. e. they might still remove headphone jack. Unfortunately this will still not let them add second USB-C port.

Ahh, I see. I thought it probably wasn't as simple as swapping the headphone jack out. And I suppose that if they updated the CPU to allow for more bandwidth, then maybe other things would have to come along for the ride like more thermal cooling, which would mean a larger heavier machine. And maybe other stuff as well, and before you know it it's not a Macbook anymore and more closely resembles a 12" Macbook Pro. I'm just speculating, I don't know much about this tech stuff.

It'd be amazing if they somehow figured out how to add a second USB-C port. I know you mentioned about the possibility of them updating the USB-C port to 3.1 gen-2, which sounds great, but would still rely on advanced hubs that were able to competently handle the new standard I'm guessing. Whereas, another USB-C port (if possible in any context) would just largely simplify the whole equation, and would allow different users to tailor adapter/hub solutions to their needs. Some users might for instance love the simplicity of dedicating one port to the power adapter, and another to a USB drive.

I think I'm going to hold off until the 2018 Macbook release in any case, just to see if there's any revelations, before I start deciding which hub to get a second mortgage for!
[doublepost=1533728112][/doublepost]

This Cable Matters one does it, and isn't expensive. I don't have this hub, but I have a few of their dongles for my 2017 12" MacBook and they are good. They sell through Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, etc. or through their own site.

http://www.cablematters.com/pc-899-114-usb-c-to-4k-60hz-displayport-multiport-adapter.aspx

This is full DisplayPort though, and it's pretty big for a dongle, although from the pix it seems much smaller than many of the pseudo-dock type hubs out there. OTOH, it includes Ethernet as well.

For power delivery and 4K p60, I just have a Cable Matters HDMI adapter with power delivery. No USB. However, I use this very infrequently and only on a very short term temporary basis, so it isn't a big deal to unplug it as necessary to plug in a USB 3.0 drive.

Wow! I think this might be the very adapter I've been looking for. Power delivery, USB, 4K@60Hz DP, reasonably priced, available at known stores (e.g. Amazon.co.uk) and with good reviews from people saying that they've used it successfully with 12" Macbook. I'm going to order it now, because at that price, even if the 2018 Macbook is a game-changer, it'd probably be a few months before I upgrade, migrate my stuff over etc.

Cheers, much appreciated!

 

[EugW]

Be sure to post back with a review when you get the chance.

 

[apiro]

It'd be amazing if they somehow figured out how to add a second USB-C port. I know you mentioned about the possibility of them updating the USB-C port to 3.1 gen-2, which sounds great, but would still rely on advanced hubs that were able to competently handle the new standard I'm guessing. Whereas, another USB-C port (if possible in any context) would just largely simplify the whole equation, and would allow different users to tailor adapter/hub solutions to their needs. Some users might for instance love the simplicity of dedicating one port to the power adapter, and another to a USB drive.

Obviously we all here are just speculating but I'd say forget it - even if new Intel Amber Lake CPU provides them ability to choose two USB-C 3.1 gen 1 ports (2*5 Gbps=10 Gbps) or one USB-C 3.1 gen 2 port (1*10 Gbps=10 Gbps) I doubt they'd choose two ports considering the marketing message they've sent when they presented Macbook 12" design which hasn't changed yet and will not likely change in the next iteration.

This could be different with rumoured "cheap" Macbook 13" though - it depends what marketing message they'd want to send while presenting it.