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What Thunderbolt Hub for 2018 MBP?

Which TB3 hub?

  • Satechi - Aluminium Multi Port Ethernet

    Votes: 5 35.7%

  • EC Technology - Multiport Charging

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Anble - Thunderbolt 5 in 1

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • QacQoc - Aluminium Ethernet

    Votes: 1 7.1%

  • something else...

    Votes: 8 57.1%
  • Total voters
    14
inkhorn

inkhorn

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 8, 2009
152
96
I'm looking to buy a single hub to connect to one of the four Thunderbolt3 ports providing HDMI, Ethernet, USB3, SD+microSD.

I've shortlisted the following but can't seem to choose, what TB3 hubs are you using?


upload_2018-7-21_10-18-43.png
Satechi - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Satechi-Aluminum-Multi-Port-Ethernet-Pass-Through-Space-Gray/dp/B075FW7H5J

upload_2018-7-21_10-19-48.jpeg
EC Technology - https://www.amazon.co.uk/EC-Technology-Multiport-Charging-Chromebook/dp/B079DRQBJZ

upload_2018-7-21_10-22-3.png
Anble - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anble-Thun...y-Chromebook-5-1-USB-C-Hub-Grey/dp/B071CM5CTG

upload_2018-7-21_10-23-25.jpeg
QacQoc - https://www.amazon.co.uk/QacQoc-GN30H-Aluminum-Ethernet-Chromebook/dp/B078YJJY9D
 
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FF4C234B-B5DD-4060-A01A-BF32639F9009.jpeg


I bought the QacQoc as Amazon had it for £42, but it's not Thunderbolt it's just USB-C, a USB3.0 hub with a Realtek-compatible chipset.

Doesn't get very hot even after pushing 80MB/s over Ethernet for 10mins.
 
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I did look at the HyperDrive SLIM 8-in-1, having DisplayPort is cool but it was double the price of the QacQoc.
The Caldigit is almost £300 here in the UK, and I didn't want a dock.
 
Question to those of you using these items: Are they preferable to the kind that mount straight into (and, basically, hang onto) the ports, especially regarding durability, "wobbliness," etc.?
 
I'd recommend getting one with a cable.

Those hyperdrive's that lock on to the side of your system transfer any nudge directly to the system/ports. Rather have a cable to give the ports less stress.
 
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Mr Screech said:
I'd recommend getting one with a cable.

Those hyperdrive's that lock on to the side of your system transfer any nudge directly to the system/ports. Rather have a cable to give the ports less stress.
Click to expand...

On the flip side - I have one on a cable for my 12"rMB and its really annoying - hanging over sides of tables etc. I'd prefer a plug in the side type
 
I'm a new user and not sure how to create a new thread so I"m hopping on here - hope that's OK :)

Trying to find a Thunderbolt 3 male to Thunderbolt 2 male lead. I see adapters are available but that'd require an extra dongle: Device (Macbook Pro mid-2017) ---> Thunderbolt 3 (male) to Thunderbolt 2 (female) adapter ---> Thunderbolt 2 (male) to Thunderbolt 2 (male) lead ---> Blackmagic UltraStudio Mini Recorder

Is there an option to just use a Thunderbolt 3 male to Thunderbolt 2 male lead? so I can skip the adapter?
 
nzguitarman said:
Is there an option to just use a Thunderbolt 3 male to Thunderbolt 2 male lead? so I can skip the adapter?
Click to expand...
- I'm pretty sure that there isn't. The adaptors are quite large since the conversion requires a certain amount of (complicated) circuitry, and that circuitry would not fit well inside a cable.

It might not even be technically possible to do in a cable.
 
I have the Satechi and I'm happy with it. That hub does get a bit warm, but it works as advertised. It was really one of the few hubs that included a micro-displayport, so I could use my ancient Apple Cinema display.
 
maflynn said:
I have the Satechi and I'm happy with it. That hub does get a bit warm, but it works as advertised. It was really one of the few hubs that included a micro-displayport, so I could use my ancient Apple Cinema display.
Click to expand...
- The Satechi linked here doesn't have Mini DisplayPort (which I assume you meant). Which do you have that does?
 
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maflynn said:
Satechi Aluminum Type-C Multimedia Adapter with 4K HDMI, mini DisplayPort, USB-C PD, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0, Micro/SD Card for 2016/2017/2018 MacBook Pro and 2015/2016/2017 MacBook (Space Gray)

It took a fair amount of research to find this, and then decide on it, but so far I'm happy :)
Click to expand...
- Thanks. It's weird that so few have DP, since it's so much more versatile than HDMI. I guess it's cheaper or easier to implement HDMI.
Though they've turned the mDP upside down for some reason... And crippled it in some way since it says 4K 30 Hz max - DP 1.2 should be 4K 60 Hz.

It also says 49W power. Are you making do with that on your 15"?
 
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maflynn said:
Satechi Aluminum Type-C Multimedia Adapter with 4K HDMI, mini DisplayPort, USB-C PD, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0, Micro/SD Card for 2016/2017/2018 MacBook Pro and 2015/2016/2017 MacBook (Space Gray)

It took a fair amount of research to find this, and then decide on it, but so far I'm happy :)
Click to expand...

Looks good to me, I think I will order it. Was looking at what I needed in doggles and am thinking this will solve it all. I need the Ethernet for the office. This looks like the Swiss Army Knife of the adapters for sure at a decent price.
 
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After 12 months of messing around with different mini hubs/dongles, I've ended up buying a Caldigit TS3+ for the desk and its amazing. Finally, its a reliable, future-proofed, single cable solution with a ton of ports. If you're looking for something to use at your desk, I can't recommend it enough.

As for on the move, the Satechi one seems to be the best option in terms of price v number of ports and I have another one of their ones which has been very good and is now my go-to device for on the move.
 
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mr.anthonyramos said:
Hyperdrive products all the way.

https://www.hypershop.com/
Click to expand...

Watch out for the fact that in the case of using their USB-C (not TB3) hub, the Apple 30W charger doesn't provide enough power to (1) use the hub, (2) use the Mac, and (3) charge it at the same time (even without using any of the ports on the hub), and that if you do not use the Mac but just charge via the hub, you will lose 50% of charge power. This is true for any pass-through charging by a hub/dock, you might need to buy a larger charger too.
 
Most of those are not thunderbolt3 but USB-C (also liimited to 60W)

I bought a CalDigit TS3 +, which provides 100W to the 15"
 
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