Which USB 3.0 Hub? [MERGED]

[dizmonk]

Does anyone have this? And if so, what do you think? Thanks.

SABRENT USB 3.0 4 Bay 2.5” Hard Drive/SSD Docking Station with Fan (DS-4SSD)

The Sabrent Sata Hard Drive Docking Station Enables You To Access Ssds And 2.5"" Hard Drives, Without The Frustration Of Assembling Hard Drive Enclosures. By Inserting A 2.5"" Sata Hard Drive Directly Into This Docking Station, You Can Quickly Access Drive Contents And Transfer Files. Transfer Da...

www.amazon.com

 

[danqi]

I need a hub with 5 USB-A ports and am having a lot of trouble finding one. Most seem to max out a 4 ports. The few that have more are usually huge and ugly, which distracting LEDs. Many also have reviews talking about interference issues.

Can anyone recommend a hub that provides 5 USB-A ports and connects either through USB-A or USB-C? If no suitable hubs exist I'll make 4 ports work. Which one is recommended here (I've been scared off by all the reviews mentioning all kinds of issues...)?

 

[joevt]

I need a hub with 5 USB-A ports and am having a lot of trouble finding one. Most seem to max out a 4 ports. The few that have more are usually huge and ugly, which distracting LEDs. Many also have reviews talking about interference issues.

Can anyone recommend a hub that provides 5 USB-A ports and connects either through USB-A or USB-C? If no suitable hubs exist I'll make 4 ports work. Which one is recommended here (I've been scared off by all the reviews mentioning all kinds of issues...)?

There's many 7 port USB type A hubs.
https://www.amazon.ca/Anker-Charging-Adapter-Included-VL812-B2/dp/B014ZQ07NE

 

[Kenjutsuz]

Thank you for sharing this. I bookmarked the links and bought an adapter to prepare.

Just ordered myself a Mac Studio Display -- not expected until late June, so I have some time.

My worst alternative is to buy a Mac Studio, but I don't know if I really want to do that as I just bought my Mac Mini last year.

Same...boat here...Hope Studio Display meets your needs...

 

[MinimeJer05]

Same...boat here...Hope Studio Display meets your needs...

It did! I actually ended up getting 2 (and having to upgrade to a Mac Studio) and I absolutely love them!

 

[Muttznuttz]

There's many 7 port USB type A hubs.
https://www.amazon.ca/Anker-Charging-Adapter-Included-VL812-B2/dp/B014ZQ07NE

Can confirm. I have been using this model for a couple of years and now use it with my M1 mini. Never had a disconnect or any other problem.The power adapter is pretty big, but in that, it carries more than enough power to supply all 7 USB3 ports and the the 3 charging only ports.

 

[toke lahti]

Both of mine have aux power and I've only used external disks that also have own power source (3.5").

5 years of fluent work:
Anker AK-68ANHUB-S7EA

Anker® Bus-Powered USB 3.0 7 Port USB 3.0 Hub Portable Aluminum Hub with 1 m Cable (Apple Style) (Silver)

Anker® Bus-Powered USB 3.0 7 Port USB 3.0 Hub Portable Aluminum Hub with 1 m Cable (Apple Style) (Silver)

www.amazon.de

Problems from the start:
Icy Box IB-Hub1701-U3

RaidSonic IB-HUB1701-U3 - IcyBox 7x Port USB 3.0 HUB and charger, On/off switch for every port

The USB extension IB-Hub1701-U3 is connected via USB cable (approx. 75 cm length) connected to a computer, notebook or Mac device. It has seven USB 3.0 ports that can achieve a maximum transfer rate of up to 5 Gbps. Since the USB hub has seven on/off switches, each USB port can be switched indivi...

www.amazon.de

I think this Icy Box IB-Hub1701-U3 has costed me enough headaches now.

I have had my TM disk connected to it all the time.
Last month I noticed that my Photos library was corrupted.
Then I found out that most of my TM backups did not have a backup of it.
Then I contacted Apple about it and they couldn't do anything or explain the missing files.

This month I noticed that thos missing backups have appeared.
I guess they were in the disk all the time, but the usb hub was in conflict mini2018, so data speeds got so low that the indexing of the disk didn't work.

So, if anyone have any good experience with Mac Mini (2018) AND GenesysLogic "0x0612", I'd appreciate your experience!

Is this problem systematic of is just my piece a lemon?

 

[joevt]

Is this problem systematic of is just my piece a lemon?

I wouldn't depend on Spotlight indexing.

 

[toke lahti]

I wouldn't depend on Spotlight indexing.

TM = time machine
You don’t use it?

 

[joevt]

TM = time machine
You don’t use it?

I don't use TM.
I think I got confused about what kind of indexing you are referring to. Is time machine indexing different than Spotlight indexing?

 

[toke lahti]

I don't use TM.
I think I got confused about what kind of indexing you are referring to. Is time machine indexing different than Spotlight indexing?

If I use Finder to browse TM-disk's content, I believe indexing might be the same.

This might also be the nature of backup's incremental structure, which may take a long time to construct the file back together and with "flaky" usb-hub, the file might not get constructed at all. When Finder might not show the whole file at all.

 

[toke lahti]

I need a hub with 5 USB-A ports and am having a lot of trouble finding one. Most seem to max out a 4 ports. The few that have more are usually huge and ugly, which distracting LEDs. Many also have reviews talking about interference issues.

Can anyone recommend a hub that provides 5 USB-A ports and connects either through USB-A or USB-C? If no suitable hubs exist I'll make 4 ports work. Which one is recommended here (I've been scared off by all the reviews mentioning all kinds of issues...)?

Usually usb-hub controllers (chips inside a hub) have 1 port upstream (to host) and 4 downstream.
This is why we have 4 & 7 port hubs; 7 port has 2 controllers, where one port from the first is used to connect the second.
IIRC, usb3-specs say that host has to give 900mA and hubs ports 100mA, if there's 7 ports, then controllers has to use less than 100mA by themselves in any time, otherwise the hub does not get usb certification.

Anyway, if you wish to connect two or more storage devices to the hub at any time, you should give a hub some aux power.

In usb2 era some "mobile" hdd's (=2.5") had usb cable that could take power from another usb port, since the drive couldn't spin up with just one port's energy. Actually I have a bd-burner that also has two cables. And this is why you can't use the Superdrive with many non-macs.

 

[rcappo]

What would prevent my basic wired two button mouse not work when plugged into one of these hubs, or even a small usb-A to usb-c adapter?

USB C Hub Adapter for MacBook Pro/Air M1 M2 M3 2023 2022 2021 13" 15" 16", 7-in-2 Multiport HDMI MacBook Accessories Dongle with Thunderbolt 3, 4K HDMI, USB C 3.0, 2 USB 3.0, SD & microSD Card Reader

USB C Adapter for Macbook Pro Air 2020 2019 2018 with hdmi and usb LIONWEI aluminum alloy 7-in-2 macbook pro air adapter multiport dock expand your MacBook Pro Air ports into 2 USB3.0 + Thunderbolt 3 + 4K HDMI+ USB C Data Transfer Port and SD/TF card reader. A best accessory for MacBook Pro and M...

smile.amazon.com

My memory card reader also didn't work... But they do work on other computers.

The USB-A Apple Superdrive did work with the adapter when plugged right into the MacBook, but doesn't get the power through the hub for some reason. If anyone knows of one that works with the Superdrive, I would like to know.

But even using some old USB-A 3.0 hubs with the small adapter to USB-C isn't working for some reason with other basic devices. My mouse lights up, but doesn't work still.

 

[rcappo]

So with the new OS 13, there is a setting that messed me up. I changed to always and now my devices connect and work.

There was a dialog box that popped up, but went away that asked if you wanted to allow the device access. Changing the setting removed that from blocking the items from working.

The Apple Superdrive still needs the USB-A to USB-C adapter to work and get plugged right into the MacBook without the hub. Even if I plug it into the USB-C port that is in the hub it doesn't work.

 

[hyperreal]

My dad is getting an M1 iMac (gigabit ethernet model) to replace his 2013 27" but most of his peripherals are USB-A. These include a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface, an external drive for Time Machine backups and a MIDI keyboard. There's not a ton of power or bandwidth required right now but especially since the external drive will be connected to the hub, the hub should have external power. I'd also like for it to be somewhat futureproof.

So I'm looking for something with

• External power
• USB 3.1 gen 2 connection to the iMac
• At least three USB-A ports
• Maybe one or two USB-C ports for future devices
• Available in Finland or the EU

I use a Macally Trihub 9 with my Windows PC and it's a wonderful all-in-one USB solution. It has all kinds of ports and the power supply has a detachable standard wall cord so you have flexibility in positioning it. But it's only USB 3.0 so that would be less bandwidth.

 

[satcomer]

I would get a Firewire 3-4 Hub that display hub specs in it!

 

[pullman]

Does anyone have experience with the OWC Travel Dock E? I'm not sure if it qualifies as a "hub" but I thought I should ask.

Thank you in advance
Philip

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Does anyone have any experience with this i-TEC USB-C to 7xUSB-A hub? https://www.amazon.co.uk/i-tec-USB-C-hub-7-port-USB/dp/B0BCWS5P4P

It has 7 USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, built in surge protection, and supports up to 15W external charger, and is cheap.

 

[EugW]

I just returned a D-Link as it did not work properly with my new MacBook Pro Retina w/USB-3.0. The computer was recognizing it as a USB-2.0 hub.

With all your devices and cables? If there are problem cables, or if you have USB 2.0 peripherals, or if there is an incompatibility, it may show up as a USB 2.0 hub with that particular cable or peripheral.

For example, when I plug my M4 iPad Pro into my Thunderbolt 4 hub, sometimes the iPad Pro gets recognized as a USB 2.0 device. However, this hub works fine with my other USB 3 or USB 4 devices, even if my iPad Pro is plugged in at the same time.

 

[pullman]

I am returning today this Orico USB 3.2 hub as it does not play along with the Mac's sleep.

(credit: amazon.nl)

Having a drive connected when the Mac falls asleep will result in it being reported as having been improperly disconnected when the Mac awakes. It's too bad because it looks nice and works well in all other respects. Plus the cable is close to a metre which means it can be placed in front of the Mac Pro with the cable routed underneath and up the back.

 

[EugW]

I am returning today this Orico USB 3.2 hub as it does not play along with the Mac's sleep.
View attachment 2463424
(credit: amazon.nl)

Having a drive connected when the Mac falls asleep will result in it being reported as having been improperly disconnected when the Mac awakes. It's too bad because it looks nice and works well in all other respects. Plus the cable is close to a metre which means it can be placed in front of the Mac Pro with the cable routed underneath and up the back.

I find that USB 3 drives in general suffer from this problem, albeit inconsistently, whether they're connected via USB-C or by USB-A. My current one USB-C USB 4 drive does not suffer this problem However, USB 4 is a very different kettle of fish than USB 3, since USB 4 essentially is Thunderbolt.

 

[pullman]

I find that USB 3 drives in general suffer from this problem, albeit inconsistently, whether they're connected via USB-C or by USB-A. My current one USB-C USB 4 drive does not suffer this problem However, USB 4 is a very different kettle of fish than USB 3, since USB 4 essentially is Thunderbolt.

That's interesting, what could it be about the USB 3 hubs that would cause this? Since I'd connect the hub to a Caldigit card with only 5 Gbps I suppose I should be able to use a slower hub than the Orico one.

 

[PaulD-UK]

"...what could it be about the USB 3 hubs that would cause this?"

An incompatibility between the RealTek (or similar) controller chip in the USB hub, and Apple's USB Host control circuitry, presumably part of their 'Thunderbolt 4' Host controller.

When Apple design their SoCs, they take great care to make it fully TB4 compatible.
Easy. Talk to Intel, who certify every TB4 branded item on the market.
Result: Everything everywhere works all at once...

Do Apple talk to the 123,456,789 manufacturers who produce the multitude of devices with USB on the packaging?
Not so much.
Result: Everything everywhere all at once is likely to have an incompatible moment and disconnect. 😱

Thunderbolt is a standard.
The USB-IF can't even keep the same name for their technology for more than a year or so, let alone standardise how everyone everywhere interprets it... 😱

That's a silly story with a profound moral.
Stick to Thunderbolt certified peripherals, and live a simple life.
That's the real way to 'future proof' you new Apple purchase

Oh, and of course, the 123,456,789 USB devices will probably work perfectly well with a Caldigit controller.
Because it's not 'designed by Apple' but bought from the same manufacturers who's chips are in the 123... USB devices. 😵‍💫

 

[pullman]

"...what could it be about the USB 3 hubs that would cause this?"

An incompatibility between the RealTek (or similar) controller chip in the USB hub, and Apple's USB Host control circuitry, presumably part of their 'Thunderbolt 4' Host controller.

When Apple design their SoCs, they take great care to make it fully TB4 compatible.
Easy. Talk to Intel, who certify every TB4 branded item on the market.
Result: Everything everywhere works all at once...

Do Apple talk to the 123,456,789 manufacturers who produce the multitude of devices with USB on the packaging?
Not so much.
Result: Everything everywhere all at once is likely to have an incompatible moment and disconnect. 😱

Thunderbolt is a standard.
The USB-IF can't even keep the same name for their technology for more than a year or so, let alone standardise how everyone everywhere interprets it... 😱

That's a silly story with a profound moral.
Stick to Thunderbolt certified peripherals, and live a simple life.
That's the real way to 'future proof you new Apple purchase

Oh, and of course, the 123,456,789 USB devices will probably work perfectly well with a Caldigit controller.
Because it's not 'designed by Apple' but bought from the same manufacturers who's chips are in the 123... USB devices. 😵‍💫

Thank you, but I'm not sure a thunderbolt hub will work with my card, which is a FASTA Pro with USB 3.0 ports.

 

[saulinpa]

Has anyone had any luck finding a basic USB-C that plays nice with Apple? I just want more USB-C ports for my desktop Mac and don't want a dock with video, Ethernet, etc. 20 gbps preferred but not necessary.