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Show HN: I built a website to better compare USB-C hubs found on Amazon

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Re: Show HN: I built a website to better compare USB-C hubs found on Amazon

#181

Post by pzb »

nrp wrote: post #21
Eric_WVGG wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

(why are there no “real” USB-C hubs? some say that it is due to the lack of the existence of a chip that Intel is going to release "any time now" for like a year now… others say that the power delivery requirements of USB-C make this really tricky)

USB-C hubs are on their way. A couple of IC makers now have parts supporting that, so products using them are in the development pipeline: http://www.genesyslogic.com/en/product_view.php?show=69 I'm actually currently developing one as well that has a unique twist to it.

http://www.simulatechnology.com/Product/Detail/uid/5de9347e-... exists, at least to some extent. It uses the aforementioned chip.

Re: Show HN: I built a website to better compare USB-C hubs found on Amazon

#182

Post by lxgr »

maxsilver wrote: post #122
Terretta wrote: post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Thunderbolt capable docks on Amazon are still listed as USB-C because consumers seem to think it’s all about cable shape. That said, there are plenty of dual USB-C connector, dual HDMI 4K@60hz port, dongles designed for Mac on Amazon. I think this is the most recent addition: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RH9HF4R/ ”Satechi Aluminum Type-C Dual HDMI Adapter 4K 60Hz with USB-C PD Charging — Stunning dual H…

Sorry, to clarify, you technically can get enough bandwidth for 4k@60hz out of a USB-C port, but you have to abandon the data lanes for more DisplayPort lanes. (I.e, give up all of your USB 3.0 ports and gigabit ethernet or similar-speed ports). So, "adapters" can do it, but docks generally can't. https://www.bigmessowires.com/2019/05/19/explaining-4k-60hz-... has the specific technical details.

That‘s not generally true.

Apple‘s newer model multiport adapter does 4k60 and USB 3 on devices supporting DisplayPort 1.3 (which is required to fit 4k60 into two instead of four lanes).

Re: Show HN: I built a website to better compare USB-C hubs found on Amazon

#183

Post by magicalhippo »

alias_neo wrote: post #82
loopbit wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not only for macs... I have 4 raspberry pi4 powered through an USB hub and spent quite a bit of time looking for one that had at least 4 ports and that every port could deliver a minimum of 5V-3A. The US amazon had a few, but trying to find them (or similar) in several european Amazons was quite difficult.

Any chance of a link? I'm looking good something to power a Pi4 cluster. Thanks

AFAIK that 3A figure for the Pi includes power for the USB ports on the Pi. So if you don't load up the USB ports, you can get away with more like 1.5-2A, depending on what you do.

Re: Show HN: I built a website to better compare USB-C hubs found on Amazon

#184

Post by lxgr »

pzb wrote: post #177
maxsilver wrote: post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Needs to filter whether it can show HDMI 4K at 30Hz or 60Hz. And related to that, for video, it’s possible to have 2 4K 60hz through or one or none. I don't think they'd bother, because none of these docks can do it. USB-C 3.1 inherently can't support a 4k@60hz display, due to bandwidth limitations. And it certainly can't run two of them. You'd have to jump up to a Thunderbolt 3 dock for that sort of thing.

You can do 3840x2160@60Hz (and 24bpp/8bpc) over USB Type-C on newer displays. DisplayPort Alt Mode over USB-C using DisplayPort 1.3/1.4 can support 4K + USB 3 Gen2 on one cable. https://www.amazon.com/UPTab-10Gbps-60hz-Power-Delivery/dp/B... is an example

Exactly.

Apple also recently quietly updated their multiport adapter to do just that:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207806

Intel (GPU) Macs are notably not supported, unfortunately (due to supporting DisplayPort 1.2 only).

Re: Show HN: I built a website to better compare USB-C hubs found on Amazon

#185

Post by hamandcheese »

hinkley wrote: post #157
mmastrac wrote: post #4

Awesome work. Having just gone through this for my company, I'd recommend a few valuable bits of information: - Thunderbolt 3 support filter - Power delivery capability (usually 60W-100W if at all) Both of those are valuable for mac shoppers.

I was so pissed a year and a half ago when I realized that none of the hubs had a Thunderbolt pass-through. The new Anker 7 in 1 has a 'USB-C data' port. Given there's no claim or picture of video out, I'll bet that's all it does. And the tail on these. It's almost always too short to make it useful to plug it into the back of a thunderbolt display. I think the Thunderbolt 3 monitor I got recently is my last planned…

CalDigit sells a thunderbolt hub that has thunderbolt pass-through, though not if you want to run dual 4K displays @ 60hz (the one thunderbolt port becomes the second DisplayPort).

Re: Show HN: I built a website to better compare USB-C hubs found on Amazon

#187

Post by martin_ »

Nice work, looks like a solid tool - have a suggestion for my recent debacle. I had to buy a dock to use my Apple Thunderbolt Display with a new USB-C MBP. There were few that could do it whilst also offering power delivery. I went with this dock which I notice isn't on your list, nor is the ability to filter for Thunderbolt 2 support. https://www.amazon.com/OWC-14-Port-Thunderbolt-Compatible-OW...

Re: Show HN: I built a website to better compare USB-C hubs found on Amazon

#189

Post by brandonmenc »

I'm still baffled as to why no one offers more than four USB-A ports - and very few offer four.

The Anker four-port hub [0] is great (I own like four, just in case), but I would kill for one with five or six ports.

[0] https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Aluminum-Adapter-MacBook-Chrome...

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