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USB-C hubs and my slow descent into madness (2021)

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Re: USB-C hubs and my slow descent into madness (2021)

#451

Post by Slaminerag »

znpy wrote: post #442
zymhan wrote: post #287

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As has often been said, that dock really is a computer. I don't think that's a good thing though. No adapter/hub should be this complex IMO. I don't know how the ubiquity of USB got us to this point, it seems worse than before.

> As has often been said, that dock really is a computer. No it isn't, lol. Thudernbolt/usb-c docks are a solution to a made-up problem. It is absolutely possible to have all the necessary ports on a modern slip laptop. Just look at the Dell Latitude 7390: - https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/dell-latitude-7390 - https://www.notebookcheck.net/Dell-Latitude-7390-i5-8350U-SS...

I have a Dell Latitude laptop. It absolutely doesn't have enough video ports for the monitors on my desk. And while it's got enough ports for my USB peripherals (barely), it's certainly a lot more convenient to connect one cable than to connect 5-6, when I bring it back from using it as a laptop.

Re: USB-C hubs and my slow descent into madness (2021)

#452

Post by culopatin »

fooey wrote: post #143

What I want to know is why no one makes a plain actual hub for USB-C Not a dock, I don't want video, I don't want ethernet, I don't want an sdcard reader, I don't need switching All I want is a powered 1 to many USB-C hub. Maybe my google-fu is failing me, but I can't find this category of product and I don't know why.

I just bought a pluggable usb4 hub. Only USBs. 3 thunderbolt/usb4c and 1 usbA3.1

Re: USB-C hubs and my slow descent into madness (2021)

#453

Post by phkahler »

WhyNotHugo wrote: post #434

This same topic drives me mad too. I got a USB-C Satechi hub, for some inexplicable reason, the webcam didn't work and other devices were super flaky. Maybe faulty unit? I returned it anyway. I got another USB-C hub with HDMI and it didn't really work well with my monitor -- it turns out my monitor is 3440x1440, but has an HDMI port which does not support that resolution at 60Hz, so the HDMI is unusable. Oh well, not…

>> I got another USB-C hub...

I buy computers with the ports I need. No need for a hub at all. Even my MBA (from 2015) has an SD slot and regular USB ports. This USB-C only thing Apply tried was a big mistake.

Re: USB-C hubs and my slow descent into madness (2021)

#454

Post by [deleted] »

znpy wrote: post #442
zymhan wrote: post #287

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As has often been said, that dock really is a computer. I don't think that's a good thing though. No adapter/hub should be this complex IMO. I don't know how the ubiquity of USB got us to this point, it seems worse than before.

> As has often been said, that dock really is a computer. No it isn't, lol. Thudernbolt/usb-c docks are a solution to a made-up problem. It is absolutely possible to have all the necessary ports on a modern slip laptop. Just look at the Dell Latitude 7390: - https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/dell-latitude-7390 - https://www.notebookcheck.net/Dell-Latitude-7390-i5-8350U-SS...

[deleted]

Re: USB-C hubs and my slow descent into madness (2021)

#455

Post by diffeomorphism »

swaranga wrote: post #392

I have long searched for a configuration (Linux laptop + docking station) that can drive a triple monitor setup. Ideally all three at 4K@60 Hz but I might settle for one of them being QHD (2560 x 1440). Why isn't there any confirmed options? Or is that the limitations of Thunderbolt?

That does not seems feasible, e.g. see

https://www.datapro.net/techinfo/thunderbolt_info.html#q3

> Thunderbolt 3 allows the connection of two 4K monitors, one 5K, or one 4K at 120 Hz per port. Thunderbolt 4 supports the same number of displays as Thunderbolt 3, while adding support for resolutions up to 8K.

So bandwithwise you probably need at least thunderbolt 4 (8k=4* 4k) and then not at 120Hz. Also even if the docking station can manage this, it is not clear whether your graphics card is able to, e.g. see

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000...

What might be possible is one docking station with two 4k@60Hz screens (many options) and then connecting a third screen to the laptop's HDMI port (if it has one).

Re: USB-C hubs and my slow descent into madness (2021)

#457

Post by ubermonkey »

moritonal wrote: post #7

If you want a decent dock you have to spend a bit of money. I went through this pain before accepting the cost and buying a CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub[1]. Run's two 4k displays at 60Hz, any peripheral and charges my laptop. So good I bought a second. 1. https://www.caldigit.com/thunderbolt-4-element-hub/

I did the same thing, seeking a "one plug" setup with my Macbook Pro. I have a different CalDigit (the TS3+), but same conclusion: to do this right, you have to throw a little money at it.

With this dock, I was able to run:

- 2 4K monitors - Gigabit Ethernet - USB-A - Audio connection for speakers - Power

all on one USB-C cable to the laptop. It also has an SD slot and a front-facing USB-A port for thumb drives, etc.

https://www.caldigit.com/ts3-plus/

Re: USB-C hubs and my slow descent into madness (2021)

#458

Post by ubermonkey »

watermelon0 wrote: post #95
TheNewAndy wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is missing Ethernet, which seems to be important to the author. Having heard positive things about caldigit, I got their USB-C Pro Dock and I get frequent screen blanking with my M1 Mac, and often some of the USB ports fail to work. I don't use the ethernet port, but I think it is a Realtek (so likely the same thing the author is complaining about) I have spoken to caldigit support and so far they have replaced th…

Does it have an audible coil whine? I've tested 5+ TS3 Plus docks, and all of them have a coil whine, which can be heard in a quiet room, without playing any music. Sometimes I like to work in silence, and the coil whine really bothers me.

I hear nothing from mine, but this may well be an example of me being 52.

Re: USB-C hubs and my slow descent into madness (2021)

#459

Post by aivisol »

dpezet wrote: post #433
aivisol wrote: post #370

> I’m slightly concerned about the fact that some of the products use electrolytic capacitors. Those hubs get pretty warm, even if you’re not routing your laptop’s power through the hub, and electrolytic capacitors don’t like warm environments, and that’ll significantly shorten their life. However, that’s probably negligible, since lots of resistors are also designed just barely around their load ratings, all the chi…

> he just replaces all electrolytes without even looking at them. He must burn himself a lot. It's hard enough to solder components when you are looking at them.

without testing them I meant. But no, it is NOT hard to solder them when you ARE looking at them. Just need some practice.

Re: USB-C hubs and my slow descent into madness (2021)

#460

Post by ubermonkey »

moffkalast wrote: post #204
moritonal wrote: post #7

If you want a decent dock you have to spend a bit of money. I went through this pain before accepting the cost and buying a CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub[1]. Run's two 4k displays at 60Hz, any peripheral and charges my laptop. So good I bought a second. 1. https://www.caldigit.com/thunderbolt-4-element-hub/

Remind me to never buy a laptop without a healthy array of dedicated external ports. This is lunacy.

It's weird how people want to plug lots of things in at home, but not very many when traveling, isn't it?
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