Finally you can plug multiple USB-C devices into one hub, thanks to Intel’s closely related Thunderbolt technology.
Hyper
A host of new USB-C accessories that were on display at CES 2022 indicate that the data-and-charging tech may be about to reach its potential after arriving seven years ago.
USB-C and its related standards are already fixtures in laptops, Android phones and countless accessories. USB-C made its debut in 2015’s Apple MacBook and Google Chromebooks. Its oval connector replaced rectangular USB-A ports on PCs and smaller, trapezoidal USB Micro-B ports on many Android phones.
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But a crop of new products at CES demonstrate the ever-growing adoption of USB-C. With one major exception, everything from cars and headphones to game controllers and multidevice chargers now offers a USB-C connection. (Yes, that major exception is Apple’s iPhone, but I still hope it comes to the iPhone someday.)
Deeper changes are coming with the standards that govern what USB cables and ports can do. The upgrade from USB 3 to USB 4, now arriving in laptops and other devices, means faster data transfer and docks with multiple USB-C ports. The USB PD (Power Delivery) standard can handle more and more charging needs, now including high-end gaming laptops.
Here’s a look at some of the new USB-C devices from CES 2022. Where the products are not yet available for sale, we’ve linked to the product information at the manufacturer’s website.
Plugable
The $189 Plugable USB4-HUB3A USB 4 and Thunderbolt 4 hub skips the variety on many hubs and docking stations to concentrate on just USB and Thunderbolt, the closely related connector technology from Intel on which USB 4 is based. One USB-C or Thunderbolt connection on your laptop becomes three on this hub. Plus there’s a USB-A port for your keyboard, thumb drive, or other accessory that’s not part of the modern age. It comes with an external charger of its own that means the USB-C/Thunderbolt ports can supply up to 15W of power to whatever is plugged in, which is useful for external drives and some other accessories.
Hyper
Hyper’s 4-port Thunderbolt hub handles both power and data duties using either USB-C or Thunderbolt. One port connects to a laptop, supplying up to 96 watts of power — enough for almost any high end laptop. Three other ports connect to other devices and supply up to 15W of power. Unusually, Hyper’s hub has built-in power electronics, so all you need to power it is a cable, not the usual combination of cable and power brick. Hyper didn’t disclose pricing or availability.
Satechi
Satechi’s $120 4-port USB-C charger can crank up to 165W of power, a usefully high rating for handling a beefy laptop and a few other devices like tablets and phones. For years, USB-C chargers have also had USB-A ports, but since new iPhones come with a Lightning-USB-C cable and millions of other smartphones are USB-C all the way, having 4 USB-C ports is more useful for the future. This Satechi charger uses gallium nitride (GaN) power electronics for a more compact size.
EZQuest
The $80 7-port USB-C Gen 2 Hub Adapter from EZQuest includes three 10Gbps USB-C ports and one 5Gbps USB-C port that also can pass along up to 100 watts of power if you plug your laptop charger into its pass-through port. It attaches to your PC with a built-in 9-inch cable. It’s also got three USB-A ports on the other side. Although it’s compact, none of the USB ports support video.
