It’s a sign of the times. More laptops and smartphones are moving closer to achieving perfection, trading the bulkier frame in favor of the slimmer, minimal form. This move is accompanied by fewer ports as when Apple rolled out MacBooks with single USB ports years ago.
This setup poses an inconvenience as you have an incredible number of devices you want to use alongside your computer. A USB hub with multiple ports single-handedly solves this problem. Get to know it here. But now the advanced features have options for multiple uses. Learn more about how to buy and sell your macbook pro with enhanced features.
The Ubiquitous USB, ExplainedÂ
You will find a universal serial bus port in virtually all personal computers and other electronics. Through USB connectors, cables, and adapters, peripherals like printer, camera, smartphone, and flash drive/external hard drive can communicate with a laptop or desktop computer. The power of USB has extended to charging laptops, tablets, smartphones, and e-book readers. Â
The known versions or technologies of the USB standard and their data transfer rates (DTR) are the following:Â
- USB 1.0 has DTR of 1.5 Mbps.
- USB 1.1 has DTR of 12 Mbps.
- USB 2.0 has DTR of 480 Mbps.Â
- USB 3.0 has DTR of 5 Gbps.
- USB 3.1 has DTR between 5 Gbps and 10 Gbps for gen 1 and gen 2, respectively.Â
As for the connector or the end of the plug, USB has three:
- Type-A is the most commonly used connector for personal computers and game consoles.
- Type-B is primarily used to connect external hard drives and printers to computers. It has a mini and a micro version for MP3 players and Android phones. Â
- Type-C is the most recent type of connector used in a slimmer laptop or phone; it offers flexibility and backward compatibility such that you can use older USB technologies with an adapter.
Why do you need a USB hub, again?Â
It’s a Necessity
There’s no way around your relatively new MacBook other than a USB multiport hub. This powerful adapter, for instance, expands the use of your single-shared USB port. You can charge your Type-C device while at the same access and transfer files through additional USB 3.0 ports and slots for memory cards. The hub also covers HDMI and Ethernet.
To determine which port(s) your Mac uses and the applicable adapters you can use, go to Choose Apple > About This Mac > Support > Specification.Â
It’s Convenient
USB hubs are generally portable. Take one to work or wherever as you put together your presentation with videos and images across devices plugged into your computer via the hub.
You’ll also appreciate how the cables look more organized and the desk less cluttered vis-à -vis wires dangling everywhere.Â
It’s Another Way to Charge
Speaking of cables and convenience, USB hubs can revive your smartphone’s battery. If you are always on the go and electric outlets are out of sight, that’s one power charger less. There are powered and nonpowered hubs that utilize an external source of power and derive power from the computer via its USB port respectively to support external devices.
Critical aspects in buying a hub thus include (1) its compatibility with your existing peripherals and the power required to operate them and (2) its speed (i.e., what happens when you connect multiple devices simultaneously). Check the hub’s power delivery specifications for safety reasons. Â
It’s for Widespread AdoptionÂ
USB hubs are nothing new; they have been around as the number of devices and accessories always exceeds that of USB ports available in standard computers. But as more PCs with fewer USB ports become widespread, you can expect the use of multiport hubs to regain popularity and relevance.
Indeed, prominent smartphone brands are phasing out the headphone jack altogether or put in its stead a USB Type-C port that comes with an adapter to fit in the headphones. This example demonstrates the ever-changing technologies and the need to keep up with them.Â
Be always on the lookout for the freshest tech news.Â
