Most modern laptops have one thing in common, and that would be that most of them use a USB-C port to charge from, or at least have a USB-C port for connectivity purposes. However, as useful as the USB-C port is, most brands, especially Apple, have a habit of having very few ports and only a few USB-C ports. This makes connectivity for certain things that you want to connect to your laptop nearly impossible without a USB-C hub adapter. UtechSmart 11-in-1 it’s a fairly solid choice if you’re looking for an easy, affordable way to expand your Mac, Windows, or Linux computer’s connectivity options. It features a set of 11 ports making it more akin to a docking station than a simple hub. It also has a sleek, minimalist design that will blend in well with your setup no matter what kind of computer you use. And if you’re worried all of this means the hub is going to be expensive, you don’t have to be; this 11-port USB hub retails for $79 on Amazon.
UtechSmart USB-C Hub Features
- Ultra-slim Body & Premium Design
- 11-in-1 USB C Docking Station
- Triple Display for Windows & MAC OS
- Safety-Control System
- 87W USB-C Power Delivery Port
- Fast Data Transfer & Stable Connection
Design & Build Quality
This UtechSmart hub is not exactly large, but at the same time, it’s very slim. The build quality of this is by far one of the best parts of it, other than the ports that you’re able to use on it. That’s because the adapter is made of Aluminum, and it definitely makes it look and feel premium.
It features two HDMI ports & one VGA port, two USB 3.0 & 2.0 Type-A Ports, a PD USB C Charging Port, an SD & Micro SD Card Slot, a Gigabit Ethernet Port, and a total of 11 ports. Each port and input is also well-placed for easy access and quick connection/disconnection, meaning you won’t have to struggle with tangled cables or awkward positioning.
Setting up
Setting up the UtechSmart 11-in-1 USB hub for the first time is as easy as taking it out of the box and plugging it into a free USB-C port on your computer. With plug-and-play compatibility, there is no software that you have to install to use this USB-C hub, you only have to plug it in, and you’re ready to use it.
UtechSmart Performance & Ports
As we mentioned, this UtechSmart USB hub adapter has eleven ways to connect tons of devices, so let’s see what each of them has to offer. Of course, one of the most important factors for a USB-C hub is to have a Power Delivery port; this way, you can still charge your laptop while using the hub and having other devices connected. The USB-C Power Delivery port on this adapter can accept 87W of charging power with support for Power Delivery 3.0. (Backward compatible with PD 2.0) Double faster than non-PD. As a result, no matter what laptop you’re using with this UBS-C hub, using your charger via the USB-C PD port on this adapter will charge your laptop, and you can charge it at max speed without any hiccups.
Also has a VGA port that you can use to connect your laptop to a second screen, and even though this port isn’t the most modern solution, it’s definitely nice to have in case you need it. The VGA port is capable of an output display of 1080@60Hz, so you won’t be able to transfer higher resolution if your laptop is on the higher end.
There may be a VGA port on this USB-C hub, but there is a modern solution with two HDMI ports. The HDMI port can output a 4K@30Hz, which may be more on par with what most users are looking for when using a second display, even when using a single or duplicate HDMI display up to 3840*2160@30Hz. but, when it comes to using the VGA port and the two HDMI ports simultaneously, their output becomes 1080p@60Hz.
One of the best parts of USB-C hubs is their USB 3.0 ports because these are the most commonly used ports, as most people still use devices that are compatible with the port. The two USB 3.0 ports on this adapter can transfer speeds up to 5Gbps, so you’re getting the best you can from a USB-A port. And with the other two USB 2.0 ports, you’re able to connect a mouse, keyboards, flash drives, and various other devices that use a standard USB-A connection to connect to devices.
There are two SD card readers on the hub, with one being a standard size and the other being a Micro size. These are great for photographers who can easily access their photos via the hub and any other file needs.
If you do have access to a direct connection ethernet cable, then the Ethernet port on this UtechSmart USB-C hub may be the best usage that you get. We’re joking, but a direct ethernet connection is a lot faster than a Wi-Fi connection, and if you want blazing-fast internet speeds while using this hub adapter, you can get a 1000Mbps (1Gbps) connection compatible with 100Mbps/10Mbps RJ45 LAN.
For Safety Matters, UtechSmart has a VL817 Chip that provides a slew of safety features including internal overload protection, over-volt protection, short circuit protection, voltage regulation, over-current protection, and temperature protection under 45℃.
Final verdict
If you’re looking for a connection hub that lets you do more than just plug in flash drives, this model is a good choice, especially if you don’t want to spend a ton of money on a full docking station. All of the different ports and slots are conveniently placed for easy access, and the compact design of the entire hub makes it perfect for smaller desks or working on the go. So, yes, this is a very reliable piece of hardware that we recommend to anyone that needs to have the ability to connect a range of devices to their otherwise modern but limited laptop that Unfortunately chooses design over function. The Hub is now only priced at $79.99 on Amazon. So, don’t miss the chance to snatch up one.
