Plugable 5-in-1 hub review: specs, performance, cost

Plugable’s latest 5-in-1 hub

Plugable has launched the USB-C 5-in-1 hub hub that’s each reasonably priced and small in measurement — nevertheless it’s not a lot of an improve to a MacBook apart from the Ethernet port.

The corporate’s newest product is the 5-in-1 USB-C hub that expands a MacBook’s capabilities with a number of further ports. It sits completely aligned with the host Mac, and a cutout permits entry to the MagSafe charging port.

The hub is created explicitly for the MacBook Professional and MacBook Air. It has a Gigabit Ethernet port, an audio jack, two USB 3.0 ports, and a completely purposeful USB4 port.

It might hyperlink an exterior show with a capability of as much as 6K at 60Hz, transferring knowledge at a fee of as much as 40Gbps, and permitting the charging of both the Mac at as much as 100W or different units akin to telephones or tablets as much as 15W. Customers can join their MacBook to any USB-C, Thunderbolt, or USB4 system utilizing the USB-C port.

The three.5mm audio jack is a mix port with an analog audio enter and output in a single port. A consumer can plug in a microphone, headphones, or a headset with a microphone and headphones into the combo port.

The hub’s ports

As you’ll be able to see, the ports on Plugable’s hub are restricted and do not supply a lot further performance. It requires two USB-C ports to plug into the MacBook.

Two connectors make sense as a result of it provides stability and fewer wiggling, however which means it replaces two USB-C ports with one USB-C and two USB-A ports. Because the MacBook has three USB-C ports, we’re now down to 2 — one on either side.

That is nice for individuals with cables and different equipment with USB-A connectors, however individuals who primarily have USB-C devices will really feel neglected.

The port that some individuals could discover useful is the Ethernet port, which fashionable MacBooks lack. Nevertheless, since Plugable’s hub is not costly, you would purchase it purely as an Ethernet adapter and consider the opposite ports as a bonus.

In any other case, the hub has the identical options that our 2023 MacBook Professional does, with audio, Thunderbolt 4 speeds, and dealing with an exterior show at as much as 6K at 60Hz over Thunderbolt. The hub can be much more restricted if it weren’t for the cutout with room for the MagSafe cable.