Suzy2014 wrote:
• After a lot of agony, I decided to buy a new iMac. I'd appreciate some additional info/advise regarding the ports, adapters, hub. With all the prior lessons, I still do not feel comfortable making decisions about the hub I need.
I need capability to connect 6 devices that now have USB 3 connectors (old type): printer, scanner UPS, 2 external drives, keyboard). I would like to continue using the existing wired keyboard, which has plugged in it a wired mouse (to avoid the hassle with having to charge more devices). I hope they will work with the new iMac.
The latest (8 core GPU) iMac has only two Thunderbird 3/USB 4 ports that can be used for:
Thunderbolt 3 (up to 40Gb/s)
• USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s)
• USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10Gb/s)
• Thunderbolt 2, HDMI, DVI, and VGA supported using adapters (sold separately).
The higher-end 24" M3 iMacs have two additional USB-C (USB 3) ports, and a Gigabit Ethernet port.
It was suggested that I use the Caldigit Element hub which is $200.
https://www.caldigit.com/thunderbolt-4-element-hub/•
I am sorry, but I cannot figure out if this hub would meet my needs as described above, hopefully without adapters.
That device would connect to your iMac using a Thunderbolt cable. It would give you
- Four downstream USB-A ports that can run at up to 10 Gbps (USB 3.1 Gen 2) speeds
- Three downstream USB-C (Thunderbolt) ports
It would not increase the number of external displays your iMac can drive (one). The dual display support that the description talks about depends on there being dual display support on the computer.
Could you please let me know:
if the above hub would do the job
It could do the job, but only with the aid of additional hubs or adapters (USB-C to USB-A). While it is probably a high-quality device, I think it's aimed first and foremost at people who want to split one Thunderbolt chain into 3 Thunderbolt chains. That accounts for a lot of the cost – cost that won't do you any good if all that you use it for is attaching USB-A devices.
• if there is any other hub that would be better for my needs that you would recommend.
Other World Computing and SonnetTech have competing docks that offer more types of ports. I don't see any that have six USB-A ports, although the SonnetTech Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock has eight USB 3 ports: half USB-A, half USB-C.
https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/thunderbolt/thunderbolt-docks
https://www.sonnettech.com/home.html
Here's something that might work. It's not the only example of its type, just the first one that I found.
Amazon – Powered USB Hub RSHTECH Type C to 7 Port USB 3.0 Data Port Hub Expander Aluminum Portable Splitter with Universal 5V AC Adapter and Individual On/Off Switches for Laptop and PC(Black)
This hub isn't nearly as versatile or high-end as the CalDigit dock you mentioned, or the OWC and SonnetTech docks to which I referred above. All that it gives you is USB-A ports: nothing else. It's from some brand that I never heard of before in my life.
It costs all of $26 USD (before 10% coupon and shipping) and would give you seven USB-A ports.
To my mind, this – or something like it – is the right tool for this job. If a time comes when you need something more, then you can look at the $200 – $300 Thunderbolt hubs and docks.
There are so many listed at Amazon and I cannot make sense out of them. Apple staff doesn't help with this....
Basically all that you are looking for is a powered USB-A hub that has a lot of USB 3.0 ports. It's nice if the hub happens to connect to the computer via a USB-C plug … but given that you can get USB-C to USB-A adapters that operate at USB 3 speeds, having a USB-C plug on the uplink is optional.
