Looking for USB-C hub or Thunderbolt 2 hub/dock

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Level 1

14 points

Looking for USB-C hub or Thunderbolt 2 hub/dock

Hi, I am looking for a port hub for my 13" MacBook Pro 2015. I have done quite a lot of research on Google and Amazon, but I can't seem to find one that works for my needs. I need a hub (or dock) that has at least 4 USB 3.0 ports and at least one HDMI port. It can have much more than that, but must have the criteria specified above at the minimum. I need this hub to connect to a MacBook via USB-C. It also needs to retail for a reasonable price. Around $60 is my limit, preferably $40-$50. I cannot spend 75-100+ bucks on this whole setup I'm going for.

As I do not have USB-C built in on my 2015 MacBook Pro, I will also need a thunderbolt 2 male to usb-c female adapter. For thunderbolt 2 to usb-c adapter, it needs to physically connect to my MacBook using a thunderbolt port, not a usb-c port. Just to clarify - I need to plug a usb-c cable into this adapter, and the adapter converts that into a thunderbolt 2 port, which I then plug the Thunderbolt 2 port into my MacBook. This adapter also can't be crazy expensive. $30 is my limit for the adapter.

An even better solution would be to have a thunderbolt 2 hub/dock with those ports I need that connects directly to my MacBook via thunderbolt 2, but I've seen nothing along those lines available on the internet (for a reasonable price). Probably because thunderbolt 2 is a little outdated now.

Recap - I need a port hub that has at least 4 USB 3.0 ports and at least one HDMI port that connects to my computer via USB-C. I also need a thunderbolt 2 male to usb-c female adapter. Adapter must connect to my computer via thunderbolt 2 and I need to plug a usb-c cable into this adapter. Anyone have any ideas for this?? I appreciate anything that you all can find. Thanks in advance!!!

I'm not sure if this is in the right category/right forums webpage. Sorry if it's the wrong spot.

~ Capt Inc - Feb 19, 2017

13" MacBook Pro with Retina Display (Early 2015 model) macOS Sierra 10.12.4 Beta 16E154a

MacBook Pro with Retina display, macOS Sierra (10.12.3), Actually using 10.12.4 beta 16E154a

Posted on Feb 19, 2017 5:56 PM

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Answer 1

Allan Jones

Level 9

79,952 points

Feb 20, 2017 11:29 AM in response to Capt Inc

I buy almost all my peripherals from Other World Computing because of selection and excellent service. Here is a link to their Thunderbolt offerings:

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/Thunderbolt/

Theirs is mostly T2 at this point except for a new hub that is T3 and ships sometime in March.

Worth a look.

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Answer 2

Capt Inc Author

Level 1

14 points

Feb 20, 2017 8:07 AM in response to Capt Inc

Update to criteria:

Having 4 standard USB 3.0 type A ports on the hub isn't that much of a need. I already have a USB 3.0 hub expansion at my house, so I can just plug that into this new hub I'm looking for. Having a SD card reader on the hub isn't that important as I rarely use SD cards and I already have a SD card reader on my MacBook Pro.

Update:

I found a few hubs that I could possibly use, but for all of them, I will still need the thunderbolt 2 male to usb-c female adapter I mentioned above.

Satechi - 2 USB 3.0, 1 USB-C pass-through, and SD card reader:

http://www.satechi.net/index.php/type-c-usb-hub-silver

Pros: Very cheap

Cons: Doesn't have a HDMI port, and only 2 USB 3.0 ports. I can solve the lack of USB 3.0 ports as I already have a USB 3.0 hub at my house, but I would rather have this new adapter have 4 USB 3.0 ports already built in

Satechi - 2 USB 3.0, 1 USB-C pass-through, and 1 HDMI port:

http://www.satechi.net/index.php/computer/connectivity/hubs/satechi-slim-aluminu m-type-c-multi-port-adapter-with-type-c-…

Pros: Has HDMI port

Cons: Closer to the expensive side, and only has 2 USB 3.0 ports, but again having only 2 USB 3.0 ports isn't a big deal

Looks like the best hub that I've found so far is the second Satechi one above, but I would like to see everyone else's ideas. I still also need a thunderbolt 2 male to usb-c female adapter. I haven't found anything for the adapter, so can anyone chime in please?

Thanks again!!

~ Capt Inc - Feb 20, 2017

13" MacBook Pro with Retina Display (Early 2015 model) macOS Sierra 10.12.4 beta 16E154a

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Answer 3

Capt Inc Author

Level 1

14 points

Feb 20, 2017 8:25 AM in response to Allan Jones

Thanks a bunch!!

I had a look through their peripherals and found these 2 docks.

USB-C Dock - https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/usb-c/owc/usb-c-dock

Thunderbolt 2 dock - https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/Thunderbolt/Dock/OWC/Thunderbolt2-Dock/

These are wonderful products, has every port I could possibly need and very high build quality!! Only problem is they are very expensive. I cannot spend $150-$215 on a dock. Any idea where to find them cheaper??

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Answer 4

Allan Jones

Level 9

79,952 points

Feb 20, 2017 10:39 AM in response to Capt Inc

Any idea where to find them cheaper??

Sorry, no. Although I have one Mac with Thunderbolt, most of our periphs are FireWire800 or networked so I haven't felt the pressure to investigate Thunderbolt very far. I'm in a heapa-touble when all the legacy ports disappear!

EDIT: Well, one thing just popped to mind. As OWC claims to be offering the new USB3 model soon, keep checking their Specials page:

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/specials/

Once the new one is released, the T2 versions may well show up heavily discounted on the Specials page.

I've done business with them for a long time and cannot be happier with a vendor. I use their external drive enclosures exclusively in spite of cost after years of struggling with the dreckware external drives sold cheaply by the office superstores. Even in the few times something was "not quite right," their after-sale service was first-rate.

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Answer 5

Capt Inc Author

Level 1

14 points

Feb 20, 2017 11:19 AM in response to Allan Jones

Alright thanks for all your help!!

I agree on the legacy port problem, but I also do think that ports on computers nowadays are getting a little old and should be upgraded to modern standards. It will be a rough transition from older port types into the newer USB-C, and will take time, but in the end, I think it'll be worth it. Think of it this way - one port type and one cable type for everything. No more struggling to find the right cable type, no more being confused about which port can take what, and no more struggling to fit the cable into the port at the right angle. Though I am sad to see MagSafe go. I love MagSafe, I think it's the best connection type ever invented.

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Answer 6

Capt Inc Author

Level 1

14 points

Feb 20, 2017 11:29 AM in response to Capt Inc

Me and Allan Jones found a few more

OWC Thunderbolt 2 dock - https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/Thunderbolt/Dock/OWC/Thunderbolt2-Dock/ (credits to Allan Jones for finding it)

This one is perfect for my current MBP, but it’s expensive. I can’t spend $217 for a dock that will only last a few years until I get my next MBP.

OWC USB-C Dock - https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/usb-c/owc/usb-c-dock?_ga=1.8636535.376511375.145 6469094&utm_source=affiliate&utm_campaig… (credits to Allan Jones for finding it)

This one also seems real nice in quality and is one of my favorites. It uses a USB-C connection to your MacBook. This one will last awhile, but is a little pricey at $150

ARC Hub by Bourge Design - https://www.bourgedesign.com/archub

This seems like the best one yet along with the OWC USB-C dock, but it's not available yet. Comes with a $105 price tag for now.

Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Express dock HD - http://www.belkin.com/us/p/P-F4U095/

This seems like a decent option, but it seems a little large in size. No release date or price tag on this one at all.

I'm leaning towards buying a USB-C dock and getting a thunderbolt 2 adapter for it so the dock will last awhile into my next few computers. If I can get my hands on a quality USB-C dock that will last for quite a few years, then I'm more inclined to spend more on it. The OWC USB-C dock and the ARC Hub are my 2 favs.

~ Capt Inc Feb 20, 2017

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