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0 pointscom2kid6y ago0 comments

> There is no such thing as a USB-C hub.

I didn't believe you, then I went and checked.

https://www.cnet.com/news/usb-4-will-resurrect-those-useful-...

Apparently all the hubs that have multiple USB-C ports are running USB 2 over them, or you can just use them for power delivery.

I am suddenly very happy that none of my other devices except for my USB-C hub, actually uses USB-C, I'd be limited to the ports that came on the computer!

Thunderbolt docks can do it, they just run multiple USB controllers on board, one for each port, but indeed, it USB-C 3.1 as it stands today doesn't support hubs.

0 comments

proverbialbunny6y ago

I had to stop for a second and look. I have a usb-c hub that outputs to gigabit and multiple usb 3.0 plugs.

A quick google search returns https://satechi.net/collections/usb-type-c/products/type-c-m... which isn't what I have, but it's more of the same.

My complaint about usb-c hubs, when I was looking for one a year ago is I couldn't find one that did 4k60, gigabit ethernet, and 2 or more usb 3.0 plugs. This has led me to plugging in two cables instead of one for years. If my monitor had a gigabit ethernet plug, I'd be set, because it outputs a bunch of usb (2) ports.

oxymoron6y ago

This is probably the best explanation available of this: https://www.bigmessowires.com/2019/05/19/explaining-4k-60hz-...

proverbialbunny6y ago

This explains a lot. Thanks!

Hopefully USB 4 will make it possible.

hinkley6y ago

You have a dock, an adapter, a breakout box or whatever the cool kids are calling it.

A USB hub is just one USB port in and N out. There is no such thing for USB-c.

You can't even chain those adapters. The USB-c 'in' port that you plug power into? No data on that line. Just power.

And some of those adapters send the wrong voltage to USB-2 devices. Had a hell of a time with my keyboard and mouse until I started plugging the power directly into the computer.

com2kidOP6y ago

But only 1 USB-C 3.1 plug!

I guess we'll have to wait another few years.

I can see why this all is though, the limitations are going to be insane.

hinkley6y ago

I so wanted to be wrong it's not even funny. Like, how the fuck did you break this and why don't I remember screaming and bonfires in the streets over this? It's bullshit!

The weirdest one is that I at least expected those 'hubs' that have the port breakouts for everything to at least be able to take data in through both ports, but that doesn't work either. You can only plug a power brick into the USB-c female port.

pkamb6y ago

A couple other links. Insane that no USB-C hubs exist.

https://superuser.com/q/1381139/122042

https://mjtsai.com/blog/2017/10/14/the-impossible-dream-of-u...

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 pointscom2kid6y ago0 comments

> There is no such thing as a USB-C hub.

I didn't believe you, then I went and checked.

https://www.cnet.com/news/usb-4-will-resurrect-those-useful-...

Apparently all the hubs that have multiple USB-C ports are running USB 2 over them, or you can just use them for power delivery.

I am suddenly very happy that none of my other devices except for my USB-C hub, actually uses USB-C, I'd be limited to the ports that came on the computer!

Thunderbolt docks can do it, they just run multiple USB controllers on board, one for each port, but indeed, it USB-C 3.1 as it stands today doesn't support hubs.

0 comments

proverbialbunny6y ago

I had to stop for a second and look. I have a usb-c hub that outputs to gigabit and multiple usb 3.0 plugs.

A quick google search returns https://satechi.net/collections/usb-type-c/products/type-c-m... which isn't what I have, but it's more of the same.

oxymoron6y ago

This is probably the best explanation available of this: https://www.bigmessowires.com/2019/05/19/explaining-4k-60hz-...

proverbialbunny6y ago

This explains a lot. Thanks!

Hopefully USB 4 will make it possible.

hinkley6y ago

You have a dock, an adapter, a breakout box or whatever the cool kids are calling it.

A USB hub is just one USB port in and N out. There is no such thing for USB-c.

You can't even chain those adapters. The USB-c 'in' port that you plug power into? No data on that line. Just power.

And some of those adapters send the wrong voltage to USB-2 devices. Had a hell of a time with my keyboard and mouse until I started plugging the power directly into the computer.

com2kidOP6y ago

But only 1 USB-C 3.1 plug!

I guess we'll have to wait another few years.

I can see why this all is though, the limitations are going to be insane.

hinkley6y ago

I so wanted to be wrong it's not even funny. Like, how the fuck did you break this and why don't I remember screaming and bonfires in the streets over this? It's bullshit!

pkamb6y ago

A couple other links. Insane that no USB-C hubs exist.

https://superuser.com/q/1381139/122042

https://mjtsai.com/blog/2017/10/14/the-impossible-dream-of-u...

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse