Malcolm Owen
Plugable has launched its new Thunderbolt 4 Hub, the first with a "pure USB-C design" that doesn't include any USB-A ports.
The Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Hub, the TBT4-HUB3C, is a straightforward device that includes a total of four Thunderbolt ports using USB-C. Rather than offering multiple different types of port, the device simplifies its connectivity by dealing only with USB-C Thunderbolt 4 connections.
On the back, one USB-C port is used to connect the hub to the host Mac or MacBook, with it including 60W of power delivery on that connection. On the other side are three more Thunderbolt ports, each offering 5W of power delivery, along with the power connection.
The hub boasts delivery of the full 40Gbps of Thunderbolt 4 bandwidth, with all three ports being equal in terms of functionality and data transfers. This includes using Thunderbolt with up to six devices daisy-chained together across all three ports.
When used with a USB 4-equipped Mac like the Mac mini, the hub can offer dual 4K 60Hz video, or one display on Apple Silicon MacBook models. It is capable of powering a single 8K 30Hz display, when connected to a Windows-based system with Thunderbolt 4, while connected to USB-C, it can drive a single 4K 30Hz picture.
Inside the hub is the Intel Goshen Ridge Chipset, which is used to power both USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 functionality, as well as automatically adapting to whether it is connected to the host computer over Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, or USB-C.
Inside the box is the hub, power cord and adapter, an 80cm (2.6-foot) Thunderbolt 4 cable, and a USB-C to HDMI 2.0 adapter.
Available on Amazon, the Plugable Thunderbolt 4 hub is available at Amazon priced at $189.99, with an on-page $15-off coupon.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
Stephen Silver
Charles Martin
Amber Neely
10 Comments
I was saying, "About time! I don't need USB-A ports. I want all pure USB-C" and then I looked at the price... really?
1. Finally!
2. Too expensive!
3. Not enough ports!
Just put the upstream port on the back with the others, and maybe I'll consider this product. Why is literally every single one of these putting it on the front? FOR A MAC MINI?
Way too expensive. I’ll stick with the dongle type I use now.
This is identical to the OWC version I just bought. Which works perfect.
It’s expensive because it’s Thunderbolt 4 in and out, which is overkill if all you’re looking for is a USB-C hub with USB 3 or 3.1 speed.
Also, since Thundebolt is a point to point protocol, it’s got a whole Thunderbolt 4 chipset in it to make a “hub”.
If all you want is a USB-C hub, just wait, this is over qualified for the job.