Try this device with a different computer or different ethernet cable and see if the issue persists. A USB splitter refers to a simple device that splits a single USB port into multiple ports, allowing you to connect multiple devices simultaneously. This type of splitter doesn't typically have its own power source and relies on the power provided by the connected computer or laptop. USB splitters are often used for basic connectivity needs and may have limitations in terms of power distribution and data transfer speeds. If you plan to chain your habs to even more stretch the distance, it’s critical not to have more than 5 in a row. If you do, the whole set-up just won’t be working at all.

We also connected an Android phone to the ports and recorded how many volts and amps it received. The phone charging test was probably the most realistic as it showed what kind of volts and amps a real device would negotiate with the hub. Key specs – Upstream connection: 1x USB-C; USB ports: 3x Thunderbolt 4 USB-C 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2; Other ports: Gigabit Ethernet, SD Card, 3.5mm audio; Power:135W power adapter; Maximum power load: 90W per port; Dimensions: 190 x 75 x 27mm; Weight: 338g; Warranty: 12 months It has a power adapter and a dedicated power supply, which makes sense considering it’s so large. It should be noted that both the power and main USB cable must be connected for it to work. The chassis is plastic, so no premium materials were used here, but it’s so big it’s hard to imagine anyone breaking this thing without some serious force. It’s about the size of your average surge protector and measures 7.9 x 2.4 x 0.9 inches. I would like to use a tool that looks more like an "analyzer" that would display real time data rate transfers.You can also get other versions of Inatek's USB hub, the HB2025 for example, that connect to your computer via USB-C, which is a more common interface for 10 Gbps connections, particularly on laptops. We really wish one of these hubs had a mix of USB-C and USB Type-A downstream ports, but they are all Type-A downstream. If you work in a more stationary manner with a hub constantly attached to a 5e Ethernet network, it’s wise to opt for a self-powered one. Once in place, you can use it to connect and charge as many devices as it can take without any negative impact on your system. And desktop computer users can seriously consider an expansion card to get more USB ports on their machines, as long as they have plenty of cabling already. USB/IP: Windows and Linux. Only free program. We couldn't get it working in our tests, but a free app is always worth a try first.

With a total of 6 ports, you can expand the functionality of your laptop’s single USB-C port to include Power Delivery pass-through charging, media display, ethernet connectivity, and data transfer. Self-powered hubs are typically used in industrial or office environments where a variety of appliances are needed simultaneously, and where the demand for additional higher voltages is necessary. Unlike cheaper hubs, it supports a full 60Hz refresh rate over HDMI, while there’s a Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 port for when you need a physical network connection. The Type-C and Type-A connections could be faster, with our SSD speeds limited to around 458MB/sec, but this is a great, fully featured hub that’s still affordable and – most importantly – it just works. The self-powered USB hubs don’t have this problem for a pretty obvious reason. On the other hand, they are never cheap. Plus, you’ll have to deal with one more cord on your desk and go for a mission of finding a vacant power outlet every time you will be using it in a new location. So much for the portability, huh? But once you resolve these issues, you can use your hub to power and charge your devices with no concern over their impact on your computer. Plug your HDMI cable directly into your device and see if you get a stable connection. If you can't get a stable connection, then the problem is with your HDMI cable.All MacBooks and many of the best Ultrabooks come with only USB-C ports, and just a couple of them. That’s why there are so many portable USB hubs that connect to a computer via a built-in USB-C cable and then provide a few Type-A ports, along with some extra goodies such as an HDMI out or a card reader. Anker’s PowerExpand 4-in-1 USB-C hub has one whiz-bang feature we haven’t seen anywhere else, and that’s a built-in 256GB SSD. To successfully implement the hardware method of extending USB to Ethernet, you need to know how to choose the right hardware tool and use it in your setup. You can turn your PC into a USB server or just make a single USB device remotely accessible from other machines in your network — it’s totally up to you to decide. Powered or not? Some USB hubs come with their own AC adapters so that they can provide more power than your computer delivers from one of its ports. Bus power from your computer can be pretty low, not enough to juice several power-hungry peripherals at once or to charge devices at a reasonable rate. By definition, a USB hub that needs its own plug isn’t very portable. The USB-C Power Delivery input port supports up to 53W pass-through charging to your connected laptop when used with a 65W charger (not included). This means you can fully refuel a 2020 MacBook Air 13ʺ in just 2 hours.

When buying a hub, consider where you will use it and what devices you plan on connecting through it. If you aim for the maximum mobility of being able to plug a bunch of devices into your laptop wherever you are, then you should opt for a bus-powered hub. The vast majority of USB hubs are self-contained units one can use with any computer or laptop that has at least one USB port. They can be split into two broad categories: the self-poweredand bus-powered ones.If the number of ports is your biggest concern, the Acasis 16-port USB hub is one of the biggest. All 16 ports are USB 3.0, and they all support fast charging up to 2.1A and data transfers up to 5Gbps. There are no compromises, no ports left behind—just full functionality across the entire unit. There are also seven- and ten-port variants if you want something slightly smaller.