H o w t o
U s e I t
// B Y H U N T E R F E N O L L O L //SWITCH BETWEEN A
LAPTOP AND A DESKTOP
You probably know how to use a USB-C hub to
add external devices like a hard drive and mouse
to your laptop. You can take your USB-C hub a
step further to create a full workstation, complete
with a dual-monitor setup. With double the screen
space, you can juggle multiple open app windows.
Typists who prefer the feel of mechanical keys can
connect their favorite keyboard to the hub, while
those who crave precise pointer control can plug in
a mouse. We recommend that your USB-C hub have
an HDMI port with at least 60 watts of passthrough
charging power to provide enough juice to your lap-
top and each connected accessory. If you have a lot
of devices or a power-hungry laptop like a MacBook
Pro, look for a hub with a minimum of 100 watts for
stable performance. Say you’re just connecting to a
mouse and a keyboard, plus the occasional webcam
or microphone; five ports should do.A
S NEW TECH SHRINKS EACH YEAR,
essential ports like USB-A, HDMI, and
ethernet are being replaced by the slim-
mer USB-C. A hub (often referred to as a
dongle) is a small, port-laden gadget that
plugs into a single USB-C slot on devices
such as laptops, transmitting advanced
data and power signals to stand in for those disap-
pearing inputs and restore functionality.
Befitting a tool that connects many others, these
hubs are versatile, sometimes in ways that aren’t
always apparent. Through them, many electronics
you already own can connect to peripherals and
displays. With some experimenting, you can turn
a streaming stick, gaming console, or phone into
fully functioning computers.STEP 1 Plug your laptop’s USB-C charger into a
wall outlet and connect the USB-C end into the hub’s
passthrough power delivery port (indicated by an image
of a plug or the letters PD).
STEP 2^ Neatly load up your USB-C hub with a mouse
and keyboard of your choice in any lower-bandwidth
USB 2.0 slots. (USB 3.0 is preferable for power-hungry
devices like webcams, microphones, and hard drives, as
it provides better performance.)
STEP 3 Attach an HDMI wire from an external display
to the HDMI port on your USB-C hub.
STEP 4 Hook up the USB-C hub to your laptop to start
charging and connect it to every device you have plugged
in. When done correctly, you should see your laptop’s
background image spring to life on your second monitor
and be able to take the reins via the mouse and keyboard
you hooked up. And since everything plugs into your hub
and attaches to your laptop through that, all you have
to do when you need to move around the office or head
home for the day is unplug the single wire connecting
the dongle to your laptop. This gives you the wireless
freedom and portability of a laptop but makes it easy to
hook up to the slew of devices on your desk without the
need to reattach each individual one.Unlock Your
Devices’ Full
Potential With
a USB-C Hub
82 November/December 202112
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAKOTA GAMBILL