Hdmi cable for macbook air thunderbolt plus#
Some hubs, especially those designed for Apple PCs, laptops and iPads, support Intel’s Thunderbolt connections as well as USB-C, which is definitely a plus if you want connectivity for high-performance storage or compatible 4K displays.īest USB microphones 2022: Top microphones for podcasting, game streaming, music, chat and more Is there anything else worth looking out for? For example, they might not support a 4K monitor or projector, or they might only support it at a half-speed 30Hz refresh rate. Similarly, HDMI or DisplayPort outputs may not be capable of running higher resolutions or refresh rates. Cheaper hubs won’t support the fastest options. USB-C ports can cover a range of standards, from basic ports with a 5Mbits/sec maximum speed to USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports that can go all the way up to 20Mbits/sec. Once you’ve done that, check the specs for the ports. In short, look for a hub that has all the connections you need right now and any you think you’re likely to need in the near future.
Hdmi cable for macbook air thunderbolt full#
Conversely, if you want something that can work as a permanent dock to connect your laptop to a full desktop setup, then it makes sense to pay more and get everything you need. You can buy a cheaper hub and save yourself some cash. There’s no point in shelling out £80 on a fully featured hub with 4K-capable HDMI output if you’re just looking for a way to connect a USB hard disk, mouse and keyboard, and need somewhere to plug in a USB memory stick from time to time. Your first step is to work out what you need. How to choose the right USB-C hub for you Best compact USB-C hub for on the go: Twelve South StayGo Mini.Best budget USB-C hub: UGreen USB C Hub 6-in-1.Best USB-C hub for a full desktop setup: Anker 563.Best USB-C hub for tablets and iPads: Anker 551.That’s why we’re here to guide you towards the best USB-C hub for your needs and budget. Going cheap can lead to disappointment, but you also don’t want to spend too much. What’s more, all these hubs are different, offering various combinations of connections, with different capabilities and supporting different speeds. Your only problem? There are dozens of USB-C hubs to choose from, with prices ranging from £10 to over £300. Beyond that, you might get power inputs and display outputs, enabling the hub to function as a dock. At the most basic level, they can convert one USB-C port into multiple USB-C or even USB-A ports, allowing you to connect a bunch of drives, USB memory sticks and peripherals at once. This is where USB-C hubs can be so useful. Where you used to be able to rely on having ample connectivity to hook up a display, mouse, keyboard and some kind of storage, now you’re lucky to get more than a couple of USB-C ports, one of which may double up as the power-in socket. Today’s slimline laptops don’t go big on ports and sockets.