HomeTechnologyNewsAn impressive 6-in-1 hub – Review Geek

An impressive 6-in-1 hub – Review Geek

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Ratings:
9/10
?

  • 1 – Absolute Hot Trash
  • 2 – Classify warm garbage
  • 3 – Very flawed design
  • 4 – Some advantages, many disadvantages
  • 5 – Acceptably imperfect
  • 6 – Good enough to buy on sale
  • 7 – Excellent, but not the best in its class
  • 8 – Fantastic, with some footnotes
  • 9 – Shut up and take my money
  • 10 – Absolute Design Nirvana

Price: $150

Mark LoProto / Geek Review

When working on a laptop with few connections, a USB hub can be a lifesaver. Unfortunately, not all hubs offer the speed, power, and ports needed for a wide range of uses. Satechi changes that with the USB-4 Multiport with 2.5G Ethernet, a 6-in-1 device that serves as the answer to many problems.

Satechi is no stranger to multiport adapters. Its line of well-received and functional hubs serve different purposes, and while the USB-4 Multiport with 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet offers fewer connections than the company’s more premium MX adapter, this six-port hub is a mighty little unit. Unfortunately though, you may feel the absence of the SD card reader that is available in most of the other carrier hubs.

This is what we like

  • 2.5G Ethernet provides the fastest network connection for laptops
  • Thunderbolt 3 port dramatically improves file transfer
  • 4K, 60Hz capabilities enhance laptop-to-monitor gaming
  • Supports USB-C pass-through charging

And what we don’t do

  • No SD card slot
  • Only one USB-A port
  • Limited compatibility based on laptop/PC ports
  • Plastic feels a bit cheap

Review Geek’s expert reviewers get right down to business with every product we review. We put each piece of hardware through hours of real-world testing and benchmark it in our lab. We never accept payments to endorse or review a product and we never add other people’s reviews. Read more >>

High speed file transfers

  • Dimensions: 4.88 x 2.2 x 0.67 inches (12.4 x 5.6 x 1.7 cm)
  • Weight: 2.39oz (67.8g)
  • Cable length: 7.6 inches (19.3cm)
  • Speed:
    • HDMI 2.1: Up to 8K/60Hz
    • USB-A 3.2: Up to 10Gbps
    • USB-C 3.2: Up to 10 Gbps and 100 W PD
    • ethernet: 2.5G

Satechi boasts file transfers of up to 10 Gbps, and for the most part, the center promises to hit that mark. I tested a USB-A flash drive with the USB4 hub plugged into an iMac Thunderbolt port against the same drive plugged into the SuperSpeed ​​USB port of my 2020 Lenovo laptop. Considering Satechi’s claim, I wasn’t too surprised. the drive attached to the iMac could transfer the same 1.5 GB file in almost half the time.

When I increased the file size to 5 GB, I noticed that the drive attached to my Lenovo stopped on several occasions. The flash drive connected to the Satechi hub exhibited a smooth transfer with no slowdown. If you are in a field that requires constant file transfer, such as photography, the USB4 hub will certainly prove to be a vital asset.

Unfortunately, the USB4 multiport adapter is limited in how you can transfer files. The six-in-one hub features two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, but it doesn’t include an SD card slot. Considering that other Satechi adapters include SD card support, it’s a surprise that this little powerhouse doesn’t. However, as long as you don’t desperately need an SD slot, it’s easy to overlook.

8K HDMI may be overkill

Resolution absolutely matters when it comes to video, but we haven’t reached an age where 8K is a household standard. The fact that the USB4 Multiport supports HDMI 8K at a 60Hz refresh rate is impressive, but I can’t imagine many getting much use out of the higher resolution. Part of the problem is that Mac devices only support up to 4K, and this hub is built with Apple products in mind.

That the device can output 8K is certainly not a detriment, it just feels unnecessary. The 4K resolution, however, is as sharp as you’d expect. On both devices I tested the adapter on, I was only able to see 4K in action, and I wasn’t disappointed. 120Hz support would have been great, but 60Hz is a good standard for games and movies.

While testing the HDMI, I realized that the USB4 hub support is limited. My first test was running the HDMI from my 27″ NZXT gaming monitor on my 2019 desktop PC. Unfortunately, the USB-C port on my desktop computer did not support the DisplayPort function and could not read the HDMI connected to the adapter. This isn’t really a problem with Satechi, but it does highlight the limitation of who can use it. Apple MacBook owners need not worry.

Ethernet is always faster than WiFi

Perhaps one of the best features of the adapter is the 2.5G ethernet port. It’s rare for a laptop to have an Ethernet port, especially one as slim as my Lenovo or a MacBook, so it’s invaluable if you need a direct connection to your computer. For a thorough test, I plugged the adapter into my Lenovo and plugged it into my router.

Over Wi-Fi, I was getting around 200-220 Mbps on a plan that should max out around 300 Mbps. Connected via the Satechi multiport adapter, I averaged 280-290 Mbps. I really wish I had a faster plan to really see what the 2.5G ethernet port could do. However, its compatibility with 10, 100 and 1000 Mbps connections will provide you with the necessary speeds if you are working with a slower connection.

Should I buy the Satechi USB4 Multiport Adapter?

Setachi USB-4 Multiport that charges Lenovo laptop via USB-C pass-through charging.
Mark LoProto / Instruction Geek

Whether or not you need the Satechi USB4 Multiport Adapter with 2.5G Ethernet, it all depends on what you’re working with. If your laptop has few USB-C or USB-A ports, or if you need a high-speed wired connection, then yes, Satechi’s hub will serve you well. Want to filter latency-free 4K 60Hz gaming from your laptop to a monitor? So this is absolutely the way to go. And there’s no need to worry about losing that USB-C charging port, since one of the ports on the hub offers pass-through charging.

I could only find one glaring problem with the hub, and that is the lack of an SD card slot. Being so cognizant of seamless file transfers and not including what is still a relatively common means of storing data seems like a glaring omission. It might not be a problem depending on the laptop you’re using, as many come with a built-in SD slot, but it would have been a nice addition to the USB4.

From the improved connection speeds when wired to the 2.5G ethernet port to the stutter-free transfer speeds with the Thunderbolt port, I loved Satechi’s multiport adapter. There’s definitely a specific audience for its many uses, and if you’re someone who needs extra connectivity, you’ll surely be pleased with how it works.

This is what we like

  • 2.5G Ethernet provides the fastest network connection for laptops
  • Thunderbolt 3 port dramatically improves file transfer
  • 4K, 60Hz capabilities enhance laptop-to-monitor gaming
  • Supports USB-C pass-through charging

And what we don’t do

  • No SD card slot
  • Only one USB-A port
  • Limited compatibility based on laptop/PC ports
  • Plastic feels a bit cheap

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