Comparison BASEUS Multifunctional Working Station Four-Screen vs Satechi Aluminum Type-C Multimedia Adapter

Number of USB Type C ports for connecting peripheral devices provided in the hub design (or a card reader with hub functionality — see "Type"). The port itself is small — only slightly larger than microUSB — with a reversible design that allows the plug to be inserted in either direction. This is why it has gained respect and is actively replacing the classic USB port. Despite its small size, USB Type C is used in both portable devices and desktop PCs and their peripherals. However, few such devices have been released so far; as a result, hubs typically include 1 USB C port or 2 type C inputs. The USB connector interface (version) primarily determines speed. — 2.0. The outdated 2.0 version provides data transfer speeds up to 480 Mbps. Found only in USB A ports. — 3.2 gen1. Previously named standards 3.1 gen1 and 3.0. This version ensures a tenfold increase in maximum speed (4.8 Gbps) and higher power capacity, allowing for the connection of energy-intensive devices and extensive splitters. — 3.2 gen2. A further improvement of the 3.2 gen1 standard (and typically, with several renamings from the previous 3.1 gen1 and simply 3.1), achieving a maximum speed of 10 Gbps and even higher power capacity for external devices. However, the final speed depends not so much on the input port as on the USB version of the hub (card reader) connection to the PC.

The technology allows you to work at higher voltage, thereby increasing the transmitted power. USB hubs with Power Dlivery can not only charge smartphones faster, but also power more power-hungry devices, such as laptops.

HDMI is the most popular of today's multimedia digital interfaces. It is specifically designed for HD content and delivers high-definition video and multi-channel audio over a single cable. HDMI outputs are found mainly in hubs connected via USB Type C and compatible with the Thunderbolt interface (see "Connection"). Actually, to use HDMI, you will need to connect the device to the Thunderbolt v3 connector — "pure" USB Type C does not provide video transmission. This feature can be useful if the external screen is designed for HDMI connection, but there are no such connectors in the PC or laptop itself, they are busy or unavailable for another reason. At the same time, HDMI can be a different version, which affects the throughput. So to transfer video in 4K at 60 fps, you must have HDMI v 2.0 or 2.1.

The presence of a classic 3.5 mm Aux line port for audio transmission allows you to connect headphones or a speaker to the device.

External USB devices require power to work, which is supplied to them through the same USB port. However, the power of such power supply is relatively low (especially in version 2.0 ports, see "Connection"), and if several external devices are connected to one port of the computer through a hub, a situation may arise when the power is not enough for their operation. Connecting an external power supply to the hub allows you to avoid such situations: the hub receives additional power from the network and supplies power of the appropriate power to each of its inputs.

Another option for using devices with this function is charging portable equipment via USB: some models can work as stand-alone chargers that do not require connection to a computer.

The ability to disconnect the cable from the device through which it is connected to the USB port of the computer (see "Connection"). This gives a certain convenience during transportation — a removable cable is somewhat easier to lay than a non-removable cable, you can carry it separately, etc. In addition, it becomes possible to replace the cable — for example, if the regular cable is not long enough, or if it is damaged.