Best Type C Dongles for Mac & PC

Linus Tech Tips
19 Jan 201708:11

TLDRThe video discusses the trend of thinner notebooks leading to reduced onboard IO, necessitating the use of dongles. It reviews various USB hub dongles, comparing their features, build quality, and performance, including USB ports, network connectivity, and HDMI output. The video highlights the ease of use across different platforms and the importance of driverless operation. It concludes with recommendations, emphasizing the Juiced Systems Biz Hub for its comprehensive solution and the Aukey adapters for power efficiency.

Takeaways

  • 📌 The trend of making notebooks thinner is leading to reduced onboard IO options, resulting in an increased reliance on dongles.
  • 🎵 The video features a promotional mention of TunnelBear, a VPN app for private and open internet browsing, with a free trial link provided in the video description.
  • 🔗 The video presents a comparison of various dongles available on Amazon, categorized by price from cheapest to most expensive.
  • 💰 The G-Ting product is highlighted for its affordability, offering three USB ports and a gigabit network connection for $18.
  • 🔌 The Moken USB-C to USB 3 adapter is noted for its four USB ports and a female type-C connector, available at a budget-friendly price of $20.
  • 🖥️ The Aukey VGA and USB hub is recommended for business use, featuring four USB 3 ports and a VGA port for projectors, available at a slightly higher price.
  • 📱 The Qhe Trend adapter is considered a good deal at $28, suitable for those not planning to connect multiple high-power USB devices.
  • 💽 All tested dongles are USB 3, not Thunderbolt 3, meaning limited bandwidth and power delivery, requiring an external power brick for high-power devices.
  • 🏎️ The Lambo and Hutu dongles are identical in functionality, offering additional SD card reader capabilities.
  • 🌟 The Juiced Systems Biz Hub is the chosen dongle for its compact design, full-speed gigabit Ethernet, and SD card reading capabilities, despite being one of the more expensive options.
  • 💡 The video also promotes Freshbooks, an accounting solution redesigned for productivity and organization, offering a 30-day free trial for new users.

Q & A

  • What is the main issue discussed in the video regarding modern notebooks?

    -The main issue discussed is that as notebooks are becoming thinner, they are sacrificing onboard input/output (IO) capabilities, leading to an increased reliance on dongles for connectivity.

  • What does the video suggest about the future of dongles?

    -The video suggests that the future will be dominated by dongles, as it becomes more common for devices to require them for various connectivity needs.

  • Which VPN app is recommended in the video for private browsing and a more open internet?

    -TunnelBear is recommended as a simple VPN app for private browsing and accessing a more open internet.

  • What is the main criteria for the dongle evaluation in the video?

    -The main criteria for the dongle evaluation includes the number of USB ports, the presence of a wired gigabit network connection, and the price.

  • How much does the G-TING product cost?

    -The G-TING product costs 18 dollars.

  • What feature does the Moken USB-C to USB 3 adapter offer for an additional 20 dollars?

    -For an additional 20 dollars, the Moken USB-C to USB 3 adapter offers four USB ports and a female Type-C connection for handling higher draw devices or charging pass-through.

  • What additional feature does the Aukey VGA and USB Hub offer for business use?

    -The Aukey VGA and USB Hub offers four USB 3 ports and adds a VGA connection for boardroom projectors, making it a great option for business use.

  • What is the main limitation of the USB 3 hubs tested in the video?

    -The main limitation of the USB 3 hubs is that they have limited bandwidth and power delivery, which restricts their ability to handle multiple high power devices simultaneously without an external power brick.

  • How did the hubs perform in the USB transfer test using Angel Bird's SSD?

    -Every hub performed nearly identically in the USB transfer test, with a 10 gigabyte test file taking about 30 seconds to transfer from the SSD to the desktop.

  • What was the conclusion about the Juiced Systems Biz Hub after testing?

    -The conclusion was positive about the Juiced Systems Biz Hub. Despite being one of the most expensive, it was appreciated for its compact design, full-speed gigabit Ethernet, and the ability to read SD and microSD cards without additional dongles.

  • How does Freshbooks help with accounting and productivity for freelancers and small businesses?

    -Freshbooks is a redesigned accounting solution that helps freelancers and small businesses be more productive and organized, allowing them to create and send professional invoices quickly, set up online payments easily, and track when clients have seen their invoices.

Outlines

00:00

📱 The Evolution of Dongles and USB Hubs

This paragraph discusses the trend of making notebooks thinner, which often results in reduced onboard I/O capabilities. The speaker acknowledges the increasing reliance on dongles and explores various options available for both Mac and PC users. They introduce a simple VPN app called TunnelBear and provide a link for a free trial in the video description. The speaker then lists various USB hub and dongle options they ordered from Amazon, highlighting features such as multiple USB ports, wired gigabit network connections, and compatibility with high-power devices. The focus is on finding a balance between cost, functionality, and design, with a particular emphasis on the Moken USB-C to USB 3 adapter and the G-Ting product.

05:00

🚀Comparing USB Hubs and Dongles in Detail

The speaker delves deeper into the specifics of the USB hubs and dongles they tested. They cover the commonalities among the devices, such as USB 3 compatibility, build quality, and driverless operation on both PC and Mac. The speaker also addresses the limitations of the devices, including bandwidth and power delivery constraints. The performance of each device is evaluated based on a USB transfer test using an Angel Bird SSD. The speaker notes differences in performance, especially when transferring data between SSDs, and discusses the HDMI output capabilities of the hubs. They also examine the functionality of SD card readers and Ethernet connections, ultimately concluding that the Juiced Systems Biz Hub is their preferred choice due to its compact design and comprehensive features. The speaker also praises the power efficiency of Aukey adapters and awards the G-Ting for its value.

Mindmap

Thinner Notebooks
dongles
Cross-Compatibility
Market Trend
TunnelBear VPN
Contenders for Dongle King
G-Ting Product
Moken USB-C to USB 3 Adapter
Aukey VGA and USB Hub
QHE Trend Adapter
Lambo SD Card Reader
Hutu Dongle
Juiced Systems Biz Hub
Product Review
USB 3 vs. Thunderbolt 3
External Power Brick
Build Quality
Driverless Compatibility
Cable Design
USB Transfer Test
HDMI Output
SD Card Readers
Ethernet Speeds
Technical Specifications and Performance
Freshbooks
Software and Services
Value for Money
Power Efficiency
Comprehensive Solution
Consumer Guidance
Linus Tech Tips
Freshbooks Promotion
Community Engagement
Community and Additional Resources
The Evolution of Notebooks and the Rise of Dongles
Alert

Keywords

💡dongle

A dongle is a small hardware device that expands a computer's capabilities by adding additional ports or functionalities. In the context of the video, dongles are used to add more USB ports, network connections, and other features to laptops that have limited built-in options. The term is central to the video's theme as it discusses various dongle options and their performance.

💡USB 3

USB 3, also known as USB 3.0 or SuperSpeed USB, is a data transfer standard that enables faster communication between computers and electronic devices. It is a key concept in the video as all the reviewed dongles are USB 3, which means they offer a specific bandwidth and power delivery capacity. This affects the performance of the devices when connecting multiple high-power gadgets or transferring large files.

💡performance

Performance in the context of the video refers to the speed and efficiency with which the dongles execute their functions, such as data transfer rates, the ability to power devices, and the reliability of network connections. The video's main theme revolves around evaluating the performance of various dongles to determine their value and utility for users.

💡HDMI

HDMI, or High-Definition Multimedia Interface, is a widely used interface for transmitting video and audio data from one device to another, such as from a computer to a monitor or projector. In the video, HDMI functionality is discussed in relation to certain dongles that offer this feature, making them suitable for business presentations or home entertainment setups.

💡SD card reader

An SD card reader is a device that allows for the transfer of data from an SD (Secure Digital) card to a computer or other compatible device. In the video, the inclusion of SD card readers in some dongles is discussed as an additional feature that enhances their functionality, enabling users to easily transfer data from memory cards to their computers.

💡Ethernet

Ethernet is a standard form of wired networking technology used to connect computers and other devices to the internet or a local network. In the context of the video, Ethernet refers to the wired network connection provided by some dongles, which is important for users seeking a stable and potentially faster internet connection than what Wi-Fi might offer.

💡driverless

Driverless refers to hardware devices that do not require the installation of drivers to function. In the video, the fact that all reviewed dongles are driverless is emphasized as a crucial feature, making them easy to use and convenient, especially for network cards or SD readers that might be used in situations where internet access is not readily available to download drivers.

💡productivity

Productivity refers to the efficiency and effectiveness with which tasks are completed. In the video, the concept of productivity is linked to the use of certain dongles and software, such as Freshbooks, which are designed to streamline work processes and help users get paid more quickly.

💡network connection

A network connection refers to the interface that enables a device to connect to a local area network (LAN) or the internet. In the video, the network connection is a significant aspect of the dongles' functionality, with some providing wired Ethernet connections for more stable and potentially faster data transfer rates.

💡value

Value, in the context of the video, refers to the cost-benefit ratio of the products being reviewed. It takes into account not only the price of the dongle but also its features, performance, and overall usefulness to the user. The video aims to determine which dongle offers the best value for money.

Highlights

The trend of making notebooks thinner is leading to a reduction in onboard IO.

The future of connectivity may rely heavily on dongles.

TunnelBear is a user-friendly VPN app that promotes private browsing and a more open internet.

The G-Ting product offers three USB ports and a wired gigabit network connection at an affordable price.

The Moken USB-C to USB 3 adapter provides four USB ports and a female type-C connection for higher draw devices.

Aukey's VGI and USB hub stands out for business use with its four USB 3 ports and added VGA for projectors.

The QHE Trend adapter offers a good deal with its less expensive option and decent performance.

Lambo's product, available in two brands, provides an SD card reader functionality.

The Hutu unit has solid reviews and is available in a distinctive rose gold color.

All devices have in common lower cost USB 3, not Thunderbolt 3, limiting bandwidth and power delivery.

Each dongle is well-built, with most featuring a metal housing for added durability.

All dongles are driverless for both PC and Mac, which is crucial for network cards and SD readers.

The pre-attached short cable on dongles eliminates a point of failure but adds bulk.

The Juiced Systems Biz Hub is a compact, one-piece solution with full-speed gigabit Ethernet and SD card reading capabilities.

Aukey adapters excel in power efficiency, reliably powering two SSDs without external power.

The G-Ting receives the value award for its compact size, affordability, and essential features.

Freshbooks is a redesigned accounting solution aimed at increasing productivity and simplifying payments.