The new USB-C hub from Dockcase connects your computer to legacy USB-A devices and memory cards while outputing video via HDMI, all in one package.
Housed in a glossy aluminum enclosure with matte black sides, this little thing is durable yet lightweight and very compact—it measures 122 mm wide, 40 mm deep and 15.5 mm tall, weighing just 91 grams.
The new accessohy is certainly much more compact and lighter than my 240-gram iPhone 14 Pro Max. It’ll hit Indiegogo later this month, and we’ll keep you posted.
You’ll immediately notice its distinct looks dominiated by a transparent design revealing the innards, with a handy built-in 240×240 LCD screen displaying status information like the internal temperature, per-port voltage, etc. You can navigate the interface and switch between functions and statuses with the D-key.
7 ports via one cable
Here are all the input and output ports you get on the back, front and sides, allowing you to connect a vast array of screens, controllers and accessories to this hub:
- 3x USB-A (USB 3.2 Gen 1 speeds up to 5Gbps)
- 1x HDMI (4K at 60 Hz)
- 1x SD and TF memory cards (UHS-I speeds up to 104 MB/sec
- 1x USB-C Power In 100W (20V and 5A)
- 1x USB-C Power Out (USB Power Delivery)
So one cable, seven expansion ports. The Dockcase USB-C hub 7-in-1 Explorer Edition supports Intel-based Macs and all Apple silicon models, plus other platforms that support USB-C connectivity, including iOS (17 and later), iPadOS (12.4 or later), macOS (10.14.5 or later), Windows (7/8.1/10/11), Android, Linux, Harmony, and so on.
Dockcase is an American brand that makes USB-C hubs, docking stations and external storage enclosures. Headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, Dockcase has successfully launched almost a dozen campaigns on crowdfunding platforms.
A versatile USB-C hub with a transparent body
The three USB-A ports transfer data at up to 5Gbps each. By comparison, the iPhone 15 Pros’ USB-C port supports faster USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds up to 10Gbps. You can connect legacy devices to these ports like thumb drives, Lightning-based iPhones, devices with weird power requirements such as the Switch, etc.
In terms of importing digital photographs and videos, Dockcase has you covered with SD and TF slots. The hub can read two memory cards simultaneously, up to two terabytes in size at up to 104 megabytes per second.
There’s also an HDMI port for outputting video to TV sets. If your Mac doesn’t have native HDMI output, you can connect it to an external monitor via the hub to enjoy 4K movies at up to 60 Hz. HDMUI expansion is especially beneficial for enjoying Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck gameplay on a big-screen TV.
On the power front, the Dockcase Explorer Edition Smart USB-C Hub 7-in-1 supports passthrough charging: It connects to a power source via the USB-C interface and then sends up to 100 watts of power to your computer via another USB-C port.
The accessory supports the USB Power Delivery protocol and ships with a replaceable cable that you’ll use to connect it to a computer with support for the USB 3.2 Gen 2 data transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps, the same as the iPhone 15 Pros.
Pricing and availability
When it arrives, the new Dockcase Explorer Edition Smart USB-C Hub 7-in-1 will be priced at $100. The project will launch on the Indiegogo platform soon, and there will be sepcial early-bird offerings with lower prices for early adopters.
For further information, visit the Dockcase website.