The new DockCase Explorer Edition Smart USB-C 7-in-1 Hub expands connectivity options on your Mac, iPad, iPhone 15, Android, Windows, etc.
It’s a must-have, premium accessory for mobile users and anyone looking to boost their productivity without cluttering their workspace. You’ll love its transparent design revealing the innards and appreciate thoughtful touches such as an integrated display that provides status information about each port.
When it launches, the Explorer Edition hub will retail at $109. You can save money via the early-bird $69 offering on Indiegogo, but you must act fast as the campaign ends on Friday, December 8, and it’s already met its target.
DockCase, an American brand, has a history of successfully launching almost a dozen campaigns via crowdfunding, ensuring no delays. DockCase sent me a free unit to check out, and here are my impressions so far.
So compact it goes everywhere with you
The first thing you’ll notice is how compact and portable this thing is. Designed for the mobile world, it’s just 122 mm wide, 40 mm deep and 15.5 mm tall (or 4.8 inches wide, 1.6 inches deep and 0.6 inches tall). Weighing in at just 91 grams (much lighter than my iPhone 14 Pro Max), this one’s clearly meant to go places.
The second thing you’ll notice is its glossy aluminum enclosure with matte black sides that make heads turn. It’s refreshing seeing a well-designed USB hub, especially with so many rival products being clunky, ugly boxes.
A variety of use cases
When I’m not at my writing station, I blog from wherever I happen to find myself at any given moment, whether it be a coffee shop, a restaurant or my mom’s house. No matter the situation, it’s empowering not having to worry about connecting peripherals to my iPad or MacBook on the go.
When I accompany my friend photographer for an outdoor photoshoot, we can quickly transfer RAW images to my iPad right there and then, either through the hub’s USB port or by using the built-in memory card reader. Today’s creators who do most of their work on the go will especially appreciate this.
Another thing—my 2018 MacBook Pro lacks native HDMI output. But with HDMI on the DockCase, I could hook up my laptop to a TV set and watch 4K movies like a boss. I don’t own a Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch, but if I did, I could even game on a big-screen TV while charging the console.
And folks who prefer working in a dual-display environment can easily connect an external display to one of the USB ports on the hub.
An abundance of ports
Despite its small size, there are seven different ports on this thing. You’ve got three USB-A ports that don’t compromise on speed, each rated at up to 5Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 1). I’ve used them to sync my iPad and transfer RAWs from a friend’s DSLR and ProRes video files I’ve recorded using my iPhone.
The last thing I want in such situations is having to wait forever to offload media files. Having USB ports that don’t sacrifice speed is crucial when transferring media files from external SSDs and other storage devices at full speed.
Speaking of digital cameras, the DockCase Explorer Edition has a dedicated port with a microSD card reader and an SD card reader. Both can function simultaneously, letting you transfer media files from both memory cards at the same time at up to 104 megabytes per second.
The ports:
- 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)
The Dockcase Explorer Edition Smart USB-C 7-in-1 Hub connects to a host device via the included cable that supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 data transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps, the same as the USB-C port on the iPhone 15 Pros.
100W charging with USB Power Delivery
The Dockcase Explorer Edition Smart USB-C 7-in-1 Hub connects to a power source like a USB-C charger or power bank via the USB-C Power Delivery port on the side. And thanks to passthrough charging, Â I can safely fast-charge my Intel-based 15-inch MacBook Pro and simultaneously use all the peripherals connected to the hub without taking up but a single USB-C port on the MacBook.
An integrated display with real-time statuses
With many rival hubs, you often don’t know what’s going on. Is it just me or does my Mac seem to charge slower than usual? What’s the current data transfer rate of my connected USB thumb drive? Is my connected SSD getting enough power from the hub? What’s the current HDMI video resolution and refresh rate?
The integrated 240×240 LCD screen on this hub removes anxiety by displaying real-time status information about each and every port, from the current voltages and amperages to the charging speed, data throughput and beyond. You navigate the interface and switch between functions and statuses with the D-key.
Plug-and-play compatibility
The real utility of USB hubs lies in their versatility. The Explorer Edition hub isn’t just versatile but highly portable, too. Being able to connect devices like monitors, external storage devices, memory cards and DSLRs whilst enjoying fast USB speeds—with no configuration required—is a real blessing.
I’ve encountered zero issues during my one-month hands-on time with the DockCase Explorer Edition. Anything plugged into any of the ports just worked, at full speed. I couldn’t be happier with connectivity. Bye-bye, dongles!
I recommend this device to mobile-first user and just about anyone seeking enhanced connectivity for their computing needs. The Dockcase Explorer Edition Smart USB-C 7-in-1 Hub isn’t just for Apple users; it’s compatible with Windows PCs, Android smartphones and tablets, Linux and Harmony.
My final verdict
Whether you’re a content creator, a road warrior, a gamer, an office worker, or a typical user with average needs, the latest DockCase Explorer Edition will have you covered with all the expansion ports you need in a lightweight package.
The campaign on Indiegogo ends on Friday, December 8. Early bird pricing is set at $69, so it’s a chance to save money as the accessory will retail for $109 when it launches.
You may also want to check out other USB-C hubs from DockCase. Headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, the company also designs, markets, and sells docking stations, external storage enclosures, and other accessories.