Why can't I find a USB-C hub with multiple USB-C ports? [closed]
My computer only has one USB-C port and I want to connect multiple USB-C devices to it.
I have trawled through Amazon but am amazed that I cannot find a single one. There are many hubs that have USB 3.1 USB-A ports but not USB-C ones.
Is there a limitation in the spec that prevents this being possible?
Thunderbolt 4
In 2021 Thunderbolt 4 docks are now available, which for the first time allow for USB-C / Thunderbolt true multi-port hubs.
For the first time, Thunderbolt 4 will offer docks with up to four Thunderbolt ports and universal cables up to 2 meters in length. – Intel press release
These hubs also seem to pass through USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode signals, allowing them to be used with non-Thunderbolt devices.
Thunderbolt 4 hubs:
- OWC Thunderbolt Hub
- CalDigit Element Hub
USB-C
Simple one-to-many USB-C hubs with a large number of ports, for some reason, do not really seem to exist.
There are some 2 and 4-port USB-C hubs now available, but none seem to be cheap, simple, or reliable. It's very easy to find 7-port USB-A 3.0 hubs from well-known companies; the same cannot be said for USB-C. There appears to be some kind of spec, chip, or marketing limitation the prevents them from being made.
Some of the same complaints are outlined here, from when zero port-duplicating "hubs" were available:
https://mjtsai.com/blog/2017/10/14/the-impossible-dream-of-usb-c/
None of these USB-C “hubs” actually give you more USB-C ports.
There is supposedly news for 2019/2020 that suggests hub chips may be coming soon:
Update (2018-07-30): Accidental Tech Podcast reports on a rumor that next year Intel will finally ship the chip that’s needed for making a USB-C that adds additional type-C ports.
http://atp.fm/episodes/284 (19:10)
We've heard from an anonymous person that Intel is finally releasing a hub chip for USB-C next year. We may not see products based on it until 2020.
Also search a lot and only found one :
The Belkin 4-Port Mini USB-C Hub with Two USB-C
All four ports support only USB 3.0 speed (5 Gbps = 300 MB/sec effective).
However please note:
The USB-C 4-Port Mini Hub does not support pass-through charging and video output to monitor. This hub is only intended to use with USB-A and USB-C peripherals.
Update:
Found a 2nd one from Sitecom the CN-386:
Turn your USB-C port into 3 ultrafast USB-C ports and 1 USB-C Power Delivery Port
- USB 3.1 Type-C input
- 3 x USB 3.1 Type-C Output (10Gbps data and 7.5W power)
- 1 x USB Type-C Power Delivery (100W power)
- Supports USB SuperSpeed 10Gbps, downwards compatible with USB 3.0 / 2.0
- Supports USB Battery Charging (BC) 1.2 up to 7.5W (5V / 1.5A)