When looking for a USB-C HUB you must necessarily choose between the convenience of having many ports and the portability of a small accessory to put in your bag (or pocket): Belkin Mini 4-port USB-C hub definitely leans towards the latter. option, a take away model that is always ready to use.
On the other hand, the Belkin legacy is heavy, an important brand in accessories for Mac and for computers in general, with a widespread distribution network in Italy and an often indisputable quality in all products: today's hub is not pull back in the challenge, even if it must be taken the right way.
Belkin 4-Port USB-C Mini Hub, Review
Must see, even in store
Unlike many other similar products on the market, the Belkin Mini 4-Port USB-C Hub is meticulously detailed right from the box, which shows the HUB in view even without opening it, in addition to the main features.
An advantage for those who look at it in the store and can also evaluate it from the shelf, without fear of buying a product that then does not appear live as in the photo.
Once opened, the HUB immediately shows its minute dimensions, which are 4.6 x 9.5 x 1.4 cm, which makes it probably the smallest USB-C HUB on the market useful for those with small bags for example. for the MacBook or MacBook Pro or for those who keep it in their pocket (59 grams do not even feel).
Calimero
The HUB is made of matte black plastic, with a glossy upper belt where the Belkin logo is present and, in the back, the legal inscriptions.
On one side there is a soft retractable USB-C cable almost as long as the HUB, on the other side there are two USB-A 3.0 and two USB-C ports.
The transfer speed is calibrated up to 5 Gbps and the energy release is up to 900 mAh (shared) for the peripherals to be powered.
The power supply can charge an iPhone or Android smartphone and a mechanical USB drive at the same time, leaving room for even a couple of USB sticks, mice or external keyboards – basically what you need for on-the-fly connections.
This, at least with a MacBook Pro, because we remember it, the USB-C HUB is perfectly manageable even by smartphones and tablets with USB-C (which could however deliver a smaller amount of energy), obviously with Windows PCs and also with Chromebooks.
Convenient, carefully
We tested the Belkin Mini 4-Port USB-C Hub in both the studio, connecting a little to the MacBook Pro a little to the Windows PC, and it held all peripherals smoothly, including USB cameras and speakers while streaming.
However, Belkin Mini 4-port USB-C hub we see it best as an accessory for travelers: a small hub to leave in your bag and take out if necessary to connect a USB stick to the MacBook Pro (which USB-A ports do not has had one for four years now) or to manage a mouse or printer if necessary in locations on the fly.
The HUB does not support pass-through charging, so to power the Mac you need to use a second port (this is why we see the HUB well when the computer is running on battery) and it does not even support the video signal.
This choice, not casual but targeted, is probably given by the intended use: Macs with Thunderbolt port (even fixed ones) who want a proper dock have several choices, such as the excellent Belkin Dock Thunderbolt 3 Pro if we look at home, which offers much higher capacities, at completely proportionate costs (but which requires an external power supply, therefore not portable).
Considerations
Small, light, non-invasive, Belkin Mini 4-port USB-C hub is one of those things to always have in your bag and to use when needed: the foldable cable is always ready and in practice, we can put it in the backpack together with the mouse , for example, or together with the backup Hard Disk.
The cost is slightly higher than the market average, but the Belkin quality is not disputed and in the long run it could make the difference: great for travel solutions, it can become useful in the office if you miss that specific USB-C or USB-A port that the Mac, or the Dock, cannot offer.
There are limits, but if you understand they are not a problem, for an interesting and comfortable product to always have in your pocket.
Pros:
• Small and light • the shape makes it fit everywhere
Cons:
• Does not support pass-through charging • Does not transmit video signal
Price:
• 44.99 Euro
Belkin Mini 4-port USB-C hub is distributed in Italy by Attiva.com, and readers can find it in all Apple Premium Resellers in the peninsula, as well as in the best home appliance and computer stores and on Amazon: more info on the page of the Belkin website .
