Anker USB C Hub for MacBook, PowerExpand Direct 7-in-2
Anker USB C Hub for MacBook, PowerExpand Direct 7-in-2 Adapter Compatible with USB C Multi-Function Port, 100W Power Delivery, 4K HDMI, USB C and 2 USB A Data Ports, SD and microSD Card Reade
From the brand
| Weight: | 31.8 g |
| Dimensions: | 12 x 2.9 x 1 cm; 31.75 Grams |
| Brand: | Anker |
| Model: | A83710A1 |
| Colour: | Gray |
| Batteries Included: | No |
| Manufacture: | Anker |
| Dimensions: | 12 x 2.9 x 1 cm; 31.75 Grams |
This is very useful for my MacBook Pro as it doesn’t have any connections other than the 4 thunderbolts, multiple connectivity and a good size mostly use it for two monitors for work and quality feels great!
Ideal for connecting external devices that don’t have cloud access like cameras, external SSD drives, monitors etc
Brought this to replace a cheaper one that had a single usb c cable I’d brought that didn’t last even a month. This sits nice and flush and allows me to charge while also connecting other devices and my HDMI for my monitor. It’s a must have for hybrid working. Light and really well built. God send
I wouldn’t expect anything less from Anker. Always good quality kit that just works…
I got a new MacBook Air from work and discovered I could no longer plug in my beloved ergonomic mouse or curved screen! Works perfectly and not much else to say! Mouse connects and so does the monitor! Charges perfectly through the device too! Bargain at 29 on sale and from a trusted brand like Anker as well! Love that it matches bthe colour of the MacBook too! Still space to plug in other stuff which is good.
Purchased this to use with my countless amounts of music peripherals with my new MacBook Air 2022. Worked perfectly out of the box and came with a decent quality carry bag. Does not fit if there is a protective case on the bottom of the MacBook and is prone to unplugging itself if there is not enough slack on the cables when plugged into it. Despite these minor flaws, it is the perfect product for its price range and I highly recommend.
I have it for a few months now. No issues so far. Seems reliable.
Great adapter, sleek design. Comes with a nice sleeve. Goo value for money.
It can seem a little loose but used on a desk it’s fine. DoNOT pick up laptop holding this attachment as it could snap but it’s a great item.
Pound for pound this minidock works extremely well in connecting my MacBook Pro to all my peripherals with a single (dual USB C) connection. Hard to fault for the price point.
Well made and all round great product however if you have a shell or cover on your Mac, it doesn’t sit flush with the side. It also covers the Magsafe port.
Worries we’ll but in my middle
Of Mac when you plug it in it covers up the magnetic power port- and there isn’t the same one on the hub. Not the end of the world as you can use a USBC charger through the hub if you have that kind of charger- just annoying
Greatly expands my MacBook’s I/O in a single elegant package. My only concern is that it’ll be quite easy to snap the USB-C connections if you were to accidentally knock it in the wrong way, but if you take care of your equipment that shouldn’t happen.
I like this product and it works well, but I feel that it might break off my Mac if I’m not careful. It is only secured by the two USB-C slots at the top, the bottom end is very much prone to wiggling and bending.
Following my review below Anker contacted me directly to help with the issue. They provided a range of options and at no point did they sound like they were trying to get me to change my review, which was refreshing. Their customer service is outstanding and all that I really needed to do was upgrade the HDMI cable to a better one. But Anker were ready to send me a replacement without any fuss or even sending the other one back.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
I was hoping that this would allow me to expand the connectivity of my Macbook Air M1. And it does but with significant compromise. Maybe I’ve been using DisplayPort too long, but switching to the HDMI connection on my Benq monitor led to a significant drop in quality of the picture and a visible flicker. That could just be the difference between HDMI and Display Port, or it could the Anker HDMI connector isn’t that great. So I thought I would have to use the USB-C connector on the Anker, but it doesn’t support the Display port connection at all. So I either sacrifice the image quality or the connectivity. I will probably keep the Anker for the SD card ports, but that’s not why I bought it.
It works as expected however it would be great if they can add RJ45 connections as well. I know they have one which has that connectivity but that is very expensive.
This product is great, (does what it says) and I would give it 5/5 however I can’t use it with the bottom/base piece of my laptop cover (on my macbook air), and so I either have to continually take the cover on/off or leave it off which means it is more susceptible to being scratched as I travel quite often.
If you don’t have a laptop cover/case then this product will suit your needs
I like products that do what they say on the tin
This device in use performs its functions adequately
Can I be in awe of something that performs correctly? No, but so far it works as designed and that is good
Everything works as it should, but it feels like it should be plugged in all the time. Which is fine if your Macbook never leaves your desk. While attached , it does not look pretty. Quite a minor grouch really, but a Macbook just looks sleek with nothing attached to it and doesn’t otherwise, so maybe not the fault of the hub? As a hub I can’t fault it in any way and would thoroughly recommend it.
I used this for the first time last night and it was excellent. The only downer with my MacBook Pro is the connectivity by cable and this dealt with that perfectly. Of course, I shouldn’t have to buy something like this other than because Apple are such plonkas about connections, but I love this. The only thing I wonder is how robust the USB3 connections might be in time, but I will simply have to be careful.
I take this with me wherever I go now. I love macbooks, but their downfall has always been their peripheral connectivity (part of the trade-off). Anyway, this fits well, is easy to use, has power passthrough, allows me to plug in my main monitor, but has also proved useful to bring with me on the go (streaming sites on the hotel TV? just pack this and a HDMI cable, you’re sorted).
I also hook mine up to a KVM, which again proves really useful for my home office setup. Highly recommend.
Update: 9 months in, this device has stopped working as well as it used to. One of the USB-A ports has intermittent connection issues, meaning with just a very small touch everything that is connected via that port disconnects and reconnects. As this connects to a KVM for me, it’s particularly annoying as the keyboard, mouse, headset and webcam all turn off and attempt to reconnect, messing with my device settings.
Anker are sending me a replacement device, but good customer service doesn’t really make up for a device lacking in longevity.
In terms of transfer rate this seems to work perfectly not making any impact on the rates experienced without it. It looks good plugged into the Macbook though everytime I read the boldly-printed “ANKER” I can’t but hear a “W” before it. The only flaw is that it comes unattached very easily. If you move the laptop or cable or remove an SD card it is easy to lose connection with the devices attached. Maybe this is an unsolveable design issue and it’s not a huge problem. Quite expensive for what it is but better value than if it were Apple.
I need my mac to connect to a monitor, which also means you need a power cable attached. Therefore on this setup, there are no more available ports to connect anything to.
My Apple Keyboard can connect via blue tooth, but if you have a non apple keyboard there won’t be an extra USB port on the new mac to connect this to.
I prefer to use a bluetooth mouse rather than the Apple Mouse (the apple mouse isn’t as responsive) so I really needed another USB port for the bluetooth dongle for the mouse.
This device by Anker solves all my problems
I can plug the USB for the bluetooth mouse in to it, I can keep the mac on charge and I can also have the mac connected to the monitor via HDMI to HDMI, and have free spaces to connect more stuff.
My only complaint is that this device doesn’t allow USB C to HDMI. By this I mean, when I connected my USB C to HDMI cable, my monitor would not register that there was a device projecting to it. However, the Anker device does have a HDMI to HDMI port and I was able to connect my mac to the monitor using this method.
I saw a review that said this didn’t fit well or rattled, for me that isn’t the case at all, it’s flush and feels and looks like it was part of the mac accessory kit.
On the photo I’ve uploaded, i still have an available USB c slot, USB slot and micro SD stuff too.
The device does get warm when used, I’ve only had it for a day so I will monitor this and report any issues.
Based on how warm it’s getting during the day, I will probably disconnect it entirely from the mac at night time as I don’t want any overheating issues.
Overall – great purchase.
Does what it says on the tin, however for my use case it actually restricted some of my functionality sadly.
I often work with my Macbook plugged into another monitor via USB-C and the mains so that I can close the laptop lid and work on my main screen because I have limited space having the lid open gets in the way of my vision of the monitor sadly.
This isn’t a problem using the two USB-C ports on the device itself plugging the charger into one and the monitor into another however you can’t do this with the hub as it’s either PD-through or Monitor out, I can use the HDMI output to connect it but then I’m down to 4k30Hz rather than 4k60, it’s not a dealbreaker but it is a quirk to be aware of if you have a similar use case to mine most of the time.
I decided to buy the Anker adapter because it wasn’t connected via a loose cable (but instead fits into both ports and blends in with the MacBook) and I have always found Anker to be a reliable brand. So far I have had no problems and I use it 8 hours a day when I’m working.
My only minor issue (and this is incredibly minor, but may be bigger for some) is that it has no Ethernet port. But that’s not important as it’s extremely rare I use one.