This 8K Hub from Satechi is the ideal travel companion for MacBook Pros

The latest Apple MacBook Pro laptops are so incredibly powerful that they can easily wipe the floor with the powerful Mac Pro desktop systems of just a few years ago. It’s all thanks to the use of second-generation Apple silicon in the form of the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips that make these laptops fly. The laptop size means these workstations can be taken just about anywhere and gobble up processor-intensive tasks like 4K video editing.

So, once you have your shiny new MacBook Pro, what’s the best accessory to take it with you on the go for a lifetime. There are many products on the market, but this nifty hub from Satechi seems like the ideal travel companion for Apple’s latest laptops, although it works great with non-Apple gear.

The Satechi USB4 Multiport Adapter With 8K HDMI is smaller than a smartphone and about as thick as a thin paperback book. It’s the ultimate tool to maximize the efficiency of your workspace and is small enough to fit in a pocket.

This small device has three USB ports for fast data transfer. The ports are USB-A style and two can carry data at speeds of up to 10 Gbps, while a third port has USB 2.0 speeds for peripherals such as mice or keyboards. There are also two slots for MicroSD and SD cards, a Gigabit Ethernet port, audio, 8K HDMI, plus a 100W USB-C PD charging port for feeding power to the host device. The hub itself requires 15W of power from the host.

The USB-4 Multiport Adapter has a compact and robust design with a ribbed surface for efficient heat dissipation. The ultra-high resolution 8K HDMI 30Hz output. It requires a direct HDMI connection and when used with macOS the resolution is limited to 4K at 60Hz.

Like all hubs, the Satechi USB4 Multiport Adapter With 8K HDMI is a plug-and-play device. Connect it to the host computer using the hub’s wired USB-C cable, then connect the device’s power supply to the PD USB port and you’re good to go. The hub can also be used without connecting to a power adapter and draws 15W.

This little gadget has everything you need to extend the connectivity of a laptop and it all works perfectly. The support for 4K HDMI on macOS is a limitation, but PC users with a compatible graphics card that supports 8K can take advantage of the higher resolution.

verdict: The Satechi USB4 Multiport Adapter With 8K HDMI is quite pricey, but it does a lot and is probably the only tool you need for life on the go. It has all the extra ports you need and means you can use both two external monitors and the laptop’s screen. It is not capable of Thunderbolt speeds, but can work with those devices at the lower transfer rate of 10 Gbps. If you have an Apple MacBook Pro, the new Satechi USB4Multiport Adapter with 8K HDMI is worth a look, especially if you use multiple monitors.

Prices & Availability: The Satechi USB4 Multiport Adapter With 8K HDMI is available now and costs $149.99.

More information: www.satechi.net

Technical specifications:

• Compatibility: MacBook Air/Pro 13-inch M1, 2021 MacBook Pro 14-inch, 16-inch (M1 Pro & Max), 2020/2019/2018/2017/2016 MacBook Pro, 2020/2018 MacBook Air, 2020/2018 iPad Pro, Mac mini M1, iMac M1, 2019/2017 iMac, iMac Pro, 2015/2016/2017 MacBook, Microsoft Surface Laptop 3/Surface Pro 7/Go, Google PixelBook Go, ChromeBook, Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro S, HP Specter Convertible , Razer Blade, Huawei Matebook and more USB-C devices.
• Connector type: USB-C
• Video: 8K 30Hz HDMI output
• Power USB-C PD charging up to 100W (15W used for use)
• Ethernet: Gigabit
• Ports: 2 x USB-A 3.2 data ports – up to 10 Gbps, 1 x USB-A 2.0 port for peripherals
• Card Readers: Micro/SD
• Audio: 3.5mm jack