Usb 3.0 Hubs For Mac

Posted : admin On 11/26/2019
Usb 3.0 Hubs For Mac Average ratng: 3,5/5 6255 votes

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What is USB?

USB is an industry standard for connecting computers and other devices. Many Mac computers have USB-A ports (sometimes referred to as USB 3 ports), which look like this:

USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 Gen 1 can transfer data up to 5 Gbps, and USB 3.1 Gen 2 can transfer data up to 10 Gbps.

What is USB-C?

USB-C describes the shape and style of a port on your computer and the connectors that you can plug into the port. USB-C ports look like this:

Several different data transfer standards, like USB 3 and Thunderbolt 3, can flow through a USB-C port and connector. You can also connect your computer's AC power adapter to a USB-C port with a compatible USB-C charging cable.

USB-C ports are reversible, so you don't have to worry about which side of the connector is up when you plug it in.

These Mac computers have Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports that support USB 3.1 Gen 2 and Thunderbolt 3:

  • iMac Pro (2017)
  • iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017)
  • iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017)
  • iMac (21.5-inch, 2017)
  • MacBook Pro (2016 and later)

These Mac notebooks have USB-C ports that support USB 3.1 Gen 1:

  • MacBook (2015 and later)

You can use your USB 3 devices with the above Mac models using an appropriate adapter.

What version of USB does my Mac support?

You can use System Information or System Profiler to see what type of USB ports your Mac has, how fast these ports are, and what's currently connected to them. Learn more about identifying USB ports on your Mac.

What transfer rates does USB offer?

USB 3.1 Gen 2 can transfer data up to 10 Gbps. Newer Mac models with Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports support these speeds.

Speeds of previous USB versions:

Best Powered Usb 3.0 Hub For Mac

  • USB 3 and USB 3.1 Gen 1 can transfer data up to 5 Gbps.
  • USB 2 can transfer data up to 480 Mbps.
  • USB 1.1 can transfer data up to 12 Mbps.

Does USB 3 offer more power than USB 2?

Mac

USB 3 devices can use up to 900mA of power (compared to 500mA used by USB 2 devices). You'll need to use a USB 3 cable to use the 900mA of power available. USB 2 cables don't support 900mA.

Why don't I see blue inserts on the USB ports of my Mac?

Some manufacturers use a blue insert to designate a USB 3 port or device. All USB ports on Mac computers that support USB 3 are USB 3 capable and don't have blue inserts.

What USB 3 devices are supported?

All devices that conform to what is commonly referred to as the '2008 version 1 USB 3.0 specification' are supported.

Are USB 3 hubs supported?

Hubs that conform to what is commonly referred to as the '2008 version 1 USB 3.0 specification' are supported.

How do I get the best performance from the USB 3 ports?

The first device you plug in will configure the port, so always connect USB 3-capable hubs or devices first.

However, there are, at the time of writing, five apps, all available from the Mac App Store, which allow you to open and view data in Access database tables. Access 2016 for mac. Opens MDB and ACCDB files (2007 only, not 2010/2013). Up until recently, there was no way to open a Microsoft Access database directly on a Mac. Below is a summary of the apps.MDB Tool.

What happens if I plug in a USB 2 device into the USB 3 port first?

If you plug in a USB 2 hub first, all devices connected or 'daisy-chained' to that hub will operate up to the maximum transfer rate of USB 2 speed (480 Mbps).

What happens if I plug my USB 3 device into a USB 2 port?

Your device should be backwards-compatible with USB 2 ports. However, you won't get USB 3 speed and power may be limited to 500mA.

Is USB 3 supported in Windows 7 and 8 using Boot Camp?

Yes. USB 3 is supported natively in Windows 8. See Boot Camp: Frequently asked questions about installing Windows 8 for more information.
To implement USB 3 support on Windows 7 using Boot Camp, download and install the Windows Support Software (drivers). See Boot Camp: Installing Windows 7 Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Are there differences between USB 3 cables and other USB cables?

Yes. USB 3 cables:

  • Use more wires than other USB cables. This makes USB 3 cables a bit thicker than other USB cables.
  • Usually have a blue insert.
  • Have an 'SS' symbol on the connector that plugs into the computer.
  • Use a different connector on the device end than USB 2 cables.
  • Can deliver more power to an attached device (900mA).

Can I use a USB 2 cable to connect a USB 3 device to my computer?

If the device end of the cable fits into the connector on the device, yes. However, because it has fewer wires, you won't get USB 3 speed and power may be limited to 500 mA.

How can I determine if my device is connected as a USB 3 device?

Use the System Information utility:

  1. From the Apple () menu, choose About This Mac.
  2. Click System Report.
  3. Under the Hardware heading on the left side of the System Information window, click USB.

USB 3 devices appear under USB 3.0 Bus, and USB 2 devices appear under USB 2.0 Bus. Click the device names to learn more about each one.

Why do my USB 3 devices seem to only work at USB 2 speed when I use virtualization software on my Mac?

Some virtualization software doesn't yet support USB 3. Contact the manufacturer of your virtualization software for more information.

Why don't some USB 3 devices activate or appear on the USB 3 bus?

Try these tips if a USB 3 device doesn't activate or appear on the USB 3 bus:

  • Be sure you've installed the latest software updates available for your computer. To check, choose App Store from the Apple menu and see if any updates are available.
  • Sometimes unplugging and plugging the device back in can resolve the issue.
  • Try plugging the device into another USB port on the computer.
  • Check to see if a firmware update is available for your device from the manufacturer.
  • If the device came with an AC adapter, use it.
  • Restart your computer.
  • Try a different USB 3 cable.
  • Try a different USB 3 hub.

Why do I have difficulty with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth devices when USB 3 devices are attached to my computer?

Some USB 3 devices can generate radio frequency interference that can cause Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices operating in the 2.4GHz band to have issues communicating with your computer. Here are some tips to avoid this issue:

  • If your USB device has a cable long enough that you can move the device, place it away from your Mac—and make sure not to place it behind your Mac, or near the hinge of its display. The antennas for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are located there, and USB 3 devices placed there might interfere with your wireless connections.
  • If you're using adapters or dongles on a Mac computer with Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, plug them into the front port on the left side of your Mac, or into the ports on the right side (if your computer has them). These ports are the farthest away from the antennas, making interference less likely.
  • To avoid interference on the 2.4GHz band using Wi-Fi, try using the 5GHz band instead. You can change this on your wireless base station. Bluetooth always uses 2.4GHz, so this alternative isn't available for Bluetooth.

MacBook Air Q&A

Update Published August 12, 2019

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What is the best USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 hub to use with the MacBook Air while traveling?

As many MacBook Air users certainly have noticed -- based on e-mail received -- there are definitely times when the single built-in USB 2.0 port on models released prior to the 'Late 2010' line is inadequate. Even for subsequent MacBook Air models, which have two USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 ports, there still are times when additional ports are desirable.

For MacBook Air notebooks released prior to the 'Late 2010' models, there is the option of serious hacking, but the realistic way to add more USB ports to any MacBook Air is to use a USB 2.0 hub or a USB 3.0 hub.

Identification Help

As some MacBook Air models have USB 2.0 ports and others have USB 3.0 ports, it is important to identify your MacBook Air correctly before buying a USB hub. A USB 2.0 hub still will work with a USB 3.0-equipped MacBook Air, but it will be slower.

MacBook Air models released prior to the 'Late 2010' series are easy to collectively identify by the single USB 2.0 port and no further identification information is needed.

However, for the 'Late 2010' and 'Mid-2011' MacBook Air -- which have USB 2.0 ports -- and the 'Mid-2012,' 'Mid-2013' and 'Early 2014' MacBook Air -- which have faster USB 3.0 ports -- the simplest way to collectively identify these models is externally by Model Number, which is listed in tiny type on the bottom of the notebook toward the hinge.

Specifically, the 'Late 2010' and 'Mid-2011' lines share model numbers A1369 and A1370 (USB 2.0) whereas the 'Mid-2012' and subsequent lines share model numbers A1465 and A1466 (USB 3.0).

These MacBook Air models also can be collectively identified by Model Identifier in software:

Series11-Inch13-InchUSB
Late 2010MacBookAir3,1MacBookAir3,22.0
Mid-2011MacBookAir4,1MacBookAir4,22.0
Mid-2012MacBookAir5,1MacBookAir5,23.0
Mid-2013MacBookAir6,1MacBookAir6,23.0
Early 2014MacBookAir6,1MacBookAir6,23.0
Early 2015MacBookAir7,1MacBookAir7,23.0
Mid-2017N/AMacBookAir7,23.0


Finally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature -- as well as the EveryMac app -- additionally can uniquely identify these MacBook Air models by their serial numbers.

More information about specific identifiers is provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.

Best Mac Compatible USB 2.0 Hubs

'Best' is a subjective term, but it seems logical that one if views size and weight as a priority (and those who buy a MacBook Air typically do), one also would want a USB hub that is as small and lightweight as possible.

It also is worth noting that the MacBook Air optical drive still must be plugged directly into the MacBook Air and is not to be used with USB hubs.

Nevertheless, for all the other USB devices you might like to plug into a MacBook Air -- an iPhone, iPad, or iPod, a mouse, printers, scanners, cameras, and so on -- there are a variety of small USB 2.0 hubs designed for travel.

Four of particular interest include the Belkin Swivel Hub, IOGear MicroHub, Gear Head Integrated Hub, and StarTech Mini Hub.


Photo Credit (clockwise from top left): Belkin, IOGear, Gear Head, StarTech.

Please note that the above images are not precisely to scale, but the USB connectors can be used for an idea of relative size.

The Belkin Swivel Hub and IOGear MicroHub are difficult to find these days, but the Gear Head Integrated Hub and StarTech Mini Hub -- are available readily and inexpensive.

The convenient Belkin Swivel Hub design provides four USB 2.0 ports and rotates 180-degrees -- up, down, left, and right -- to make accessing ports easier in tight spaces. In hands on use, EveryMac.com became quite fond of this hub.

The other three are quite similar in design, and all have four USB 2.0 ports, but the Gear Head and IOGear products both have a USB cable that conveniently 'tucks away' within the device to protect the connector from damage in transit, whereas the StarTech option does not.

Best Mac Compatible USB 3.0 Hubs

There also are a variety of small USB 3.0 hubs that are compatible with MacBook Air models with USB 3.0 ports.

Four small USB 3.0 hubs of potential interest include two port and four port options from StarTech as well as four port options from IOGear and Sabrent.

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Photo Credit: StarTech (Top), IOGear (Bottom Left), Sabrent (Bottom Right)

Note that the options from StarTech and IOGear have a built-in cable, which is convenient but potentially subject to damage whereas the Sabrent option includes an external cable.

Usb 3.0 Hub For Mac Pro

You might also be interested in the Macally 3-Port USB 3.0 Hub with Gigabit Ethernet Adapter -- which as the name makes clear -- helpfully combines three USB 3.0 ports and a Gigabit Ethernet adapter in the same compact design.


Photo Credit: Macally (USB 3.0 Hub with Gigabit Ethernet Adapter)

Please note that USB 3.0 hubs essentially require OS X 10.8 'Mountain Lion' or later versions of OS X (and have been reported to be flaky running OS X 10.7 'Lion', although they are formally supported by this version of OS X, too).

USB Hub Performance Tips & Summary

No matter which USB hub you buy, for maximum performance, be sure to plug the hub itself into your Mac before connecting any peripherals. Then, plug in the fastest USB device before connecting any slower ones.

In other words, if you are using one of the above USB 3.0 hubs, and you have an external hard drive that uses USB 3.0 and a printer that uses USB 2.0 -- (1) plug the hub into your Mac, (2) connect the external hard drive into the hub, and (3) plug the printer into the hub. The first peripheral you connect will determine whether the hub operates at its maximum speed or a slower one.

All of these USB hubs can be used with other Macs as well, not just the MacBook Air, and it is hoped, add as little weight as possible to your already overburdened carry-on bag.

In the US, site sponsor Other World Computing sells many of the USB hubs mentioned above as well as others. OWC sells the Macally 3-Port USB 3.0 Hub with Gigabit Ethernet Adapter, too.

In Australia, site sponsor Macfixit sells many of the USB hubs mentioned above, as well.


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