(Part 2) Best products from r/UsbCHardware

TL;DR
I found a newer model Kensington dock after writing the post, so consider if/when reading

• Great dock, has refresh rate limitations.
  
• Works great with 2016 MBP W/TB3, whether booting from MacOS or Windows.
  
• If anything use this as a guide for things to consider while shopping for a dock.
  
• just cuz... THUNDERBOLT/TYPE-C CABLES MATTER! THEY MATTER SO MUCH!
  
  
  
  I use the Kensington SD 5000T (and recommend it)
  
  THIS IS A LINK TO A NEW MODEL, SD5200T, THAT SUPPORTS 2 DISPLAYS @4K & 60Hz!
  
  Kensington SD5200T Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station - 170 Watts with Power Delivery - Dual Monitor 4k for Mac and PC (K38300NA)
  
  
  I did quite a bit of research on docks a couple years ago and this one seemed to best the best because it didn’t over promise and under deliver.
  
  Display Outputs:
  It offers a DP++ and an extra thunderbolt 3 port (other than the input source), as well as many other inputs.
  
  Sounds like it would work well for you since it has a Type-C output as well as a DP output (either of which can be adapted to other ports like MiniDP, HDMI, etc.)
  
  Limitations:
  
  
  note: link to new model, SD5200T, which supports higher refresh rates, but still limits 60Hz to a given monitor.
  It’s a bit more expensive, so if the older model, SD5000T, is sufficient (eg. running two 1080p monitors @60Hz), you might be able to find it for less.
  
  
  Keep in mind that this dock (and almost all other docks and laptops in general) only support a max of 60Hz refresh rate that is distributed as follows:
  
  60Hz - to 2 displays @1080p
  or
  60Hz - to 1 display @4K
  or
  30hz - to 2 displays @4K
  
  Again, MOST (older) docks only support 4K @60Hz to a single display or 30Hz to two, as far as I know, even to this day. Some newer docks do but are more expensive.
  
  So... it’s not entirely future proofed with the refresh rate limitations, but the prices on these come down often making them a worthwhile purchase. I got mine for $190 2 years ago on a daily deal at B&H Photo Video.
  
  Higher refresh rates are only supported by running a cable (through DP only) directly from your computer, which should have a more powerful video card and software to support it, to the display.
  
  
  Latitude in limitations:
  You can still mix-n-match 4K & 1080p displays through the dock but the OS you’re running will automatically lower the refresh rate to what the dock supports. You can also set this up manually in the display settings.
  
  
  Machine Support:
  I would double check compatibility with all your machines. Also check to see if there are any new models which do support higher refresh rates.
  
  
  Testimonial:
  It works really well with my 2016 15” MBP.
  
  I don’t have any issues waking up the computer while it’s asleep since I have all peripherals (keyboard, wireless mouse, USB-A 3.0 hub, Apple LED Cinema Display [which has USB ports]), plugged into the dock.
  
  Some docks have an issue where if the machine is asleep, then the dock goes unresponsive and pressing the space bar or moving the mouse won’t wake the machine.
  
  I run both MacOS and Windows 10 on my MBP and it is fully supported my both. Since it’s the dock is advertised for the MacBook, it makes sense for it to work well with MacOS.
  
  I was very surprised to find that it works really well on Windows as well. All peripherals work well as well as the AMD software for the video card. Which means that if I got a monitor that supports AMD Freesync, it would be able to utilize the AMD software whether on MacOS or Windows.
  
  I had run an old 1080p @60Hz HP monitor via a Type-C to HDMI cable and a 1440p @60Hz BenQ monitor via a DP to Mini DP adapter, at the same time.
  
  That worked well while awake, but the BenQ monitor had some issues waking up after about an hour (< than that was fine), while the HP was fine.
  
  I couldn’t find the root cause in the settings of the BenQ, so I suspect it had something to do with the DP to Mini DP adapter AND that specific monitor, because I’m currently using that adapter for my Apple LED Cinema Display and it works really well.
  
  Apple LED Cinema Display, running 1440p @60Hz, DisplayPort also passes audio. No issues at all with this setup.
  
  Final note, CABLES MATTER!!!!!!!!!!! THUNDERBOLT 3/TYPE-C CABLES! I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH!
  
  Hopes this helps, again, I recommend the Kensington.

My dock writeup is always useful if you need more understanding of what's going on but my answer below is standalone.

So 4k @ 60 and gigabit Ethernet can't happen on a single cable without Thunderbolt. (Well, kind of can because USB 2.0 to gigabit Ethernet is sold but it's not going to be 1000 mbit/s when USB 2.0 is 480 mbit/s.)

So yes, your best bet is to use a USB C to HDMI 2.0 adapter and a simple USB C hub with gigabit + a few USB A ports. One of them needs to support power. Now, the super cheap and compact gigabit-A hubs don't support power however the price difference in PD HDMI 2.0 vs non PD is very small thus we will put the power in the monitor adapter.

1. Cable Matters 4 Port USB C Hub Ethernet
   
2. CHOETECH USB C to HDMI Adapter(4K@60Hz) with PD Charging or if you want it in a single cable, similar price Type C to HDMI Cable(4K*2K@60Hz),CHOETECH 6ft/ 1.8m Type C to HDMI PD Cable. It's a matter of preference really: do you want the charger to be close to the laptop or is it fine on the monitor -- the cable puts the charger circuit in the HDMI plug.
   
   That's 52-55 CAD altogether.
   
   > Hopefully a new one would be small and light, I liked how those Dart chargers that came out a couple years ago looked
   
   I've promised to bring over my wikipost from flyertalk to this subreddit, hopefully this weekend, until then read it over there, it has a list of the small chargers. If by Canada you mean Vancouver, BC then I can show you the Mu One before you shell out the considerably money for it. Or if it's really the Finsix dart you want, the Innergie 60C is your best bet.

Awesome - thanks so much for your help + the follow up!
Great photo reference :)
Yeah heading to Tokyo, so on a long flight + trains throughout the trip - but trying to keep things light / somewhat minimal, thus leaning the QB820 for flexability + usb hub etc... but it is a close call! As I wont be using the power bank the full flight time - (10ish hrs) I think the 20,000 should do the job + will be able to recharge it at the hotel on arrival etc...
On the topic of recharging, I prefer black / darker stylings - do you have any black/dark wall AC usb PD chargers that would work well with the QB820 ?

Also - would this adapters USB C power outlet work to fast charge back up the QB820 ?




https://www.amazon.com/Lightbeam-Worldwide-Universal-International-Countries/dp/B07CZXC2QQ/

( Bit confused on what specs I need a wall AC / charger to have to enable fast re-charging of the power banks)

thanks again for the help / info!

EDIT: Or would this be better for travel + recharging the powerbank via usb C ?

https://www.amazon.com/Certified-Charger-Nekteck-Delivery-Station/dp/B0712252ZQ/

Hmmm, my understanding was that they can't do 5V 1A, but seem likes you know more about this than I do. I'm certainly not trying to argue at the technical level, and would love an explanation as to why it wouldn't charge (as well as the other 5W only devices I own).

​

All I can tell you is that the following chargers will not charge it:

Google 45W USB-C Power Adapter

Google Universal 22.5 W Dual Port USB Type-C Charger

Anker PowerPort Atom PD 1

Innergie 60C

RAVPower Wall Charger Adapter 45W Type-C

Inateck 60W Dual USB C Charger

Scosche PowerVolt Power Delivery

Anker PowerPort II (USB C didn't charge, USB A did charge)

​

I can list the various cables I tried too, but to keep it short I used 2.0, 3.1 Gen 2, and Thunderbolt 3 cables from Google, Anker, ReTrak, and j5create.

So this has only 2 USB2.0 ports, but that's enough for M&KB. Fits your budget pretty well too :)

Another option would be using this with a second hub that features all the other ports you need. It's small and relatively cheap, so all in all you could still keep your budget. You're also more flexible this way, although you'll need two dongles...

Right, and that's the part where I said "A genuine 90W type-C brick seems to only have..."

https://www.amazon.com/Dell-LA90PM170-0TDK33-Adapter-Charger/dp/B0717673D2

I should have been more clear, for sure.

Edit: I have done work in PD compliance and pre-certs. We're still in the wild west days of the PD/Type-C standard in general. If the type-C was a pretty new implementation (read: as first gen), then I've seen all sorts of weird things - an optional 12V "only" (implication being it supports all mandatory modes below that, as that's required) doesn't even phase me. Is it dumb? Yeah - but the ecosystem is just barely starting to understand how to not do things terribly.

I'm sure you've seen straight up bad things if you're doing PD related reviews :)

Edit 2: (Also for /u/Darrena) - You can pick up a PD voltmeter if you're interested to see WTF is going on: https://www.amazon.com/MakerHawk-Multimeter-Multi-function-Capacity-Detector/dp/B07GQLYMR9/ If it so happens that the 12V contract is being negotiated, then this will show it. The other thing I didn't mention is that if it's only negotiating 12V, it looks like the output is capped at 36W (12V*3A), however, since it's an optional contract, you can actually get away with going over - I'm really curious what is actually happening. If the input voltage for the DC Jack is already 19.5V, you'd think they'd just implement 20V...

I wish I have an answer to this, because even Anker has problems at the 60W+ front. The most helpful review is a 1-star and it said that charger fried the USB-C port on the user's MBP - YIKES. Google's wall chargers only go up to 45W.

For your in-ears: Innergie's MagiCable will adapt any USB-C cable to micro-USB, negating the need to buy a separate USB-C to micro-USB legacy cable. It's technically a device itself though, so the USB-C charger/power bank will become active and start supplying power. It's also limited to about 5V 2A.

For the wall chargers: if Lenovo does anything funny with their laptops, any wall chargers you have will need 60W minimum or they simply won't charge. Apple's MBP will pretty much charge off any USB-C though, just more slowly, and the laptop has to be asleep (lid closed) or off.

Nekteck 65W
Nekteck 60W
RAVPower 60W w/ GaN

Innergie 60C if price is no object

I wouldn't recommend any Apple stock chargers unless it updates their 61W and 87W to do the full USB PD voltage ranges - even if it does, price is a problem on both.

For power banks: ideally they should have two 60W capable USB-C ports, one of them being input+output; and 1-2 USB-A ports for everything else. That's pretty hard to find and they certainly won't come cheap. If you limit that to one USB-C, that might be a bit easier to find.

mophie's 3XL can only do 45W, that might not work for the Yoga
Goal Zero has it all, but it's large, heavy, and very expensive; lesser version with one 60W USB-C and no AC inverter
J-Go Tanker Xtreme w/ 100W PD

Hello these 8 in 1 usb c hub on amazon , the hub have a good price ,you could compare them

1.79.99$ https://www.amazon.com/Satechi-Aluminum-Multi-Port-Ethernet-Pass-Through/dp/B075FW7H5J

2.89.99$ https://www.amazon.com/Satechi-Aluminum-Multi-Port-Adapter-Ethernet/dp/B01FWT7MEA

3.44.99$ https://www.amazon.com/Joody-Ethernet-Delivery-MacBook-ChromeBook/dp/B07L7PJJF7

4.48.99$ https://www.amazon.com/Joody-U8plus-Ethernet-Delivery-ChromeBook/dp/B07L7NX9JC

​

It might not provide the same speeds but somewhere near and last but not the least, will get the job done!
Check the link below for OTG enabled ones, you can also find them on your local amazon.


https://www.amazon.com/CableCreation-Adapter-Female-Compatible-MacBook/dp/B01FM51812/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=cablecreation+usb+a+to+usb+c+adapter&qid=1566459839&s=gateway&sr=8-3


https://www.amazon.com/Female-Adapter-3-Pack-CableCreation-Peripherals/dp/B074V4QRNK/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=cablecreation+usb+a+to+usb+c+adapter&qid=1566459839&s=gateway&sr=8-4

There's just a few reviews I can find on the webs, which is surprising for a product that's been out for more than a year.

https://www.amazon.com/Travel-Adapter-4-Pro-Ports-Black/dp/B078GNJ86V

https://heronebag.com/blog/card-travel-adapter-4-pro-review-a-card-sized-universal-travel-adapter-and-charger/

http://nargalzius.com/blog/archives/2017/08/21/card-tec-ca4-pro

Anybody used this? I'm close to biting the bullet.

No, it is currently $45 for Prime members. It was $50 when I posted and MSRP is $57.

The dual port version is available for $36 MSRP. That is a bit bigger, no GaN, and has a USB-A port. When USB-A port is in use the USB-C drops from 61W to 45W.

Those two chargers nicely illustrate the cost increases GaN brings.

The standard on /r/onebag is the card 4 pro