Ahahaha. The usb c port on my macbook air is starting to fail - only works when plugged in at a certain angle....
It's about 2.5 years since I've had this machine. Way past its programmed obsolescence I guess.
Now, I can live without a port or two. But the machine only HAS two ports. For EVERYTHING. What an idiotic design decision. Apple sticking to its founding principles: form over function! And dragging the entire sheeple industry with it...
Is this the smallest USB-C hub?
https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/04/is-this-the-smallest-usb-c-hub/
The gadget wizards at Benfei know that I'm a sucker for any sort of USB-C gadget. So when they offered to send me their micro-hub to review, how could I refuse?
It is dinky!
Here's what you get for your tenner
Frankly, I'm impressed that they managed to fit that much in!
If you'll excuse my lacklustre photo-editing skills, here are the two output ports:
This is what it looks like plugged into a laptop:
The spec says it will use about 10 Watts for the hub and pass the rest through. I used my Plugable Power Meter to measure throughput - my 65W charger supplied about 45W to the laptop. Perhaps a bit less than they claim, but certainly good enough.
It delivered 4K video flawlessly - my Linux laptop was able to play 60Hz videos without issue. And, of course, the USB-A port worked as expected.
But that's not the real challenge here, is it? USB-C is the future - how well does it work on a variety of devices?
Plugging in to my Pixel 8 Pro, the PowerDelivery hit 20W - which is decent. DP Alt-Mode is still experimental in Android, but GrapheneOS was able to drive video and audio to my TV. And, again, the USB port worked with a keyboard, thumb-drive, and other accessories.
Let's go for a bigger challenge. How does this thing cope with the Nintendo Switch?
Brilliant! Sound, video, and power all worked!
The only real downside is that it doesn't do data passthrough on the power-in port. So you will lose a USB-C data-socket when using it. It is 48mm wide - so you may need an extension cable if your existing ports are very close together.
But, for a tenner, this is an absolute steal. It even comes with a tiny lanyard and keyring so you can keep it with you at all times.
Own cables: Beats sells new USB cables with textile sheathing
Apple subsidiary Beats is launching further smartphone accessories on the market. The cables presented are said to be particularly robust.
Gadget Review: Benfei SATA to USB-C Drive Enclosure
https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/04/gadget-review-benfei-sata-to-usb-c-drive-enclosure/
The good folks at Benfei know that I'm always losing my USB Thumb Drives. They're just too damn small. I crave something bigger and harder to lose. Not as huge as a CD Drive, but not as small as a MiniDisc. Something chunky and satisfying, with a slim elegance. So they've sent me their SATA to USB-C drive enclosure.
It's a cute little box, with a built-in USB-C cable.
The cable has one of those weird adapters which lets you convert it back to USB-A. Personally, I think we should force everyone to USB-C and not pander to the laggards who refuse to embrace the future. The box is "tool free" - which means you can slide the top off with ease.
Inside is the standard SATA plug, waiting for your disk. The unit also comes with some extra foam padding - so you can ensure nothing rattles around in there.
I couldn't find my SSD, but I had an old 320GB HDD laying around, so shoved that in there.
As was to be expected, it is plug-and-play technology. For Linux nerds, this shows up as 152d:0583 JMicron Technology Corp. / JMicron USA Technology Corp. JMS583Gen 2 to PCIe Gen3x2 Bridge.
You can read the JMicron datasheed for the chip.
For a laugh, I plugged it into my Android phone:
USB-C has reached the sort of maturity where you can be reasonably sure that plugging in random gadgets will just work.
I did a quick drive benchmark and it seemed to top out at 60MB/s for reading and writing. To be fair, that may just be the age of my piece of spinning rust.
For less than a tenner, this is a great gadget to have in your bag. It's quick and simple to open, you don't need to faff around with screws. The cable is a little short - but you probably don't want it trailing all over your desk.
Oh, and it has a blue LED to let you know it is working. Thankfully, it isn't overly bright so doesn't cause a distraction.
https://www.europesays.com/de/34570/ Eigene Kabel: Beats verkauft neue USB-Strippen mit Textilmantel #Apple #Beats #Deutschland #Germany #Lightning #Mobiles #Science #Science&Technology #Technik #Technology #USBC #USBCKabel #Wissenschaft #Wissenschaft&Technik
Eigene Kabel: Beats verkauft neue USB-Strippen mit Textilmantel
Auf Hüllen folgen Strippen: Die Apple-Tochter Beats bringt weiteres Smartphone-Zubehör auf den Markt. Die vorgestellten Kabel sollen besonders robust sein.
Gadget Review: Benfei USB-C to Ethernet Adapter
https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/04/gadget-review-benfei-usb-c-to-ethernet-adapter/
Sure, WiFi is basically fine. But sometimes you need the raw power, high speed, and utter reliability of Ethernet. Billions of packets hurtling down twisted copper pair in order to deliver your data - that's what it is all about, right?
But - alas! - laptops don't have Ethernet ports these days. And mobile phones tend to shun them as well. Who can save us from the tyranny of multi-GigaHertz radiowaves?!
The good folk at Benfei have sent me their latest gadget and, somehow, I need to make 300 words out of "plug into device, plug in Ethernet cable, data go fast". Let's see how that goes!
My hands trembling, I plugged in the svelte USB-C plug into my waiting laptop. With a satisfying "clunk", the Ethernet cable docked into the waiting receptacle. An instant later, subtle LEDs began to flicker as the data pulsed through the CAT6 and into my computer.
For Linux nerds, this is a 0bda:8153 Realtek Semiconductor Corp. RTL8153 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter. Plugging it in just worked - although there are drivers for Linux, Mac, and Windows if you need them.
Just for a laugh, I plugged it into my Android phone and - amazingly - it also just worked. I was free from the shackles of poor 5G coverage. Well, I could only go as far as my Ethernet cable stretched, but the speeds were fantastic.
This claims to be good up to 1Gbps. Sadly, I downgraded my Gigabit broadband, but let's see just how fast it can go. Here's a speed test run from my Android phone:
Fair play! That totally maxed out my home broadband.
Verdict
It's a cute little unit. For about a tenner - depending on how The Algorithm feels - this can't be beat. The short cable is nicely braided, the silver design is inoffensive, and you get the standard Ethernet blinkenlights to tell you it's working.
Please click the affiliate links so my family doesn't starve.
I mean, I'd not have any issues with a "shitty" #Netbook if it's prized acceptable.
Cuz then I might be better off buying a used #ThinkPad with #USBc, remove the dead battery and stap a Powerbank to it.
Tho I'd rather start the #NUCbook project instead or buy a @frameworkcomputer / #Framework12 instead...
Official Raspi USB power supply with 45 watts
The Raspi manufacturer is launching a USB-C power supply with 45 watts of charging power. It is slightly more expensive than the previous 27-watt version.
Offizielles Raspi-USB-Netzteil mit 45 Watt
Der Raspi-Hersteller bringt ein USB-C-Netzteil mit 45 Watt Ladeleistung. Es ist etwas teurer als die bisherige 27-Watt-Version.
Hacking a Cheap Rechargeable Lamp With Non-Standard USB-C Connector - The “USB C” cable that comes with the Inaya Portable Rechargeable Lamp. (Credit: T... - https://hackaday.com/2025/04/12/hacking-a-cheap-rechargeable-lamp-with-non-standard-usb-c-connector/ #reverseengineering #teardown #esp32 #usbc
Hacking a Cheap Rechargeable Lamp With Non-Standard USB-C Connector https://hackaday.com/2025/04/12/hacking-a-cheap-rechargeable-lamp-with-non-standard-usb-c-connector/ #ReverseEngineering #Teardown #ESP32 #USBC
#TheNextGeneration #Universal #Port #After #USBC needs to be #WaterProof and less #Depth for #Connection.
Gadget Review: Benfei Laptop Riser with Built-In USB-C Dock
https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/04/gadget-review-benfei-laptop-riser-with-built-in-usb-c-dock/
The good folks at Benfei have sent me a laptop stand to review. You know the drill, a few pieces of metal, some hinges, and rubber feet. But this stand holds a little more interest for the gadget lover - a built in USB-C hub!
What do you get for your £35?
And that's it! There isn't any DisplayPort, no Ethernet, no sound, no extra USB-C ports. It is, I have to say, a little bare-bones.
The smarts are powered by a Bridgesil USB 3.2 chip. For Linux nerds, it shows up as 35d6:3510 Bridgesil USB3.2 Hub and 35d6:2510 Bridgesil USB2.1 Hub.
Putting it through its paces
The 4K HDMI worked flawlessly. As you'd expect from HDMI, the picture clarity was perfectly reproduced. My 60Hz videos played without tearing or juddering.
Similarly, it's hard to go wrong with basic USB ports. Everything I plugged into them worked. USB disk speeds seemed fine. Read speeds were around 40MB/s and write speeds about the same. Pretty much what you'd expect - although I suspect this is more geared towards keyboard, mice, printers, and other office devices.
Power was OK. I took measurements with my Plugable power meter. I used a 65W charger, but the maximum I could get it to deliver to the hub was 50W (19.77v, 2.53A). Output to the laptop stuck at around 48W. There's usually a little drop off between the two as the hub itself requires some power. How much juice does your laptop need while you're doom-scrolling?
Verdict
As a laptop stand, it is brilliant. Easily adjustable, good range of movement, and some hefty rubber cushions to prevent slipping.
The USB features on it work - charging is fast enough, HDMI is crisp, and the USB-A ports are decent - but I just wish it had a bit more. Personally, I didn't like the USB ports being at the front - it meant that the cables kept getting in my way. I didn't need an extra HDMI port - but some extra USB-C ports would have been useful, as would Ethernet and sound.
If you're happy with a single HDMI and four A ports, this is fine. But if your needs are more complex or you require more power, you might want to buy a more fully-featured dock.
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