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Power Delivery is a negotiated connection. Both devices communicate with each other to establish their maximum voltage and current capabilities and not every device can take the same voltage. At the start of the connection both sides expect 5V, then they exchange information and synchronise up to a preferred voltage and power level. Both USB-C and Thunderbolt use the same USB-C connection. The difference is that a “generic” USB-C connection typically provides 10Gbps of bandwidth, and Thunderbolt provides 40Gbps, with a road to 120Gbps with 2024’s Thunderbolt 5. The Satechi Pro Hub Max, available in either Silver or Space Gray, features USB4 ports that are both compatible with Thunderbolt and can reach the same 40Gbps maximum throughput. Here we have tested and reviewed the premium USB-C hubs and adapters. There are many much cheaper versions out there, but we recommend these for quality and robustness. Which extra ports do you need Connecting directly to two of the MacBook’s Thunderbolt ports, it boasts a bunch of ports that should be enough for most of us. The hub receives 40Gbps from each of the Thunderbolt ports on the Mac (so a total of 80Gbps). 40Gbps is used for the USB4 pass-through port, while the second Thunderbolt port distributes 40Gbps of bandwidth to the rest of the ports on the hub.
However, many USB-C hubs feature a USB-C port with power delivery (PD). This lets you use a USB-C power adapter, such as the one that may have come with your laptop, to pass power to your laptop and other ports. This can increase display support as well as speed up charging for connected devices like a phone or a tablet. Look for hubs that offer passthrough charging, so you can charge your laptop even though you are using up one of the laptop’s USB-C ports for the hub itself. Most don’t ship with a charger, so you’ll need to add your own, and remember that it needs to be a 100W charger to give 85W and above charging if offered by the hub. Lower wattage chargers are fine but will limit the hub’s charging potential. If you need a splitter then buy an active hub. I cannot find any that advertise multiple PD outputs (only pass through for a laptop) and this would likely need a lot of expensive power conversion to handle, see the rest of my answer below. Whilst USB-C cables are generally designed for higher current I still advise using short power cable to the Pi where possible to reduce voltage drop. Five of the ports on this hub that clamps to the underside of the iMac are front-facing ports for easy access to memory cards, USB storage, or storage cards. There are two USB-C ports and one USB-A port (all rated at a speedy 10GBps). The USB-A port can charge a phone at 7.5W.Image showing the aforementioned USB-C splitter that I desire but where only one port is for charging and the other is for data/audio: Ports: USB-C (to iPad), USB-C PD (5Gbps/91W), 2x USB-A (5Gbps), HDMI, SD and microSD card readers, 3.5mm audio Alongside the HDMI are three 5Gbps USB-A ports (slightly underpowered at just 4.5W) and Gigabit Ethernet for wired Internet access.
An adaptor of this kind does not fall within the USB specification. It's designed for use with the official Raspberry Pi USB-C power supply and Raspberry Pi. Using this board with other power supplies/chargers and devices may cause issues/damage. Pinout USB Type-C (DATA/POWER) My solution has been to use a USB-C to USB-C/HDMI/USB-A splitter, in the configuration shown in the attached image (below). While this works fine, it's a bit "messy", as it requires two cables going to the monitor (HDMI [for A/V], USB-A [for power]) rather than a single USB-C cable, as is the case when the laptop doesn't require charging. Yes, it’s possible to simultaneously use both ends of the USB splitter without any issues, but the transmission speed can decrease compared to when only using one end. How often should I change my USB splitter? Hyper also sells a 5-in-1 iMac USB Hub with two USB-C (5Gbps) and three USB-A (5Gbps and one that charges at 7.5W). Can a USB-C hub feel elegant? This one does. Anker’s 7-in-1 USB-C hub feels surprisingly weighty (3.5 ounces), with a premium metallic (aluminum and polycarbonate) sheen. It’s also a bit more expensive than its rivals. Anker’s hub was among the coolest we’ve tested under load, at about 87 degrees.It should allow video output and passthrough charging simultaneously. In a test connection from a MacBook to an LG 4K UltraFine Display, the MacBook was able to output video to the monitor, while the monitor was able to provide power to the MacBook, all through the single connection. Owners of the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro and M2 Air can charge via the MagSafe connector at the same time as using the Pro Hub.
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