Gadgets: Hub adapter

The change to USB-C on many computers comes with advantages and disadvantages. The biggest disadvantage to many is that you get fewer ports, but an advantage is that they can be expanded easily, even for power delivery.

EZQuest's USB-C Slim Gen 2 Hub Adapter 6-in-1 is one of the better accessories I've seen if you need more USB-C ports with a small profile and portable accessories. Every user has different needs, and this hub suits most, if not all. It can charge and connect memory card readers, flash drives and external hard drives.

The plug-and-play hub does not need software or drivers, is simple to use and covers all needs. To get started, plug in the included 19.6-inch nylon braided strain relief cable. The removable cable is critical; when the cable is permanently attached to the hub, if the cable goes bad, the hub is done. If the removable cable goes bad with the USB-C Slim Gen 2 Hub Adapter, get a new one, and the hub is fine.

Each port is listed as 5V, 1.5A, with 7.5 watts of power output, and the total shared power is 15 watts when using all ports simultaneously. Four of the ports are Gen 2 with a 10 GBS speed when used all at once. A single port can be used for USB-C 4K 60Hz video output, and another is USB-C 100W Power Delivery port version 3.0, which includes pass-thru charging up to 80-watt output.

There are some specifications for power delivery. For complete charging of tablets and mobile phones (iOS or Android devices), the power adapter must be 45 watts; otherwise, pass-thorough charging is not supported. Laptop charging must use the power delivery port to get at least 20 watts of power. Specifications for other devices, including desktop power delivery, are listed on the EZQuest website.

The hub's aluminum housing, which measures 4.64 by 1.32 by 0.39 inches, lies flat and is accessible from wherever you want to store it. The EZQuest USB-C Slim Gen 2 Hub Adapter 6-in-1 is Thunderbolt 3 and 4 compatible. It is listed to work with all computers with USB-C/Thunderbolt ports and USB-C smartphones and tablets. A complete compatibility list is also on the website.

https://ezq.com $79.99

The Satechi Thunderbolt 4 multi-display docking station is for more advanced users with a wide variety of docking options. The well-built AC-powered docking station is rock-solid in performance and has connections with fast transfer speeds to support higher-end devices such as 4K monitors.

There are enough ports to connect up to four external monitors with 4K/60Hz resolution. If you want the four monitor setup, two connect to the HDMI ports, and the other two connect via Thunderbolt 4. When a single Thunderbolt 4 port is used, you can achieve ultra-crisp viewing with a resolution of up to 8K/60Hz on compatible devices, depending on compatibility.

The Space Gray hub, built with aircraft-grade aluminum supports, includes a total of three Thunderbolt 4/USB-C and two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports with transfer speeds of 10 GPS. In addition, there is an Ethernet connection, an audio jack, and a DC power port. The UHS-II SD 4.0 memory card reader has transfer speeds up to 312 MBS, which can transfer about 1,000 high-resolution photos in 20 seconds. Power delivery will supply up to 96 watts. Each of the Thunderbolt 4 ports (USB-C) will supply up to 15 watts each and 40 GBPS transfer speeds.

Satechi touts that the elite docking station (8.42 by 3.75 by 0.72 inches) allows users to daisy-chain up to six devices at once. A 180-watt power supply is included with a US C5 cable and a Thunderbolt 4 cable to power the docking station. A full list of device compatibility is on the Satechi site.

https://satechi.net $299.99

Sennheiser makes some of the best portable-sounding headphones, so it's no surprise to welcome their latest member of Sennheiser's portable portfolio. They’re the great-sounding Sennheiser Accentum true wireless earbuds with a consumer-friendly price point.

They launched this past May, and after weeks of use on the ground, in the air, at home and on the other side of the world, they are a winner. Three things are essential when choosing true wireless earbuds, in no particular order: the sound, the price, and how they feel in your ears.

The sound of the Accentum True Wireless earbuds begins with Sennheiser's proprietary 7mm dynamic True Response Transducers, pumping crystal-clear audio from each side (left/right). The Sennheiser-made speakers are touted to produce powerful, signature sound with engaging bass, natural mids and crisp treble – which is obvious to any user after a few seconds.

The Accentums have an ergonomic design to ensure a comfortable feel. They stay securely in your ear canal so music is heard accurately. Multiple-size ear tips are included to ensure the proper fit. I chose the mediums, but you'll also have extra small, small and large to choose from.

Sennheiser credits the development of the comfort with a collaboration with Sonova, a leading hearing aid manufacturer. This helped ensure comfort and wear for long periods of time, along with the best possible sound delivery while keeping stability, comfort and sophistication at the forefront of the development.

Accentum's True Wireless Wireless Hybrid ANC and Transparency modes worked well on busy streets and airplanes to help drown out background and engine noise. The free Sennheiser companion app (iOS or Android) is excellent for controlling several features, including the ANC, and for selecting how much of the background you want to block.

The app also has a 5-band equalizer so users can customize the sound to their liking. There are also controls for voice assistants and hands-free calls.

The $199.95 Bluetooth 5.3 true wireless earbuds are loaded with many other features, including microphones in both earbuds. The advanced Bluetooth connection allows easy connection among the features. They have an eight-hour battery life before a charge is needed in the self-charging storage case, which gives a total of up to 28 hours. The case itself charges both Qi wirelessly and with the included USB-C cable. Quick charging for just 10 minutes will produce an hour of playback.

The Accentum True Wireless earbuds come in black or white colors.

https://www.sennheiser.com/en-us