Review: Satechi USB-C Pro Hub Mini Adapter

Satechi has just released the perfect accessory for owners of 2021 MacBook Pros. The $69.99 USB-C Pro Hub Mini Adapter adds functionality to the MBP that is usually missing. Let’s take a quick look…

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Design

The Pro Hub Mini Adapter is very compact and lightweight. It measures just 3.97 x 1.5 x 0.47 inches and weighs a featherweight 1.4 ounces. It plugs into the two USB-C / Thunderbolt ports on the left side of the MacBook Pro. There’s a passthrough for a USB-4 and a USB-C data port (no power distribution). There’s also a pair of USB-A 3.1 Gen 1 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet adapter, and a passthrough audio port.

Installation takes no time at all. Simply rotate the audio jack from its stowed position, line up the USB-C and audio jacks with their counterparts on the MacBook Pro, and push. A blue LED indicates that you have a good connection. The MacBook Pro MagSafe 3 cable doesn’t need to be unplugged.

Color-wise, the Pro Hub Mini Adapter is an exact match! The adapter has slightly rounded corners that give it a more “smooth” appearance.

Satechi always makes quality products, so I have no doubt that the Pro Hub Mini Adapter will last a long time. The fact that the audio jack can be re-stowed into its little niche takes that possible point of failure out of the way.

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Functionality

I found all of the ports to be just as fast as their MacBook Pro counterparts, and the addition of the USB-A ports offers additional flexibility when connecting to older devices. The only caveat provided by Satechi is that the connected USB devices shouldn’t exceed an input current of 900mA.