OWC's $130 USB4 Hub takes one of your MacBooks USB-C ports and turns it into USB4, USB-C, HDMI, and 81W of charging.
On Wednesday OWC announced its upcoming USB4 Hub for Mac, Windows, Linux, and iPad Pro users. This hub aims to tame desktop clutter and adds more ports to increasingly port-starved laptops.
This hub provides additional USB4 and USB-C connectivity alongside HDMI 2.1 output and 40Gbps of total bandwidth through a single USB4 host connection. It can connect external storage, accessories, and a compatible HDMI display at the same time.
Two USB4 ports are available for high-bandwidth storage and other compatible peripherals. Two additional USB-C ports support transfer speeds of up to 10Gbps.
A built-in HDMI 2.1 port eliminates the need for a separate display adapter. It supports 4K displays at 120Hz, or up to 240Hz using DSC.
The HDMI connection also supports displays at resolutions up to 8K at 60Hz. Actual display capabilities depend on the connected host and display hardware.
OWC includes a dedicated power supply that delivers up to 81W to the host computer. USB Power Delivery automatically allocates power between the host and peripherals.
The USB4 Hub works with Thunderbolt 5, Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB4, and USB-C connections. Compatible hosts include supported Macs, Windows and Linux computers, and iPad Pro models.
OWC uses a fanless aluminum enclosure to dissipate heat without active cooling. The hub will be available in late October for $129.99.
OWC's USB4 40Gb/s Active Optical Cables
OWC has also announced new 3-meter and 5-meter USB4 40Gbps Active Optical Cables. Both provide USB4 and Thunderbolt connectivity across longer distances than conventional passive cables.
The active optical cables support data transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps. The five-meter version provides a maximum connection distance of approximately 16 feet.
Both cables can connect externally powered docks, hubs, displays, eGPUs, PCIe devices, and RAID storage. They also support power delivery from compatible Thunderbolt and USB-C devices to host computers.
The cables support Thunderbolt displays at resolutions up to 8K. Compatible displays include Apple's Studio Display and Studio Display XDR, alongside other Thunderbolt displays.
OWC has also added DisplayPort Alt Mode support for compatible USB-C displays. This expands display compatibility beyond hardware using Thunderbolt for its video connection.
LED indicators at both ends of each cable confirm a working connection at a glance. The cables use fiber optics inside a braided nylon exterior that resist EMI and RFI interference.
The 3-meter and 5-meter cables will be available in mid-October. They will cost $98.99 and $129.99, respectively.
