Anker PowerExpand 8-in-1 USB-C PD Media Hub

If you have read one of the reviews that I published last week, you would almost see a similar name of a product that I reviewed, Anker PowerExpand 8-in-2 USB-C PD Media Hub. This is a different product; I am reviewing Anker PowerExpand 8-in-1 USB-C PD Media Hub; it uses one USB-C port instead of two USB-C ports that the other one use, and this is somewhat similar but two different ports. In the Anker PowerExpand 8-in-2 USB-C PD Media Hub review, you would see that I was certainly not happy with the product and had it sent back for a refund. In the other review, I have said that I was in searching for a hub or adapter that has specific imports that I need because every hub or adapters by the same maker or different makers have different ports, so to get the one that you would need or want you will have to be careful when you look to buy one of them.

The biggest disappointment I had with another one, the Anker PowerExpand 8-in-2 USB-C PD Media Hub that I had it sent back for a refund, was something that Anker did not mention anything on their website nor Amazon that it would not work or fit a laptop that has USB-C ports with a protective case or a standard case (which they do now after my review). Their PowerExpand 8-in-2 USB-C PD Media Hub outputs could not be plugged into the USB-C ports on both of my MacBook Pros because they have protective cases on them, which gets in the way of the hub to be connected on the side of the laptop. If they had them longer or advertise that they would not fit USB-C devices such as a laptop that has a case on them, then I wouldn’t be as disappointed, but I was. It wasted my time, but after a few days, I have decided to look for one again because I still need one, and I came across one also by the same maker Anker, but this time, the hub has a dongle, so I imagine that it should fit with a case. After reading their descriptions to make sure that they have all of the ports that I needed, what I needed the most was at least two USB 3.0 with good speed transfer, universal memory cards reader, USB-C pass-through charging so I can charge my Macbook Pro while it is in use and hopefully to have another USB-C port but for data transfer. This Anker PowerExpand 8-in-1 USB-C PD Media Hub has all of these with others that are nice to have but not a must for me, ethernet port, and 4K at 60Hz HDMI port.

What is the difference between the Anker PowerExpand 8-in-2 USB-C PD Media Hub and now Anker PowerExpand 8-in-1 USB-C PD Media Hub, you ask? From Anker PowerExpand 8-in-2 USB-C PD Media Hub to this one Anker PowerExpand 8-in-1 USB-C PD Media Hub, I had to give up the multi-functional USB-C port that could transfer files at a speed of 40 GB/s or 5K at 60Hz monitor and a lightning audio port. I felt that it was a good loss because even with an HMDI port, 4K at 60Hz is still plentiful (not everyone has 5K monitors), and I don’t use audio devices that need a lightning port, but in return, I got an ethernet port which is a nice in-a-case thing feature. This Anker PowerExpand 8-in-1 USB-C PD Media Hub’s USB-C data port has a 10 GB/s file transfer speed, which is still quick for large files. Of course, 40 GB/s files transfer speed is superior, but it makes sense in this one because it uses only one USB-C port to connect, and you would need 2 USB-C ports to handle that 40 GB/s files transfer speed.

Now, am I happy with this Anker PowerExpand 8-in-1 USB-C PD Media Hub, unlike I was with Anker PowerExpand 8-in-2 USB-C PD Media Hub? The good news is that I am because thanks to the dongle, it can be plugged in a laptop that has a protective case, unlike their PowerExpand 8-in-2 USB-C PD Media Hub. Even with a little loss of speed for file transfer, a loss of useless lightning audio port but with an ethernet port gain, I am happy with this one. After all, I can use it without needing to take my protective case off my MacBook Pro, which is a hassle because every time I need the hub, I would have to remove the protective case off my MacBook Pro, so that is time-consuming, especially if I am traveling somewhere using the MacBook Pro on the go. Just like Anker PowerExpand 8-in-2 USB-C PD Media Hub, this one Anker PowerExpand 8-in-1 USB-C PD Media Hub comes with a travel bag, so that is also useful so I can keep the hub protected as well. The Anker PowerExpand 8-in-1 USB-C PD Media Hub works fantastic, this time with the protective case on, unlike the other one, and now I can be at peace not worrying about whether it would fit or not fit with the protective case ever since the situation with their Anker PowerExpand 8-in-2 USB-C PD Media Hub.

I hardly would recommend Anker PowerExpand 8-in-2 USB-C PD Media Hub because, as I said in my other review that who does not use the protective case for their MacBook? That it wouldn’t fit, and that was something Anker failed to mention. I now do recommend this one, Anker PowerExpand 8-in-1 USB-C PD Media Hub, because it can fit with or without the protective case, unlike the other one that only works if you do not have a protective case, but this one would work no matter if you have or do not have a protective case! I recommend Anker PowerExpand 8-in-1 USB-C PD Media Hub for anyone who needs a hub or adapter for their Macbook with a USB-C port because this hub offers all necessary ports. A pass-through charging port, a USB-C data port, 2 USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports (USB-A), a universal memory card reader (microSD/SD), an HDMI port capable of 4K at 60Hz, and an ethernet port. Both USB-C data port and USB 3.1 Gen 2 (USB-A) ports have 10GB/s file speed transfer. Want that lightning audio port? That AirPods by now uses a lightning cable to USB-C, which you can use on the hub or the other USB-C port on your Macbook.

I am rating this Anker PowerExpand 8-in-1 USB-C PD Media Hub a 3.9, which translates almost great. Only two complaints I can think of is, it’d be awesome if they somehow can make the file transfer speed 10GB/s to 40GB/s or at least in the middle, and for it to supply that much of file transfer speed, they should make it two USB-C dongle(s) instead of one. Almost like their disappointing product, Anker PowerExpand 8-in-2 USB-C PD Media Hub but one with a dongle so that we can fit a laptop that has two USB-C ports with the protective case on.

Joshua “Joshie” Sullivan.

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