I have decided to order Anker PowerExpand 8-In-2 USB-C PD Media Hub for my MacBook Pro because if any of you own the newest MacBook Pro ’16 (Dec 2019) and as well previous Macbook Pro generations only offer two to three USB-C ports but none of the other essential ports/slots such as USB 2.0/3.0 and the universal memory cards reader. The only way you could use the USB 2.0/3.0 or read the universal memory cards such as Micro SD and SD is if you have an adapter/hub in which there are countless of them. There are numerous of them to choose which adapter/hub to get for your MacBook or iMac is a headache and hassle because when you shop for them, you would have to think of two things – is the brand to trust and what ports/slots do they have? Every USB-C adapters/hubs do not meet the exact specifications I have found after some shopping. Some adapters/hubs would only offer two USB 2.0/3.0 ports with micro SD/SD memory cards reader; some offer 2 USB 2.0/3.0 ports, 1 USB-C port, ethernet port, HDMI for 4K or 5K resolution with micro SD/SD memory cards reader. Some of them have additional ports such as an audio jack for a headphone or only one with audio via lightning, which is common used for Apple’s EarPods. Also, some of them have the capability to pass-through charging via USB-C so that you can charge the Mac with an adapter/hub, and some have additional USB-C but only for data transfer while the other USB-C port is for pass-through charging.
So, there are too many to choose from because many brands make them, and these many brands make many different ones with different specifications or capabilities for their adapters/hubs. To pick the right one, you would have to choose which ones that are most important to you, and in doing so, you might have to sacrifice, but you would be lucky if you would not by narrowing them down. This review will share my opinion on Anker PowerExpand 8-In-2 USB-C PD Media Hub; and 8-in-2 means that it has eight ports/slots, but the adapter/hub requires both Mac’s USB-C ports for it to work. There are some ones with only one but a lot fewer capabilities and specifications, especially no pass-through charging or HDMI that can read 4K or 5K because they need a lot of power, so that is where the two USB-C requirements come in.
This Anker PowerExpand 8-In-2 USB-C PD Media Hub has everything I need, and it offers more than what people usually need with their Macs. The most important features that I need are pass-through charging while having an additional USB-C port for data, two USB 3.0 ports, and a micro SD/SD memory card reader. While the others port on this Anker PowerExpand 8-In-2 USB-C PD Media Hub, such as HDMI that reads 5K at 60Hz to a single monitor or 4K at 60Hz to two monitors, would need a splitter which is sold separately, and that lightning audio port is nice optional but not a must for me. It will have been better if it has a 3.5mm male audio jack instead of the lightning audio port so I can use my headphone because I don’t like earbuds which some of them use the lightning cable as audio, which is only used mostly for Apple’s EarPods, so it is somewhat restricted as the 3.5mm audio jack is still universal.
With that being said, Anker PowerExpand 8-In-2 USB-C PD Media Hub was tailored to what I need for my daily use or need, so I ordered one, and I looked forward to the day that UPS delivers it to me. Thanks to Amazon’s Prime, I have two days of free shipping, so I didn’t have to wait for a long time, and when it has arrived, I said to myself that I finally have the adapter/hub that would allow me to do what I need with my MacBook Pro as a journalist/blogger. So, I decided to open the shipping package; I pulled out a box with an almost white blank on the front, which had me confused until I turned it around and seen that it said Anker PowerExpand 8-In-2 USB-C PD Media Hub, so I said, “finally!” so I cut the tape that holds the lid to open the box itself to pull the adapter/hub out.
From there, after pulling the adapter/hub out of the box and that was when the disappointment hit me. Why was I disappointed? Because I could not use it. On Anker’s website and their product descriptions on Amazon or others did not warn us of a vital thing. It will not work if you have a protective case on your MacBook. For me to use the Anker PowerExpand 8-In-2 USB-C PD Media Hub, I would have to take the protective case off my MacBook and then plug the adapter/hub in – every single time! By now, Anker should realize that there are a lot of people who protect their MacBook whether they are new or old, because they are expensive, to begin with, but it seems that they did not because they did not say anything about that it might not be able to work with MacBook case. No, it is a waste of my time taking off the protective case every time I need the adapter/hub because the protective case I have on my MacBook is not a sleeve or a simple, straightforward case. I have my MacBook Pro in an i-Blason rugged case, so to take it off, I would have to pull it off with a bit of force on both of the sides as they are snap-on, and if I keep doing that often, I can see that it would damage the MacBook. The reason that the adapter/hub does not work with a protective case is that it is not long enough for it to connect the MacBook’s USB-C ports, and the adapter/hub would fall right out with a finger tap which it is because it cannot connect due to being too small to fit with the protective case.
But for the sake of the review, I decided to take the protective case off, which made me nervous because I was afraid of damaging it as my MacBook Pro is still new as it’s not a year old yet. The adapter/hub does work well, it could charge using the wall plugin, and you can also charge your MacBook using a portable power bank, so that is a good thing because it is crucial for people to like us who need it on the go as I am a journalist. Hence, I am always on the go with my MacBook Pro. The adapter/hub does take a lot of power; even without the adapter/hub, it still does, but because you are using it for other devices to connect, such as flash or portable external hard drive while transferring the files from a memory card to your MacBook, then move it to your portable external hard drive use a heck a lot of power so expect that will drain a lot of the power in your MacBook’s battery. That is where the pass-through charge is essential and useful as we can keep our MacBook battery up while using the adapter/hub that draws a lot of power comes in with a portable power bank(s). The bottom line, Anker PowerExpand 8-In-2 USB-C PD Media Hub, does what Anker PowerExpand 8-In-2 USB-C PD Media Hub was advertised and did works well, but for it to work, you will have to give up your MacBook case to risk damaging your MacBook. I wish that it could work with a case in which Anker did not warn about that, and because of that, I had to return it for a refund.
If you are looking for a USB-C adapter or hub for your Mac and your Mac have a protective case, then look for something else because this Anker PowerExpand 8-In-2 USB-C PD Media Hub will not fit unless you are willing to take the protective case off your Mac every time that you need to use this adapter/hub. If you look for an adapter/hub that can fit your Mac with the protective case, then I suggest finding the one with a dongle that Anker has some but not as good as this – only if this one has a dongle, then that would be great, but they do not. The dongle they have has fewer ports and not as good capabilities as this adapter/hub has. In other words, would I recommend Anker PowerExpand 8-In-2 USB-C PD Media Hub? Yes and no. If you don’t have a protective case or use a sleeve or anything that has anything even the tiniest thing in the way of two USB-C ports on your left side Mac, then this would be a suitable adapter/hub. Still, I would not risk my Mac by taking the protection away to use this adapter/hub if it were me. This will work on a naked Mac, but this adapter/hub will not fit if it is not naked (I know that sounded dirty, which was on purpose). Again, I wish that they would have warned that it will not fit or work with a protective case to save my time and look for another one by Anker, but with a dongle, I am actually resisting buying it from Anker now because they did not warn us about Anker PowerExpand 8-In-2 USB-C PD Media Hub might not fit with a protective case.
An USB-C Hub That Works But Does Not Fits
Product Name: Anker PowerExpand 8-In-2 USB-C PD Media Hub
Product Description: PowerExpand Direct 8-in-2 USB-C PD Media Hub - The Ultra-Compact Media, Data, Audio, and Charging Hub for MacBook. All The Ports You Need: Make the most of your MacBook with the addition of 8 ports, allowing you to transfer data in seconds, stream media in unrivaled clarity, and provide high-speed pass-through charging. Advanced Connectivity and Speed: Thunderbolt 3 takes USB-C technology to a whole new level, allowing for unprecedented data transfer and charging speeds. You can also connect to 2 monitors simultaneously in 4K@60Hz via a USB-C to dual HDMI splitter (not included). Supports 5K@60Hz to a single monitor. Connect to Multiple Displays: Stop wasting time switching back and forth between programs or documents, simply connect to multiple monitors via the Thunderbolt 3 and HDMI ports for a simpler and more productive experience. Universal SD Card CompatibilityThe SD and microSD card slots support virtually all SD card formats for seamless access to photos and other media files. Zero Installation; Connect to the USB-C data port or USB-A ports to access high-speed data transfer at up to 5Gb/s or to connect instantly to all of your peripherals, including mice, keyboards, and USB drives—with no installation necessary. Compatible Devices: MacBook Pro 13" 2020/2019/2018/2017/2016 MacBook Pro 15" 2019/2018/2017/2016 MacBook Pro 16" 2019 MacBook Air 2020/2019/2018 Notes: This hub is designed specifically to fit the MacBook. It is not compatible with any other device. This hub is not compatible with MacBook cases. The Thunderbolt 3 USB-C port is indicated by a thunderbolt symbol on the hub’s exterior. The USB-C data port and USB-A ports do not support charging or media display.
Brand: Anker
MPN: A8381
Offer price: 69.99
Currency: USD
Overall
Bottom Line:
This Anker PowerExpand 8-In-2 USB-C PD Media Hub has everything and a couple more ports/slots that you would need for your Macbook Pro or other Macs, but only if they are naked. This adapter/hub will not fit a Macbook with a protective case; this adapter/hub would need to rubbing its side with your Mac as close as possible, and a protective case or a case gets in the way of that, so the adapter/hub would not fit to connect. This adapter/hub works, and it has many capabilities that many of us would need for our Mac, but the question is, do we want to be bothered with taking our protective case off our laptop every time we need to use the adapter/hub? That would be a lot of hassle and a waste of time. If you don’t have a protective case or a case and need an adapter/hub that offers ports with a memory card reader, this would be the one to go for. Still, if you baby your Mac with a protective case as I do, then you need to look for another one – an adapter/hub with the dongle. Anker should warn us customers that they do not fit with a protective case to know ahead of the time to look for the one with a dongle instead of assuming that it would fit because they did not leave a warning.
I am rating Anker PowerExpand 8-In-2 USB-C PD Media Hub a 2.7, and that translates very ok.
Joshua “Joshie” Sullivan.
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