In summary:
- Macworld reports that the MacBook Neo faces compatibility issues with certain USB-C hubs due to unequal port speeds between front and rear connections.
- Single-connector hubs like the Anker 555 and Satechi OntheGo work well, while dual-connector models including Anker 547 are often incompatible.
- Users should connect single-port hubs to the Neo’s rear 10Gbps USB 3 port rather than the slower 480Mbps front port for optimal performance.
While the MacBook Neo’s USB-C ports look the same as the Thunderbolt ports on a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, Apple’s new budget laptop won’t work with every USB-C hub on the market, including some of Macworld’s favorites.
Since USB-C is forward- and backward-compatible, most single-port USB-C hubs work just fine with the Neo’s USB 3 port, even if they’re made for Thunderbolt or USB 4. However, some USB-C hubs—such as the Anker 547, Satechi Pro Hub Max, and Plugable AMS–5IN1E—take advantage of both of the MacBook’s side-by-side ports to supply both charging and data transfer by having a double-USB-C connector from hub to Mac. By using both ports, the bandwidth is not compromised by the need to supply power to the laptop, and they can attach neatly to the left side of the Mac without blocking any connections.
Since the Neo’s USB-C ports are not equal–the rear USB 3 port boasts a data rate of 10Gbps while the front USB 2 port is really only fit for charging or attaching a low-data device such as a wired mouse or keyboard–you need to make sure that you connect single-port hubs to the rear 10Gbps port on the Neo to get full speeds (Apple helpfully warns you if you try to connect something to the wrong Neo port).
Those different ports are a bigger problem if the hub is not set up in the same formation. Take the Anker 547 USB-C Hub (7-in-2, for MacBook), a fine USB4 hub that adds seven ports, including a USB-C data port, two legacy USB-A ports, an HDMI port, and SD and microSD card slots.
Anker
On the MacBook Air and Pro, this hub uses the rear USB-C port for passthrough charging, and the other for downstream data/monitor and data transfer. Since the MacBook Neo’s rear port supports up to 10Gbps of data and the front port is limited to just 480Mbps, it’s simply not up to the task of fetching video data from the Neo or really doing much more—aside from charging—than supporting a connected wired mouse. Even the USB-A ports on most hubs are 10 times faster than the Neo’s second USB-C port can handle.
Anker
An example of an Anker hub that does work with the Neo is the Anker 555 USB-C Hub (above) that connects to the MacBook via a single USB-C connector.
Satechi
The Satechi Pro Hub Max (above) is also another dual-USB-C hub that’s not compatible with the MacBook Neo. Below you can see what each of the two USB-C connectors controls in the hub.
Satechi
Since only the rear port on the MacBook Neo supports video output, connecting the Pro Hub Max to the MacBook Neo won’t support HDMI, and the rest of the ports would also be significantly limited to USB 2.0 speeds.
The Satechi OntheGo 7-in-1 Multiport Adapter is an example of a hub that works with the Neo.
Simon Jary
Plugable told Macworld that it is awaiting the arrival of a MacBook Neo to test it with all of its devices, including its 5-port AMS–5IN1E hub. However, it expects the AMS-5IN1E will be limited in functionality when connected to the Neo.
Plugable
That hub’s left USB-C male connector is a direct “bridge” between the MacBook and the female USB-C port on the Neo. This means that the USB-C port on the AMS-5IN1E should behave exactly like the rear port on the MacBook Neo (that is, 10Gbps data, charging, and DisplayPort).
However, the right USB-C male connector connects the other functionalities of the hub, which are the two USB 3.0 ports, audio jack, and Ethernet port. Plugable suspects that both the USB ports and Ethernet port will therefore be downgraded to USB 2.0 speeds. Presuming this is the case, Plugable believes that its hub will likely still be useful for lightweight port expansion on the Neo for users who want to connect a wired mouse and keyboard, but won’t live up to its full potential.
An example of a Plugable hub that does work with the MacBook Neo is the 9-in-1 Plugable Multiport Adapter, pictured below showing its single USB-C connector.
Plugable
The MacBook Neo should be fully capable of working with single male-connector USB-C hubs if they connect via the rear/left port on the Neo. Just avoid any hubs that feature two male connectors as they will fail on the lower-speed Neo port.
Read our reviews of the best USB-C hubs for MacBook, as well as our MacBook Neo review. And to find more great gear that we think Neo owners should seriously consider, read our feature on the 10 essential accessories for the MacBook Neo.
Author: Simon Jary, Contributor, Macworld
Simon has over 30 years of expert experience testing and reviewing ever-smaller and more powerful tech accessories, from USB-C and Thunderbolt docks to chargers, batteries, hubs and adapters. A former Editor of Macworld, he has contributed to PCWorld, Tech Advisor and TimeOut, as well as national newspapers such as The Times, Independent and Telegraph.