CES 2016: Satechi Type-C USB Hub Updated With Pass-Through Charging for Retina MacBook

Wednesday January 6, 2016 9:20 AM PST by Mitchel Broussard
Today at CES accessory manufacturer Satechi announced a newly updated Type-C Hub for Apple's Retina MacBook lineup, which replaces one of the traditional USB 3.0 ports with a new USB-C alternative to allow users to charge the MacBook while using the dongle. Otherwise, the hub still includes an SD card slot and Micro SD card slot in addition to two USB 3.0 ports.

satechi usb hub
In terms of new products, the company announced the Type-C Card Reader, which will let users access SD and Micro SD cards at the same time using the USB-C dongle. As a cheaper alternative, the Card Reader is smaller than the hub and lacks the USB 3.0 ports of the bigger accessory.

satechi usb reader
Both products are available in space grey, silver, and gold colors to complement Apple's chosen colorways on the 12-inch MacBook line. Satechi hasn't given the Type-C Card Reader any specific launch date besides "early January," but confirmed the accessory will run for $19.99 in its press release, although the site mentions a $24.99 price point. Starting today, those interested can purchase the new Hub for $39.99 from the company's site.

Tags: USB-C, Satechi, CES 2016
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bushido
41 months ago

I guess that explains why dozens of USB-C-compatible accessories were released at CES, and HP released a new EliteBook Folio (a business notebook) with only USB-C ports. :rolleyes:

USB-C and wireless the future. The MacBook is the first of many notebooks that rely exclusively on USB-C for the increasingly fewer times we need to connect to peripherals with wires.


its not about the port its about only having ONE port. those other laptops announced still got at least two and are just as thin
Rating: 9 Votes
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lyngo
41 months ago

I remember the good old days when this sort of thing was just built right into the computer...Oh wait it still is except for Apple


And this is exactly why Apple should have left these ports on the machine. Instead they insist on simplifying it so much, forcing us to purchase things like this, thus increasing Apple's profit margins. Thanks Apple! ...greedy sons a...


If you need those parts included in the machine there is always the MacBook Air and Pro models. Personally, I welcome the simplified model because it cuts down on the weight of my luggage while traveling. There are also other workarounds such as Airdrop and emailing files.

It's all in how you use your computer. While you seemingly don't like the changes found in the MacBook away from things that you think should be built in, I'm glad they have provided the option for me to not have it.
Rating: 8 Votes
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L-U-R-C-H
41 months ago
And this is exactly why Apple should have left these ports on the machine. Instead they insist on simplifying it so much, forcing us to purchase things like this, thus increasing Apple's profit margins. Thanks Apple! ...greedy sons a...
Rating: 6 Votes
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Amazing Iceman
41 months ago
Why is this under the iOS Blog?
Rating: 4 Votes
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appledefenceforce
41 months ago

And this is exactly why Apple should have left these ports on the machine. Instead they insist on simplifying it so much, forcing us to purchase things like this, thus increasing Apple's profit margins. Thanks Apple! ...greedy sons a...


Then don't buy this model. There are other Mac models that have these ports. Complain complain complain.
Rating: 4 Votes
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dannys1
41 months ago

forcing us to purchase things like this, thus increasing Apple's profit margins. Thanks Apple! ...greedy sons a...


Explain to me how buying 3rd party adapters increases Apple's profit margins...
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I remember the good old days when this sort of thing was just built right into the computer...Oh wait it still is except for Apple


So apparently Apple only sell the Retina Macbook now and not the other 4 form tops of laptops with multiple specs available for each. Ok then.
Rating: 4 Votes
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GeneralChang
41 months ago

And this is exactly why Apple should have left these ports on the machine. Instead they insist on simplifying it so much, forcing us to purchase things like this, thus increasing Apple's profit margins. Thanks Apple! ...greedy sons a...

To be fair, you can still go buy a Macbook Air or Pro that does have these ports, it's not like the only laptop they're offering is the Macbook. I think it's always been pretty clear that the Macbook wasn't going to be for everybody.
Rating: 3 Votes
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Gasu E.
41 months ago

I guess that explains why dozens of USB-C-compatible accessories were released at CES, and HP released a new EliteBook Folio (a business notebook) with only USB-C ports. :rolleyes:

USB-C and wireless the future. The MacBook is the first of many notebooks that rely exclusively on USB-C for the increasingly fewer times we need to connect to peripherals with wires.


I'm still not convinced the recently introduced USB-C peripherals (other than hubs such as the one in this article) complement the single-ported MacBook. If you plug in a USB-C powered external drive, you can't plug the laptop into a power source at the same time. Huh?

Makes a lot more sense to use a hub like this one, along with of the many fine available USB-3 drives, instead.

USB-C may be the future; but having just one port seems an ill-considered dead end.
Rating: 3 Votes
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newdeal
41 months ago
I remember the good old days when this sort of thing was just built right into the computer...Oh wait it still is except for Apple
Rating: 3 Votes
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pgiguere1
41 months ago

And this is exactly why Apple should have left these ports on the machine. Instead they insist on simplifying it so much, forcing us to purchase things like this, thus increasing Apple's profit margins. Thanks Apple! ...greedy sons a...


This is a really pessimistic way to look at it.

One could have said exactly the same thing about the MacBook Air when it came out and the fact the optical drive was an optional accessory. In fact, many, many people did.

Yet here we are, 8 years later, and most MacBook owners would rather not have an optical drive in their laptop, regardless of Apple's profits margin. Why then? Simply because they value the extra thinness more than an optical drive.

Really it's the same thing for some people here. Why not respect what they personally value and realize Apple is not forcing anything just yet?
Rating: 2 Votes
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