ElevationLab today announced the launch of the ElevationHub, a unique product that combines cable management with an SD card slot and USB-A 3.0 port.
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The ElevationHub attaches to the power adapter of a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, adding a rubberized velcro-lined strap that keeps the USB-C cord wound up while also delivering extra ports that MacBook models no longer have.
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ElevationLab says that the ElevationHub was designed to "perfectly meet the geometry" of USB-C MacBook chargers, turning it into a single unit. It works with the 30W, 61W, 87W, and 96W power adapter options from Apple, though passthrough charging is limited to 61W.
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The ElevationHub can be purchased standalone or with a six-foot braided USB-C 3.0 cord available for an extra $10. ElevationLab says the cord provides 10x faster data speeds (5Gb/s) than the USB-C cable that ships with the MacBook.
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The ElevationHub can be pre-ordered from the ElevationLab website for $49.95 with the braided USB-C cord or $39.95 without it. Pre-sale customers can get a 20 percent discount with the promo code TIDY, and orders will ship out in mid-July.
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That depends on what your standard for ‘properly’ is. If charging a 16” MBP takes two hours to reach 80% (after that the charging speed slows down anyway such that the difference between 61 and 96 W becomes basically irrelevant) while the device is at sleep, than it takes about three hours with a 61 W charger. The time to 100% might then differ between three and four hours for these two chargers. Of course, that difference becomes larger the more you use the computer while it is charging.So it can't even charge a 16" MacBook Pro properly...
And if your criteria for ‘charging properly’ is charges-at-the-maximum-speed-the-device-will-allow, then a lot of iPhones have shipped with a charger that can’t even charge them properly (all iPhones that came with a 5-W charger since, I think, the iPhone 7, which includes even the iPhone 11).
So it can't even charge a 16" MacBook Pro properly...* USB-C (passthrough up to 61W, USB 3.0)
* Their older PSUs had cable management (generally the new power bricks lack all and any innovation)
* integrated "dock" on the PSU would have added neglible cost...
* 2 USB-A, 5V 2.1A
* 2 USB-C, 1 uplink, the other with Displayport out via USB-C
At least that is what I would have expected from a Premium brand...
...as I stated "would have added neglible cost". The 5V circuit is already there. Displayport over USB-C is also a standard passthrough feature.You run into the law of diminishing returns with this pretty quickly. For once, the power brick will in most cases be sitting under a desk, at very least on the floor as that is where the power outlets usually are. That means it will be rather inconvenient to plug in peripherals and even for those connected permanently, you’d probably need rather long cables. Moreover, why stop at three extra ports? Why not offer the functionality of a $200-$300 TB dock, for free I might add? That then will be used only by a minority because of the location of the power brick.
When you are travelling these kind of features come in very handy. Have a power socket in the bus, train,... there you go. Or simply in a Hotel where there is a power socket usually next to the bed. Charge your iPhone and Macbook at the same time with ONE charger. Or at home if you use it at your desk. Just connect your mouse, keyboard, whatever and display to the PSU directly and only ONE cable the Macbook.
If you have the courage to go USB-C only on a PRO device better also include PRO accesseries... I'm not saying this need to be a standard accessory on an Air, but on a Macbook Pro with those large bricks... it certainly should.