Search Results for: usb-c

Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to break up with your slow and outdated laptop charger, because Plugable has just released a new 140W USB-C power adapter that should be faster and more efficient than your current one!

The Plugable USB-C Power Adapter (PS-EPR-140C1) is a powerhouse, featuring GaN and Extended Power Range (EPR) technology that will blow your mind. Not literally, of course, because safety is a top priority for Plugable. But it will definitely blow your previous charger out of the water.

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Today, Plugable launches its latest USB-C hub for Apple laptops. Called "AMS-5IN1E," it is a 5-in-1 USB-C hub that adds five ports to your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, while still providing access to the MagSafe charging port. The hub includes a full-featured USB-C port that is capable of anything the MacBook port can do, such as connecting a 6K 60Hz display, transferring data up to 40Gbps, and pass-through charging up to 100W.

This 5-in-1 USB-C hub is designed to connect to any MacBook that has two USB-C or Thunderbolt ports next to each other. It is ideal for 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, introduced in 2021, or MacBook Airs, introduced in 2022. The hub was crafted deliberately to complement Apple’s MagSafe power connector; it features a cutout to avoid impeding the functionality or connection of the MagSafe charger.

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Last year, Samsung released the T7 Shield -- a fast and durable USB-C SSD. At the time, the portable drive was offered in three colors (beige, black, and blue) plus two capacities (1TB and 2TB).

Today, Samsung adds a new 4TB capacity option to the T7 Shield lineup. Yes, you can now get the drive with double the storage of the previous top capacity. Unfortunately, this 4TB variant is only available in black -- fans of beige and blue are out of luck with this capacity.

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Apple's iPad is a tablet, obviously, but when you add a keyboard case, it magically becomes a laptop too. But did you know M1 or M2-powered iPad tablets (running iPadOS 16.1 and higher) can also serve as a desktop PC with full-screen monitor support? It's true! By plugging in a USB-C dock, you can connect a keyboard, mouse, monitor, external storage, and more.

Today, Plugable launches a new USB-C Stand Dock (model number UDS-7IN1). While this product is primarily designed for M1/M2 iPad devices (such as iPad Pro and iPad Air 5), it can work with USB-C Android devices and Windows tablets (such as Surface Pro) as well. While this dock should technically work with laptops and desktops, the "stand" aspect (which props up the phone or tablet like a monitor), would be wasted.

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If you need a new webcam and don't want to break the bank, there is a new product from Logitech that you definitely need to check out. Called "Brio 300," this beautiful cone-shaped webcam connects via USB-C and comes with an integrated privacy shade. And yes, it is certified for both Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

Brio 300 costs just $69.99, which seems like a great value for a 1080p webcam from a top brand such as Logitech. It includes a microphone with noise cancellation, of course, but also, you get features like auto light correction and high dynamic contrast. If you love the environment, you will love the Brio 300 too, as it is partially constructed of post-consumer recycled plastic.

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A Chromebook is a laptop running Google's Linux-based ChromeOS operating system. However, when you connect such a notebook to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, it becomes a makeshift desktop computer.

The most elegant way to transform a laptop into a desktop is with a USB-C docking station. But how can you be sure your Chromebook is compatible? Well, if the dock is officially certified as "Works With Chromebook," then you can be assured that it will work flawlessly.

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There are so many docks and docking stations nowadays, that it can be hard to get excited about them. Look, I get it, they all pretty much do the same thing -- turn your laptop into a desktop while also charging it. The thing is, not all of them are created equally. In fact, some are much better than others.

With all of that said, today, trusted manufacturer Plugable launches an all-new USB-C docking station. Called "USBC-6950PDZ," the dock comes with all the ports that you'd expect, but in a conveniently small body. It can easily fit inside your bag when traveling.

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If you have a cutting-edge PC with PCIe 4.0, you will probably want to get a compatible solid state drive to maximize your performance. True, PCIe 4.0 SSDs are largely for bragging rights and benchmarks -- you probably won't notice a difference in actual use -- but still, you might as well go for the best if the difference in price isn't totally obscene.

Today, TEAMGROUP unveils a new M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD. Called "T-CREATE CLASSIC," this speedy DL SSD comes with a graphene heatsink. In addition, the company is launching a new PCIe SSD USB-C enclosure called "EC01." The enclosure will convert an internal PCIe SSD into an external USB-C SSD.

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Does the perfect laptop docking station exist? Maybe for some consumers, but ultimately, no it does not. The reality is, consumers have differing needs and wants, so no single dock can truly please everyone. With that said, a new docking station from Plugable should prove to be a great option for most consumers.

Called "UD-ULTCDL," it technically is an update to an existing Plugable dock that carries the same name, but really, it is significantly different, meaning it should be considered an entirely new product. This second generation version features three HDMI ports as opposed to outdated DVI and VGA options. Not to mention, it now offers 100W charging (96W certified).

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Solid state drives make great internal boot drives for computers, but they are wonderful options for external storage too. Not only are they smaller than mechanical hard disk drives, but they use less power and are much quicker as well. Quite frankly, if you are someone that needs to transport data on a portable drive, you'd be crazy to still use a HDD with moving parts.

Today, CORSAIR launches its latest portable solid state drive. Called "EX100U," the tiny SSD offers very fast performance thanks to its USB 3.2 Gen2 x2 interface. It can achieve read speeds up to 1,600MB/s and write speeds up to 1,500MB/s. Corsair lists Windows and Mac compatibility, but it should work perfectly fine with Linux-based operating systems too, including Ubuntu, Chrome OS, and Android. Yes, it should be compatible with iPadOS as well.

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If you are anything like me, you have several devices that use various chargers and cables. For instance, I recently went on a cruise with an iPhone and a Kindle. For the iPhone, I have a USB-C to lightning cable. For the Kindle, I have USB-A to micro USB cable. When packing for my trip, I had to pack both a USB-A and USB-C adapter so I could charge both devices. Isn't there a better way?

Yes, actually. Had I planned better, I could have purchased a single wall adapter that offered both USB-C and USB-A ports for simultaneous charging. This would have allowed me to pack less and use fewer outlets in my room. While there are plenty of these wall adapters on the market, a diminutive new model from Silicon Power, called "Boost Charger QM25," looks quite nice.

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Many people are working from home nowadays, using work-issued laptops. The problem, of course, is that these workers often own personal notebooks too. And so, if they regularly connect their computers to a mouse, keyboard, and monitor, it can be quite cumbersome to constantly plug and unplug cables when switching between two machines.

A KVM switch is a great solution for this dilemma, as it allows you to easily switch peripherals and accessories from one computer to the other. IOGEAR has unveiled its newest such product and it is quite elegant. Called "GCS72CC," it offers two USB-C cables that you plug into both computers. Then, the device offers two USB-A ports and one DisplayPort. This lets you connect a mouse, keyboard, and monitor. You then press a convenient button to switch between machines.

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Apple's iPad is a tablet, yes, but when you add a keyboard case, it magically becomes a laptop. But did you know the new M1-powered iPad tablets with USB-C can also serve as a legit desktop? It is true! By plugging in a USB-hub, you can connect a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and/or external storage. The desktop capabilities of Apple's M1 tablets will greatly improve with the upcoming iPadOS 16 too.

Today, Satechi launches the "USB-C Mobile Pro Hub SD," which is primarily designed for M1 iPad devices such as iPad Pro and iPad Air 5. The hub plugs into the bottom of the tablet and offers HDMI (4K compatible), USB-A (up to 5Gbps), 3.5mm audio, SD card reader, and microSD carder. It even offers USB-C power delivery (up to 60W) so you can charge the iPad while the hub is in use. There is only a single USB-A port, however, so you will need to use a wireless mouse and/or keyboard -- both cannot be wired.

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USB-C docking stations and hubs are a dime a dozen these days. There are so many such products that can transform a single USB-C port into several others. Quite frankly, it is almost impossible to get noticed with such an adapter these days.

With all of that said, a new USB-C adapter from Belkin has managed to grab my attention. Called "CONNECT USB-C 6-in-1 Multiport Hub with Mount," it has a unique feature that I find quite neat. You see, the "mount" in the product's name indicates that it can be attached to the back of a computer, such as Apple iMac.

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Are all NVMe M.2 solid state drives the same from a performance perspective? Technically, no, but nowadays, even the lower-speed offerings are still rather fast. In other words, no NVMe SSD is "slow" although I would still caution to stick with trusted brands if you value your data. After all, it doesn't matter how speedy your drive is if it dies and your files are lost.

Samsung is probably the most trusted name in solid state storage. Not only are its SSDs historically very dependable, but very fast too. While a Samsung SSD may cost a bit more than some other brands, it is absolutely worth the premium if you want the best.

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