Plugable Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Hub
SKU: TBT4-HUB3C
List Price : $149.95
Amazon Rating :
(124 Reviews)
Features
- Certified Reliability—The Plugable Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Hub with 60W Charging is Thunderbolt certified and built on the Goshen Ridge Chipset for maximum USB-C, USB4, Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 dock functionality
- Thunderbolt 4 and USB4—Every port on this Thunderbolt hub functions as Thunderbolt 3 hub, Thunderbolt 4 and/or USB 4 with support for up to two 4K screens, 40 Gbps of data, and 15W power, automatically adjusted depending on the host
- Compatibility—Windows (10+) Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 systems, macOS (11+). Thunderbolt 4 dock supports 2x 4K screens at 60Hz, one 8K screen at 30Hz or 1x 6K on M1 Macs. Functionality limited on USB-C only systems. Thunderbolt 3 Windows systems not recommended
- Expandable—Daisy chain up to six devices to make room for all of your gear, or use a standalone USB charging hub for any USB-C/Thunderbolt device
- 2 Year Warranty—We love our Plugable products, and hope you will too. All of our products are backed with a 2-year limited parts and labor warranty as well as Seattle-based email support
The Plugable Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Hub with 60W Charging Delivers More Power to the Power User
Thunderbolt 4 and USB4
The Plugable Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Hub with 60W Charging (TBT4-HUB3C) delivers an experience that you won’t find anywhere else. All of your devices—Thunderbolt 4, USB4, Thunderbolt 3, or USB-C—will automatically work at their peak potential as supported by the host. Everything you need for an excellent Windows or Macbook Pro Hub. Here’s something you might not find with other hubs, an included USB-C to HDMI 2.0 adapter simplifies connecting an additional monitor, and the included 80cm (2.6ft) Thunderbolt 4 cable gives you more flexibility to set up your desk.
Built for Performance
The TBT4-HUB3C is designed for speed–data transfer speeds up to 40Gbps, power–60W charging to keep your battery topped off, and dependability–built and tested to comply with Plugable’s highest quality standards. And when you don’t need data, it even works as a standalone charging hub.
Riding the Ridge
You didn’t buy a high-performance laptop to settle for a low-performance USBC dock. Leveraging the flexibility of the Goshen Ridge chip, each Thunderbolt port instantly and automatically adapts to your computer. Connecting to an M1 Mac? Get a one-cord connection to your USB-C and Thunderbolt devices, like a 4K display, and two Thunderbolt 3 SSDs–each reaching multi-gig transfer speeds. Switching to a Dell XPS with Thunderbolt 4 ports? Use the same one-cord connection for identically fast results, or swap one of the SSDs for a second 4K display. The seamless compatibility goes in reverse, too. On older USB-C systems, the TBT4-HUB3C adjusts to deliver the maximum performance supported by your laptop.
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USB Port Types
USB-A
pietz, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
This is the standard USB connection that most computers offered prior to the introduction of USB Type-C (USB-C). Even after the introduction of USB Type-C, this is still quite common.
It can provide data transfer rates up to the USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 gbps) specification depending on the host and device, but does not directly support video in the way that USB-C Alternate Mode does. This limitation makes DisplayLink USB graphics adapters and docking stations ideal on systems that do not have USB-C, or in instances where more displays are needed beyond available video outputs of a PC.
USB-B
Fred the Oyster, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
IngenieroLoco, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This type of connection comes in a couple different styles depending on whether USB 3.0 and higher transfer rates are supported (bottom graphic). Usually this type of connection is used to plug into USB devices that do not have a fixed cable connected, such as USB docking stations, USB hubs, printers, and others.
USB Mini-B
Fred the Oyster, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
One of the first connectors for charging a smartphone, wireless game controller (such as the Sixaxis and DualShock 3), and other small devices such as external hard drives. Not commonly used today, but is still used in some cases. Most devices using USB Mini B are using USB 2.0, though a USB 3.0 variant does exist. This specification also added USB On-The-Go (OTG) functionality, though it is more commonly implemented with Micro USB.
USB Micro-B
Fred the Oyster, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
IngenieroLoco, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
A smaller connector that serves many of the same uses as the Mini B connector, with added optional features such as Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) to allow devices like smartphones to output video to larger displays without requiring a dedicated port for video output.
The larger variant of USB-B is most commonly used for external hard drives for higher 5Gbps transfer rates.
USB-C, Thunderbolt™ 3, and Thunderbolt™ 4
Niridya , CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The most recent USB connection, USB Type-C (USB-C), represents a major change in what USB can do. The connector is smaller, can be connected in two orientations, is able to carry substantially more power and data, and can directly carry video signals of multiple types (HDMI, DisplayPort, etc.) Intel has also adapted the USB-C connector for use with Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4.
It is important to note that while all Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 connections are USB-C, not all USB-C connections can be used with Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 devices.
More details regarding physical USB connections can be found on Wikipedia . The graphics depicted here are adapted from Wikimedia Commons by various artists under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
Self-Powered vs Bus-Powered USB Devices
While all USB ports provide some amount of power for attached devices, the available power may not be enough for certain high-current devices such as USB hubs or external hard drives. High-current devices usually come with their own power adapter, making them self-powered, in contrast to a bus-powered device that draws all of its power from the host computer's USB interface. Bus-powered devices can cause issues if they need more power than is available from the host machine.
Many of our devices that include power adapters, especially USB hubs, will function in either self-powered or bus-powered mode. However, even though the device may function, each additional device attached to the host computer reduces the total available bus power. If the power runs out, any USB device attached to the computer may suddenly disconnect. If this were to happen to a USB storage device, such an event could result in permanent data loss.
If a device comes with a power adapter, we recommend that the adapter stay connected at all times, otherwise the device may not function as designed.
Self-powered USB device - A device that takes all of its power from an external power supply
Bus-powered USB device - A device that takes all of its power from the host computer's USB interface.
Does the TBT4-HUB3C Hub Charge the Host PC?
The TBT4-USB3C hub can provide up to 60W of power to charge the host PC, provided that the PC supports being charged via Thunderbolt or USB-C.
Please note - not all Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, or USB-C systems can be charged via their Thunderbolt or USB-C ports. Please consult your PC’s manual or technical specifications in order to determine if your PC supports charging via Thunderbolt or USB-C.
What Are the Capabilities of the TBT4-HUB3C Hub Ports, and What Types of Devices Can Be Connected?
You can then connect many different types of Thunderbolt and USB-C devices to the three Thunderbolt/USB-C ports on the back of the hub. The type of functionality provided by the three ports on the back of the hub is ultimately determined by the capabilities of the host PC.
To put that another way, if the host PC has Thunderbolt 4 technology built-in, then all three ports on the back of the hub will function as Thunderbolt 4 ports.
If the host PC has Thunderbolt 3 technology built-in, then all three ports on the back of the hub will function as Thunderbolt 3 ports.
If the host PC has USB-C technology built-in, then all three ports on the back of the hub will function as USB-C ports.
Can I Use My Display With a Native USB-C Video Input With the TBT4-HUB3C Hub?
External displays that have a native USB-C video input can be used in conjunction with the Plugable TBT4-HUB3C hub.
However, in our experience helping others we have found that some portable USB-C displays may not work as expected when an external USB-C power source is connected to the display.
If your portable USB-C display has an external USB-C power source, please disconnect the external power source from the display when using the display in conjunction with the hub.
The hub can provide up to 15W of power to the portable USB-C display, which will take the place of the external power source.
An example of such a display would be the ViewSonic VG1655 display → https://www.viewsonic.com/us/vg1655.html
A video that demonstrates the capabilities of this display is here → https://youtu.be/ferq4xz_A3M
What Does the Indicator Light on the Front of the TBT4-HUB3C Hub Mean?
When the hub is connected to a power outlet using the included power adapter, you will see a small solid white power indicator light on the front of the hub, towards the right-hand side. The white light indicates that the hub is powered on.
When the hub is connected to a PC, the indicator light on the front of the hub will change from a white color to a green color. The green light indicates that the hub is connected to the PC.
What Amount of Power Can the TBT4-HUB3C Hub Provide to Connected Devices?
Each of the three ports on the back of the hub have the ability to provide up to 15W of power to connected devices, and this is typically used to power an external device (such as a Thunderbolt or USB-C storage drive).
However, this power can also be used to charge devices that have an internal battery, for example a mobile phone or a tablet.
An additional useful component of this feature is that the charging capability can be used even when the hub is not connected to your PC.
To put that another way, when your PC is not connected to the hub, the hub can be used as a charging station for up to three different devices.
Do I Need To Install Any Drivers To Use the TBT4-HUB3C Hub? Does the Hub Need To Be ‘Approved’ in Windows?
Speaking in general, there are no driver installations necessary in order to use the hub in macOS or Windows.
If the PC you are connecting the hub to is running Windows and has Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 3 technology built-in, when you first connect the hub you may be prompted to ‘Approve’ or ‘Authenticate’ the device via the Intel Thunderbolt software that should already be installed on your Windows PC.
We have a video that demonstrates how to ‘Approve’ the device using the two different types of the Intel software (known as either the ‘Intel Thunderbolt Software’ or the ‘Intel Thunderbolt Control Center’) here → https://youtu.be/aRN2aEzmsyo
Depending on how your Windows PC is configured, the Approval process may happen automatically and as a result you may not be prompted to Approve the hub.
** Note - we have had reports that the hub needed to be manually Approved when used with some Windows Thunderbolt 3 systems before USB devices connected to the hub would function properly. If USB devices are not working properly via the hub, please check the Approval status and manually Approve if necessary **
If the PC you are connecting the hub to is running macOS and has Thunderbolt 3 or USB4 technology built-in, the approval process will happen automatically.
If the PC you are connecting the hub to has USB-C technology built-in, the hub does not need to be approved (device Approval is not part of the USB-C standard).
Can I Connect External Displays to the TBT4-HUB3C? What Are the Hub’s Display Capabilities?
Included in the box with the hub is one Plugable USB-C to HDMI video adapter. You can connect this adapter to the hub in order to attach one HDMI display (up to 3840x2160 resolution at a 60Hz refresh rate) to the hub using a HDMI to HDMI video cable (a cable with a HDMI connector on both ends, not included).
Please note that the amount of displays that can be connected to the hub is ultimately determined by the capabilities of the host PC.
A PC that has Thunderbolt 4 technology will be capable of driving two displays via the hub. This is because the Thunderbolt 4 specification requires a single Thunderbolt 4 port to be capable of driving two displays.
A PC that has Thunderbolt 3 technology will be capable of driving one or two displays via the hub. This is because manufacturers have a choice when designing a Thunderbolt 3 system in regard to how many displays can be driven via a single Thunderbolt 3 port. Some Thunderbolt 3 PCs can support two displays, while other Thunderbolt 3 PCs can support only one display.
A PC that has USB-C technology will be capable of driving only one display via the hub.
Please note that not all USB-C systems are capable of providing video output over USB-C. Please consult your PC’s manual or technical specifications in order to determine if your USB-C PC is capable of providing video output.
What Kind of Devices Can Be Connected to the TBT4-HUB3C Hub?
It is possible to connect many different types of Thunderbolt and USB-C devices to the three ports on the back of the hub.
Devices that are Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C can connect directly to the hub using Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, and USB-C cables, respectively. Examples of some of these various types of devices are:
Storage drives
USB-C video adapters
USB 3.0 Type-C hubs
Devices that are USB 3.0/3.1/3.2 Type-A can connect to the hub by using a USB Type-A to USB Type-C adapter, such as the Plugable USBC-AF3 → https://plugable.com/products/usbc-af3
Via a USBC-AF3 adapter, virtually any type of USB 3.0/3.1/3.2 Type-A device can be connected to the hub. Examples of some of these various types of devices are:
DisplayLink USB docking stations
Can the Plugable TBT4-HUB3C Hub Be Used Without Connecting the Included Power Adapter?
The TBT4-HUB3C requires that the included power adapter be connected to the hub in order for the hub to function properly. The hub will not work if the included power adapter is not connected.
The hub cannot be ‘bus powered’ from the host system’s Thunderbolt 4 port.
I Have Connected the Plugable TBT4-HUB3C to My Windows PC With Thunderbolt 3. Video Output via the Included USB-C to HDMI Adapter Is Working, However USB Devices Connected to the Hub Are Not. Why Is This?
I have connected the Plugable TBT4-HUB3C to my Windows PC with Thunderbolt 3. Video output via the included USB-C to HDMI adapter is working, however USB devices connected to the hub are not. Why is this?
Please note that the TBT4-HUB3C is officially supported in conjunction with Windows PCs that have Thunderbolt 4 technology built-in.
While the hub can work with some Thunderbolt 3 Windows PCs, the level of functionality of the hub when used with a Thunderbolt 3 Windows PC cannot be guaranteed.
That said, we have had reports that the hub needed to be manually Approved when used with some Windows Thunderbolt 3 systems before USB devices connected to the hub would function properly.
If USB devices are not working properly via the hub, please check the Approval status and manually Approve if necessary.
We have a video that demonstrates how to ‘Approve’ the device using the two different types of the Intel software (known as either the ‘Intel Thunderbolt Software’ or the ‘Intel Thunderbolt Control Center’) here → https://youtu.be/aRN2aEzmsyo
Replacement Docking Station Power Adapters
Below is a list of pre-tested power adapters and corresponding power prongs/cables for Plugable docking stations that can be purchased on eBay if a replacement is needed.
If the power adapter for your docking station or region is not listed or if it out of stock on eBay please contact us at support@plugable.com and we will be happy to assist further.
We offer a 30-day return period for our replacement power adapters listed on eBay.
| Dock Models | Power Supplies |
|---|---|
| UD-3900 UD-3000 UD-5900 UD-PRO8 |
North America plug EU plug UK plug |
| UD-3900Z | |
| UD-3900H |
North America plug |
| UD-6950Z | |
| UD-6950H |
North America plug |
| UD-6950 | |
| UD-3900PDZ | |
| UD-CA1 UD-CA1A |
|
| UD-ULTCDL (MK1/Legacy version) | |
| UD-ULTCDL (MK2/Updated version) |
|
| UD-ULTC4K |
North America plug |
| TBT3-UDV |
North America plug Australia plug EU plug UK plug |
| TBT3-UDZ | |
| TBT3-UDC1 | |
| TBT3-UDC3 |
|
| TBT4-HUB3C | North America plug |
| USB4-HUB3A | North America plug |
Do Plugable products support the Apple SuperDrive?
Unfortunately Plugable products do not support the Apple SuperDrive.
The Apple SuperDrive has stringent power requirements that can only be met by directly connecting the SuperDrive to your host laptop. As a result at this time Apple recommends only using their USB-C adapter cables. You can find more information on that here -→ How to connect the Apple USB SuperDrive
If you have purchased a Plugable product to use with your Apple SuperDrive, and would like some additional assistance please do not hesitate to reach out. You can do so by emailing support@plugable.com, or going to Plugable.com/Support.
