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#usbc

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Terence Eden’s Blog

Is this the smallest USB-C hub?

shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/04/is-th

The gadget wizards at Benfei know that I'm a sucker for any sort of USB-C gadget. So when they offered to send me their micro-hub to review, how could I refuse?

It is dinky!

Here's what you get for your tenner

  • USB-C PowerDelivery
  • HDMI
  • USB-A

Frankly, I'm impressed that they managed to fit that much in!

If you'll excuse my lacklustre photo-editing skills, here are the two output ports:

This is what it looks like plugged into a laptop:

The spec says it will use about 10 Watts for the hub and pass the rest through. I used my Plugable Power Meter to measure throughput - my 65W charger supplied about 45W to the laptop. Perhaps a bit less than they claim, but certainly good enough.

It delivered 4K video flawlessly - my Linux laptop was able to play 60Hz videos without issue. And, of course, the USB-A port worked as expected.

But that's not the real challenge here, is it? USB-C is the future - how well does it work on a variety of devices?

Plugging in to my Pixel 8 Pro, the PowerDelivery hit 20W - which is decent. DP Alt-Mode is still experimental in Android, but GrapheneOS was able to drive video and audio to my TV. And, again, the USB port worked with a keyboard, thumb-drive, and other accessories.

Let's go for a bigger challenge. How does this thing cope with the Nintendo Switch?

Brilliant! Sound, video, and power all worked!

The only real downside is that it doesn't do data passthrough on the power-in port. So you will lose a USB-C data-socket when using it. It is 48mm wide - so you may need an extension cable if your existing ports are very close together.

But, for a tenner, this is an absolute steal. It even comes with a tiny lanyard and keyring so you can keep it with you at all times.

Terence Eden’s Blog · Is this the smallest USB-C hub?
More from Terence Eden
#gadget#review#usbC
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Terence Eden’s Blog

Gadget Review: Benfei SATA to USB-C Drive Enclosure

shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/04/gadge

The good folks at Benfei know that I'm always losing my USB Thumb Drives. They're just too damn small. I crave something bigger and harder to lose. Not as huge as a CD Drive, but not as small as a MiniDisc. Something chunky and satisfying, with a slim elegance. So they've sent me their SATA to USB-C drive enclosure.

It's a cute little box, with a built-in USB-C cable.

The cable has one of those weird adapters which lets you convert it back to USB-A. Personally, I think we should force everyone to USB-C and not pander to the laggards who refuse to embrace the future. The box is "tool free" - which means you can slide the top off with ease.

Inside is the standard SATA plug, waiting for your disk. The unit also comes with some extra foam padding - so you can ensure nothing rattles around in there.

I couldn't find my SSD, but I had an old 320GB HDD laying around, so shoved that in there.

As was to be expected, it is plug-and-play technology. For Linux nerds, this shows up as 152d:0583 JMicron Technology Corp. / JMicron USA Technology Corp. JMS583Gen 2 to PCIe Gen3x2 Bridge.

You can read the JMicron datasheed for the chip.

For a laugh, I plugged it into my Android phone:

USB-C has reached the sort of maturity where you can be reasonably sure that plugging in random gadgets will just work.

I did a quick drive benchmark and it seemed to top out at 60MB/s for reading and writing. To be fair, that may just be the age of my piece of spinning rust.

For less than a tenner, this is a great gadget to have in your bag. It's quick and simple to open, you don't need to faff around with screws. The cable is a little short - but you probably don't want it trailing all over your desk.

Oh, and it has a blue LED to let you know it is working. Thankfully, it isn't overly bright so doesn't cause a distraction.

Terence Eden’s Blog · Gadget Review: Benfei SATA to USB-C Drive Enclosure
More from Terence Eden
#gadget#review#usbC
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Mac & i

Eigene Kabel: Beats verkauft neue USB-Strippen mit Textilmantel

Auf Hüllen folgen Strippen: Die Apple-Tochter Beats bringt weiteres Smartphone-Zubehör auf den Markt. Die vorgestellten Kabel sollen besonders robust sein.

heise.de/news/Eigene-Kabel-Bea

heise online · Eigene Kabel: Beats verkauft neue USB-Strippen mit TextilmantelBy Holger Zelder
#Apple#Beats#Mobiles
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Terence Eden’s Blog

Gadget Review: Benfei USB-C to Ethernet Adapter

shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/04/gadge

Sure, WiFi is basically fine. But sometimes you need the raw power, high speed, and utter reliability of Ethernet. Billions of packets hurtling down twisted copper pair in order to deliver your data - that's what it is all about, right?

But - alas! - laptops don't have Ethernet ports these days. And mobile phones tend to shun them as well. Who can save us from the tyranny of multi-GigaHertz radiowaves?!

The good folk at Benfei have sent me their latest gadget and, somehow, I need to make 300 words out of "plug into device, plug in Ethernet cable, data go fast". Let's see how that goes!

My hands trembling, I plugged in the svelte USB-C plug into my waiting laptop. With a satisfying "clunk", the Ethernet cable docked into the waiting receptacle. An instant later, subtle LEDs began to flicker as the data pulsed through the CAT6 and into my computer.

For Linux nerds, this is a 0bda:8153 Realtek Semiconductor Corp. RTL8153 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter. Plugging it in just worked - although there are drivers for Linux, Mac, and Windows if you need them.

Just for a laugh, I plugged it into my Android phone and - amazingly - it also just worked. I was free from the shackles of poor 5G coverage. Well, I could only go as far as my Ethernet cable stretched, but the speeds were fantastic.

This claims to be good up to 1Gbps. Sadly, I downgraded my Gigabit broadband, but let's see just how fast it can go. Here's a speed test run from my Android phone:

Fair play! That totally maxed out my home broadband.

Verdict

It's a cute little unit. For about a tenner - depending on how The Algorithm feels - this can't be beat. The short cable is nicely braided, the silver design is inoffensive, and you get the standard Ethernet blinkenlights to tell you it's working.

Please click the affiliate links so my family doesn't starve.

Terence Eden’s Blog · Gadget Review: Benfei USB-C to Ethernet Adapter
More from Terence Eden
#gadget#review#usbC
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Kevin Karhan :verified:

I mean, I'd not have any issues with a "shitty" #Netbook if it's prized acceptable.

  • And not €220+ for a Laptop with an #Atom #Z8350 & 2GB RAM and a 32GB eMMC that was €199 at lauch 10 years ago and €149 5 years ago.

Cuz then I might be better off buying a used #ThinkPad with #USBc, remove the dead battery and stap a Powerbank to it.

Tho I'd rather start the #NUCbook project instead or buy a @frameworkcomputer / #Framework12 instead...

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