Calling jchuzi... Please help!

[Dreambird]

I was just waiting for payday to order the USB hub you recommended but it appears they now have new stock which says it's for Mojave so don't know if it will work for High Sierra:

https://www.amazon.ca/Portable-SuperSpeed-Splitter-Aluminum-Transfer/dp/B00D600M68/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Tripp-Lite%2BU360-007%2BUSB%2Bhub&qid=1637263243&sr=8-1&th=1

Any suggestions for perhaps another model if this one won't work for me? 

There's this one with 4 ports... it would do although the charging port would be nice.
https://www.amazon.ca/Portable-SuperSpeed-Splitter-Aluminum-Transfer/dp/B004ZMDQG4/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Tripp-Lite%2BU360-007%2BUSB%2Bhub&qid=1637263243&sr=8-1&th=1

Bunches of thanks in advance!

[jchuzi]

My guess is that it will work with High Sierra but, before you buy, you could ask Tripplite directly. Go to https://www.tripplite.com and click the Contact Us link at the top right. AFAIK, USB (Universal Serial Bus) is, indeed, universal, but don't take my word for it.

[Dreambird]

OK... thank you so much for the quick reply! They aren't available today so I'll have try on Monday. In the meantime may I ask what do you mean by USB (universal serial bus)? How would I know if the 2 USB ports I have qualify?

According to what I could find online for a short answer is that USB is:

Short for universal serial bus, USB (pronounced yoo-es-bee) is a plug and play interface that allows a computer to communicate with peripheral and other devices. USB-connected devices cover a broad range; anything from keyboards and mice, to music players and flash drives.

OK... better yet these are the specs for my MBP: (the 2.6GHz one)

https://support.apple.com/kb/SP653?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

[jchuzi]

You have USB 3.0, which is one of the fastest iterations of USB. It's not as fast as Thunderbolt, but it is equivalent for all practical purposes. For more than you want to know, read USB 3.0 (Wikipedia)

[Dreambird]

Thanks for the link, lots of reading over morning hot chocolate... 

[Paddy]

DB, what exactly do you need this for - ie: do you just want to be able to connect more USB items to your MBP or do you want to be able to charge things as well? And how many ports do you think you actually need?

That Tripplite one is expensive for what it does. I have an Anker one that's 10 ports - three of them charging - for that price. And I really do need all those extra ports, because of the number of external drives/devices I use. (that's on my iMac, which is my primary "work" machine)

Other options to consider:

https://www.amazon.ca/WENTER-Charging-Individual-Switches-Splitter/dp/B08P2WZCNH/ (more charging ports, fewer regular ports)

https://www.amazon.ca/Anker-Charging-Adapter-Included-VL812-B2/dp/B014ZQ07NE?

https://www.amazon.ca/Splitter-Charging-Individual-Switches-Extension/dp/B07YFJV6QT/ - bought one of these for the historical society; works just fine. Same specs as the TrippLite for less than half the cost. Methinks with Tripplite, you're paying for the name.

[Dreambird]

Thanks for the suggestions, Paddy!

The main, number one thing is the need for more USB ports really, however at least one charging port would be very handy as well. I'm always swapping around for the iPad, iPhone and I'm thinking of a new iPad soon as this one is getting quite old and I would love an iPad Pro. I currently have an iPad Air 2 and an iPhone 4S but my sister who generously gave me that one last time she upgraded has now upgraded to the iPhone 13 so I'll be inheriting her current iPhone 6S. Only caveat is that she wants the 4S back just to "have" as it was her first iPhone and after being with me for some years now it is still in pristine condition, she looked at it and asked if she could have it back if she gave me her 6S... well, works for me!  I plan to keep my iPad Air 2 even if I get a new iPad and then there is the external DVD player that also needs a USB port and the printer that needs a USB port along with a couple of iPad styluses that charge via USB and the Time Machine drive... another USB port

I'll have to look at all the options closer before coming to a decision but I noted that on the Anker hub in the questions one person asks if it will charge an iPad Pro and someone answers that it won't change her iPad Air. Another person seems to have no problem with Samsung or Galaxy. There is a difference between an iPad Air and an iPad Air 2 but I would think that charging an iPad shouldn't be a problem? It does have the advantage of being a nice compact unit although one reviewer complains about the size of the power adapter (first reviewer) but it is impossible to please everyone. What I do like about Amazon is the ability to easily return something if it isn't right.

*edit** I should mention that in defence of Jon's recommendation for the Tripplite... when he first posted that it was approx. $85... I wasn't quick enough as there was only 1 left and I was waiting on "the" payday so this is the new stock when they said "more coming soon" and it seems someone decided to give it a good hike in price... in fact it was $103 and change a couple of days ago and now it's $105 and change now, so that's quite an increase!