-November 15, 2021 at 5:54 p.m. Pacific Time

DockCase is well-known for its combined MacBook hub and case, and recently launched its latest USB-C smart hub on Kickstarter. The project has exceeded its goal by more than six times, but you must support the project by November 26 and get the smart center at an early bird price.

Before I start to comment, it is important to note that this is a Kickstarter project, so it is not like ordering a finished product on Amazon. The unit I want to review is still a beta version, and delivery cannot be guaranteed in the end. The estimated delivery time is January 2022, but like any crowdfunding project, it may be delayed. That being said, DockCase has a long history of manufacturing similar products, and the project has already received funding (more than 6 times!). This is definitely one of the safer Kickstarter supported.

The smart hub connects to your computer via USB-C, and has four USB-A ports, one high-speed USB-C port for data, one USB-C port that provides up to 100 watts of power, one HDMI 2.0 port, and one Gigabit Ethernet port. Of the four USB-A ports, two of them are USB-2.0. So the maximum speed of these two ports is limited to 480Mbps. The other two USB-A ports and USB-C ports provide speeds up to 10Gbps. These two slower USB-2.0 ports are perfect for accessories such as mice and keyboards, and USB drives should be plugged into high-speed ports.

If all you are looking for in a hub is to add additional ports, frankly, Amazon already has countless other options to choose from at lower prices. However, the DockCase smart hub brings something quite unique to the desktop: the screen. The small 1.54-inch screen displays the operating modes of all ports and a button that allows you to change settings. This kind of customization is the outstanding feature of DockCase Smart Hub.

Customizability comes from various "modes". Since the hub is connected through a single USB-C port and is not Thunderbolt compatible, it will be limited by USB speed. Through these modes, you can choose the priority of the functions you want. Personally, I maintained "My Mode" and increased the available power of the Dock.

In addition to being able to choose between PD version 2.0 and 3.0, there are some power modes that can be optimized for use with Nintendo Switch. A (confusingly named) "extreme" video mode allows the hub to plug in the 4k30 video output from the device and send it through the HDMI port as a 4k60 signal. The hub also supports standard 4k60 output.

Since I received the hub, it has replaced two other smaller USB hubs on my desk. My desktop settings currently include my MacBook and two additional monitors, as well as a third-party wired mouse and keyboard. I have plugged the Gigabit Ethernet into the docking station, and usually plugged in a combination CF/SD card reader and a USB to SATA adapter. I also often plug in external SSDs, such as Kinston's XS2000 and the DataTraveler Max I reviewed recently.

The smart hub met my connection needs almost perfectly. Integrated CF and SD card slots would be great, but most people don't need them often (and the 7-in-1 hubs before DockCase included an SD card slot instead of a USB-C port). The USB-C port is particularly good for me. Although I like the DataTraveler Max, one of my only complaints about it is the width. When plugged into my MacBook, it does not fit next to another device. The DockCase hub has enough space around all ports for me to plug in without worrying about interference.

The only port on the hub that I don't use frequently is the HDMI port, because my current monitor only provides Thunderbolt and DisplayPort connections.

I doubt that I will find how useful the display and smart functions are, but two examples so far gave me a sigh of relief.

When I first started using the hub, I accidentally inserted the capture card into a USB-2.0 port. There were some major issues with the video, but I noticed that it was a USB-2.0 port lit up on the screen, so I quickly moved it to one of the faster ports.

I also realized that one of my many Ethernet cables must have a broken wire inside, so it can only run at 100Mbps, not gigabit or faster. Of course, I can unplug a cable tester, or I can check the computer settings to find it, and once I start the file transfer, I will immediately realize it, but this is a quick sign that the cable needs to be put in the trash can.

However, my experience is not completely impeccable. Customization can bring some ease-of-use trade-offs, and this comes when you are ready to broadcast live on the Space Explored YouTube channel. I use DockCase smart hub to connect all devices to my laptop, including capture card, iPhone, etc. The hub is plugged into AC power and is charging my MacBook, but it does not seem to be able to power all external devices. This causes the hub to shut down intermittently.

My capture card also seems to freeze from time to time. Fortunately, by increasing the base power setting to 25W, both of these problems seem to be resolved. This is a simple solution, and I am very happy that the smart hub can do this, but it is really frustrating at the moment.

Overall, my experience is very positive. I used quite a few different hubs and adapters on my MacBook, and they were just a tool for me to overcome Apple's anti-consumer decision to reduce ports. Fortunately, Apple has returned. It's hard to describe, but the smart hub seems more like a thing, almost a gadget of its own, and actually has a place on your desk.

Will most people need a DockCase smart hub? No, other devices may be sufficient for basic expansion needs. However, it is hard not to recommend this. Unlike any other hub or adapter, its sleek appearance and screen will attract people's attention. Sometimes, as I have experienced, having it can save a few minutes of troubleshooting time. And the ability to update the firmware is very good!

The DockCase 8-in-1 high-speed USB-C hub can be purchased through Kickstarter at an early bird price of $89. As an extra part of Kickstarter, DockCase offers its previous 7-in-1 smart hub at a price of $49, with a 40% discount

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