Do USB C Hubs Drain the Battery Power of Your Laptop?
USB C hubs play an important role in increasing the number of ports on your laptop. A multifunctional USB C hub provides access to additional ports that your laptop may lack. Laptops are getting more powerful and productive.
Powered Hub & Unpowered Hub
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In general, USB C hubs are divided into two types based on the power source, which are powered and unpowered hubs.
A powered hub comes with its adapter and takes no power from your device. The unpowered USB hub draws all energy from the laptop’s battery, and every device plugged into it will share the maximum load provided.
In a powered hub, each USB port provides sufficient power to operate external devices. Conversely, in an unpowered USB hub, the power from a single USB port is divided among all the ports in the hub.
Powered USB hubs offer more ports for connectivity options. In contrast, unpowered USB hubs are mostly limited to several ports. A powered USB hub usually comes with more features than unpowered hubs.
Active USB hubs are expensive due to their enhanced capability to connect multiple devices, whereas passive hubs are more affordable because of their restricted power supply and port options.
Which option suits your needs best? If you require simple connectivity for peripherals such as mice, keyboards, or flash drives, an unpowered hub may be sufficient. However, if you have to run devices that exceed the maximum voltage limit, powered hubs are ideal.
Effects of Unpowered USB C Hubs
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The usage of unpowered USB hubs can impact the battery life of your laptop. If your laptop is connected to its power source, you may notice a drop in available battery power. If the laptop is not charged, the battery may drain faster than usual.
In addition, the power distributed by peripherals linked to the hub could lead to power consumption, leading to accelerated battery drain on the laptop. This additional power demand may strain the laptop's battery further, potentially reducing its lifespan.
Moreover, the ports on your laptop are linked to the motherboard and have a designated bandwidth. When a multi-port hub is connected to the laptop, the available bandwidth is divided by those ports.
If the devices currently connected are utilizing the maximum data transfer capacity of the hub, other devices will not be able to utilize a USB C connection fully.
How to Fix
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Select a Powered Hub: Opting for a powered hub with its power source may reduce the reliance on the laptop’s battery to supply power to connected devices.
Select Energy-Efficient Peripherals: Pick devices that consume less energy and have lower power needs to help decrease total power usage.
Disconnect Unused Devices: Unplug devices from the hub when they are not in use to minimize unnecessary power consumption.
Reduce the Number of Connected Devices: Connect only essential devices to the hub to avoid excessive power consumption.
Control Power Usage: Keep an eye on the power consumption of connected devices and adjust usage accordingly to conserve battery power.
Regularly Charge Your Laptop: Ensure your laptop is fully charged before using it with the hub to minimize the impact of power drain on its battery.
MOKiN 10 IN 1 Dual Display USB C Hub with 4K HDMI
If you work in an office and intend to have your laptop equipped with all the connectors it needs, the MOKiN 10-in-1 USB C Hub is your best choice. It features USB C, USB A, HDMI, VGA, RJ45, 3.5mm Audio/Mic, SD card reader, and Micro SD card slot. It is able to charge your laptop and use various expansion ports at the same time, giving you a range of options for connecting accessories, peripherals, and external monitors.
It doesn’t support the fastest data transfer up to 10Gbps. You can still achieve data transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps when transferring large files or game installations. Additionally, if you want to stream video to an external display, this adapter supports resolutions up to 4K at 60Hz for excellent visual quality. With the VGA and HDMI video output ports, you can extend two displays to experience better visual effects.
It can provide power delivery of up to 100 watts, allowing you to charge your laptop and other devices simultaneously. This compact and portable all-in-one hub features a built-in USB C cable that can be used as a carry handle, so you won’t have to worry about misplacing it. However, it does not support some of the latest port standards, such as Thunderbolt 3/4 or USB4.
Conclusion
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Having a plug-and-play laptop hub improves efficiency and optimizes the workflow. In the meantime, the battery drain needs to be considered for better use of your laptop.
It is recommended to plug only a few high-powered items into the unpowered hub. Or purchase a powered USB-C hub that is able to meet your daily needs, allowing you to maintain connectivity options at the same time.
A powered hub delivers stable and powerful power capacity to support nearly any peripheral you wish to connect. It ensures smooth operation without concerns about overload shutdowns or potential damage.
MOKiN USB C hubs with multiple ports effectively optimize connectivity to transform your desk into a high-performance workstation. They also enhance your living space with multi-device charging and versatile connections. As compact and efficient solutions for charging and connectivity on the road, they are perfect for business travel.
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