Computers

HyperDrive USB-C hub adds wireless smartphone charging and 8 extra ports to your laptop

HyperDrive USB-C hub adds wireless smartphone charging and 8 extra ports to your laptop
The HyperDrive is an 8-in-1 USB-C hub, as well as a wireless charging station for your smartphone
The HyperDrive is an 8-in-1 USB-C hub, as well as a wireless charging station for your smartphone
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The HyperDrive is an 8-in-1 USB-C hub, as well as a wireless charging station for your smartphone
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The HyperDrive is an 8-in-1 USB-C hub, as well as a wireless charging station for your smartphone
The HyperDrive is an 8-in-1 USB-C hub, as well as a wireless charging station for your smartphone
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The HyperDrive is an 8-in-1 USB-C hub, as well as a wireless charging station for your smartphone
The device offers pass-through charging so you can connect your laptop power source into it and it will continue charging your computer
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The device offers pass-through charging so you can connect your laptop power source into it and it will continue charging your computer
The wireless charging works for both iPhone and Android smartphones
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The wireless charging works for both iPhone and Android smartphones
The wireless charging works for both iPhone and Android smartphones
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The wireless charging works for both iPhone and Android smartphones
The hub holds three regular USB-3 ports
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The hub holds three regular USB-3 ports
It also holds an Ethernet connection and an HDMI port
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It also holds an Ethernet connection and an HDMI port
Ports for both SD and microSD are included in the hub
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Ports for both SD and microSD are included in the hub
The HyperDrive connects to any laptop (Apple or PC) with a USB-C port
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The HyperDrive connects to any laptop (Apple or PC) with a USB-C port
It also holds an Ethernet connection and an HDMI port
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It also holds an Ethernet connection and an HDMI port
It also holds an Ethernet connection and an HDMI port
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It also holds an Ethernet connection and an HDMI port
A USB-C input into the hub allows it to be used as a bedside wireless charger, powered by a USB cable
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A USB-C input into the hub allows it to be used as a bedside wireless charger, powered by a USB cable
The stand allows for wireless charging and easy access to your phone
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The stand allows for wireless charging and easy access to your phone
The stand allows for wireless charging and easy access to your phone
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The stand allows for wireless charging and easy access to your phone
The stand allows for wireless charging and easy access to your phone
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The stand allows for wireless charging and easy access to your phone
The USB-C cord is retractable
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The USB-C cord is retractable
The USB-C cord is retractable
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The USB-C cord is retractable
The USB-C cord is retractable
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The USB-C cord is retractable
The entire hub is relatively small considering the number of separate dongles it replaces
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The entire hub is relatively small considering the number of separate dongles it replaces
The entire hub is relatively small considering the number of separate dongles it replaces
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The entire hub is relatively small considering the number of separate dongles it replaces
The entire hub is relatively small considering the number of separate dongles it replaces
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The entire hub is relatively small considering the number of separate dongles it replaces
The HyperDrive is set for a retail price of US$159
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The HyperDrive is set for a retail price of US$159
The HyperDrive is set for a retail price of US$159
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The HyperDrive is set for a retail price of US$159
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If you're an Apple MacBook user, then you've probably developed a comprehensive collection of dongles over the past few years. A lack of connection ports is a source of constant frustration, but the new HyperDrive USB-C Hub is quite possibly the only extra connectivity accessory you'll ever need. As well as turning one USB-C port into a variety of eight ports, the device is a wireless charging stand for both iPhone and Android smartphones.

Perhaps the most frustrating thing about the latest MacBook Pro is the fact it has completely done away with every port except USB-C, forcing you into dongle town to connect anything that still uses a good old type A USB connection.

The HyperDrive easily connects to your MacBook (or PC if it contains a USB-C port) and adds eight extra ports for you to use, including 3 X USB 3.1, HDMI, SD, microSD, and Ethernet. The hub also has an extra USB-C port for your laptop's power cord so the entire device can offer pass-through charging, a vital addition for those stuck with a new single-port MacBook.

Of course, we've seen simple port-hubs like this before, but the most novel and innovative aspect of the HyperDrive hub comes in its ability to act as a wireless charging station. The device is claimed to be the only wireless charger that supports all four Qi wireless standards, 5/10/15 W charging for Android and 7.5 W charging for the iPhone.

The hub holds three regular USB-3 ports
The hub holds three regular USB-3 ports

From a design perspective, the device cleverly acts as a phone stand as well, making it a pretty smart desk accessory. In fact, a general USB-C cable can be connected to it if you wanted to just use it as a wireless charger on its own.

The HyperDrive is a pretty comprehensive little gadget that solves a bunch of connectivity problems in modern MacBooks. The device is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign with prices starting at US$109 for one HyperDrive. Earlybird backers jumped at some even cheaper units in the first few days of the campaign and subsequently the product has smashed its initial goal.

The HyperDrive connects to any laptop (Apple or PC) with a USB-C port
The HyperDrive connects to any laptop (Apple or PC) with a USB-C port

A degree of caution is always recommended before any crowdfunding investment, but on the positive side of things the Sanho Corporation has successfully produced a prior iteration of this device, without the wireless charging capacity, so mass production is not an unknown quantity for the company.

Shipping is estimated to begin in April 2018, but with the huge volume of orders already placed that date could easily push back a couple of months.

Take a look at the HyperDrive in the video below.

Source: Kickstarter

HyperDrive USB-C Hub + 7.5W Qi Wireless Charger iPhone Stand

View gallery - 23 images
1 comment
1 comment
JimFox
My MBA has only USB2 so where is the powered multi-port device I need?