The trend of recent years is to reduce the number of connectors in compact laptops. As expected, the pioneer in this trend was Apple, which has always advocated minimalism. Somehow the company decided that a pair of USB-C ports is enough for the average user. MacBooks, which were the first to receive such a minimal set, really do not often need a pile of all interfaces for everyday work. Professional users can be said to have cried out, because, for example, journalists, who appreciated Apple laptops for their compactness, lost the opportunity to quickly rewrite photos from cameras, having only a card reader with them. They had to buy additional adapters or switch to Wi-Fi cameras.

 

Later, manufacturers of Windows notebooks also supported this trend, and now all devices of the ultrabook class have a minimum set of ports. However, no Windows laptops were left without USB Type-A at all, and there is usually at least one with the fashionable USB Type-C. At the same time, certain models received the ability to charge via USB Type-C, if it has Power Delivery support, and not carry a power supply… or carry a more compact one. We described such background in order to make it clearer why such a “combiner” as NOVOO 11 in 1 USB-C may be needed in our review.

 

About the NOVOO 11 in 1 USB-C hub

 

With a single USB Type-C connection to your computer, this hub will allow you to deploy a well-equipped workplace. Here you have video outputs for monitors, and connectors for data exchange, and Internet connection, and work with files on memory cards. All this is placed in a relatively compact and light rectangular parallelepiped with a metal case. In this way, heat is well dissipated in the process of active data exchange. The small “tail” of the USB-C cable going to the computer is reinforced with fabric weaving.

 

 

You can see the entire list of connectors in the table below, but we should note that you should not plug everything into all ports and expect that everything will work at maximum speed. There are still certain limitations caused by controllers and capabilities of laptops.

 

For data exchange

 

 

So there are two pairs of USB Type-A of different classes, the second and the third. USB 3.0 with a data transfer speed of 5 Gbit/s (625 megabytes/s) and an output power of 4.5 W (5 V/900 mA) is the best fit for drives. And two more USB 2.0 ports are better to use for undemanding devices, such as mice, keyboards, printers.

 

 

Built-in card reader for SD and TF memory cards provides speeds of up to 5 Gbit/s. It will be needed for quickly copying photos and videos from cameras.

 

 

The RJ45 connector has gigabit throughput and in combination with the laptop’s existing Thunderbolt 3 will ensure a stable connection. The port has a pair of familiar LEDs to indicate operation.

 

Video outputs

 

Our version of the hub has a pair of full-size HDMI connectors and a single Display Port on the end next to Ethernet. There are versions of the device where analog VGA is used instead of DP. Two monitors connected simultaneously via HDMI will be able to work only in mirror and non-mirror mode.

 

It is likely that for Windows laptops when connected via Display Port 1.2, the resolution of the monitors will be Full HD or lower when two external monitors are connected. These restrictions do not apply to one monitor “from the outside”. There are also possible exceptions that will depend on the configurations of the laptop.

 

The manufacturer specifies the following operating parameters for video outputs: the maximum resolution for a dual HDMI display will be 4K at 30 Hz on one and 1920×1080 at 60 Hz on the second.

 

When equipped with a VGA connector, simultaneous connection will provide a resolution and frequency above the capabilities of VGA itself for all ports, including digital HDMI. This is 1920×1080 at 60 Hz.

 

The maximum number of monitors that can broadcast the picture is three out of four, counting the screen of the laptop itself. Taking into account the above restrictions on simultaneous connection, the number of video outputs is made with a margin to give freedom of choice for image output.

 

 

For power

 

The USB-C port is here exclusively for charging devices and supports the Power Delivery function at a power of 100 W at 20 V with 5 A. It actually compensates for the port that you will take, for example, from a MacBook or other device.

 

Well, it is clear that the USB-C of the laptop itself must support the output of a video signal and power so that the described scenarios work and the possibilities are realized.

 

 

Impressions

 

The NOVOO 11 in 1 USB-C hub is assembled in a high-quality metal case, has a gray color close to Apple’s signature “space gray”. This does not prevent it from expanding the capabilities of not only Mac OS, but also Windows systems, where there is a need to connect peripherals that are actively removed to save space. Such a hub is a useful addition for compact laptops that do not have many ports for data exchange or outputs to external monitors. It will also be needed for semi-stationary work, when the laptop needs to be connected to a number of devices in the office or at home.

Features of NOVOO 11 in 1 USB-C (NVHUBGY11PDNS-MB)

Number of connectors:	11
USB Type-A 2.0:	2
USB Type-A 3.0:	2
USB Type-C:	1, , PD 100W only
HDMI:	2, up to 4K, 2K, 30Hz for 3840×2160
VGA:	no
Display Port:	1
Ethernet, RJ-45:	1
Card reader:	SD and TF
Dimensions:	122x55x15 mm
Mass:	105 g
Provider:	iCases
Price:	$70

Rating:

+ compatibility with multiple displays

+ USB-C port with Power Delivery

+ a wide variety of ports

– fragile coating of the case