connect two external drives via one port

[stanleystf]

I have two external USB-C ssds and I have one free port on my macbook pro m1 16. Can I connect the two drives at the same time to my macbook via one of these cables?:

Chenyang Type-C Male to Dual Ports USB-C Female Hub Cable USB2.0 Type Speed for Laptop PC & Mouse & Flash Disk

Type-C to Dual Ports USB-C Female Hub Cable For Laptop PC & Mouse & Flash Disk Two usb-c port can work at the same time.(The usb-c female only support OTG device like type-c flash disk, hub,not work for power) It can't charge the usb-c host device via usb-c female port Length: 30cm For Laptop Mac...

www.amazon.co.uk

I know I can use a hub but I'd like to explore other options and this is one.

Generally, are there any other options?

 

[iMacDragon]

It looks like it effectively is a small non powered two port hub, so, probably.

 

[stanleystf]

It looks like it effectively is a small non powered two port hurt, so, probably.

Is the speed of the drives going to be lower while using this?

 

[dmccloud]

Is the speed of the drives going to be lower while using this?

It does say in the description that it is a non-powered hub and for external HDDs they would need external power to operate. I don't think this will work in the way you want it to based off the description provided on Amazon's website.

 

[stanleystf]

Is there a hub that turns one usb-c port to three? I couldn't find one!
Most hubs have usb-c to usb-a+hdmi+sd card.

 

[iMacDragon]

The only one I used to know of is

Sitecom CN-385​

but looks like satechi have one too. They are indeed a very rare beast.

But I would expect that the two way splitter would be as effective and smaller, probably.

external SSD's will probably work on either, spinning hard drives may not, though usb 3 does provide more power than usb 2 used to.

 

[stanleystf]

Are these likely to work with external SSDs?

USB C Splitter,2 in 1 USB C to Dual USB C Audio Charge Adapter USB C Headphone Jack Adapter with DAC Chipset and PD Fast Charger for Google Pixel 2/3 XL, Huawei Mate 20 Pro,Pad Pro and More(White)

1

www.amazon.co.uk

Dual USB C Audio Adapter, Type C Audio Charger Adapter Connector Compatible with Huawei P20/P30 Pro/P40/Mate 10 Pro/Mate 20 Pro, Samsung S20/S20+/S20 FE/S21, Google Pixel 2/3/4/5, Sony XZ2

4 in 1 USB C to USB C Earphone Adapter: USB C Splitter Converter allows you to listen to music from most type c cell phones and charge your phone (2A Max) at the same time, it also supports phone calls and volume control. HIFI SOUND QUALITY: The sound quality is authentic and natural without dist...

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[xraydoc]

Are these likely to work with external SSDs?

USB C Splitter,2 in 1 USB C to Dual USB C Audio Charge Adapter USB C Headphone Jack Adapter with DAC Chipset and PD Fast Charger for Google Pixel 2/3 XL, Huawei Mate 20 Pro,Pad Pro and More(White)

1

www.amazon.co.uk

Dual USB C Audio Adapter, Type C Audio Charger Adapter Connector Compatible with Huawei P20/P30 Pro/P40/Mate 10 Pro/Mate 20 Pro, Samsung S20/S20+/S20 FE/S21, Google Pixel 2/3/4/5, Sony XZ2

4 in 1 USB C to USB C Earphone Adapter: USB C Splitter Converter allows you to listen to music from most type c cell phones and charge your phone (2A Max) at the same time, it also supports phone calls and volume control. HIFI SOUND QUALITY: The sound quality is authentic and natural without dist...

www.amazon.co.uk

No.

Multiport (HDMI, etc) hubs are all the rage these days. Used to be USB-only, but everyone wants more and more ports these days. I'd just stick with a good one and not bother with those two port splitters meant for audio or powering two devices.

And if you want to use bus-powered hard drives, I recommend a powered hub.

 

[joevt]

I have two external USB-C ssds and I have one free port on my macbook pro m1 16. Can I connect the two drives at the same time to my macbook via one of these cables?:

Chenyang Type-C Male to Dual Ports USB-C Female Hub Cable USB2.0 Type Speed for Laptop PC & Mouse & Flash Disk

Type-C to Dual Ports USB-C Female Hub Cable For Laptop PC & Mouse & Flash Disk Two usb-c port can work at the same time.(The usb-c female only support OTG device like type-c flash disk, hub,not work for power) It can't charge the usb-c host device via usb-c female port Length: 30cm For Laptop Mac...

www.amazon.co.uk

Only four wires means USB 2.0 speed only.

If the two USB-C SSDs are bus powered, then you'll need a powered hub.

Since SSDs can do over 5 Gbps, you'll want at least a 10 Gbps hub.

For a Mac that supports Thunderbolt 3/4, A Thunderbolt 4 hub would be best since it can also provide additional Thunderbolt 4 ports which can connect up to two displays (if your Mac supports two displays from Thunderbolt).

 

[iMacDragon]

Only four wires means USB 2.0 speed only.

That's a very good point, I didn't spot that.. it's so easy to forget that USB c != usb3+, and is merely connector.

 

[hobowankenobi]

Tons of USB hubs out there. Why stop at 2 ports? How about 5? Or 4 plus charging with plenty of power for a couple SSDs?

 

[iMacDragon]

Tons of USB hubs out there. Why stop at 2 ports? How about 5? Or 4 plus charging with plenty of power for a couple SSDs?

Looks like the market segment has finally started growing a bit.. glad to see it.

 

[sam_dean]

Two bay NAS with a LAN port would solve it. Makes the drive available to all devices.

It even has built-in apps for p2p file sharing without involving a Mac.