iPad USB hub for iPad?

[transmaster]

Here is what I am doing. I am going to add a FiiO K7 DAC/AMP to my iPad for audio. It would plug into the iPads single USB-4 port. Here is the problem with it plugged into this port I cannot charge the iPad with out unplugging the K7. I can do this, of course, but is it possible to to split this and be able to plug the iPad into both the Mac Studio, and the K7. The K7 has it own power supply. Right now I am using a FiiO BTR7 DAC/Amp. it is designed to work with such devices and can even be configured to be charged by them. The problem here is if I switch this in it eats the battery on the iPad alive. This iPad is the first USB iOS device I have ever owned so in this I am in uncharted waters.

 

[Macintosh101]

Get a caldigit dock. They have tons of options. I personally use the TS4. https://www.caldigit.com/thunderbolt-station-4/

 

[EugW]

Get a caldigit dock. They have tons of options. I personally use the TS4. https://www.caldigit.com/thunderbolt-station-4/

Looks nice but it's pricey.

@transmaster, if you want something simpler and less expensive, perhaps something based off the Intel TB4/USB4 hub reference design may be a good solution. Maybe something like the Plugable 5-In-1 Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 Hub.

 

[transmaster]

Looks nice but it's pricey.

@transmaster, if you want something simpler and less expensive, perhaps something based off the Intel TB4/USB4 hub reference design may be a good solution. Maybe something like the Plugable 5-In-1 Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 Hub.

That is exactly what I was looking for. I have an OWC hub on the Mac Studio already but it is a $300 Hub it is very good and has a much higher power capacity than the "Plugable 5-in-1 but this hub has plenty of power for how I will use it. Thanks EugW! Ordered one from Amazon.

 

[EugW]

That is exactly what I was looking for. I have an OWC hub on the Mac Studio already but it is a $300 Hub it is very good and has a much higher power capacity than the "Plugable 5-in-1 but this hub has plenty of power for how I will use it. Thanks EugW! Ordered one from Amazon.

Please let us know how it goes with your iPad. I am using one with my M1 Mac mini but don't have a USB-C iPad Pro yet. (I'll be getting the M4 11" next month.)

P.S. OWC sells a similar hub. I believe it's based off the same Intel reference design.

OWC Thunderbolt Hub at MacSales.com

TB4HUB5PM OWC Thunderbolt Hub. Triple your Thunderbolt ports plus add USB to any Thunderbolt (USB-C) Mac or Thunderbolt 4 PC.

eshop.macsales.com

 

[Ludatyk]

Please let us know how it goes with your iPad. I am using one with my M1 Mac mini but don't have a USB-C iPad Pro yet. (I'll be getting the M4 11" next month.)

P.S. OWC sells a similar hub. I believe it's based off the same Intel reference design.

OWC Thunderbolt Hub at MacSales.com

TB4HUB5PM OWC Thunderbolt Hub. Triple your Thunderbolt ports plus add USB to any Thunderbolt (USB-C) Mac or Thunderbolt 4 PC.

eshop.macsales.com

I picked up the Belkin hub that’s similar to this… I use it for my iPad Pro, I bought it open box at Best Buy.

And Satechi have one as well… but the one you suggested is at a really good price.

 

[DarkSorrow82]

I’ve been using this dock for some time. It works really well on my MacBook Pro and iPad Pro M4 13.

VAVA 12-in-1 USB-C Docking Station

VAVA 12-in-1 USB C Docking Station offers HDMI, Ethernet, USB 3.0, USB 2.0, SD/TF card, 3.5mm Audio & more, even an output to charge your phone. Free shipping!

www.vava.com

 

[transmaster]

I one thing I do not like about my OWC Thunderbolt hub is the irrational locations to the plugs on it. The main Thunderbolt I/O from the Mac Studio is in the the hubs front, that would be OK except it has USB-4 and Thunderbolt inputs on both sides.

 

[c.oberschneider]

is there any USB or TB4 hub for the 2024 iPad pro available that allows the connection (and use) of 2 external USB-C ssds without the need for an external power supply?

 

[transmaster]

is there any USB or TB4 hub for the 2024 iPad pro available that allows the connection (and use) of 2 external USB-C ssds without the need for an external power supply?

The best USB-C hubs for iPad

If you're not using your iPad's USB-C port, you're not taking full advantage of your tablet. These are the best iPad, iPad Air, iPad mini and iPad Pro hubs we've seen.

www.macworld.com

 

[transmaster]

 

[Ludatyk]

I've got the T7 Shield... I might have to look into that Acasis, never heard of it.

 

[c.oberschneider]

is there any USB or TB4 hub for the 2024 iPad pro available that allows the connection (and use) of 2 external USB-C ssds without the need for an external power supply?

Found this one here from caldigit:

USB-C | SOHO Dock – CalDigit

www.caldigit.com

"The USB-C SOHO Dock has the ability to be bus-powered, making it an ideal solution for users that need to expand their connectivity on the road."

10 Gb/s USB-C and A ports, sounds good. I've ordered one and will report back whether it works as intended.

 

[transmaster]

I am in sonic narvana. The Plugable Thunderbolt hub does almost everything I want. The iPad pro is plugged into it, and is charging while paired to the FiiO BTR7 plugged into the hub and is also charging. The only thing I don't have is a wired hookup to the Mac Studio. All I have to do for that is the unplug the hub and plug in the USB cable from the Mac.

 

[c.oberschneider]

Found this one here from caldigit:

USB-C | SOHO Dock – CalDigit

www.caldigit.com

"The USB-C SOHO Dock has the ability to be bus-powered, making it an ideal solution for users that need to expand their connectivity on the road."

10 Gb/s USB-C and A ports, sounds good. I've ordered one and will report back whether it works as intended.

Got the SOHO dock and it's great! I can now connect one Samsung T7 through USB-C, the other one through USB-A (both 10 Gbit/s) and don't need external power supply. Unfortunately, the other USB-C port is for power delivery only.