MacBooks and the Galaxy Tab S9 share a problem: both ship with very few ports, and both use USB-C exclusively, so the wrong hub either won't fit or won't do what you actually needed it for. Here's how to match a hub to each.
- MacBook Requirements: Multiport hubs supporting 65W–100W USB-C Power Delivery (PD) pass-through and 4K @ 60Hz HDMI video output.
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 & DeX: Connecting a USB-C hub instantly activates Samsung DeX desktop mode; ensure the hub provides USB-A for wireless keyboard/mouse dongles.
- Thermal Management: Aluminum alloy unibody casings dissipate heat effectively during simultaneous high-speed SSD transfers and PD charging.
- Built-in Card Readers: Integrated SD/MicroSD slots transfer photos directly from cameras into iPad/MacBook/Tab without dongles.
MacBook: how many ports are you actually short of?
Every MacBook since 2016 uses USB-C/Thunderbolt exclusively, no USB-A, no built-in HDMI on the 13" models, no SD card slot on most. How much a hub helps depends on which MacBook you have:
- MacBook Air (all USB-C generations): only 2 USB-C ports total, one of which is often tied up charging. This is the model that benefits most from a hub, since almost anything beyond a single accessory needs one.
- MacBook Pro 13" (2016-2020, USB-C only, no HDMI/SD): same situation as the Air, 2-4 USB-C ports and nothing else built in.
- MacBook Pro 14"/16" (2021 onward): Apple brought back HDMI, an SD card slot, and MagSafe charging on these, so you may only need a hub if you're short on USB-A ports or want more than the 3 Thunderbolt ports provide.
What a MacBook hub needs to actually do
Since every MacBook port is USB-C, you want a USB-C hub, not USB-A. The two common needs:
- More USB-A ports for older peripherals (a mouse dongle, a USB flash drive, an external hard drive): our USB 3.0 Hub — 7-Port SuperSpeed Multiport Adapter, plugs into the MacBook's USB-C port and fans out to 5 USB ports.
- An external display plus charging, useful on the Air and the 13" Pro which have no HDMI at all: the USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter Hub, adds 4K HDMI (up to 30Hz) and a Power Delivery passthrough so the MacBook keeps charging while it's plugged in.
If you just need HDMI and nothing else, our standalone USB-C to HDMI 4K Adapter, is a lighter option than carrying a full hub.
Galaxy Tab S9: one port, and DeX changes what you need
The Tab S9 has a single USB-C port and no USB-A, so a USB-C hub is the only option there too. What you use the tablet for changes which hub makes sense:
- Just charging and file transfer: you likely don't need a hub at all, the tablet's own port covers this.
- Samsung DeX (the desktop-style mode) on an external monitor or TV: this is where a hub matters. DeX needs a USB-C connection that supports video output (DisplayPort Alt Mode) to the display, and because driving an external screen drains the battery faster, a hub with Power Delivery passthrough lets you keep the tablet charging while docked. The same USB-C Digital AV Multiport Hub used for MacBooks above covers this: HDMI out plus charging passthrough, from the tablet's single port.
- Adding a mouse and keyboard for DeX: if you want USB peripherals alongside the external display, the 7-Port SuperSpeed Hub's 2-in-1 connector also works from the Tab S9's USB-C port, giving you USB-A slots for a mouse and keyboard, though note it doesn't add HDMI, pair it with the AV hub or a single hub that covers both if you need video and peripherals at once.
Quick pick
| Need | Device | Pick |
|---|---|---|
| More USB-A ports | MacBook or Tab S9 | 7-Port SuperSpeed Hub, S$12.90 |
| External display + charging (incl. DeX) | MacBook or Tab S9 | USB-C AV Multiport Hub, S$6.00 |
| Just HDMI, nothing else | MacBook mainly | USB-C to HDMI Adapter, S$9.99 |
For the broader logic behind these picks by use case rather than by device, see Best USB-C Hub for Your Setup, and for the USB-C vs USB-A basics, see USB-C Hub vs USB-A Hub: What's the Actual Difference?
Buy in Singapore
All the hubs above ship from Singapore. Browse the full range on the USB Hubs and Adapters page.
Complete Your Tablet Productivity Setup
Pair your USB hub workstation with high-precision styluses for digital note-taking and drawing:
- For Apple iPad: Smart Stylus Pencil for iPad (Magnetic Snap + 2x Spare Tips) →
- For Samsung Galaxy Tab S7/S8/S9: Galaxy Tab S-Pen Replacement Stylus →
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a different hub for MacBook vs. Tab S9?
No. Both use USB-C exclusively, so the same USB-C hubs work on either device, the choice comes down to what you're trying to do (more ports vs. external display) rather than which device you own.
Can any USB-C hub run Samsung DeX?
Only one built with video output support. The hub and the Tab S9's port both need to support DisplayPort Alt Mode over USB-C for DeX to output to an external screen; a hub that only adds USB-A ports won't drive DeX's display output.
Will my MacBook charge while using one of these hubs?
Only the AV Multiport Hub has Power Delivery passthrough for charging. The 7-Port hub and the standalone HDMI adapter don't pass through laptop charging, so you'd charge via the MacBook's own port separately if using those.
My MacBook Pro 14"/16" already has HDMI and an SD slot. Do I still need a hub?
Only if you're short on ports beyond what's built in, for example needing more than 3 Thunderbolt ports at once, or wanting USB-A for an older peripheral. The AV hub and HDMI adapter are largely redundant on these models since the ports already exist.