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: 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, S$12.90, 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, S$6.00, 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, S$9.99, 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.
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.