Sometimes you just need an extra USB port or two, and most of us could stand to have an SD card reader at our fingertips as well. These days, it seems like hardware makers are removing legacy ports, and for those that need them this causes a problem. Thankfully, companies like Satechi are stepping in to provide access to those needed ports. The Satechi USB Hub & Card Reader gives you three USB 3.0 capable ports as well as an SD card reader and a MicroSD card reader in a small, stylish form factor. Keep reading this full review to see how it performs.
Specifications
The Satechi USB Hub & Card Reader includes the following features and specifications:
- Sleek Apple-style design ideal for iMac, MacBook Air, Mac Pro, MacBook Pro, MacBook, Mac Mini, PCs and laptops
- Large grey rubber pad at the bottom preventing the hub slipping around to ensure stable connection
- Adds 3 USB 3.0 ports and 2-Slot Card Reader to your computer; Supports SDXC (up to 2TB), SDHC, SD, Micro SDXC, Micro SDHC, Micro SD and MMC cards (please note, SD and Micro SD cards cannot be read simultaneously)
- Plug and play; Hot swapping; USB-powered (no external power or battery needed)
- 11.5” shielded cable makes a safe and efficient data transfer for maximum performance and longtime usage
- Compatible with: Windows 2000/ME/XP/Vista/7/8/10 (32bit/ 64bit ) and MAC OS 10.X or later version
- Size (LWH): 8.3 inches, 3.6 inches, 1.5 inches
- Weight: 4.16 ounces
What’s in the Box
- Satechi USB Hub & Card Reader
Design
The main body of the Satechi USB Hub & Card Reader is roughly cylindrical, with a slight wedge coming out of the front. The body of the hub, as we’ve come to expect from Satechi, is aluminum, while the cord and the bottom of the “wedge” are plastic. The bottom is covered with a black textured rubber pad to keep it from slipping around too much.
On the front of the hub you’ll find — from left to right — the microSD card reader, SD Card reader, and then three USB 3.0 ports. The cord comes out of the right side of the hub. This hub fits nicely with the overall aluminum aesthetic that Satechi goes for, and it is definitely meant to evoke the style of Apple products. It does, however, work on Windows laptops and PCs without issue, and still looks just as nice on your desk with a Windows machine.
Ease of Use
It really couldn’t be much easier, simply plug in the hub to an available USB 3.0 port, and your computer will recognize it and should install any necessary drivers automatically. From there, you’ll be able to plug in SD cards or USB drives into any of the available plugs and access their contents from your computer. My Windows 10 machine was able to recognize the various USB sticks and SD cards that I used, each popping up with their own temporary drive as expected in Windows. From there you can simply open their folder and drag & drop data to and from your computer and external storage. One important note, the dock cannot read an SD card and a microSD card simultaneously. It can definitely handle one or the other along with USB sticks, however.
Performance
Once you’re plugged in, you’ll be able to transfer data at USB 3.0 speeds provided you’ve plugged the hub into a USB 3.0 port, or 3.0 capable extension cable. I was able to transfer several GB of files both to and from USB sticks plugged into the hub with ease, with speeds matching what I saw with the drive plugged directly into the USB port on my computer.
The cord is pretty short, and when using this hub with a desktop computer, it will work best if you’re able to plug it into your monitor, keyboard, or an extension USB cable if those other options aren’t available. Plugging it into a laptop isn’t much of an issue even with the shorter cord.
Otherwise, this hub doesn’t take up a lot of room on your desk or in your computer bag and does exactly what it is expected to do.
Price/Value
With an MSRP of $29.99 USD, that’s not a whole lot to ask for this hub if you’re short on easily accessible USB ports, or have need of an SD card reader. The aluminum construction definitely adds value as well.
Wrap Up
This is a good looking hub that adds functionality to any machine you use it with. Its design definitely evokes the Apple aesthetic, but it still looks nice and works well with Windows machines. If you’re sick of losing legacy ports or just need some extra USB ports or SD Card readers, this Satechi USB hub has got you covered.
*We were sent a review sample of the Satechi USB Hub & Card Reader for the purposes of this review.
Last Updated on June 23, 2021.
