Is there a technical reason why there aren’t any basic USB Type-C to USB Type-C multiport hubs?
Not asking for shopping advice, but simply to ask that after spending more time searching for this kind of thing than I expected, it seems the main type of USB Type-C hubs out there translate/convert a USB Type-C connection into multiple USB A female ports.
The devices you are finding are designed for products that only have a single Type-C port for whatever reason. Most USB devices still require a Type-A port on the host.
Having a single Type-C port does not prevent you from using it to its full potential though with cables like USB Type-C to USB Type-A USB 3.2 Gen 2. Video passthrough wouldn't be possible with cable for obvious reasons.
And by USB hub I mean just a hub: I don’t mean one of these dongles that is a veritable “Swiss Army” knife of too many connections—like DVI, USB ports, Ethernet and maybe even an SD card port—but a basic port multiplier.
USB Hubs that only have additional Type-C ports are indeed rare. Products that have Type-A and Type-C ports do exist though. You can also use adapters to turn the Type-A to Type-C ports.
FWIW, I am asking this because I have a MacBook Air (2018) and for all intents and purposes I don’t need USB A type connections for much of my daily uses. But having at least 1 to 2 more USB Type-C ports would be helpful in some cases.
You might have to settle on what you can find due to the fact USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 products are going to be released instead of USB 3.2 Gen 2 products. If you need battery charging support be sure to get a USB Hub that specifically provides that support.
So is there some kind of host/guest limitation to the USB Type-C spec that prevents this or is it simply a supply and demand sort of thing?
I truly believe the limited product selection is due to market demand.
Belkin is selling a product (USB-C 4-Port Mini Hub) ($49.99) which you may find useful.
It splits one USB-C into:
- 2 x USB-C
- 2 x USB-A
As it is only 1-to-2, I don't know how useful it will be. Power requirements might be the reason that 1-to-2 is the most you can expect at the moment. When such hubs become available they will need to be self-powered, but nothing like that exists now.
It seems that most manufacturers see this market as more that of docks, so what you are searching is truly rare.