Many new laptops trade in ports and functionality for a lighter weight and sleeker build. While this may please your eyes and back, you might end up scratching your head because you have nowhere to plug your peripherals.
TheBaseus Metal Gleam Series II 6-in-1 USB Hubbrings back the functionality of multiple ports without breaking the sleek design of your computer. It’s pocketable, premium, and powerful, so let’s see how it improves your PC or Mac experience.
Baseus Metal Gleam Series II 6-in-1 USB Hub
The Baseus Metal Gleam Series II 6-in-1 USB Hub adds four USB ports, an HDMI port, and an RJ45 LAN port to your computer and other devices. This hub can turn a thin and light laptop into a connectivity powerhouse.
Sleek and Stylish Design
This 6-in-1 hub measures 12.7 x 5.1 x 1.8cm and includes a 22.9cm USB-C cable. It also comes in under 98g, so it won’t add much bulk or weight to your laptop bag. Given these dimensions, you’re able to easily grab it with one hand. You can also tuck the USB-C port neatly into its body, making it easier to stash the hub in your bag and avoid making a mess with its cable.
The hub itself is made with a premium metal alloy and comes in either black or silver. The hub’s face also has a large, glossy plastic section that houses the indicator light. you’re able to also press this light to turn off the external display, but it will not do anything for your primary screen.
Add Extra USB and HDMI Ports to Your Laptop
The Baseus Metal Gleam Series II adds six extra ports to your computer: you get two 10Gbps USB-A ports, a 10Gbps USB-C port with PD100W, a 10Gbps USB-C for data only, a 4K@60 HDMI port, and a 100Mbps RJ45 LAN port.
Unfortunately, the 6-in-1 hub doesn’t have an SD or microSD card reader, so you’ll need a different hub if you need that. Furthermore, none of the ports are Thunderbolt, so you may’t enjoy that standard’s increased speeds.
Nevertheless, this should be good enough for most casual users who need to plug in extra or legacy USB devices or want an external display with their new laptop with only two USB-C ports, like the new MacBook Airs.
Aside from these ports, you also get a one-touch privacy button on the USB hub itself. The button lights up when you plug the hub into your laptop, but when you press it, it will turn your screen black. This is perfect if you need to step away from your computer for a short while and want some privacy for your external display when you’re not around.
The privacy button does not lock your computer nor does it turn off your laptop screen.
100-Watt Fast Charging Available
This USB hub has one USB-C port that supports PD100W. That means you can charge most laptops and other devices you plug into it, provided they support USB-C charging. Although the other USB-C port does not support input or output charging, it can still deliver power to other USB devices you plug into your computer.
For example, when I plugged it into the hub, it recharged my Samsung Galaxy Note10+. It also delivered enough watts to power my 15-inch portable external display. However, it does not have DP Alt Mode, so you cannot use it for mirroring or extending your screen, even if you have a USB-C monitor. To do that, you must use the HDMI port—which is pretty capable, as it can output 4K at 60Hz. While 60Hz might not be enough for hardcore gamers, the 4K resolution should be more than enough to play less intensive games or watch movies and shows in UHD.
Is It Compatible With Your Device?
The Baseus Metal Gleam Series II 6-in-1 USB Hub is compatible with my M1 MacBook Air and 15-inch M2 MacBook Air. It also works with my Acer Predator Helios 300 from 2020, but since it doesn’t have DP Alt Mode in its sole USB-C port, I can only use it as a USB hub and LAN card.
But what’s interesting is that the 6-in-1 USB hub completely works with my Samsung Note10+. I used the hub to run Samsung Dex on my portable monitor, and the LAN port even allowed me to surf the internet even if I had Wi-Fi and mobile data turned off.
Baseus lists the following devices as compatible with the Metal Gleam Series II 6-in-1 USB hub:
But as long as your device has a USB-C with DP Alt Mode, this hub should work with it.
Should You Buy the Baseus Metal Gleam Series II 6-in-1 USB Hub?
TheBaseus Metal Gleam Series II 6-in-1 USB Hubmay have such a long name, but it also adds a lot of ports to your computer. You can even use it to transform your Samsung smartphone into a mobile computer with a wired internet connection via Samsung Dex.
Its only downside is that it’s missing a microSD or SD card reader. But if you don’t need that function, which most casual users don’t, this USB hub is the perfect device for adding an external monitor, mechanical keyboard, wired mouse, and a wired internet connection to your thin and light laptop.
