review – Do you lay your computer monitor flat on your desk or on top of a stack of phone books so that it’s eye-level? If the answer to any of these is yes, then it’s time to fix that by buying a monitor stand. If you’re sitting at your desk looking at a computer screen for hours at a time, it’s important to keep it elevated to prevent neck strain. If you want your setup to look clean and more functional, Satechi’s Type-C Aluminum Monitor Stand Hub gives you an elevated platform with an integrated USB-C hub.
What is it?
As the name suggests, Satechi’s Type-C Aluminum Monitor Stand Hub is a stand for an iMac or similarly sized monitor with an integrated hub, putting some of the most commonly used connections on the front, providing easy access when you need it done.
What’s in the box?
- Aluminum Monitor Stand Hub
- USB-A to USB-C Adapter
- Quick Start Guide
Hardware Specifications
- Compatible Devices: All Apple iMac models are supported with our included Type-A to Type-C adapter.
- speed
- 1 x USB-C data port – up to 5 Gbps (no charging/video support)
- 3 USB 3.0 ports – up to 5 Gbps
- 1 x Micro/SD card slot – UHS-I, up to 104 Mbps
- Maximum load weight: 50 lbs.
- weight: 19 oz
- aspect: 10.04 x 8.82 x 2.17 inches (255 x 224 x 55 mm)
- color: silver or space gray
Design and Features
The Satechi Type-C Aluminum Monitor Stand Hub for iMac is a stand that’s just over 2 inches tall, almost square, with an integrated USB-C hub. The stand features a one-piece construction with a brushed aluminum finish. Below the shelf is an integrated USB-C cable that clips onto the stand and folds at multiple points, providing a built-in cable management solution.
installation and setup
All you need to do is remove the stand from the box, pull out as many USB-C cables as you want, place the stand on the table, place your computer or monitor on top of the stand, and plug in if you don’t have a USB-C available C connector, you can plug it directly with a USB-C cable or use a USB-A to USB-C adapter.
is using
I’m a big fan of multifunction devices. I’ve carried a Leatherman or similar in my belt every day for decades, I like to buy a USB charger with multiple ports so I can charge my phone and tablet at the same time, I even make sure the batteries I buy The group has a flashlight. This stand center is no exception. It’s a good idea to lift the monitor or iMac off the desktop and use some of that space as a hub.
In this case, Satechi has chosen a good combination of ports – MicroSD and SD card reader, three USB-A ports and one USB-C port. While there are other regularly used connectors (ethernet and HDMI come to mind), some of these are the ones you don’t normally want to be on the front of your device, all of them are yours and need to be pre-set for convenience, But there doesn’t always have to be something connected, so you don’t always have to have cables in the way.
The convenience of placing these ports on the front right below the display cannot be overstated. Since all of the iMac’s connectors are on the back, and most tower computers are on the floor, this method of connecting the necessary connectors is very convenient. It’s also nice to lift the connector (and monitor) off the table compared to a standard hub to figure out where to put it on the table. With the Satechi stand hub, this is not a problem. Connectors are front and center, and always in the same place.
Likewise, raising the monitor off the desktop makes it easier to view and interact with, and less stress on the back and neck muscles. This kickstand hub also provides a bit of storage underneath, although it would be nice if it was wide enough to accommodate the keyboard, saving desk space when you’re not typing. I also wish this stand was a little higher. Two inches is not much difference. I have other monitor stands that are 4 to 5 inches tall; this seems to be a better height, at least to me.
Transfer speeds are what I would expect from a USB-C hub. My SD card reads up to 95 MB/s, a MicroSD card reads up to 45 MB/s, and my fastest USB 3.0 flash drive reads up to 179 MB/s. All of these drives had significantly slower write speeds, but that’s to be expected for this type of drive, and didn’t indicate anything wrong with the hub to me. I can’t use the SD and MicroSD card slots at the same time. With two cards inserted, it only shows one, so don’t expect to transfer files directly from one SD card to the other.
The headphone jack also acts as a microphone jack, so you can use headphones with an integrated microphone as long as they use a 3.5mm TRRS connector. Both input and output appear as iMac Stand Audio in the Mac’s menu. Selecting it makes it the default input or output device on the Mac, and the audio works exactly as expected.
The hub portion of the rack hub is bus powered, which means it does not require an external power source to operate. This makes it a convenient one-cable solution. Satechi does have a warning on their website that you can only plug one bus-powered device into this hub at a time, which means you can charge one phone, but not multiple phones or other rechargeable devices. Satechi also said that the USB-C connector is not intended for charging or video output.
The stand hub is great on its own, an easy way to elevate a monitor or iMac, and a handy hub for some of your most used connections, but I’d love to see an extended version that offers more connections. It would be nice to have a version with Ethernet and HDMI connections on the back, and more USB-A and USB-C connections. I hope this requires a powered hub rather than relying on bus power from the USB-C connection on the computer. For something that’s sitting on a desk all the time, another power adapter isn’t much of a problem for the additional connectivity it provides. This also allows you to charge more bus-powered devices at the same time.
what do I like
- Integrated USB-C cable
- USB-C cable storage
- Included USB-A to USB-C adapter
- More ergonomic monitor usage
what would i change
I won’t make any changes for this version, but I’d like to see an extended version with ethernet and HDMI connections on the back, an external power supply to charge more devices at once, and a bit taller and wider to further elevate the display and accommodate the underside keyboard storage.
final thoughts
Satechi is known for its Mac and mobile accessories, and the Type-C Aluminum Monitor Stand Hub continues that tradition. It doesn’t do everything a single hub and monitor riser can do, but it’s a good compromise with the features that each device needs most at a reasonable price.
price: $89.99
Where to buy: satechi.net or Amazon
source: Samples for this review were provided by Satechi.For more information visit their Place.
