I have an older PC with a "problematic" ASMedia USB 3.1 Gen2 controller (ASM1142) attached to a Windows virtual machine, and I've been looking for a 10Gbps hub with a mix of Type-A and Type-C ports to make this connectivity more accessible to where I sit at my desk. There are a few options that all appear to be based on the same family of device controllers from VIA Labs—including this one, which also has optional, supplemental 5V===2A power, and comes in a suitable form-factor for my use-case. Overall I'm quite happy with the results. My main complaint is that the supplemental power and host ports are on two different sides of the unit, so you end up with some potentially ugly cable management issues. It would be much easier to work with if they were both on the back or at least on the same side. Additionally, the included 10Gbps cable is painfully short, especially if you intend to bring USB connectivity up from under a desk and/or from around the back of a large PC. If you don't need supplemental power or if you're looking for something more portable, there are cheaper options based on the same or a similar chip. Otherwise, this is an excellent and affordable solution! Other notes: * I'm using an old Google Pixel USB-PD charger to deliver the 5V===2A supplemental power. It seems to work fine but I need to bring my USB-C power meter gadget to the office just to double check. (It would have been quite nice of ORICO to include a power adapter in the box, but at this price point I'm fine digging into my box of old phone chargers and wall-warts.) * If you're using the included USB Type-C to Type-A adapter, make sure the 10Gbps logos are aligned as depicted in the product images, otherwise it won't work at full speed. * When I first hooked up the hub to the ASM1142 controller, I was getting constant disconnects and reconnects in Windows. Ultimately what I had to do was uninstall the ASMedia drivers and revert back to the default Microsoft drivers for this controller. That solved the issue—which had nothing to do with the hub itself, but it's something I had to deal with and it feels worth mentioning. * I was able to use the free UsbTreeView program to monitor connection speeds in Windows. When I attach a device capable of 10Gbps to the hub I can see the connection speed being detected as SuperSpeedPlus, which is much easier and more reliable than trying to do a speed test or what have you. Read more
Really good quality, I like to have it on my desk, especially with USB-C slots! Read more
why are hubs with downstream USB-C ports so hard to find. great, aside from lack of weight or quality anti-slip rubber. Read more
good solid connectivity, well designed angled face. Feels solid and hefty. Read more
tl:dr; If you need a 10gbps 3.2 gen 2 hub this might be it. If you want to put it on your desk avoid. If this hub is in your budget it seems like an item to throw in a pocket in your tech bag and pull it when you need it. Not desk friendly especially when using external power, unless using thumb drives or proprietary small sdd. It is also very very light so velcro or adhesives may be needed. Also, have to make sure cable and cable adapter plugged correctly for 10gbps. My opinion of the Orico 3.2 gen 2 4 port hub is mixed. I am giving the benefit of the doubt that the 10gbps worked as everything was recognized at 3.0 and 2.0 and I was able to setup a sata ssd inside a nvme/sata 3.2.2 gen enclosure. Everything is good for functionality and this is a good size if you're not heavily invested into the latest and greatest but have toys that can take advantage of 10gbps. You get two full size usb-A port and two usb-c ports so you won't be stuck with the wrong connector type. And then the functionality falls apart after that. You have a usb c host cable port BUT you have the external usb c power port on the OPPOSITE side. I don't have a traditional desk and a lot more flexibility in my setup but I know this will be a sour point for many including my setup. It doesn't stop there. It's compounded by the angle the front facing usb ports are. This is a hub that is friendly towards fast storage, but only if it's usb thumb drive size or short thin light cable. If you're like me and rarely use your usb3 thumb drives because you have really fast 2.5 sata ssd's lying around usb3 enclosures and a couple nvme drives but can't use them because technical reasons, you're going to have usb cables curling out of this lightweight hub. And if you use good thick cables with all the ports, you're going to have a stiff birds nest and little way to minimize it. I think many people would appreciate a usb c host and power port in the back or at least on a side perpendicular to the user ports and the ports be in the front perpendicular to desk in l l l l l configuration. whichever reputable manufacturer makes this setup possible next can take my money. Using right angle adapters would not fix the short comings of where the host and power ports are located. personally, to Orico I emailed them before I made this purchase and never got a response so iffy about their customer support. I want to take another star off because of the one sided 10gbps cable and adapter. First time I've run into this. feels like a corner cut. Orico also needs to make the external power supply specs more visible in description and the box. It's in very small print, the 5V2A. Read more
I had a bit of an electrical issue with this unit after a month or so. The company replaced it and was very nice about it. Read more
Cord it shipped with was a little short to put the hub on my desktop with the tower case on the floor, but I substituted in a USB-C cord I already had. Read more
I get less than 1/2 the speed running an m.2 gen 4 SSD though this hub than running the SSD directly off the USB C 3.2 port from the back of the PC. This product is JUNK! time to return it and look for a new one. Read more
