Although lightweight and portable slim laptops are in the spotlight, these products only have one or two connection ports, so it is impossible to connect a monitor, power adapter, or peripherals at once.
Of course, the USB Type-C (USB-C) port provided by the laptop supports multiple standards that can connect monitors, power adapters, external storage, keyboard/mouse, wired LAN adapters, and various mobile devices. There is only one device, so if the battery is charging, the rest of the devices will have to wait for the charge to finish.
One of the essential accessories for a slim laptop is a USB-C multi-hub. As the product name suggests, the ‘LINKYN 6 in 1 Type-C UMPC Multi-hub’ released by JC Hyun Onbiz is an external connection port lacking in laptops and UMPCs. and storage to expand multitasking capabilities.
USB-C external SSD case and multi-hub function in one
Linkin 6 in 1 Type-C UMPC Multi-hub (Model UMH-106, hereinafter Linkin Multi-hub) is a USB-C external multi-hub size, gigabit wired LAN, HDMI output, 2 USB 3.2 Gen2 ports, USB-PD 100W fast charging , and it can even serve as an NVMe M.2 SSD external case.
Aluminum body using CNC method to effectively transfer heat to the outside when NVMe M.2 SSD is installed while protecting the inside from external impact, and the body weight is about 80g. It weighs no more than 120g, so it is not burdensome even if you put it in a laptop bag or pouch.
Usually, as accessories for laptops and UMPCs, external SSD cases using USB-C Multihub and M.2 SSD are often used. Compared to Linkin Multihub, the size is not very small, and it is inconvenient to carry two accessories at the same time.
When the multi-hub and external SSD case are combined into one, it is possible to connect a monitor, wired LAN, and USB peripherals at the same time, and even charge the laptop while using the external SSD all the time, even in laptops that do not have many USB-C ports.
Looking at the input/output functions provided by Linkin Multihub, from the left, an RJ-45 LAN port that provides 1Gbps wired Ethernet function, two USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A ports with a maximum transfer speed of 10Gbps, an HDMI port capable of 4K UHD high-resolution output, It consists of a USB-C port that supports USB-PD (Power Delivery) fast charging up to 100W.
Most of these types of USB-C multi-hubs make it impossible to open the inside, and external SSD cases with M.2 SSDs use very small screws, so assembly is difficult without a dedicated screwdriver. If it is lost, the stability of the case deteriorates.
Linkin Multi-Hub does not require installation tools and there is no need to worry about losing screws because it is possible to push up the case without a separate fixing screw in a one-touch method by pressing the Open button on the side and install the M.2 SSD inside.
Linkin Multihub includes a variety of options such as RTL9210B for using NVMe M.2 SSD, VL103R with USB-PD fast charging, PS176 with HDMI output, VL822 with dual USB 3.1 Gen2 ports, RTL8253 for Gigabit Wired Ethernet. A chipset is used, placed opposite the motherboard so that it does not interfere with installing the M.2 SSD.
A large thermal pad is included to increase the heat dissipation effect of the M.2 SSD, but it is large enough to cover the entire internal motherboard, so you don’t need to cut it to fit the SSD, just install it and cover it as it is.
Unlike general M.2 thermal pads, since there is no surface adhesiveness, you can remove the thermal pad at any time and easily replace the M.2 SSD installed inside, and you do not have to worry about whether the thermal pad will stick to the case and fall off.
The M.2 SSD fixing method is also installed by interlocking the silicone fixing cap without using a metal fixing screw. The silicone fixing cap is stable enough to withstand the tension of the M.2 SSD slot, but for that reason, when removing it, you have to hold the fixing cap body and lift it up.
Linkin also provided two extra silicone fixing caps to ensure that this part was taken into consideration, so that you can use it with confidence even if it is damaged by pulling the silicone fixing cap in the wrong way.
However, since the hot swapping function is not supported, data corruption may occur if the SSD is installed or removed while the power is on. It may not work, so it is recommended to initialize it before installation.
The M.2 slot mounted on the internal motherboard of the Linkin Multihub can accommodate up to 2TB of NVMe PCIe M.2 SSDs in the M Key type and B+M Key type in 2230, 2242, 2260, and 2280 specifications depending on the socket shape. have.
In fact, in addition to NVMe M.2 SSDs, this product can also use SATA NGFF M.2 SSDs made in the B+M Key form, but there is a risk of confusion with an incompatible B Key type SATA-only M.2 SSD, so NVMe It seems that only M.2 SSD support is indicated.
Among the M.2 SSDs I have, I have installed the SK Hynix Gold P31 NVMe M.2 SSD 1TB with M Key standard and Western Digital Blue 2TB SATA M.2 SSD with the B+M Key standard. recognized and used.
The Lincoln Multihub comes with a 30cm long USB Type-C to C cable. This is because, due to the nature of the multi-hub, there is no need to connect to a PC for a long time, and it is used by connecting to a USB-C port that operates in various standards at once.
It supports Plug & Play that can be used immediately when connected to a laptop or UMPC with a USB 3.1 Type-C or higher or Thunderbolt supported port. It can be used immediately by connecting it like an external SSD.
As it supports not only Windows, but also Linux and macOS, it seems to be suitable for MacBook with a small number of connection ports. Android smartphones can also be connected, but it appears that only supported formats can be used.
Linkin Multi-Hub is not an overseas direct purchase product, but a product officially released in Korea that has completed KC certification by JC Hyun On Biz. can receive
A look at USB-C external SSD and multi-hub performance
Linkin Multi-hub is suitable for slim laptops that require a multi-hub and an external SSD at the same time while the number of connection ports is small due to the nature of the product. This is because high-end PCs and gaming laptops have so many input/output ports that there is no need to use a multi-hub, and you can use the maximum performance by installing the M.
On the other hand, in products such as slim Windows laptops or MacBook Airs that have a limited number of USB-C ports and are difficult to expand storage, use a stable wired network, monitor, keyboard, and mouse to the laptop at the office or home even if you do not carry it with the laptop. A multi-hub is required to connect the USB-PD power source together.
As a result of measuring read/write performance through CrystalDiskMark with NVMe M.2 500GB SSD installed in Linkin Multihub, it recorded continuous read/write performance of over 1,000MB/s that meets the USB 3.1 Gen2 interface speed supported by the device. did.
Since USB 3.1 Gen2 transfer speed is limited, it is not necessary to use an M.2 SSD with fast performance. It is more suitable to use it as an external SSD to find a product with moderate performance and low heat generation. Of course, when B+M Key type M.2 SATA SSD is installed, it shows lower performance than SATA 6Gbps bandwidth.
HDMI output must support DP Ali Mode on the motherboard and display, and 30Hz output with a resolution of up to 3840×2160 is supported through Linkin Multihub. The reason that the refresh rate is limited to 30Hz even in a laptop USB-C port that supports 4K 60Hz output is because the connection bandwidth must be shared with other connected devices besides the monitor output. Of course, 60Hz output is also possible at 2560×1440 or 1920×1080 resolution, which is lower than 4K.
Even a slim laptop without a gigabit wired LAN port can connect to a wired network environment through the Linkin Multi-Hub. It is useful when there is no wireless network (Wi-Fi), when downloading high-capacity games and high-definition video, or playing multiplayer games that require a stable network connection.
Essential accessories for laptops and UMPCs
Linkin 6 in 1 Type-C UMPC Multihub helps you to use multiple functions at once in UMPCs and laptops, where the number and types of input/output ports are decreasing along with the mobile trend.
NVMe M.2 SSD external case connected via USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen1 hub, gigabit wired LAN adapter, 4K HDMI output adapter, USB-PD 100W fast charging, etc. can be solved with one multi-hub.
The advantage is that the USB-C external SSD case and the multi-hub can be used at once without carrying or installing each separately, and installing the M.
Of course, it is a pity that the price went up as much as the product with two functions was combined into one, but it is excellent in portability and ease of use, and it is reassuring to get KC certification from JC Hyun rather than overseas direct purchase, to officially release it, and to support after-sales service.
