Kingston Nucleum (C-HUBC1-SR-EN)

Affordable and functional hub from Kingston

Memory maker Kingston has recently been expanding like the Roman Empire in its heyday. At first, they quite successfully took up the release of gaming accessories under the flags of HyperX, and more recently they have also taken up peripherals. This is how the Kingston Nucleum USB hub / hub came to our test.

Two USB-C ports

Outwardly, it looks the same as most other modern hubs: a neat oblong box with a bunch of connectors and a USB-C cord that connects to a laptop. In terms of ports, we have a completely standard set, which is required by the average owner of a modern laptop: 4 USB, 2 card readers for different types of cards and HDMI. For complete happiness, the only thing missing is a LAN port, which helps out a lot with a bad Wi-Fi signal. But I liked that the USBs are divided into pairs (USB A + USB-C) and separated on different sides of the case. Usually such hubs/concentrators have only one USB-C, and most of the connectors are crowded on one side. Traditionally, one USB-C supports Power Delivery and can be used when recharging a laptop.

Designed for Macbook owners

The target audience of Kingston Nucleum is primarily the owners of Macs and laptops / ultrabooks similar in spirit with Power Delivery, which do not have additional video outputs and few USB ports, one of which is also constantly busy charging. In terms of quality and functionality, it is in no way inferior to more expensive analogues from Satechi and Belkin: it “starts up” without drivers, a strong metal case will survive more than one fall from the table, and all ports are made to last, so that peripherals or a monitor do not fall out or turn off, if you accidentally hook one of the wires. At the same time, the price tag here is more democratic.