Comparison HP 26D32AA vs D-Link DUB-2332

— USB-A. The classic, widely accepted USB port, which has recently been losing ground to the more advanced USB-C port.

— USB-C. Unlike the classic, full-sized USB, this connector is much smaller and features a reversible design, allowing the plug to be inserted in either direction. This interface is rarely found in desktop PCs but is becoming increasingly popular in laptops, tablets, and phones. Note that the Type C standard describes only the connector design; the version (interface) of USB is described in the section below.

The main difference between interface versions is the bandwidth — speed.

— 2.0. The outdated 2.0 version provides data transfer speeds up to 480 Mbps. Found only in USB-A ports.

— 5Gbps. Previously named USB 3.2 gen1 and USB 3.0 (they sure know how to confuse). Unlike 2.0, this version offers a 10 times higher maximum speed (4.8 Gbps) and higher power output, allowing power-hungry devices and extensive hubs to be connected.

— 10Gbps. Further enhancement of the 5Gbps standard (and typically, the previously renamed USB 3.2 gen2 and just USB 3.1), achieving a maximum speed of 10 Gbps and even higher power output for external devices.

— 20Gbps. As the name suggests, the interface supports spee...ds up to 20 Gbps.

— USB4 40Gbps / Thunderbolt 4. Connecting a USB4 or Thunderbolt 4 hub to a PC allows data to be transmitted at speeds up to 40 Gbps through a single cable, connect multiple monitors (e.g., two 4K or one 8K display), use high-speed drives with PCIe, supply power to devices up to 100 W, and connect peripherals like network cards, audio interfaces, and chargers, turning one USB-C port into a universal dock with many functions.

— Lightning. Apple's proprietary interface used in its compact devices (iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch) since 2012. In terms of application, it is fully analogous to the microUSB described above, with the adjustment that it is only found in Apple gadgets and not used by other manufacturers.

— Internal USB. A variety of the USB standard used for connecting internal card readers (see "Type", "Purpose"). It differs from external USB in its connector; a card reader with such a connection can only be connected to connectors on the motherboard and is not compatible with external USB ports. All other characteristics are fully analogous to the corresponding standard of external USB (see above).

— microUSB. A reduced version of the external USB interface (see above): the size of such a connector is much smaller than the full-sized one, allowing it to be used in portable equipment, particularly smartphones and tablets. In fact, card readers and hubs using this interface for connection are usually intended for such equipment. Note that proper operation is only possible if the primary device can operate in USB host mode (this feature is called USB On-the-Go).

The number of USB ports located on the body of the card reader or hub (see "Type"). This parameter determines the number of USB ports you will have at your disposal after connecting the device. "Pure" card readers and combined models generally have 1, 2, and even 3 USB ports, while hubs typically feature 4 or more ports.

And the USB connection interface affects the speed. It is worth noting that the speed of the input port does not necessarily indicate overall throughput, as simultaneous connection of USB drives, phones, and memory cards can slow down data transmission, which is in any case limited by the connection interface of the device itself to the PC or laptop (refer to "Connection Interface").

— USB-A 2.0. The outdated version 2.0 provides a data transfer speed of up to 480 Mbps.

— USB-A 5Gbps. Previously known as the standards USB 3.2 gen1 and USB 3.0 (they sure know how to confuse). This version provides a maximum speed 10 times greater (4.8 Gbps) and higher power supply, allowing for energy-demanding devices and extensive splitters to be connected.

— USB-A 10Gbps. Further enhancement of the USB-A 5Gbps standard (and as expected, with multiple previous names like USB 3.2 gen2 and simply USB 3.1), achieving a maximum speed of 10 Gbps and...an even higher power supply for external devices.

Number of USB Type C ports for connecting peripheral devices provided in the design of the hub (or card reader with hub function — see "Type").

The port itself is small — just slightly larger than microUSB — and has a reversible design, allowing the plug to be inserted either way. This is why it has gained respect and is actively replacing the classic USB port.

Despite its small size, USB Type C is used in both portable devices and desktop PCs and their peripherals. However, such devices are still rare; due to this, hubs usually provide 1 USB-C port or 2 type C inputs.

The connection interface of the USB socket (version) primarily characterizes speed.

— USB-C 2.0. The outdated version 2.0 provides data transfer speeds up to 480 Mbps.

— 5Gbps. Formerly known as standard 3.2 gen1 and 3.0. This version offers 10 times the maximum speed (4.8 Gbps), as well as higher power, allowing for energy-intensive devices and extensive hubs.

— 10Gbps. Further improvement of the 5Gbps standard (and as usual, previously renamed 3.2 gen2 and simply 3.1), achieving a maximum speed of 10 Gbps and even higher power for external devices.

— USB4 / Thunderbolt. Connecting a USB4 or Thunderbolt 4 hub allows data transmission at speeds up to 40 Gbps through a single cable, connect an 8K monitor, use high-speed drives with PCIe, and supply power to devices up t...o 100 W.

However, the final speed depends more on the USB version connecting the hub (card reader) to the PC than on the input socket.

The technology allows you to work at higher voltage, thereby increasing the transmitted power. USB hubs with Power Dlivery can not only charge smartphones faster, but also power more power-hungry devices, such as laptops.

HDMI is the most popular of modern multimedia digital interfaces. It is specifically designed for HD content and provides the transmission of high-resolution video and multi-channel audio through a single cable. HDMI outputs are mainly found in hubs connected via USB Type C and compatible with the Thunderbolt interface (see "Connection"). Essentially, to use HDMI, you will need to connect the device to a Thunderbolt v3 port — a "pure" USB Type C does not support video transmission. This capability may be useful if an external screen is intended for HDMI connection, but your PC or laptop lacks such ports, or they are occupied or unavailable for other reasons. HDMI can have different versions, which affects its bandwidth. For instance, to transmit 4K video at 60 fps, you need HDMI v 2.0 or 2.1. And multiple ports will allow you to connect more than one monitor.

The purpose of the digital DisplayPort is similar to HDMI — for connecting an additional monitor through the corresponding port.

The presence of a classic 3.5 mm Aux line port for audio transmission allows you to connect headphones or a speaker to the device.

The presence of a switch that allows you to turn off the power supply to the USB ports. This function can be implemented either by one common switch for all ports at once, or by personal buttons for each port.

External USB devices require power to work, which is supplied to them through the same USB port. However, the power of such power supply is relatively low (especially in version 2.0 ports, see "Connection"), and if several external devices are connected to one port of the computer through a hub, a situation may arise when the power is not enough for their operation. Connecting an external power supply to the hub allows you to avoid such situations: the hub receives additional power from the network and supplies power of the appropriate power to each of its inputs.

Another option for using devices with this function is charging portable equipment via USB: some models can work as stand-alone chargers that do not require connection to a computer.