MacHub kickstarter has created a cheap and stylish 12 inch MacBook USB adapter
Palm Coast FL resident George Prokopenko has recently begun a kickstarter campaign to fund MacHub, a $60 device designed to plug into a 12 inch MacBook’s USB Type-C port, turning the single universal port into two USB-A ports.
When plugged in, MacHub is designed to blend seamlessly with the 12 inch MacBook’s aluminum unibody, and it will be available in the three signature Apple finishes, Silver, Gold and Space Grey. The adapter’s shell will be constructed in high-quality anodized aluminum, to perfectly match the 12 inch MacBook’s unibody, and make it look like it’s physically part of the laptop.
The device does not provide additional USB Type-C ports, Lightning ports, or video ports like its more expensive and beefy competitor, Hub+, however, MacHub’s does offer a practical advantage, at least when all that’s needed is a pair of extra USB ports on the fly.
The obvious downside is that, once MacHub is plugged into the MacBook, the USB Type-C port is no longer available. This of course means that USB Type-C devices will need additional extensions and adapters to connect to the MacBook, as well as the charging cable.
The kickstarter campaign’s goal has been set at $40,000, with a stretch goal of $50,000 which, is reached, will allow MacHub’s creator George Prokopenko to add three optional colors: black, pure red and light blue, plus a reflective chromed option, for a “special edition” of MacHub, but no details of a different pricing for this edition, or other colors, has been provided on the kickstarter page.
At $60, this device could be a tough sell, next to Hub+, which, for an retail price a little over a hundred dollars, provides also connectivity for external displays, especially considering the simplistic nature of what is essentially a USB Type-C-to-USB-A splitter.
MacHub’s page makes no mention of expanding the design to include additional features, or other versions fitting other MacBook models, at least for the time being.