Twelve South StayGo Mini USB-C Hub
Summary
The compact Twelve South StayGo Mini USB-C Hub brings HDMI, USB-A, and an audio jack to the iPad Pro’s USB-Cort, along with a 100W Power Delivery pass-through port. Ideally suited to travel, but works just as well on a desktop. Supports PC and Macs as well.
Twelve South StayGo Mini USB-C Hub Review
Twelve South isn’t just a cool case manufacturer, they are also a peripheral maker. They have taken a queue from the Twelve South StayGo 11 port USB-C hub and shrunk it down to an, even more, portable size. Yes, a few ports were dropped along the way, but the new Twelve South StayGo Mini USB-C Hub includes just the right ports for the iPad Pro, including an audio jack.
What we like
Small, light, and compact. Those adjectives aptly describe the $59.99 Twelve South StayGo Mini. So does smart, because, unlike many small USB-C hubs, the StayGo Mini comes complete with a .5 meter USB-C extension cable to compensate for cases that won’t accommodate it nuzzling up to the USB-C port. The cable also comes in handy when using peripherals on the road, in a borrowed office for instance, that don’t quite reach. A few extra inches is often all that’s needed to build a bridge between the required connection and the device that needs it.
The StayGo Mini USB-C Hub in a 4K HDMI port, a USB-A port that offers connectivity and charging, and a USB-C port with 100W Power Delivery capability. And for those seriously missing wired headphones on the latest iPad Pros and Airs, a 3.5mm audio jack.
The iPad Pro isn’t Apple’s only port-challenged device. The StayGo Mini works as well o my MacBook as it does on the iPad. And for that matter, it also works on my HP Dragonfly Elite.
What could be improved
The StayGo Mini USB-C Hub provides the perfect set of ports to make the iPad Pro a better-connected device. In some ways, at the price point of the iPad Pro, the needs to improve advice goes to Apple, who should include a device like the StayGo Mini in the box with the iPad Pro. Lenovo recognizes the port limitations on its ThinkBook Plus Gen 2 and includes a dongle to expand the features of its USB-C-centric device. Apple, however, has never ben good about port expansion accessories as they constitute both high margin add-ons for them, and ecosystem opportunities for partners like Twelve South.
Those who would complain to Twelve South that the StayGo Mini does go far enough should step up to the StayGo, which offers ports aplenty—and it too is made for travel.
Twelve South StayGo Mini USB-C Hub: The Bottom Line
Twelve South’s StayGo Mini USB-C Hub is the perfect companion to the iPad Pro and new iPad Air, providing those devices the crucial ports to leverage its USB-C connectivity—transforming traditionally isolated devices into well-connected tools for work or play.
Twelve South provided the StayGo Mini USB-C Hub for review. Images courtesy of Twelve South.
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