If you’re looking for a USB hub that is portable unlike the Moshi Symbus Q, then the Moshi Symbus Mini might be one to consider. The Moshi Symbus Mini is a Thunderbolt 3 compatible 7-in-1 USB Type-C hub that offers HDMI, USB-C, USB-A, SD slots, Ethernet and 70W PD for S$150.
Design and build quality
You can always expect good build quality from Moshi and the Moshi Symbus Mini is no exception. The Symbus Mini has a combination of black plastic and aluminum, which looks modern and premium. The aluminum curves into the back of the hub for the wire storage.
The size of the Moshi Symbus Mini is also rather compact. It is just slightly smaller than an iPhone 11 for reference.
Features and connectivity
The Moshi Symbus Mini comes in a rather small and slim package, coming it at just 12.8cm x 7.6cm x 1.3 cm (5.04″” x 2.99″” x 0.51″).
Here are the list of features that Moshi Symbus Mini offers:
- 1x USB-C with up to 70W Power Delivery
- 2x USB-A, supporting USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5Gbps data transfer)
- 1x micro-SD card reader
- 1x SD card reader
- 1x HDMI port (supports up to 4K @ 60Hz HDR)
- 1x Gigabit Ethernet port (speeds up to 1000Mbps)
4K @ 60Hz HDMI & HDR support
Having support for 4K @ 60Hz with HDR is huge. Many USB-C hubs advertise support for 4K display, but it is usually limited to 30Hz. If you ever used a 30Hz display you’ll know how sluggish it feels, such that I’d rather step down to a lower resolution just to use it at 60Hz. With Moshi Symbus Mini supporting 4K 60Hz with HDR, it is great for content creators or individuals who need that sharp resolution.
Gigabit Ethernet
The Ethernet port supports speeds up to 1000Mbps. Testing this with my 15-inch MacBook Pro (2018), it is a simple plug-and-play setup. You do not need to install third-party network drivers which other brands such as UGreen hubs which require you to do so.
USB-C PD 70W
The single USB-C port of the Moshi Symbus Mini has 70W PD pass-through, which means that if you need to charge your laptop, you can plug the USB-C cable to the USB-C port and it will charge your laptop. 70W is generally enough power for most of the USB-C powered laptops such as the 13-inch MacBook Pro that uses 61W charging.
Do note that the USB-C port seems to be catered for PD as data transfers speeds aren’t as fast as USB 3.1 speeds like on the Anker PowerExpand Elite 13-in-1.
SD/micro-SD card readers
Some USB-C hubs offer either one of the card readers, so it is great that the Moshi Symbus Mini has both readers. The card reader has transfer speeds of up to 104 MB/s and support high-capacity SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. Having both card readers will surely be a delight for any content creator.
Functionality and user experience
What sets the Moshi Symbus Mini apart from other USB-C hubs is the design. The USB-C cable of the Moshi Symbus Mini is what Moshi dubs the SnapTo magnetic cable, which provides easy cable management solution for the trailing cable that all USB-C hubs have. Though it seems like a small feature to keep the cable away, it really does add to the user experience of using it especially if you use the USB-C hub everyday.
However, the convenience of cable hiding also comes at a small cost of cable length, which is pretty short, at just 8cm. This means that when using the Moshi Symbus Mini, you have to keep it close to your laptop. The Moshi Symbus Mini does get slightly warm while using, especially if there is power pass-through. But the warmness feels normal and does not call for concern.
I like the size of the Moshi Symbus Mini, which is slightly smaller than an iPhone 11, making it easy to store in my everyday backpack. You can even stash it in your jeans pocket if you want to.
Moshi has also made good choices on the ports to include in the Moshi Symbus Mini. They have included almost all needed ports for productivity. If I were nitpicking, then I would have included another USB-C port. Do note that the USB-C port seems to be catered for PD as data transfers speeds aren’t as fast as USB 3.1 for fast data transfer speeds. But overall, the Moshi Symbus Mini ticks all the boxes for a versatile USB-C hub – power, display, network and data.
Bonus: ClearGuard Keyboard Protector
If you’re looking for a keyboard protector for your MacBook Pro, Moshi also sells one under their ClearGuard range. I have their ClearGuard keyboard protector for my MacBook Pro 15-inch (2018). Usually for the MacBooks with the thin butterfly keys, I find that it is hard to find keyboard protectors to fit well because they tend to move around.
However, Moshi has found a way to fix that problem by introducing thin adhesives on their ClearGuard keyboard protector, which are seen by the thin blue strips. The adhesives keep the keyboard protector well in place. If you’re interested you can purchase it from Lazada for S$40.
Conclusion
If your laptop requires less than 70W of power and currently looking for a USB-C hub that offers the package, then the Moshi Symbus Mini should be right up your alley. It is slightly premium priced at S$150, but you’d be sure of getting a high quality product that will last for many years since Moshi is confident enough to cover you with a 10-year global warranty. You can purchase it on Lazada.