When we’re on a roll at work or on our own creative projects, we depend on our laptops to bring us to the finish line, or at least to lunch. That means the WiFi connection has to be consistent, the battery better last, and we gotta have the best seat in the coffee shop (next to the outlets). Jimlo Z Studio recently debuted their pocket-sized, eight-in-one USB-C Hub and MacBook Stand, HUB–OX, that gives us the power boost we need to meet our deadlines before lunch.
Designed to be portable and compact, HUB–OX initially comes as a lightweight, palm-sized USB-C hub, which splits into two halves, both equipped with plenty of charging slots, HDMI connections, and ethernet ports. HUB–OX is compatible with MacBook Pro models that have four USB-C ports, generally any MacBook Pro from 2016 or any of its succeeding generations. When HUB–OX is split in two, users can plug the USB-C chargers into all four of their MacBook Pro’s ports, lifting their laptops to an angle of 7.7° to keep them charged and at eye level for the rest of the day. Working at our laptops for long periods of time often makes us want to crane our necks and spines to meet our screens. The small hoist HUB–OX gives our MacBook Pros is just enough to keep our necks straight and spines against our chairs. In addition to helping our posture while working, the built-in laptop stand allows for better heat dissipation from our laptops’ heat sinks, keeping our laptops cool and their fans low.
Equipped with 100W of power and an HDMI port that can project 4K pictures at 30Hz, HUB–OX makes an ideal computer accessory for business projects and extended work periods. Then, when you feel like working at that cafe without any WiFi, HUB–OX has an RJ45 ethernet port with internet speeds ranging from 10 to 1,000Mbps. As soon as the workday is done and all that’s left to do is finish your cup of coffee, HUB–OX clicks back into its initial box form with magnetic snapping, so you can hit your lunch break.
Designer: Jimlo Z Studio
HUB—OX comes as a palm-sized laptop hub, equipped with USB-C, HDMI, and ethernet ports.
HUB—OX can also split into two halves that plug into MacBook Pro’s USB-C ports, giving your laptop a good boost.
The USB-C chargers built into HUB—OX plug into the MacBook Pro’s ports, providing a laptop stand as well as 100W worth of charge.
When used as a laptop stand, HUB—OX provides better heat dissipation for your laptop’s heat sink.
Multiple devices can be connected to HUB—OX at once.
Early sketches of HUB—OX.
Prototyping and multiple ideations led to HUB—OX’s final form.
HUB—OX was designed to fit in the palm of your hand to be as portable and compact as possible.
HUB—OX’s built-in HDMI port projects 4K pictures at 30Hz.
It’s not that Apple doesn’t want us to have good things but let’s face it, the iPhone doesn’t have a headphone jack anymore, the MacBook keyboards are some of the worst in the industry, and that beautiful MagSafe connector that made charging laptops an absolute breeze, well, Apple took it away too. The MagRig, however, is bringing back one of those fond features.
Modeled on the concept of the MagSafe charger, the MagRig works with all Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C devices, which means not only does it bring the magnetic charging port back to the MacBook, it also works with the iPad Pro, most Android phones, the Nintendo Switch, and any device that use a Type-C connector. The two-part adapter attaches itself to both the port as well as the jack, giving you the satisfying magnetic click whenever you plug a device in. The magnetic connection even helps prevent damage caused by accidental cable-tugs. Instead of your phone, iPad, or laptop flying right off the table because your dog snagged the wire while running around the house, the MagRig detaches with graceful choreography, keeping your gadgets safe from physical damage.
The MagRig extends its MagSafe-style abilities to all devices, supporting power delivery of up to 100W (enough to comfortably charge your laptop) as well as data transfer in keeping with Thunderbolt 3 standards – which roughly translates to being able to support 6K video transfer, and data up to breakneck speeds of 40Gb/s. Two neodymium rare-earth magnets secure the magnetic connection, and are strong enough to accommodate a tilt of as much as 9° without disrupting the connection. The MagRig’s male connector unit comes with an incredibly slim design, allowing it to permanently attach to phones or tablets, even ones with cases. The female connector instantly plugs in without any effort, lighting up with a single white LED to indicate a positive connection. In every way, the MagRig brings back the brilliant UX of one of Apple’s most loved technologies… however, with universal support for USB-C and Thunderbolt devices, and with the ability to perform power as well as data delivery, the MagRig does much more than the MagSafe could ever do!
MagRig – Thunderbolt 3 Magnetic USB-C Adapter for Macs & iPad Pro
The MagRig Adapter not only brings back the MagSafe feature that Apple discontinued, but by adding Thunderbolt 3-enabled, 40 Gb/s, 6K display and 100W power delivery, it far exceeds the original MagSafe.
The MagRig Adapter consists of two parts – the magnetic USB-C male tip and the magnetic USB-C female adapter – which is an ideal combination of magnetic connection and Thunderbolt 3. The detachable magnetic tip easily fits virtually any USB-C device.
To connect, simply snap the cable with the magnetic adapter to the magnetic receiver tip. It also effortlessly and safely disconnects when the cable is pulled away from the adapter, just like MagSafe.
Who Needs MagRig
Your workflows are amazingly being speeded up MagRig. Perfect for designer, video producer, video gamer, photographer, coder, editor, social media influencer and MagSafe lover.
Why MagRig
Benefits of MagRig
Safer. Save your precious devices from unintended yank, avoidable dust, normal wear and tear, and electric surge.
Faster. But connecting magnetically isn’t all. Transferring data at speeds of up to 40Gb/s with one Thunderbolt 3 cable, Magrig Adapter delivers the fastest connection to any dock, display or device. Simply snap it on and speed away.
Stronger. It’s capable of transferring up to 100 watts of power, so two Magrig Adapters with one single cable can be used to connect to a dock or display and charge your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air simultaneously. No power drains at all!
Bigger. A Mac with Thunderbolt 3 supports up to four 4K displays or two 6K displays, which means more productivity for content creators. MagRig Adapter supports a wider range of compatible displays, from 4K to 6K, compared to other existing magnetic chargers.
MagRig Adapter Design
Improvement #1: Two Same Magnets Magnify the Attraction. The same structure embedded in each of two magnets doubles the magnetic forces, which makes Magrig Adapter the strongest magnetic adapter on the market. And they’re chrome-plated so they can withstand impacts and drops.
Improvement #2: Two Types of Pogo Pins for Steady Connection. The team designed two types of pogo pins for the reliability of the connection. The design amazingly allows for ±9 degrees of angle for the female adapter to ensure reliable connection against unintended tilt. They call it SteadyConnect.
Improvement #3: Four Ribs & Four Grooves for Safety Mechanism. 4ribs and 4 grooves are designed relatively on the mounts to physically isolate two rows of contact pins, which practically eliminates the possibility of short-circuit and enables auto alignment between the male tip and female adapters when approaching.
Specs & Tests
– Size & weight: Magrig USB-C tip: 6.38 x 16.06 x 11.7 mm, 2.6g; Magrig USB-C adapter: 7.6 x 17.28 x 21.11 mm, 5.4g – Rate of magnet: N52 (Neodymium magnet Grade 52, 2 pieces) – Power delivery: up to 20V 5A, 100W – Data transfer: up to 40Gb/s – Color options: silver, space grey – Tested compatible devices: Mac with Thunderbolt 3, HyperDrive Hub, Thunderbolt 3 passive/active cable, USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 cable, LG Ultrafine 4K & 5K Displays, Samsung Thunderbolt 3 SSD, iPad Pro 11-inch & 12.9-inch, Nintendo Switch, StarTech DP to Thunderbolt 3 adapter, Mophie Powerstation USB-C XXL, OWC Thunderbolt 3 SSD enclosure.
Tested output of the combination:
– Apple USB-C power cord / charge cable — Charge only – Thunderbolt 3 active cable (certified only) — Charge, data transfer up to 40 Gb/s – Thunderbolt 3 passive cable (shorter than 0.7m / 2.3ft) — Charge, data transfer up to 40 Gb/s – USB-C cable with USB 3.1 Gen 2 — Charge, data transfer up to 10 Gb/s – USB-C cable with USB 3.1 Gen 1 (USB 3.0) — Charge, data transfer up to 5 Gb/s – USB-C cable with PD protocol (USB 2.0) — Charge, data transfer up to 5 Gb/s
TEST #1
Apple MacBook Pro + LG UltraFine 5K Display + Magrig Adapter
TEST #2
Apple MacBook Pro + HyperDrive (Thunderbolt 3-enabled) + LG UltraFine 5K Display + Magrig Adapter
TEST #3
Apple MacBook Pro + Samsung Thunderbolt 3 SSD X5 + LG UltraFine 5K Display + 2× Magrig Adapter
TEST #4
Apple MacBook Pro + LG UltraFine 5K Display + Power-Z USB-C Tester + Magrig Adapter
TEST #5
Apple iPad Pro + LG UltraFine 5K Display + Magrig Thunderbolt 3 Cable (0.7m / 2.3ft) + Magrig Adapter
TEST #6
Apple MacBook Pro + Apple Power Adapter 87W for MacBook Pro + Samsung Thunderbolt 3 SSD X5 + Power-Z USB-C Tester + Magrig Thunderbolt 3 Cable (0.7m /2.3ft) + 3× Magrig Adapter
.
