USB hub without cable

[Picuino]

I’m currently using a mini USB hub for my desk that’s connected to the PC case via a separate 1-meter cable.
The USB hub has a mini-USB port, which was common for other devices years ago.
Nowadays, it’s more common to use USB-C cables, but I’ve found that mini USB hubs with a female USB-C port for connecting to a PC aren’t available. They all come with their own short cable for connecting to a laptop.

Does anyone know of any brands of USB hubs that connect to a PC via a separate cable that could be 1 meter or longer?


Edit:
I'd prefer the hub not to require an external power source, since that would add more cables and power adapters to my already messy desk.
My current 4-bay hub has an external power option, but I've never used it.

[Picuino]

I've only found this product on Amazon, which I think is overpriced (€34) and is designed for Mac, not for PC.
https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0B9H75HP5

[tooki]

I've only found this product on Amazon, which I think is overpriced (€34) and is designed for Mac, not for PC.

There's no such thing as a hub "designed for Mac, not for PC". USB is USB. Besides, if you read the Amazon listing, it explicitly lists Windows support.

Anyhow, mini hubs today almost all have tethered cables. Full-size hubs are slightly more likely to have an upstream port* rather than a tethered cable.

For recommendations, you'll need to be a lot more specific about what you want, since USB-C is only the connector: it does NOT define speeds (USB 2.0, 3.0, 3.2, and 4 can all use the USB-C connector) nor power capabilities. So what speed do you need? How many USB-C downstream ports? How many USB-A downstream ports? Any otgher features desired, like individual switches, memory card reader, or other docking-station–like features? (Audio, video, networking, etc.)


*upstream = to the computer; downstream = to the peripheral

[Picuino]

Thanks for your reply.

I now have a 4-port USB-A v2.0 downstream hub with a female mini-USB upstream port.

I was just looking for a more modern replacement with female USB-C upstream port.

I usually use it to connect USB flash drives, though sometimes I also plug in cables for Arduinos, STM32 prototyping boards, a scanner, and so on. Nothing that requires high-speed data transfer, because when I do need high speed (for example, for an external SSD), I connect the USB-C cable directly.

Right now I have two cables coming up from the PC case to the desk: one USB-C to USB-C and another USB-A (PC) to mini-USB (desk).
I use the hub to convert to other types of USB by connecting the appropriate cable, or for memory sticks.

[Someone]

I think is overpriced (€34)

Your time spent (and now other peoples) far exceeds that small value. It's a one off purchase to fit some very specific niche, you pay more than discount bin prices.

Or just get over it and use a usb extension cable to a "regular" hub's short tether.

[Picuino]

Although it's not a small desktop hub, I think it's a good option:

https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0CMTQ8YVY

I'll end up buying this one, even though it's still a bit pricey.

[Picuino]

Your time spent (and now other peoples) far exceeds that small value. It's a one off purchase to fit some very specific niche, you pay more than discount bin prices.

It really strikes me that a PC hub is considered a "very specific niche" product when, to me, it's as common as a charger or a USB cable—something that a lot of people should need.
Laptops may be gaining so much popularity that desktop PCs are no longer common, but there are still many of us who use old-school desktop PCs.
If this thread is useful for all of us who still use desktop PCs sitting on the floor, then it’s more than welcome.
For those of you who use laptops, there’s no need to waste your time on the thread.

[tooki]

Your time spent (and now other peoples) far exceeds that small value. It's a one off purchase to fit some very specific niche, you pay more than discount bin prices.

It really strikes me that a PC hub is considered a "very specific niche" product when, to me, it's as common as a charger or a USB cable—something that a lot of people should need.

They meant that your specific requirement of a hub with a USB-C upstream jack is fairly niche, not the concept of USB hubs.

[Doctorandus_P]

I just had a short look at a local shop. Within a minute or so I found the "startech 10 port industrial USB hub". It's not cheap (EUR 60), but with 10 porst, sturdy metal housing and connectors the price is still reasonable, but depending on the internal electronics (port protection and such). I did notice the external power input is 5 to 24V, so this hub has an internal SMPS.

And I'm sure there are more hubs with a decent quality and similar features. You just have to search a bit around to find something appropriate to your wishes.

[tooki]

I just had a short look at a local shop. Within a minute or so I found the "startech 10 port industrial USB hub". It's not cheap (EUR 60), but with 10 porst, sturdy metal housing and connectors the price is still reasonable, but depending on the internal electronics (port protection and such). I did notice the external power input is 5 to 24V, so this hub has an internal SMPS.

And I'm sure there are more hubs with a decent quality and similar features. You just have to search a bit around to find something appropriate to your wishes.

OP says right in the original post that they’re looking for a hub with a female USB-C port as the upstream port.

[ejeffrey]

USB type C is still somewhat uncommon on desktops.  Having one or at most two ports is common and often one is thunderbolt which would be wasted on a simple hub.  So most USB hubs intended for desktop use still have type A connectors. 

Type C cables are also a bit of a disaster.  The vast majority of them do not support 3.0+ speeds.  There is also no standard marking except for thunderbolt cables which are expensive and usually short.  If you make a 3.0+ speed hub its easier to sidestep those concerns by using a captive cable.

The OP complained about the short pigtails on type C hubs since these are commonly targetting laptops.  If that is the only real concern, 3.0+ speed hubs are widely available with longer captive type A cables up to 2m. 

Yes, hubs with female type C upstream connectors are uncommon.  You will probably have to pay a premium.   But $50 is still cheap.