Introduction

In today’s world of increasingly slim laptops, the lack of ports is a common frustration. Enter the Powerextend A8355H11 5-in-1 USB-C Hub, promising to expand your connectivity options without compromising performance. I’ve been using this hub for the past few weeks to see if it lives up to the hype, and I’m ready to share my findings.

Features

The Powerextend A8355H11 boasts a comprehensive set of features designed to cater to a variety of needs. The standout feature is undoubtedly the 100W Power Delivery (PD) pass-through charging via the USB-C input port. This allows you to power your laptop while simultaneously utilizing the other ports – a significant advantage for power-hungry devices. Beyond that, you get two USB-A ports for legacy devices, a second USB-C data port for newer peripherals, and an HDMI port capable of outputting 4K resolution at 30Hz. This versatility is a major selling point.

Performance

My testing involved connecting a variety of devices simultaneously: a 4K monitor via HDMI, a mouse and keyboard via USB-A, an external SSD via USB-C, all while charging my 100W laptop. The hub handled the load without any noticeable lag or performance issues. The 4K video output was consistently smooth, and data transfer speeds were in line with expectations (around 5Gbps, as advertised). The pass-through charging worked flawlessly, maintaining a consistent charge to my laptop throughout my workflow. One minor observation: while 4K output worked perfectly, I experienced occasional slight flickering when using extremely high-bandwidth applications on the monitor.

I also tested the hub’s compatibility with different devices and operating systems. It proved to be largely plug-and-play across various laptops and operating systems without any driver installation hassles. This simplicity is a big plus for users who prefer hassle-free setup.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: 100W PD pass-through charging, 4K HDMI output, multiple USB ports, compact design, easy setup.
• Cons: Occasional minor HDMI flickering under high bandwidth load, slightly expensive compared to some competitors.

Final Verdict

The Powerextend A8355H11 is a solid addition to any tech enthusiast’s toolkit. Its 100W PD and versatile port selection make it incredibly convenient for multitasking. While the occasional HDMI flicker is a minor drawback, it rarely disrupted my workflow. Overall, the performance and functionality justify the price, and I would happily recommend this hub to anyone seeking a reliable and versatile solution for expanding their laptop’s connectivity. This hub provides an excellent balance of features, performance, and convenience.