Technological advancements have made laptops, even the most powerful ones, thinner than ever. However, this also means we’re losing ports we might need in the name of a sleek design. Even the most powerful 16-inch M3 Max MacBook Pro has no RJ45 and USB-A ports.

A USB hub will fix this issue—but if you’re a power user, any ordinary hub won’t do. You need the Baseus Metal Gleam Series II 10-in-1.

The Most Premium Hub You Can Buy

The Metal Gleam Series II 10-in-1 USB hub uses a premium metal alloy with a fingerprint-resistant satin dark gray finish. It also features a carbon fiber section that hosts the indicator light and screen lock button, and it has a 22.9cm braided nylon USB-C cable for attaching to your computer. The USB-C connector fits nicely in a built-in slot at the top of the hub when you’re not using it, giving it a clean look and preventing it from tangling with your other cables when you store it.

This 10-in-1 USB hub weighs 134g, making it lighter than the 3rd-generation iPhone SE. It’s also reasonably compact, with a 14.5 x 5.2cm footprint and just 1.5cm thick. These numbers make the hub easy to grab and hold, and if you want to hang it when it’s not used, you can safely do so via its USB-C cable when its connector is stowed.

Instantly See Its Compatibility

One of the issues some users have with USB-C is that some older or cheaper devices with this port do not feature DP Alt mode, meaning they cannot transmit video data. Other USB-C hubs do not show if your device can’t transmit video via USB-C or if it has an error, but the Metal Gleam Series II 10-in-1 will let you know if your device isn’t compatible.

It does this by blinking the indicator once when you plug it in. If it does so, then your computer or device cannot transmit video via USB-C. But if it continuously lights up, you have no issues and can attach a display or two to the hub.

On the other hand, if you want to buy this hub and check its compatibility, it should work with just about any fully-featured USB-C device (USB-C port that supports charging, data transfer, and DP Alt Mode). If you're unsure, you should check with your device manufacturer if it supports those three protocols. On the other hand, I’ve tested the USB hub with my Samsung Galaxy Note 10+, 15-inch M2 MacBook Air, and my wife’s M1 MacBook Air, and have confirmed that they all work, although these devices can only output one display at a time.

Turn Your Thin-and-Light Into a Connectivity Powerhouse

One of the great things about the Baseus Metal Gleam II 10-in-1 USB hub is that it adds ten additional ports to your computer using a single USB-C port. It also has power delivery, so you don’t have to worry about losing a port when charging your laptop.

You get the following ports with this 10-in-1 hub: one 1Gbps RJ45 LAN port, two USB-A 2.0 ports, one USB-A 3.2 port, one USB-C 3.2 port, an SD card slot, a microSD card slot, a 4K@120 HDMI port, a 4K@60 HDMI port, and a USB-C PD100 port. The USB-C 3.2 port does not support video output, so you can only use the two HDMI ports for your displays. Furthermore, the USB-C PD100 port does not transmit data, so you can only use it to charge your laptop.

Connect Up to Two 4K Displays

One of the best features of the Baseus Metal Gleam II 10-in-1 USB hub is that it can run up to two 4K monitors as extended displays. However, not all devices can do so, even if the USB hub has two HDMI outputs. For example, all iOS devices are limited to a single external screen, so you cannot use the hub to have two different monitors attached to your iPad.

Samsung’s DeX also outputs one external display only; furthermore, it cannot run two monitors simultaneously, even if you just mirror it. This is similar to the M1 MacBook Air and the 15-inch M2 MacBook Air: you can only use one external display, even if the hub has two HDMI ports.

However, if your computer can support two external displays, you’re in for a treat because the Metal Gleam II 10-in-1 can output two 4K@60 displays. But if you’re a gamer and want high framerates, you can get 4K@120 at the HDMI1 port, provided you only use one display and have a laptop and monitor that can deliver.

Another convenience you get with this USB hub is its quick lock button. A button sits in the middle of the indicator light, and you can press it (once for Windows and twice for macOS) to instantly lock your computer. While it’s not a crucial feature, especially as you can press Windows + L or Ctrl + Cmd + Q to lock your PC, small conveniences like this make the premium price of the Metal Gleam II worth it.

If you’re an everyday user and don’t need to attach many accessories to your computer, the Metal Gleam Series II 10-in-1 USB Hub is likely overkill for your needs. The Baseus Metal Gleam Series II 6-in-1 USB Hub is more suited for you, especially as it delivers the same premium quality at almost half the price.

But if you’re a professional or a gamer and want to use two (or more if your laptop has an extra HDMI port and can output three or more screens) 4K displays, wired peripherals, and relatively high-speed internet, you need this 10-in-1 hub. You also get a USB-C and a USB-A 3.2 port with 10Gbps transfer speeds and a microSD and an SD card reader you can simultaneously use.

If you have a powerful thin-and-light laptop, pair it with the Baseus Metal Gleam Series II 10-in-1 USB hub to transform it into a physical connectivity powerhouse. It will probably be the last USB hub you’ll need in a long time.