Head-to-Head: HP Universal USB-C Multiport Hub vs USBC-11IN1E

Comparing the USB-C Hub Workstation Experience

The Plugable 11-in-1 USB-C Hub (USBC-11IN1E) is built to anchor a workstation; the HP Universal USB-C Multiport Hub is built to travel light.

Two USB-C hubs can both advertise dual 4K displays and still deliver very different workstation experiences.

The HP Universal USB-C Multiport Hub is a compact 7-port travel hub with HDMI, DisplayPort, Gigabit Ethernet, two USB-A ports, USB-C data, and up to 65W of USB-C pass-through charging. It is smaller and lighter than the Plugable USBC-11IN1E and offers a useful native DisplayPort connection for users whose existing monitors already rely on DisplayPort. HP specifies support for a single 4K display at 60Hz or dual 4K displays at 30Hz.

The Plugable USBC-11IN1E takes a more workstation-focused approach. It expands one compatible USB-C connection into 11 ports, including dual HDMI, three USB-A ports, USB-C data, Gigabit Ethernet, SD and microSD card readers, 3.5mm audio, and up to 100W USB-C Power Delivery input with as much as 92W available to the host. On compatible Windows and ChromeOS systems supporting DisplayPort 1.4, Display Stream Compression (DSC), and Multi-Stream Transport (MST), those two HDMI outputs can drive dual independent 4K displays at 60Hz.

The important difference is not simply 7 ports versus 11. It is what those ports can actually do once your laptop, operating system, charger, monitors, and USB-C capabilities enter the equation.

Plugable Lab Results: Technical Specifications Matrix

Our lab testing confirms the USBC-11IN1E offers higher dual-display refresh rates (60Hz vs. 30Hz) and more ports (11 vs. 7) than the HP Universal Hub.

Where the HP Universal USB-C Multiport Hub May Be a Better Fit

If you travel light and your monitors already use DisplayPort, the HP Universal USB-C Multiport Hub may be the better pick.

There are legitimate reasons to choose the HP hub, especially if minimizing size and weight is a priority.

At approximately 5.91 x 2.17 x 0.85 inches and 115 grams, the HP Universal USB-C Multiport Hub is shorter and lighter than the USBC-11IN1E. Both products are designed to be portable, but HP's smaller footprint may appeal to users who want the most compact option possible for a laptop bag, travel kit or mobile workspace.

Native DisplayPort Connectivity

The HP hub also provides something the USBC-11IN1E does not: a native DisplayPort output. Its combination of one HDMI 2.0 and one DisplayPort 1.2 connection may be convenient in offices where monitors are already connected through DisplayPort.

The USBC-11IN1E instead uses two HDMI 2.0 outputs, prioritizing identical display connectors across a dual-monitor setup.

A Simpler Hub for Lighter Workloads

Not every laptop needs card readers, audio, eleven connections, or more than 65W of charging. For a lightweight business laptop that primarily needs Ethernet, a few USB peripherals, one or two monitors, and charging, HP's smaller design may provide exactly what is needed.

The trade-off is expansion. The USBC-11IN1E uses its additional size to provide more connectivity and greater workstation flexibility.

Where the Plugable USBC-11IN1E Pulls Ahead

On a desk, the USBC-11IN1E turns one USB-C port into a dual-monitor workstation.

The USBC-11IN1E becomes more compelling when the hub is expected to act as the center of a workstation.

Verified Testing Data: Dual 4K is Not the Whole Story

Our engineers verified that the USBC-11IN1E supports two independent 4K displays at 60Hz. HP’s own spec limits dual 4K displays to 30Hz.

"Dual 4K" sounds straightforward. It isn't. HP specifies support for a single 4K display at 60Hz or two 4K displays at 30Hz. The Plugable USBC-11IN1E can support two independent 4K displays at 60Hz on a compatible Windows or ChromeOS host with the required DisplayPort bandwidth, DSC, and MST support.

That refresh-rate difference matters. 30Hz can work for static dashboards, spreadsheets, or secondary information displays. But for scrolling, moving windows, working with timelines, or simply using a desktop throughout the day, 60Hz provides noticeably smoother motion. For a permanent dual-monitor productivity setup, "dual 4K" therefore does not tell the whole story.

The Host Still Determines What You Actually Get

Buying a dual 4K 60Hz hub does not automatically turn every USB-C laptop into a dual 4K 60Hz workstation. For the USBC-11IN1E to reach its maximum dual-display configuration, the computer must provide enough DisplayPort bandwidth through USB-C. Plugable specifies DisplayPort 1.4 with Display Stream Compression and MST support for dual independent 4K 60Hz displays.

Systems with lower DisplayPort capabilities will operate at lower display combinations. This is why we recommend checking the laptop specifications instead of looking only at the shape of the USB-C port. USB-C tells you what fits. It does not tell you what the port can do.

More Peripheral Expansion

The USBC-11IN1E provides three USB-A 5Gbps ports and one USB-C 5Gbps data port, compared with two USB-A ports and one USB-C data port on the HP hub.

It also adds full-size SD, microSD, and 3.5mm audio. For photographers, videographers, drone operators, and other users who regularly move files from removable media, the integrated card readers eliminate the need for another adapter. The full-size SD reader supports UHS-II media up to 312 MB/s, while the microSD reader supports UHS-I up to 104 MB/s.

That means fewer dongles, fewer occupied USB ports, and one less tiny adapter waiting to disappear into the bottom of the laptop bag.

More Charging Headroom

Power Delivery is another area where similar-looking hubs can behave very differently.

The HP Universal USB-C Multiport Hub supports up to 65W of power to the host with an appropriate external USB-C power supply. The USBC-11IN1E accepts up to 100W USB-C Power Delivery input, with approximately 92W available to a compatible laptop after power is reserved for the hub itself.

Neither product includes a USB-C charger. The additional charging headroom can be useful for larger business laptops and mobile workstations that are designed around higher USB-C power profiles. A laptop that only needs 45W or 65W will not suddenly consume 92W simply because the hub can provide it. USB-C Power Delivery negotiates the appropriate charging profile with the connected system. The benefit is flexibility.

Compatibility Matters More Than the Connector

Two USB-C ports can look identical and still do very different things for displays, charging, and data.

This is where both products deserve more attention than a simple feature table can provide. A laptop can have USB-C and still lack video output, while another may support video but not charging. Even when both are supported, the available DisplayPort bandwidth may limit the resolution or refresh rate you can actually achieve.

That is one of the frustrating things about USB-C: the connector can look identical from one laptop to another while the capabilities behind it are completely different. Before buying either hub, it is worth checking what your laptop's USB-C port actually supports.

The macOS Multi-Monitor Catch

Mac users should pay particular attention to multi-monitor expectations.

The USBC-11IN1E uses DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport for its dual-display functionality. macOS does not support MST for two independent extended displays through this type of hub. As a result, Plugable documents the USBC-11IN1E as supporting one extended external display on Mac, while a second monitor connected through the hub mirrors the first.

For that reason, the USBC-11IN1E is not the right choice for a Mac user whose primary goal is two independent external displays from one USB-C connection. HP lists the Universal USB-C Multiport Hub as compatible with macOS, but Mac users shopping specifically for dual extended displays should still verify their exact Mac model, supported display topology, and hub technology before purchasing.

If two independent external displays from a Mac are required, a DisplayLink-based docking solution or compatible Thunderbolt configuration may be a better fit.

Support and Peace of Mind

The USBC-11IN1E comes with a two-year limited warranty and lifetime technical support from Plugable; HP’s hub has a one-year limited warranty.

That support can also begin before the sale. If you are unsure whether a laptop's USB-C port supports DisplayPort 1.4, DSC, MST, Power Delivery, or the display configuration you are trying to build, Plugable Support can help verify the setup before you buy.

Sometimes the best troubleshooting ticket is the one you never have to open.

Final Decision: Which Hub Should You Choose?

Short version: pick the USBC-11IN1E for a permanent dual 4K desk setup, and the HP Universal Hub for a light travel kit.

Both the HP Universal USB-C Multiport Hub and Plugable USBC-11IN1E are capable USB-C expansion solutions, but they are designed around different priorities.

Choose the HP Universal USB-C Multiport Hub if minimum size and weight are important, you prefer having both HDMI and native DisplayPort outputs, your charging requirement is 65W or less, and you do not need built-in card readers or analog audio.

Choose the Plugable USBC-11IN1E if you are building a more complete Windows or ChromeOS workstation and want up to dual 4K 60Hz displays on a compatible host, more peripheral connectivity, higher USB-C charging headroom, SD and microSD readers, audio, and longer warranty coverage.

For a compact travel kit, HP's smaller enclosure has a clear purpose. For a setup where one USB-C connection needs to handle monitors, networking, peripherals, charging, media cards, and audio, the USBC-11IN1E gives you considerably more room to grow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers on compatibility, display support, and charging.