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One hub to rule them all

One hub to rule them all

Is this the ultimate Mac hub?

Leander Kahney
July 22, 2025

If you get a new Mac, you’re probably going to need a hub. If you get a new MacBook, you’re definitely gonna need a hub. There’s no ifs or buts about it.

Most new MacBooks come with just two or three ports; and none of them are USB-A, perhaps the most popular connection type right now for all the things you might want to hook up to your Mac.

Hubs come is all shapes and sizes, and choosing the right one very much depends on what you want to connect.

A lot of people can get away with a simple and inexpensive USB-C hub that adds few USB-A ports, an HDMI port and a memory card reader.

But if you want to attach anything more ambitious, like external monitors or drives, you’ll need something beefier.

We just hands-on reviewed a new Thunderbolt 5 hub from OWC, and our reviewer argues it may be the ultimate hub:

❝

With a single cable, I have multiple monitors, USB-C and Thunderbolt accessories connected to my MacBook — all while fast charging it.

Is this the one hub to rule them all?

Also in today’s newsletter:

Apple just released a fresh round of betas —the fourth in this cycle — but where are the public betas? Maybe tomorrow?
Apple runs a popular iPhone upgrade program but not one for Macs. That’s where Upgraded comes in. You can finance a new MacBook for as low as $32 a month, and upgrade it every two years. It’s a great program.
It looks like the EU will approve changes to the App Store and payment systems, and Apple will avoid massive daily fines.
We also reviewed a clever new charger from Twelve South that’s a two-in-one: A magnetic iPhone stand and a plug-in power brick.
Today’s featured setups post details some of the ways to mount a MacBook out of the way.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

OWC 11-port Thunderbolt 5 dock: One hub to (almost) rule them all [Review]

The OWC Thunderbolt 5 dock delivers blazing-fast speeds, 11 well-placed ports, and 140W charging in a sleek and desk-friendly design.

Apple seeds fresh iOS 26, macOS Tahoe betas

iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe 26 took another step toward release on Tuesday when Apple seeded the fourth round of betas to developers.

Apple may avoid massive EU fines as App Store changes near approval

Looks like Apple App Store changes may avoid daily EU fines after all. Regulators seem set to approve a new payments system for developers.

^{A message from Upgraded}

Get a new MacBook every 2 years with the MacBook upgrade program

Getting a MacBook with financing is the smartest way to stay current. Plus, you can upgrade every two years.

Apple Store now online in Saudi Arabia with Arabic support, personalized shopping

With Apple Store now online in Saudi Arabia, the iPhone giant also provides app access and support for Arabic language for the first time.

iOS 27 could have a surprising focus

iOS 27 developers will reportedly concentrate on a user interface revamp needed for the folding iPhone coming in 2026.

^{A message from}^{the Cult of Mac Deals team}

Price drop: Make PDF editing easier on Mac with PDF Expert

PDF Expert will streamline your PDF editing and management. Get a lifetime subscription to this PDF editor for Mac for just $79.99 (42% off).

PowerBug merges iPhone MagSafe travel stand with wall charger [Review]

The Twelve South PowerBug is a new palm-size accessory that’s an iPhone stand and a plug-in wall charger. We go hands on for this review.

^{CultCast: All the colors coming to iPhone 17 lineup}

Today in Apple history: Mac OS 8 becomes an instant smash hit

On July 22, 1997, Apple unveiled the first major operating system refresh for Macintosh in six years. The Mac OS 8 launch was huge.

Try these brilliant MacBook mounting and storage tips [Setups]

Laptops are crucial to many setups, but they take up space. Try these clever tips on how to mount MacBook out of the way.

Tweets of the day

10 Years of Apple Watch Evolution ⌚
— Private Talky (@privatetalky)
7:58 AM • Jul 22, 2025

The world is full of counterfeit Apple products. We CT scanned two fake AirPods and compared them to the real thing… 🧵
— Jon Bruner (@JonBruner)
3:04 PM • Nov 7, 2023

crazy how instantly doing this became an ancient bizarre thing we can barely imagine doing today
— Sebastiaan de With (@sdw)
9:52 PM • Jul 21, 2025

Forget your zodiac sign, which default Mac OS X profile picture are you?
— Basic Apple Guy (@BasicAppleGuy)
2:11 PM • Jul 21, 2025

Wallpaper of the day

I N F I N I T Y C A S T L E
#DemonSlayer#Wallpaper
— PasT² (@PasTPourChien)
7:57 PM • Jul 19, 2025

One more thing ...

❝

If [people] are working in an environment where excellence is expected, then they will do excellent work without anything but self-motivation. I'm talking about an environment in which excellence is noticed and respected and is in the culture. If you have that, you don't have to tell people to do excellent work. They understand it from their surroundings..

— Steve Jobs, 1989.

Today’s poll

Which iPhone 17 model are you most excited about?

Results from yesterday’s poll: How pumped are you about Season 4 of 'Ted Lasso'?

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