Apple’s decision to outfit the new Macbook with a single USB-C port has created a renewed interest in one of the most unexciting of products: USB hubs. While there are plenty of solutions that can expand that lone port into however many you actually need, the Cusby offers a unique customizable solution.
Described as a “modular and expandable” USB hub, it consists of individual ports that can daisy-chain together, creating a hub with as many USB-C, USB-A, and HDMI ports as you’d like. Start out with just as many as you need, then expand as your peripherals grow by simply plugging in a new module to the mix.
Each Cusby module measures 1.57 x 1.57 x 0.47 inches (l x w x h), with a USB-C plug on one side, a USB-C port on the opposite side, and a second port (either a dedicated USB power port, USB-A, or HDMI) on another side. You can daisy-chain as many as you want, although the team warns to limit it to single-digit trains, since plugging in more can cause connectivity issues. Future modules in the pipeline will add Thunderbolt, DisplayPort, and Ethernet slots, so this could be the complete solution for your port requirements going forward, especially since they’re guaranteeing it’s going to work with all USB-C ports in any upcoming computers (now that Apple’s done it, you can bet everybody else will).
Of course, those additional modules are only going to happen once Cusby is actually out in the world. As of now, it’s currently raising funds on Indiegogo, with pledges to reserve a unit starting at $39.