Despite being quite expensive and rocking last year's Intel processors the Surface Laptop is still arguably the most beautiful, most pleasant Windows 10 laptop experience you can get.
But its lack of modern ports is less than ideal. The CruzHUB ($75 on Amazon) is the solution to that problem, and I consider this a must-have accessory for Surface Laptop.
$75Bottom line: Surface Laptop owners can get a custom-tailored port expander that not only looks cool but is super useful.
For
- Adds ports to Surface Laptop.
- Custom designed for Surface Laptop.
- Stable but easy to remove.
Against
- Lacks USB Type-C.
- Doesn't match Surface Laptop colors.
What is the CruzHUB?
CruzHUB from Juiced Systems is a custom-tailored port expander for the Surface Laptop. Featuring a bevy of modern ports, the CruzHUB should make the Surface Laptop significantly more useful when traveling. Here is what you get:
- Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000).
- 4K HDMI (4K @ 30Hz).
- Two USB 3.0 Ports (5Gbps).
- SD memory slot.
- microSD slot.
- AUX input (headphones).
- LED power light.
All of this comes in a tapered-metal black body that plugs into the existing USB port, mini DisplayPort, and headphone jack.
It's an intelligent design and because it uses three ports to connect, it's very stable with no wiggle or looseness. The Ethernet port on the back is positioned at the thickest point of the hub, and it makes having this device so much more useful for situations where you need a wired connection. I find HDMI much more useful than a DisplayPort so having that converter here is fantastic. But the real winner here is the inclusion of a microSD and full SD card reader. For those who want to use Surface Laptop to edit photos or transfer data from an external card, such a feature is outstanding to have in addition to the rest of those ports.
Snapping the CruzHUB onto the Surface Laptop is easy, and you don't need to leave this on when you travel or put it in a bag. It also comes with a small travel bag.
CruzHUB makes Surface Laptop more useful
If you need more ports on your Surface Laptop, grab the CruzHUB from Juiced Systems. The custom design is excellent, the port selection is solid, and the price is fair. (Amazon has a $6 coupon that brings the hub down to $69; you can apply it when you add the product to your cart.)
There are some improvements I wouldn't mind seeing, though. While custom matching colors may be too niche for this product, a CruzHUB in burgundy, cobalt or even just Surface gray would have been killer. And instead of a second USB-A port, a Type-C would have been great.
Overall, I'm excited to see a personalized accessory like CruzHUB come to Surface Laptop. A premium laptop demands matching accessories, and the Juiced Systems CruzHUB is precisely that.
Hubs for Surface Pro and Surface 3
Juiced Systems also sent over its multi-function Gigabit adapter ($30 on Amazon), which is custom made for the Surface Pro (Surface Pro 4 and Surface Pro 2017).
The mini adapter takes over the single USB A port on the Surface Pro and adds two USB 3.0 ports (5Gbps), and one Gigabit Ethernet Port (10/100/1000).
The adapter sits flush with the Surface Pro's body, making it feel like a proper extension versus a generic port-expander. It would have been great to get an SD card reader in there as well the Ethernet port, but two USB 3.0 ports are very helpful.
Juiced Systems also has a Surface 3 5-in-1 adapter ($24 on Amazon) that adds two USB 3.0 ports, a microSD reader, an SD card reader, and micro USB charging and pass-through.
