Introduction
I’ll be honest, this is the first time I’m reviewing a USB hub in the decade that I’ve been doing this but the fun part is that it’s no ordinary USB hub. While its not an obvious need, the are cases where you want your USB port to be completely powered off. With the ton of streamer private personal times sometimes being streamed to the Internet as well as just leaving some things on when you don’t need them.
This is what the Streamplify HUB DECK 5 addresses. A 5-port USB hub for device control, the HUB DECK 5 offers power as well via a separate power brick for devices that require up to 2A of power. And its got RGB. But is it worth? Read on to find out my thoughts.
Features & Specification
- 7 Swappable keycaps
- Individual power-off buttons for each USB slot
- Cable clip for convenient cable management
- Stylish RGB lighting modes
- USB3.0 ports x 4
- 2A power charger x 1
- Plug and play – no drivers required
| Model | HUB DECK 5 |
|---|---|
| Color | Black |
| SoC | VIA Labs VL817 |
| Number of SoC | 1 |
| USB type | USB 3.0 type A, compatible to USB type 2.0 connector |
| Slot number | 5, standard USB 3.0 x4 + 2.0A power charging x1 |
| Smartphone charging | Yes, up to 2.0A |
| USB slot switch | Yes |
| Lighting effect | Yes, RGB light at the bottom |
| Cable management | Yes |
| USB cable length | 1.8m |
| Power supply | Adaptor, 12V/2A, 24W |
| Plug & Play | Yes, standard UVC & UVA protocol |
Official product page – Streamplify HUB DECK 5
Closer Look
Streamplify ships the HUB DECK 5 in a bright purple box featuring a hero shot of the product in the front. It shows us a bright RGB bar on the base and removable, light-up buttons but other than that just the spec sheet in the back and some marketing bullets.
The package itself has a cople of things we have to go through. Besides the manual leaflet we have the HUB DECK 5 itself. Then we have replacement keys with a headet and light icons. Sadly, they’re fixed and you can’t put your own. Then we have a cable organizer that clips on the cable at the back and then lastly we have the USB-A to USB-A cable for your upstream connection to your PC and a power brick for powering HUB DECK 5.
How do I say this hmmmm… the HUB DECK 5 looks like a chocolate Butter Finger… full of buttons USB ports. Kidding aside, the design resembles a circular pillbox with the buttons on one of the top long sides and the ports at the back. The angles are designed so they face users at a convenient position but why are the cable also jutting upwards? More on that later.
The Streamplify has rubber base to prevent sliding and the ports are easily removable even without the tool included.
And here’s what I was talking about? While the buttons are very well designed, the cables spike upwards and with the cable organizer connected, they just stick up like that, while it looks clean on photos, very busy desks like mine have an issue with things like this especially with my main working desk being 90cm deep, the HUB DECK 5 is just plain unreachable meaning I have to drag the HUB DECK 5 and all them cables to the middle of my desk.
Smaller desks can play nice and if you have one of raised monitors from ROG with the splayed bottom, you may be able to pass cables through there.
Once connected, the device lights with activated button very distinctly lit with a cold, white light. It works well for both bright and dark rooms but the same can’t be said for the RGB bar, its just plain pathetic how much light it shows and is absolutely useless I wish they never included it in the first place and just gave us a simple trim.
User Experience & Conclusion
As enthralling as the concept it, let’s be honest: at PHP2600 or EUR50+, the HUB DECK 5 is a glorified desktop accessory. And while it brings a solution for one problem, it introduces another: keeping your USB-powered devices in one place but with USB ports placed so far apart it makes cabling messy and with all those cables jutting, people with long cable or those that want the cables in the front of their desks rather than at the back are not the target customers here.
It’s a novel idea but a pricey one at that. Clearly there is a need for centralized control but ultimately, this can all be solved by shutting your computer off or just being mindful of your plugged in devices. But if can place it at the back of your desk and don’t mind the cost, its a nice desk accessory to keep your from reaching behind you case to yank cables off. Simple as that!
Streamplify products are available now in the Philippines. Check out what’s available at https://ecommerce.datablitz.com.ph/collections/streamplify.
