You can take one on the move to give you connectivity wherever you need it, or leave it plugged in on your desk with everything hooked up, giving you a whole desktop setup over just one connection. Better yet, the more sophisticated models include HDMI outputs and Ethernet ports. You can hook up your USB peripherals and hard disks, and still have a socket or two free. Plug one into a spare USB port and you’ve suddenly got three, four or more ports ready for action. A growing number of all-in-one PCs and micro desktop systems suffer from a similar deficit of ports. Looking for an HDMI, DisplayPort or Ethernet connection? You might be lucky, or you might need an adapter. Most have room for one or two USB-C ports and, if you’re lucky, a couple of USB 3.1 or 3.2.

Those super-slim, featherlight MacBooks, Chromebooks and Windows laptops look great and are easy to lug around, but there’s a price to be paid when it comes to ports and sockets. Yes, modern laptops have stunning high-resolution screens and the processing power to run the most demanding applications, but if there’s one thing they lack, it's connectivity. The best USB hubs are perhaps the most humble of computer/laptop peripherals.

Best external usb hub for macbook pro