USB 3.0 cables, hubs, and adapters for faster wired transfers.
The SanDisk MobileMate USB 3.0 is the smallest USB-A microSD card reader I've found, at 31x21x9mm and just 3.4g. I bought it for S$12.88 to pair a 512GB high-endurance card with my Tesla's dashcam recording.
I needed a USB extension to run from my Aeotec smart switch's port, powering a Xiaomi USB fan for Li Xiang's plants. Ugreen offers USB 2.0 and 3.0 versions in lengths up to 5m.
I bought the Leplus USB-C to USB-A 3.0 Adapter from Yodobashi Sapporo. Leplus, a brand by MSSolutions Japan, is relatively unknown, so it's cheap; I paid about S$11 after a tax-free discount.
I bought the nonda USB-C to USB-A 3.0 Mini Adapter from Amazon for US$9.99. Billed as the world's smallest USB-C adapter, it qualifies for free AmazonGlobal shipping above US$125, which I consolidated through my US freight forwarder HopShopGo.
Hunting for a USB-C Ethernet adapter, I found Belkin's at S$49 overpriced versus Anker's at S$32. For a little more, the Anker USB-C to 3-Port USB 3.0 Hub with Ethernet Adapter adds extra USB ports, so I chose it.
To charge a USB-C MacBook Pro, your cable must support USB Power Delivery. The Anker PowerLine USB-C to USB-C Cable retails for US$15.99 in a 0.9m length, a cheaper alternative to Apple's 2m USB-C Charge Cable at S$48.
The OctoFire 96W/19.2A 8-Port USB 3.0 Hub/Charger launched on Kickstarter in January 2015, raising US$115,414 from 1,270 backers. As a Super Early Bird backer, I paid US$59 plus shipping for this combined eight-port hub and high-power charger.
The SanDisk Dual USB Drive Type-C launched in Singapore in April 2015 for S$99, in a single 32GB size with a two-year warranty. It's a USB 3.0 drive, backward compatible with USB 2.0, though I have no USB Type-C devices.
My third and final Aukey product is the Aukey 10-Port USB 3.0 Hub, selling for US$49.99 on Amazon. Its aluminium build matches a Mac, measuring 183mm and weighing 180g. Being USB 3.0, it supports data transfer rates up to 5Gbps.
The Western Digital My Passport Wireless, WD's first wireless storage drive, launched in Singapore on 29th October 2014. It comes in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB, though only the 1TB and 2TB are sold here, at S$299 and S$399 respectively.
The SanDisk Ultra Fit USB 3.0 Flash Drive is the smallest drive I've seen, about the size of a Singapore 20-cent coin, with read speeds up to 130MB/s. It sells from S$13.90 for 16GB up to S$52.90 for 64GB.
Launched on 8th April 2014, the USB 3.0 Seagate Backup Plus Fast Portable Drive is a 4TB hard drive delivering transfer speeds up to 220MB/s. Weighing 307g, it retails for S$449, offered only in black.
The USB 3.0 Western Digital My Passport Air is the best-looking portable hard disk to complement your MacBook Air or Pro. It comes in two capacities, 500GB at S$129 and 1TB at S$219, in an anodised aluminium enclosure weighing 160g.
Launched on 8th April 2014, the USB 3.0 Seagate Backup Plus Slim Portable Drive comes in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB, in four colours, Blue, Black, Red, and Silver, working on both PC and Mac. Prices start at S$89 for 500GB.
The USB 3.0 cable for my Western Digital My Passport Essential SE gave out after nearly four years. I'd expected a struggle, since USB 3.0 cables aren't yet common in stores, but I luckily found the Daiyo cable at Funan.
The Moshi Cardette 3 is in its third generation, hence the number, neatly coinciding with USB 3.0. It's a USB 3.0 card reader with a built-in 2-port USB 3.0 hub, and at just 88g it's wonderfully lightweight and travel-friendly.
On 17th October 2013, Western Digital launched the new My Passport Slim. It's the first thin drive to offer up to 2TB, a metal enclosure, and 256-bit hardware-based encryption. The bundled WD SmartWare Pro software backs up your data.
I got the Anker Uspeed USB 3.0 9-Port Hub from Amazon for US$59.99, excluding shipping. Despite the long name, it's basically a 9-port USB 3.0 powered hub with an extra USB charging port. You can charge from all nine ports.
Western Digital announced the My Passport Ultra in May 2013, essentially a premium version of the popular My Passport. Available in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB, it comes preloaded with WD SmartWare Pro backup software, Dropbox integration, and hardware encryption.
On 10th July 2012, SanDisk announced four new USB flash drives for 2012. Among them, the USB 3.0 SanDisk Extreme transfers, stores, and shares large files up to ten times faster, reaching speeds of up to 190MB/s.
Li Xiang got the Western Digital My Passport (1TB) from Challenger for S$189, or S$159 with member's price. In this new 2012 edition, WD has dropped the 'Essential SE' name, so it's simply My Passport, with USB 3.0 now standard.
I bought the Vantec NexStar SATA/IDE to USB 3.0 Adapter from Challenger for S$59.90, or S$53.91 with member's price. As the name suggests, it converts an internal SATA or PATA drive to USB 3.0 for plug-and-play access.