Hands-on: This Hub Fixes The MacBook Neo’s Biggest Limitation - 9to5Mac

Apple’s new MacBook Neo is one of the most exciting and disruptive products Apple has released in years. Starting at just $599, or $499 through the education store, it delivers incredible performance and build quality without much compromise. You get a laptop that looks, feels, and performs like a true Apple laptop. But like many Apple products in 2026, it lacks a variety of ports. I would argue that customers used to this price range expect more than just two USB-C ports from their Windows counterpart. That’s where Kuxiu’s new X53 Laptop Hub & Stand comes into play. It combines a full USB-C with an extremely high-quality adjustable laptop stand that gives MacBook Neo and even MacBook Air users their ports back! Here is what you should know.

Be sure to check out our hands-on review of the MacBook Neo and how we think this will be Apple’s best-selling laptop to date!

For better or worse, the MacBook Neo and Air only come with two USB-C ports. If you are coming from a laptop with more ports, such as USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet, and more, then the lack of ports on Neo might surprise you. One of which is a faster USB 3 port, and the other is a much slower USB 2 port. So USB-C hubs are going to be your best friend, and Kuxiu’s X53 can do it all. Not only do you get eight additional ports, but it is also a super high-quality stand that can be used for your desk setup or on the go. The ports included are:

USB-C port for host connection supporting 100W PD charging and 10Gbps data speeds
USB-C port power input supporting up to 100W
2x USB-A 3.1 Gen 1 ports
HDMI port (4K60)
SD card slot
MicroSD card slot
3.5mm headphone jack

All of these ports are built into the actual arm of the stand. They also included a really nice braided USB-C cable where one end is L-shaped. This is a great touch, so the cable doesn’t just stick out like an eyesore.

The stand itself is well-built. There are two hinge points, both insanely strong. So you can have this low to the table or high up off the table for any type of viewing experience. Not only that, but the base rotates, and it has anti-slip silicone on the bottom so it won’t slide or shift on the surface it’s on. This makes it easy to set the angle that you need, no matter the situation. The stand is also rated to hold up to 13.2 pounds, so the 2.7-pound MacBook Neo will be just fine on it.

My experience

This has been the absolute perfect companion for the MacBook Neo. What I like about it is that it can integrate into any situation. I have used it on my desk to elevate the Neo for better posture, and I have also brought it to a coffee shop because it folds completely down. As someone who works off of external storage and uses SD cards, this paired well with the X53. I can connect to the stand, insert my SD cards and SSD, and work from them with no issues. Since I have been using this with my MacBook Neo, the X53 ports have been more than enough.

Outside of the port selection, the other piece that stood out to me was the build quality. It is made fully of aluminum. It feels like a product Apple would have constructed. If you combine the materials with the powerful hinges it has and the rotating base, this stand is great in all the situations I put it in. I do wish they made a Thunderbolt version so I could take advantage of Thunderbolt speeds on my MacBook Pro, but that would increase the price drastically.

Overall, it feels like a very practical, easy-to-set-up MacBook accessory that just adds a ton of value.

Pricing and availability

The KUXIU X53 Hub Multifunctional Laptop Stand is currently available on Kuxiu’s site for $88. It comes in two finishes: the Wood Grain one shown here and Space Grey. So, since it combines a full hub, a laptop stand, and a rotating base, it ends up replacing a few accessories you might otherwise need separately.

Even though I am mostly speaking about this as a MacBook Neo accessory, it will of course work with any laptop or iPad that has a USB-C port.

Final take

If you’re picking up something like the MacBook Neo or MacBook Air, chances are you’ll eventually need a USB-C hub. That’s just the reality of modern laptops with minimal port selections. What I like about the X53 is that it is multifunctional. It gives you the additional ports you want, but also acts as a stand, rotates 360 degrees, and is built like a tank. For people building a simple desk setup around a MacBook Neo or MacBook Air, it’s an easy recommendation.