I have a spare USB-C laptop hub that I'd like to use with my new NUC, but the NUC only has USB-A ports. The hub includes video outputs, and I've found plenty of small USB-A-to-USB-C adapters, but they usually say video isn't supported. Since the NUC has USB 3, is there an adapter or setup that can carry video through the hub, or should I just use remote desktop instead?
4 Answers
There are active USB-A-to-HDMI, DVI, or VGA adapters that use DisplayLink or similar technology. Look specifically for a USB 3.0 multi-monitor adapter rather than a passive USB-C converter. USB 2 can work at reduced resolutions, but USB 3 is the better choice.
Remote desktop is also reasonable if you don’t need a physical monitor connected to the NUC. For smoother video, Sunshine with Moonlight or Parsec would generally be preferable to basic remote desktop, especially for interactive or multimedia use.
Your practical option is a DisplayLink-based USB graphics adapter or dock. It sends compressed display data over regular USB, so it can work through USB 3, but you’ll need to install the appropriate driver. It’s generally fine for office work and extra monitors, but it may be unsuitable for gaming, high-quality video, or anything needing low latency.
A normal USB-A-to-USB-C adapter won’t make a USB-C dock’s video output work. USB-C video usually relies on DisplayPort Alt Mode, which requires the host port and its hardware to support it. Standard USB-A ports don’t provide that mode.
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