Surface Pro 3 is an amazing do it all device, but there is a limitation, you only have one USB port to connect external devices and there is not Ethernet port, which is essential for many users, especially for IT professionals.
As such I’ve been in the quest to a solution to this problem, that’s when I found the HooToo HT-UE01, which is a 3-port USB 3.0 hub with a 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet Converter.
The HooToo HT-UE01 works flawlessly. Simply connect the hub to the Surface Pro 3 (Surface Pro 2 or Surface Pro) and install the corresponding drivers (the box comes with a mini CD with the software, but, of course, you don’t get a CD-reader with your Surface), and start plugging accessories and/or connect the Ethernet cable to the RJ-45 slot located on the side.
Overall, the hub works great with any peripheral I tried. It’s also very affordable, despite to what you might think the HooToo HT-UE01 is considerably cheap at less than $30. The solution is compatible with IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u, IEEE 802.3ab, IEEE 802.3az (Energy Efficient Ethernet), supports Wake-On-LAN (WOL), and the USB 3.0 are bus powered.
The hub also looks great, and the black and gray color matches the Surface Pro 3 color scheme. Although it is very lightweight at only 2.2 ounces, which can make it feel like a bit in cheap-plasticky, it shouldn’t be an issue for the price and the capabilities you get.
If you’re in look for a solution to add more USB ports to your Surface Pro 3 or to any other Windows PC, you can buy one of the HooToo HT-UE01 on Amazon.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].