Creative workflows today are more connected and more congested than ever. High-resolution media, fast storage, color-accurate displays, and a growing lineup of peripherals all play a part in modern production. But when the setup behind the scenes starts slowing things down, the creative process suffers.
From file transfer delays to a constant shuffle of cables and adapters, it’s often the smallest points of friction that break focus. And in environments where speed, consistency, and clarity matter, those inefficiencies add up.
This article examines how smarter desktop connectivity can eliminate these bottlenecks. It’s a practical breakdown of how the PG20 Thunderbolt 4 Hub, the hub created in response to the specific pressures modern creators face, can help you move faster, stay organized, and keep your attention where it belongs: on the work itself.
What Is the PG20 Pro Thunderbolt 4 Hub?
The PG20 Thunderbolt 4 Hub is a compact, externally powered hub that connects your computer to external drives, card readers, monitors, and other peripherals, all while delivering consistent high speed for data transfers, power to connected devices, and a cleaner, more efficient workspace.
Unlike generic hubs built to expand port count for general-purpose use, PG20 Pro is explicitly tuned for high-volume media workflows and clutter-conscious workspaces.
These five details set it apart in practice:
1. Full-Bandwidth Uplink with Built-In 85W Power Delivery
At the core of the PG20 Pro is a Thunderbolt 4 upstream port that connects the hub to your host computer. It supports full 40Gb/s data transfer speeds and delivers up to 85W of power, more than enough to keep your laptop charged while running demanding creative tasks.
What that means in practice: one cable is all it takes to connect and power your entire setup. You can leave your laptop charger in the bag. No daisy-chaining. No more plugging and unplugging half a dozen things every time you sit down. Just connect PG20 Pro Hub to your computer and you’re ready to edit, grade, backup, or offload media without interruption.
2. Room to Run Everything at Once
The PG20 Pro Hub features three Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports, capable of transferring data at speeds of up to 40 gigabits per second. Each downstream port also delivers 15 watts of power, designed to run bus-powered devices like external SSDs, card readers, or even compact displays without requiring separate power adapters.
All these ports operate independently, so there’s no reduction in data transfer speed or power when multiple devices are connected.
In practice, this enables you to build a workstation that remains responsive even under heavy load. You can connect a high-speed SSD for editing, run a 4K or even 8K color-accurate display at 60fps for precision review, and mount a dual-slot card reader for media ingest. All at once, with each device running at its full potential yet your workflow never stutters.
3. High-Speed Support for Legacy Gear
Not everything in a creative setup is brand new, and not everything needs to be. Many professionals still rely on tried-and-true gear: a color calibration puck, a hard drive that still houses years of archived work, or a control surface that just feels right.
That’s why we made sure PG20 Pro Hub includes a native USB-A port – because your workflow doesn’t begin and end with the latest connector. Plus, a minimal, clutter-free workspace should never limit you or be counterproductive in design and ask for extra adapters just to plug in the tools you already rely on.
Nevertheless, when most consumer-grade hubs still ship with USB-A ports limited to 5Gb/s or even 480Mb/s, the port on the PG20 Pro Hub is a USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, giving it a full 10Gb/s lane. That means even legacy drives, readers, or peripherals can keep up without hitting a wall or dragging the rest of your setup down.
It’s one small detail, but for anyone working with mixed-generation tools, it makes the whole setup feel more connected, more fluid, and more considered.
4. Designed for the Real Desk, Not the Ideal One
Card readers and SSDs are part of the creative routine, but on most desks, they end up drifting, tipping, or just getting in the way. It’s one of those everyday irritations you learn to live with. Or try to.
The PG20 Pro Hub rethinks that. Its top panel features a built-in mount designed to hold up to two ProGrade Digital card readers or Pro Mini SSDs. Not with a clunky latch or bracket, but with a clean, intuitive magnet system that clicks into place and stays there. You drop them on, they stay put. Combined with ProGrade’s short, flexible USB 4.0 cables (sold separately), you get a setup that’s compact, efficient, and doesn’t eat up your workspace.
5. Ready Out of the Box
The PG20 Pro ships with a certified Thunderbolt 4 cable, so you’re up and running at full speed from the start.
Here’s why this little detail matters: Thunderbolt 4 cables are fully compatible with USB 4.0 devices and vice versa. Both standards share the same connector and can reach the same speeds. However, not all USB 4.0 cables are created equal.
USB 4.0 cables and Thunderbolt 4 cables both use the same Type-C port, so they will physically fit. However, while some USB 4.0 cables may work in a Thunderbolt 4 port, they might lack the specific features required for consistently high performance. That includes:
- Reliable 85W power delivery
- Stable 4K or 8K video output
- Proper EMI shielding and active circuitry (built into certified Thunderbolt 4 cables)
In creative environments where consistency matters (especially with high-end peripherals and power-sensitive setups), a certified Thunderbolt 4 cable offers peace of mind that performance won’t randomly dip under load.
The PG20 Pro Hub also comes with a dedicated power supply for reliable power across all ports, plus both standard and nano Kensington lock slots for added security. And with full compatibility for Windows 11 and macOS 11 or later, it integrates seamlessly into your workflow; no extra adapters or headaches.
Final Words
One of the best things about good hardware is that it fades into the background. It doesn’t draw focus or need attention. It just works.
We designed the PG20 Pro Thunderbolt 4 Hub with that exact ethos in mind.
You notice it when you don’t have to reach for an adapter. When the reader doesn’t slide. When the desk isn’t a tangle of cables. When the screen lights up, the drive appears, the files transfer and nothing needs doing twice.
It shows up once, then steps aside.
Learn more: ProGrade Digital PG20 Thunderbolt 4 Hub>
