How an $80 accessory turned my tablet from mouse pad to productivity powerhouse

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.Sometimes, we underestimate the gulf between dreams and reality. In my head, I want to be a tablet user. I've owned iPads, iPad Pros, and a wide selection of Android tablets, great and small. Every time I get one, the story is the same. I convince myself that this time will be different, and that I'll actually put the device to good use. And I do… for a few weeks, and then the shine wears off, and at some point down the line I'll find the tablet again. Perhaps under a pile of books, in the bottom of a drawer, or that one time when it dawned on me that I'd been using the device as a mouse pad for about six months. The problem with tablets is that I imagine they will offer the combined power and flexibility of my smartphone and laptop in a package that sits between the two in size and weight. Also: The best large tablets: Expert tested and reviewedThe reality is that most tablets are too unwieldy for single-handed use, and trying to strong-arm them results in cubital tunnel syndrome (ask me how I know). So, I often end up either using the device flat on a table, which results in a posture that's the exact opposite of ergonomic, or trying another approach, such as the time I thought I'd struck gold when I found that my tablet came with a case that transformed into a stand, only to find that the stand was all wibbly-wobbly and I wasn't lucky at all.Oh, and the single USB-C port in most tablets often ended up being a limitation, and so I'd need to add a dock to this already unbalanced equation. However, Satechi recently sent me its to test, and, overnight, this accessory has changed how I use tablets.It's a tablet stand, and much moreThe idea behind this accessory is that the OntheGo Foldable Stand Hub transforms into a stand for your tablet (or smartphone or laptop), allowing you to assemble a workstation wherever you are. Unfolding the package, which is under an inch thick, I was surprised to find the hinge silky smooth, and it opens into a platform that's solid enough to handle poking and jabbing.Also: This 120Hz tablet replaced my Kindle and iPad for $220 - here's why I recommend itThe stand has chunky rubber feet to keep the unit stable and uses even more rubber bits to keep your device secure. Lifting your device 7/8ths of an inch off a table and tilting it back 23 degrees has a huge impact on ergonomics. I thought that I'd need some specific height and angle, but it looks like Satechi figured it out for me. It's a stand and a hubNo tablet is complete without a hub these days, and Satechi hits this mark. Neatly coiled at the base of the stand is a cable for connecting your tablet. There's also an array of ports. On the back, a USB-C input port can keep your tablet powered up. This port supports up to 100W of power, so it can power the hungriest devices without juggling between USB-C cables. On the back, you'll also find USB-A and USB-C ports (one of each) supporting up to 10 gigabits per second data transfer (these could transfer a two-hour 4K movie in about 80 seconds, but bear in mind that the slowest device in the chain determines real-world performance), and a 4K/60fps HDMI port that's ready for an external display. If you think this foldable stand will boost productivity, wait until you hook it up to a display. And there's moreOn the left side of the hub are UHS-II SD and microSD card slots that support data transfer speeds up to 312 MB/s, making this accessory a great portable hub for photographers and videographers on the move. As someone who always has a backlog of drone footage to process, I really like this feature.Also: Stop paying for smartphone storage you don't need - here's a better approachOn the other side of the dock is something else important to creative types -- a 3.5mm jack for your headphones/microphone. For Samsung owners, I have good news. The OntheGo supports DeX, a feature that transforms your device into a desktop-class workspace by connecting the dock to a display, TV, or PC. ZDNET's buying adviceI'm not going to try to convince you this is the biggest, fastest, or most fully featured hub out there. It isn't. But what I like about the is that it works so well as a portable hub, no matter what device you have. Also: The iPad mini's biggest update in 5 years is expected this fall - here's what we knowTraveling with a tablet? Perfect. Need a way to connect your smartphone to an external display or USB devices? No problem. Even if you need a few extra ports on your laptop or want to add another display, this hub works a charm.For $80, this stand/hub combo offers a lot in a compact and lightweight package that's perfect for slipping into a tech bag or even a large pocket.