the "extra hardware" or "accessories" there refers to the USB hub that I'm required to carry around in order for the laptop to have the ports necessary for my o

the "extra hardware" or "accessories" there refers to the USB hub that I'm required to carry around in order for the laptop to have the ports necessary for my ordinary usage the specific use cases aren't as important given that they exist and are unsatisfied by 1 standard USB port (though my latest MBP has zero, lol)