Recommended Free Tools
“We are no longer selling hardware” was Groq CEO Jonathan Ross’s explanation for a change in strategy in an EE Times interview published April 5, 2024. Groq had found that selling chips directly meant high minimum orders, substantial upfront expense, and risk for buyers. Its alternative was to offer access through GroqCloud and work with partners on larger data-center deployments. That statement describes Groq’s 2024 approach—not its entire current business: later announcements point to a cloud-focused company that operates infrastructure and uses Nvidia systems.
Why did Groq stop selling hardware to ordinary customers?
Ross said a startup selling chips faced a mismatch between how the product had to be bought and what many customers wanted. A sale required a large minimum purchase, making the initial expense high; customers also had to accept the risk of buying substantial quantities of a product from a young supplier. As Ross put it in the April 2024 interview, “Long term, we always wanted to go there, but the realization was, you cannot sell chips as a startup, it’s just too hard.”
Groq had originally expected to sell hardware as well as provide cloud access. Ross said the company already had developer traction on GroqCloud, so it could serve those users without asking them to buy chips. For larger installations, Groq described working through partners on data-center deployments. At the time, Ross said the U.S. government and its allies were the only customers to whom Groq would consider selling hardware.
The interview reported 70,000 registered developers and 19,000 applications running in 2024. Those are historical figures from that interview, not current measures of Groq’s user base.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
What changed after the 2024 decision?
Groq’s later announcements show the cloud strategy developing through partnerships, a technology license, and a larger infrastructure plan. They do not mean Groq simply resumed selling LPUs to ordinary customers.
April 2025: inference for Meta’s Llama API
In April 2025, Groq announced a partnership with Meta to provide inference for the official Llama API, with Llama 4 API access accelerated by Groq coming in preview. Groq claimed throughput of up to 625 tokens per second and said more than 1.4 million developers were using its service at the time. These were company-reported figures in a partnership announcement, not an independent performance benchmark or a current developer count.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
December 2025: a non-exclusive Nvidia technology license
On December 24, 2025, Groq announced a non-exclusive license of its inference technology to Nvidia. Groq said it would remain independent, GroqCloud would continue without interruption, and Simon Edwards would become CEO. Founder Jonathan Ross, President Sunny Madra, and other team members would join Nvidia to help advance and scale the licensed technology. The announcement describes a licensing agreement and personnel transition—not an acquisition of Groq.
June 2026: a larger operated inference cloud
Groq’s June 22, 2026 announcement said it had raised $650 million to expand its inference cloud. The company reported operating 13 data centers across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific; serving more than five million developers; and processing trillions of tokens each week. It said the funding would accelerate infrastructure fit-out, including a new Nvidia LPX system, and set a plan to scale toward 200 MW by the end of 2027. These are company-reported operating figures and a forward-looking capacity target, not independently verified measurements.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
The June announcement named Adam Winter as CEO and Matt Eng as CFO, following the December 2025 announcement naming Simon Edwards as incoming CEO. The company statements establish that the leadership details changed between announcements, but do not explain the timing or circumstances.
August 2026: financing and open business questions
TechCrunch reported on August 17, 2026, that Groq had raised a further $350 million at a reported $3.5 billion valuation and was shifting from an AI chipmaker toward a “neocloud” provider operating Nvidia systems. The report put the developer count above six million—different from Groq’s June figure of more than five million, with no reconciliation given in the cited accounts. Groq’s financials remain private, so the reported financing and valuation do not establish profitability.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
TechCrunch also raised questions about the demands of capital expenditure, debt, hardware depreciation, and converting growth into free cash flow. Those are reported investor concerns, not proof that Groq has incurred a particular level of debt or failed to generate cash.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What does “no longer sell hardware” mean for customers?
Ross’s 2024 statement was about Groq’s route to market: developers could use cloud inference rather than make a large upfront hardware purchase, while large deployments could involve partners. Groq’s later public updates center on operating inference infrastructure, including Nvidia systems, rather than ordinary direct LPU sales. The cited announcements do not establish that Groq LPUs are now generally available for purchase by individual developers or businesses.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
For a developer, the practical question is therefore access to inference through a service, not how to order an LPU. For an organization planning a large deployment, the 2024 interview described a partner-led path; the newer cloud announcements describe Groq operating and expanding infrastructure itself. These are different arrangements, with different buyers bearing the upfront hardware and operating burden.
What the growth figures do—and do not—show
Groq’s announcements document a stated expansion in cloud scale: its June 2026 release reported 13 data centers, more than five million developers, and trillions of tokens processed weekly, alongside a target of 200 MW by the end of 2027. TechCrunch later reported more than six million developers in August. The figures are tied to different dates and sources, and the available accounts do not independently validate them or explain the count difference.
Scale alone does not settle whether the model will be profitable. Operating data centers and incorporating Nvidia systems can support a cloud business, but also make financing, depreciation, and utilization important. With financials private, the cited reporting leaves those questions open.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
