Can you use the USB dongle with a non-powered hub with a track ball? 2) Can you authenticate Cubase 6 so you don’t need a dongle?
Yes / No
^^That is the answer.
Official recommendation is: don’t use any USB hub at all.
My personal recommendation is: you can use USB hub, but use powered hubs only.
True is, you can be lucky, and it could runs. Nobody knows.
If you buy Cubase, which is authenticate by SW dongle (Soft e-licenser), like Cubase LE/AI/Elements, you don’t need HW USB dogle. Once you transfer this licence to the dongle, you can’t go back on the software licencing. Same as you can’t transfer the USB licence to the software licence for your Cubase 6/Artist 6 at all.