Power sockets in USB2 Cardbus cards

[squelch41]

Hi,

I notice some 2-port USB 2 Cardbus/PCMCIA cards have power in sockets
while some dont.
Is it because the better chipsets are more efficient so can power the
ports without external help or is it that the ones without the power
socket cant provide much power to the devices.

I plan to run an iPod and external HDD off the two ports - I only want
a two port card for space reasons and would prefer not to have the
external PSU unless absolutely neccesary.

Any advice?
Cheers
squelch41

 

[kony]

Hi,

I notice some 2-port USB 2 Cardbus/PCMCIA cards have power in sockets
while some dont.

that the ones without the power
socket cant provide much power to the devices.

yes, that's it- has nothing to do with the chipset used.

I plan to run an iPod and external HDD off the two ports - I only want
a two port card for space reasons and would prefer not to have the
external PSU unless absolutely neccesary.

You'll have to determine how much current these devices use.
If the external drive is a full sized (3.5"), it is
advisable to use an external power supply. If smaller, it
still wouldn't be a bad idea. The devices should spec
their current usage, check the manuals (or often label on
the hard drive itself).

Do you not have AC power available? I ask because it would
not seem to make much sense running a device such as an
IPOD, that might get as long a battery runtime off it's own
battery pack, off of a laptop battery pack which might then
be the weakest link, ever-shorter runtime.

 

[squelch41]

The HDD has external power so current draw isnt an issue
I do have AC power - it is just that my desk is a snake pit of wires
already - I dont want any more!

squelch41

 

[someone]

The HDD has external power so current draw isnt an issue
I do have AC power - it is just that my desk is a snake pit of wires
already - I dont want any more!

squelch41

If they look like a load of dirty spaghetti, you can join our club <g>.
I`ve got more cables than the local electricity board under my
bench. (bl**dy things.)

 

[kony]

The HDD has external power so current draw isnt an issue
I do have AC power - it is just that my desk is a snake pit of wires
already - I dont want any more!

Who does?

They exist for a reason, unfortunate as it may be.