USB question

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inkleputDEL

I have a 4 port USB hub that I just put back in service to add a device.
I think the seller lied when he said it was USB 2.0.

There are lots of USB 2.0 hubs out there now, but how does one know junk
from non-junk? I see them for $2.99 or $7.99 plus some outrageous
shipping fee on eBay, even with an AC adapter. Then I see them somewhere
else for $40 plus some slightly less outrageous shipping fee.

It's like buying a DVD recorder. There's no way to identify quality,
because the bucks go for dash, flash and lots of shiney knobs and/or
buttons.

JimL
 
I have a 4 port USB hub that I just put back in service to add a device.
I think the seller lied when he said it was USB 2.0.

There are lots of USB 2.0 hubs out there now, but how does one know junk
from non-junk? I see them for $2.99 or $7.99 plus some outrageous
shipping fee on eBay, even with an AC adapter. Then I see them somewhere
else for $40 plus some slightly less outrageous shipping fee.

It's like buying a DVD recorder. There's no way to identify quality,
because the bucks go for dash, flash and lots of shiney knobs and/or
buttons.
Click to expand...

How to tell the junk from non-junk? Buy a decent brand that is powered
(has a wall outlet plug) from a reputable office supply or computer
supply store instead of eBay. Belkin, TRENDnet, StarTech, Targus, D-Link
are examples of well-known brands. Powered USB hubs will run $20-30. Buy
from an online retailer that has a user review feature, like NewEgg.com
(if you are in the US).

Here's my little Belkin hub:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817394054

It works very well and you can see that from NewEgg with shipping it's
only $25. I bought mine from Office Max or Office Depot in meatspace.
I've also got a Targus that works well.


Malke
 
Usually hubs are extensions of a single USB port and the hub will be 1.10 or
2.0 depending on your computer's original design. To ensure adding USB 2.0
add a USB 2.0 PCI card; a four or five port.
 
The ThinkPad is definitely 2.0, but with only 2 ports. My concern is in
getting something better than the last one I got at Office Depot. The
description said it was 2.0, but it is much slower than a direct port.

Thanks.

Don Schmidt said:
Usually hubs are extensions of a single USB port and the hub will be 1.10
or 2.0 depending on your computer's original design. To ensure adding
USB 2.0 add a USB 2.0 PCI card; a four or five port.
Click to expand...



JimL
 
Malke said:
Powered USB hubs will run $20-30. Buy from an online retailer that
has a user review feature, like NewEgg.com (if you are in the US.
Click to expand...

Well, as I said, they are available WITH adapter for $7.99. That's why I
asked.
Here's my little Belkin hub:

It works very well and you can see that from NewEgg with shipping it's
only $25. I bought mine from Office Max or Office Depot in meatspace.
Click to expand...
Malke
Click to expand...

New Egg makes no mention of an AC adapter with your Belkin, except to say
it will run 2 devices without one.

Anyway, if you can only get a decent model by paying at the top of the
price line I guess that's what one should do. My problem has been that
paying for top price line so far hasn't given me anything better than
low/midrange priced stuff. In other words, you always pay for what you
get, but you don't always get what you pay for. I've seen a LOT of stuff
priced up merely to make people think it is better. Like the same
identical tactical flashlight priced $29.95 in one place and $149.95 in
another.

Thanks

JimL
 
If the hub is connected with a USB plug into a USB jack on the computer, the
hub will be whatever the jack is on the computer.
 
Don Schmidt said:
If the hub is connected with a USB plug into a USB jack on the computer,
the hub will be whatever the jack is on the computer.
Click to expand...

Do you want to qualify that? I know you can't get 2.0 USB funciton out a
computer with only 1.1, but it sounds as if you're saying that a 1.1 hub
will become a 2.0 hub if you plug it into a 2.0 computer.


JimL
 
Malke said:
Here's my little Belkin hub:

It works very well and you can see that from NewEgg
Click to expand...

Thanks. I ended up with the TrippLite U222-R, 4 port with AC power. It
runs my external hard drive much faster than the one I got from Office
Depot. Loading graphics was a real bummer before; now they fly. At this
moment, with only 2 connections I'm running without AC.

The only thing I dislike about the TrippLite is the half-inch cable on it.

JimL
 
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