USB Hubs - good or bad?
Have purchased new Vista PC and need more USB ports than it has. What is + or - of using those USB Hubs which connect to 1 PC port and allow either 4 or 6 USB port connections on the HUB.
Is there a difference in specs or manufacturer re: which performs best? On my old PC, I always got a message like "device would run better if connected directly to PC USB port..." so I'm wondering what to do.
Please advise. Thanks.
Is there a difference in specs or manufacturer re: which performs best? On my old PC, I always got a message like "device would run better if connected directly to PC USB port..." so I'm wondering what to do.
Please advise. Thanks.
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You could also get a PCI card that has 4 or more ports, I have one and it works perfectly.
No hassle with additional power supply for the hub, which you need if you want it really working as it should. Many times one device uses all the power.
No hassle with additional power supply for the hub, which you need if you want it really working as it should. Many times one device uses all the power.
ASKER
Thanks everybody. That helped a lot. Just to make sure I understand what you're saying...
I will be good to go if I get a POWERED 2.0 USB Hub. If I do, I won't have any problems with Vista or messages regarding devices running faster if they were connected DIRECTLY to the USB port on my PC. Right?
Are all powered USB hubs, powered the same (in other words .5 A at 5 V)?
A salesperson from Best Buy told me that the USB ports on the front of most computers are generally not shielded or wired as well as the ones on the back. Is this true? If it is, would that mean that they should only be used for connections that are periodically made, as opposed to devices that are always used when the computer is on?
I will be good to go if I get a POWERED 2.0 USB Hub. If I do, I won't have any problems with Vista or messages regarding devices running faster if they were connected DIRECTLY to the USB port on my PC. Right?
Are all powered USB hubs, powered the same (in other words .5 A at 5 V)?
A salesperson from Best Buy told me that the USB ports on the front of most computers are generally not shielded or wired as well as the ones on the back. Is this true? If it is, would that mean that they should only be used for connections that are periodically made, as opposed to devices that are always used when the computer is on?
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I agree with pewpewdink i would ether go with the power hub or add a usb card to the computer.
CT
CT
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Thanks again. By the way, my new PC is an HP so I don't know if they follow the good or cheap wiring approach.
When it comes to USB hubs, what are some of the better-known brands (I don't need some elaborate reviews or anything, but to me one name is the same as the other in this particular niche).
And as a side note, on my old PC, I had installed a four port USB 2.0 PCI card, which worked fine. I just don't have any idea if this would also fit and/or work with my new HP PC. I could always call technical support I guess and hope I get somebody good. I can just see myself trying to install this PCI card myself and wind up shorting everything out or breaking something.
On the other hand, a new USB port won't risk breaking anything.
When it comes to USB hubs, what are some of the better-known brands (I don't need some elaborate reviews or anything, but to me one name is the same as the other in this particular niche).
And as a side note, on my old PC, I had installed a four port USB 2.0 PCI card, which worked fine. I just don't have any idea if this would also fit and/or work with my new HP PC. I could always call technical support I guess and hope I get somebody good. I can just see myself trying to install this PCI card myself and wind up shorting everything out or breaking something.
On the other hand, a new USB port won't risk breaking anything.
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This really helped. Nobus, great article on pci installation, thanks!
any usb port provides only 0.5 A at 5 V = 2.5 W max.
and you can connect up to 127 devices to it.
an example : http://www.blueunplugged.com/p.aspx?p=136511