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Author Topic: Need to replace my USB expansion hub  (Read 3344 times)

Offline kimmer

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Need to replace my USB expansion hub
« on: April 27, 2012, 10:58:46 PM »
Well, AAARRRGGGHHH! My USB expansion hub has bad ports - again. This is my 2nd one from Staples and I’ll do without my USB stuff before I buy another from them--and they weren't cheap either! These are the 2 I'm looking at, and I wondered if anyone has any comments pro or con on these:

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Tec...ogy/USB2HB7PRO/

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Macally/TRIHUB7/
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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Need to replace my USB expansion hub
« Reply #1 on: April 28, 2012, 09:06:48 AM »
I've usually bought the least expensive ones I could find. So far, they are both still working after several years each. the last pine, however, has very irritating and gaudy flashing LEDs, a bit of duct tape takes care of that, of course! wink.gif The first and older model has no apparent brand markings! I'm sure the ones you linked to are auxiliary (wall-wart) powered.

OK, my opinions on your two choices:
1. Hard to get too excited about these thing, I think that's what the flashing LEDs were supposed to do on the one I mentioned above! rolleyes.gif wink.gif
2. Not sure the one with the 'fast charge' outlet is advisable. Note that it also lowers the amperage to the other six ports when used for charging.
3. The second one's advantage is more normal ports. Can you ever have too many?

That seven-port model mentions adhesive pads for mounting it somewhere. Just this week, mine decided to become less sticky and it now resides where it fell. laughhard.gif Of course half of one of the pads remains stuck to the side of what it is stuck to. All in all, the whole look adds to the cluttered, junky "atmosphere" I try to establish on my actual desk... blush-anim-cl.gif
« Last Edit: April 28, 2012, 09:22:36 AM by Xairbusdriver »
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Offline chriskleeman

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Need to replace my USB expansion hub
« Reply #2 on: April 28, 2012, 09:38:49 AM »
Hey Kimmer,

I'd go for the NewerTech myself. I've got several of their enclosures functioning perfectly for a long time now. It depends on what you need, having the charging port is a good feature IMO.

The only NewerTech product I ever had any trouble with was a G4 upgrade module that just didn't want to work with the machine I have, but everything I've seen from them is very good quality.

Having "resurrected" my daughter's old MacBook Pro for use in the studio,  I am getting ready to "retire" my old G4, keeping it pretty much only to run those very rare times when I need Classic or OS9, and to help clean up the "mess" of drives and cords everywhere I may get one of the NewerTech USB hubs myself!

FWIW,

Chris
« Last Edit: April 28, 2012, 09:40:55 AM by chriskleeman »
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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Need to replace my USB expansion hub
« Reply #3 on: April 28, 2012, 09:45:58 AM »
Here's another one <$20 including shipping (<scroll about half way down the page>).

My concern about the charging port is that using it will reduce the power supplied to all the other ports by about a third. (~315Ma vs. 500Ma) That may not be enough power for some devices like a hard drive. I bought an external CD burner for a dead one in a Mac mini we use at church. That burner requires using two USB ports since the mechanical motor and the laser need more than 500Ma. I'd hate to plug in an iPhone/etc. while a HD was being written to... Thinking.gif But I'm always a little paranoid! Paranoid.gif

Here are some sites with reviews, be aware that they may be dated and/or duplicated.
<C|Net>
<Everything USB>
<toptenreviews>
« Last Edit: April 28, 2012, 04:49:52 PM by Xairbusdriver »
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Offline chriskleeman

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Need to replace my USB expansion hub
« Reply #4 on: April 28, 2012, 10:46:02 AM »
Jim,

That NewerTech comes with a 4.0 Amp power supply jawdrop.gif and one might not be necessarily connected to the "charging port" at all times anyway. And it's probably possible that all USB devices connected wouldn't all draw the maximum power from each port.

That being said, that power supply is pretty huge, should be no problem powering all those ports at the same time, especially with the power already built into the computer.

While Belkin makes good stuff, the one in your link doesn't come with any external power supply. And that's always the rub with USB adapters, not enough power, without an external power supply. And the other one says it "needs external power"...

Your arithmetic is probably correct, but Newer says it can power all the ports at the same time... I just don't see anything out there that has that much external power available in a USB adapter.  And the NewerTech includes the behemoth power supply!

Just one man's opinion...

Chris  salute.gif
« Last Edit: April 28, 2012, 12:45:44 PM by chriskleeman »
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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Need to replace my USB expansion hub
« Reply #5 on: April 28, 2012, 04:47:38 PM »
I'm not sure what Belkin item you're talking about, I didn't link to any specific brands, just reviews of ones.

As for the charger issue, "powering" all at the same time" is not the same as "full power to all ports at the same time." They state "*if iPad connected for charging, supplied power to each port is 316mA" down in the specs. My concern is that a device may well operate with that little power, most of the time, but need closer to the max available at other times. If that need coincides with plugging in something to the high output port, the device needing more than 316mA may shutdown. That's not something you want to happen during a write operation to a hard drive. If it's a CD burner, all you'd be out might be that disk. A scanner might not be affected except the need to re-scan something. I just don't see the point of taking the risk of having to reformat a hard drive.

Another consideration is that USB 3 might be nice since the hub is being replaced. dntknw.gif

Finally, I noticed I didn't include a link to the <$20 hub. blush-anim-cl.gif Fixed.
« Last Edit: April 28, 2012, 04:50:11 PM by Xairbusdriver »
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Offline chriskleeman

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Need to replace my USB expansion hub
« Reply #6 on: April 28, 2012, 05:15:10 PM »
But... I mean but...

I still don't see anything with a power supply that robust Thinking.gif especially at that price.

And the Belkin was just the first one that popped up on the reviews on your first link whistling.gif

So, don't use the charging port while backing up a drive! But, a great option to have IMO.  taped.gif

CK  notworthy.gif
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Offline kimmer

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Need to replace my USB expansion hub
« Reply #7 on: April 28, 2012, 08:16:12 PM »
Thanks, Jim and Chris. I don't use my USB hub for anything major, it's for my Kindle when I transfer books (but I recharge that via a reg. plug), my camera (to download pics and clear memory card - battery is recharged via a separate plug), my Wacom tablet when I want to play, my iPod when I want to change music (but I recharge that via the iHome player I have), some flash drives and a few other little things. The biggest prob has been that the ports don't stand up to "plug-unplug" and so they quit working and soon I'm down from 7 to 5 to 3 and now to 1 -- and that means I can't move books from my flash drive to Kindle directly. Pain in the ("Pardon my French") patoot. wink.gif

My external drives are firewire, so not an issue, and I wouldn't use the sticky-feet, I'm funny that way. laugh.gif

Given my experience, I like that the NewerTech has a 1 year warranty. HA!

Thanks again. Order being placed.
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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Need to replace my USB expansion hub
« Reply #8 on: April 28, 2012, 09:43:20 PM »
I think you'll be fine with that one. It's the one with the "charger" port on the back, I think? Just don't accidentally plug anything into it while a high amperage device is connected on the others. You may not have anything now, but who knows what you might have next year/month/week? But it will always be best to leave things plugged in for as long as possible. I doubt that any of the ports are Gold plated, unless you buy the more expensive brands. And even then, repeatedly plugging/unplugging will wear them out. Maybe you can set up a little numbering system to keep up with how many times each port has been used and put a nice piece of duct tape over the most used port. I'd keep the info in a database and change the blocked port every 3.81 days (considering the humidity and salt air conditions on the left coast). You are welcome.gif scram.gif
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Offline kimmer

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Need to replace my USB expansion hub
« Reply #9 on: April 28, 2012, 11:43:26 PM »
QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Apr 28 2012, 06:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
But it will always be best to leave things plugged in for as long as possible.

I do, but some I have to remove in order to charge the unit via a wall socket. Oh well.

Went to order and it's backordered - 20 days or so. I'm back to looking.

QUOTE
Maybe you can set up a little numbering system to keep up with how many times each port has been used and put a nice piece of duct tape over the most used port. I'd keep the info in a database and change the blocked port every 3.81 days (considering the humidity and salt air conditions on the left coast). You are welcome.gif scram.gif


 rofl.gif
« Last Edit: April 28, 2012, 11:45:41 PM by kimmer »
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Offline Paddy

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Need to replace my USB expansion hub
« Reply #10 on: April 29, 2012, 01:40:29 PM »
How about this one, Kimmer:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817397019

Gets great reviews. Has a power adapter.

Or: http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-DUB-H7-High-S...4577&sr=8-1

Or this - a little more expensive, but the overall satisfaction rate is extremely high:

http://www.amazon.com/7-Port-USB-2-0-Hub-B...4724&sr=8-2
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Offline kimmer

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« Reply #11 on: April 29, 2012, 01:50:53 PM »
Thanks, Paddy. I'll check those out. smile.gif
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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Need to replace my USB expansion hub
« Reply #12 on: April 29, 2012, 02:54:43 PM »
Looks like the cheaper they get the more problems they have. WOW.gif Whodathunk? laughhard.gif
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Offline kimmer

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Need to replace my USB expansion hub
« Reply #13 on: April 29, 2012, 06:02:55 PM »
QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Apr 29 2012, 11:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Looks like the cheaper they get the more problems they have. WOW.gif Whodathunk? laughhard.gif


laugh.gif

An update: After reading several 5-star and 1-star reviews, I've opted to order the NewerTech. It will be a good month before it arrives, but I like OWC, and Chris's recommendation carries much weight. I've got 2 ports left that work in my current hub, and hopefully they'll keep working until the new unit arrives.

Thanks, everyone, for all the help.
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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Need to replace my USB expansion hub
« Reply #14 on: May 02, 2012, 10:47:08 AM »
I hope it's not too late to cancel your order. I think I've found the perfect solution for you!
I suggest you buy ten of these (quantity discounts may be available dntknw.gif ). Also buy one of these:<Tripp Lite TRPPS3612-Multiple 12 Outlet Power Strip w/15' cord>
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