Make a Stopover at the USB Hub - the BUSlink USB Hub
Written: May 28 '01 (Updated Jun 02 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Auto-installs, cost is about equal to a longer USB cable, stackable
Cons: Minor - would be neater if cables exited from the rear
The Bottom Line: It shouldn't be long before you have a need for a USB Hub. The availability of USB devices is increasing faster than PC manufacturers can add ports to their systems.
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| Yarborough's Full Review: Keyspan USB HUB |
Give me one, I'll give you three. That is how the BUSlink USB Hub works. You connect the Hub to one USB (Universal Serial Bus) port on your PC using the supplied 6 foot detachable USB cable and it now provides desktop access to 4 USB ports, or a net gain of 3 ports. This hub self installs and auto-configures when you plug it in. There is no software supplied and none to install. If you can plug a lamp into a wall socket, you to can install a USB hub.
USB devices draw power from USB ports. The BUSlink USB Hub has its own power module, 2.8 amp 5vdc, that supplies the needed 500 ma to each of the 4 ports. Each port has a green indicator to let you know that it is active and there is one yellow indicator to let you know the hub has power.
BUSlink makes Hard Drives, CD Read/Writers and DVD units. The Buslink Hub is professional looking. Unlike the Keyspan brand, it sits flat on the desk yet has a slightly scalloped top making it stackable with other BUSlink Hubs or devices. In fact, you can keep adding these hubs until you reach 127 USB ports. I'm sure your PC would develop migraines way before reaching that limit.
Here is an unwritten feature of using a hub. I had a scanner with a 5 foot USB cable. The scanner was located on the opposite side of my computer desk from the PC. I needed a 10 foot USB cable to reach. I am not proud of the fact that I spent $25 on a 10 foot USB cable. I no longer need it. This $30 hub now sits on my desk. The scanner connects to the hub on its 5 foot cable and then the hub connects to the PC on its 6 foot cable. What a waste of $25. As you can see, I should have purchased the hub sooner. Don't make the same mistake. Oh, and does anyone need a 10 footer? Having the hub on my desk is also handy for plugging in my keyboard and mouse.
Why USB and Why a Hub?
Back in the days of old, like 1997, PCs started to include a port connection called USB. It didn't really catch on until Windows 98 finally made it work reliably. PCs seemed to include one or two USB ports. My new PC has 4.
USB connectivity has now become very popular. USB alleviates the need to open up and add a special interface card into a slot that you may or may not have, inside your PC. When it was necessary to add cards, you frequently had to wrestle with your PC's configuration during the installation process, to make your PC happy with the new device and its software. And there are still many people that prefer not to venture into their PC.
In comparison, USB installations are easy and almost automatic. You install the control program for the device you're installing. Then you plug the device into the USB port with the power on. The PC recognizes it and installs the drivers.
I recently purchased a new PC and they were nice enough to provide, not two, but four USB ports. Unfortunately, that still isn't enough. I need double that. Hence, the need to add a USB Hub. Look at how easy it is to fill those ports.
My Current USB devices installed are:
Compaq Internet Keyboard
Logitech MouseMan Wheel Optical
WinTV tuner and video camera input
Sandisk SmartMedia Memory Card Reader for digital camera
Microtek Scanner
HP Printer
BUSlink File Transfer Cable
BUSlink USB Hub
This hub is IBM PC compatible. I have installed it on both Windows 98 and on Windows Me. It works fine on both.
The hub is a very worthwhile investment. In fact, after reading my own review, I took my own advise and bought a second hub before they disappear from stock at my local Warehouse Club. I can now report that they stack nicely. The scalloped pattern on the top keeps the upper unit from moving side to side. As you slide the unit backwards, it locks into a stop. Very nice, very neat, very good look'in. It's fast. It's easy. It satisfies that need to have glowing indicator lights on your desk.
There is a picture of it, in a stacked configuration, located on my profile page.
The warranty is 1 year.
Hopefully, someday Epinions will have a section for BUSlink. I also purchased a BUSlink USB to USB File Transfer Cable that allows moving large files quickly and easily between 2 PCs. An excellent product.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Yarborough
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Member: Herb Yarborough
Location: Coventry, Rhode Island, USA
Reviews written: 16
Trusted by: 37 members
About Me:
Hey! Where did all the Fun go? :(
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