Belkin USB 4-Port Hub - Brings hookups of peripheral devices within easy reach
Written: Jun 08 '02 (Updated Jun 09 '02)
Product Rating:
Pros: Easy to set up. Simply plug and play. Makes for easy access to usb ports.
Cons: Weighs only a few ounces. Easily dragged out of position by weight of connection wires.
The Bottom Line: This is a fantastic little device to make computer life easier. It is simple to install and use. I'm sorry I waited so long to get one.
gp4evr's Full Review: Belkin ExpressBus 4-port (F5U021) Networking Hub
One of the most frustrating things we have encountered with hookups on our computer is trying to plug in and out our various usb connections for our web cam, digital camera, san disk, game controllers and scanner. Do You Have this problem?
Our two usb ports are located on the back side of the computer tower and with only two of them and so many devices to plug in and out I am sure you can understand the frustration of pulling the tower out from the cubby it occupies in the computer desk every time we wanted to use a different device. Making it harder is the mass of electrical wires from all the different connections that come forward with the tower, snagging, catching and pulling.
We finally made the decision to purchase the Belkin 4-Port Hub to end the connection fight. We purchased it at Office Depot for $29.99. It was so easy to install and use that I could kick myself for not getting it sooner.
To set it up I plugged the power adapter into our power strip and the other end into the hub. Then I plugged the usb cable into a usb port on the back of the computer tower and the other end into the Belkin Hub. That's all there is to it.
You are ready to plug in up to as many as 4 devices simultaneously that use a usb connection and you're in business.
I placed the Belkin 4-Port Hub on a lower shelf right up front where it is easily accessible. Then I plugged my scanner into it to try it out. Viola! It works!
The Belkin 4-Port Hub is small and lightweight. It measures 3 inches by 5 1/2 inches and is 3/4 of an inch high. It weighs only a few ounces. The black circuit board can be seen through the clear see thru cover which encompasses almost all of the case except for a long oval of semi transparent frosted case lying over the power and port status lights. The four usb slots and the power and computer cord connections are all on the long side opposite the status lights and are all clearly labeled.
Fellow epinionator Kurt_g, who has also written an excellent review of this Belkin hub, described having a problem with the lightweight aspect of its design causing it to easily fall from its location. I can see that this could be a potential problem. The weight of the connection wires can pull on the hub causing it to move around and possibly fall.
I myself have not experienced this problem since I placed my Belkin usb hub at the front of a lower shelf on the computer desk. The connection wires run to the back of the desk at the same level as the Belkin usb hub and then up through the slot in the back of the desk and around to the computer tower.
Since the Belkin usb hub is so small it can easily be placed in many locations. Just make sure wherever you place it that the connection wires are not exerting any pull on it, or it will not stay in place. Also be mindful that if any of the devices you have plugged into it could possibly fall they would pull this hub down along with it.
One suggestion could be to secure the hub down with a bit of that ticky tac they sell at office supply stores - in an emergency a wad of bubble gum could suffice lol.
The Belkin 4-Port Hub comes with the 7.5 DC power adapter, the usb cable and the 4-port hub. The Hub can be used without the power adaptor, but it is recommended because some devices will not function properly with an unpowered hub.
There are 5 lights on the hub indicating power and port status.
The data rate is 12Mbps.
It comes with a 1 year limited warranty.
System Requirements- Computer with one free usb port, Windows 95 OSR2, Windows 98, windows 2000, Windows Me, or Mac OS 8.1 or higher.
A tangled web of wires lies dormant behind the computer. Your back stiffens as you creep down to look for an open USB port to connect your new USB mod...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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