An Inexpensive (And Basic) Hub.
Written: Jan 24 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Inexpensive, can be used powered or unpowered
Cons: Indicator lights that seem to be just for show?
The Bottom Line: Does what a USB hub does - allows you to plug multiple items into it. Works great, simple setup, inexpensive - a deal!
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| pepper99's Full Review: Belkin ExpressBus |
With the recent proliferation of USB devices on my computer desk, it was time to get a hub in order to be able to use them all at once - the 4 USB ports on my PC just wasn't enough anymore.
Off to eBay I went in search of a good deal, and I found it shortly afterwards - This Belkin model was nabbed with a winning bid only slightly over $10.
Initial thoughts:
- Sleek & space saving design. There's no doubt that it's small, and as another not-so-impressed reviewer noted, it is very light, although this doesn't seem like a huge concern to me.
- All plugs are easilly accessable.
- Nice indicator lights across the front of the unit, but for they appear only for show? (Read on...)
In operation:
Well, it's a USB hub, and isn't a complicated peice of equipment. Setup consisted of plugging the hub into the PC's USB port, at which point Windows immediately recognized it and set it up. Upon plugging my USB devices into the hub, they were all recognized immediately, and are functioning perfectly.
Really, there's not alot of technical aspects of a USB hub to write about in a review like this.
This hub has the option of being powered via the PC's USB power, or with it's own power supply. For low-draw items like printers, etc, you shouldn't need to use the external power supply at all. Only if you plug in items totaling more then 500 MA will you need the external power supply.
If your planning on using items like Webcams or USB powered items (Such as the newer flatbed scanners that draw *all* of their power from the USB port) then the external power supply will be essential, otherwise you may not be able plug more then 1-2 items into the hub without overloading the single PC port's power supply ability.
Although I didn't receive a power supply with my eBay purchase of this hub, I havn't needed it, as all of the devices that I have plugged into my hub still come in well under 500 Milliamps, and are sufficiently powered using the standard USB Bus power instead of a seperate power supply plugged into the USB hub. Your milage may vary as mentioned, according to the devices you intend to use!
Downfalls:
- What's with all the pretty lights on the front of the hub that don't seem to do anything? They don't flash or change colour when a port is active, nor do they even go out when a USB cable is removed from one of the hub plugs. This may have been usefull to indicate the point of a loose cable or bad connection.
They just come on when the hub is in use, and stay on.
Final thoughts:
- Although another reviewer had a huge gripe with the fact that the hub was "Too Light" to stay in place on a desk, I havn't found this to be a problem. Unless you have miles or cords hanging to the floor pulling on the hub, or routinely pull your USB devices around your desk, I don't have a big issue with it moving.
Personally, I would rather have a compact device that is light and unweildy versus a heavy and bulky device.
All in all, I'm very happy with this purchase. It's doing what I needed it to do, is is simple enough that setup was effortless, and problems should be minimal or non existant. The fact that these units can be found for sale on places like eBay for very attractive prices is also a bonus.
The Belkin name, which generally stands for good quality items, is also another selling point for this hub. Other no-name or non-mainstream models can be bought brand new for the same money, but are you getting Belkin quality for your money?
Thinking about it? Don't worry, buy one. :-)
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
pepper99
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Member: Mark Morissette
Location: Canada
Reviews written: 55
Trusted by: 8 members
About Me:
30-something married guy with 2 kids.
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