Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I received this USB Hub as a gift, and found it to be a very nice product. Very useful and flexible.
My Windows Vista computer had 4 USB ports in the back, and two in the front (6 total). Plugged into my computer's USB ports all the time are 5 devices: speakers (separate power), flatbed scanner (separate power), inkjet printer (separate power), GPS training watch (USB power) and wireless hub for mouse/keyboard (USB power). My 6th and final USB port I've been using for a film/slide scanner, which causes problems when I need to also recharge my iPod Touch, because I don't have any more ports left. So, when I received this USB Hub, I was excited to give it a try.
It says that it can be used without power, which is nice. To put that claim to the test, I plugged in all six devices (speakers, flatbed, printer, watch, wireless mouse, and film scanner) into it. Everything worked fine, including the two devices that ran on USB power. Needless to say, I was pleased.
As a final test, I plugged in a Toshiba external hard drive. I figured it would not work because it requires a powered USB port, but had to try it anyway. As expected, it did not work. However, as soon as I added the included AC adapter to the USB Hub, the external drive came to life. I had all seven ports on this hub in use, and it worked great.
In the end, I ended up leaving in the speakers, flatbed, printer and film scanner (all the separately powered devices) and not using the AC adapter on the USB Hub. This allowed me to free up those two USB ports on the front of my computer.
A few final comments...
There are no written instructions included other than what is on the back of the box. That should not be a problem as you simply plug it into your computer. Although, some folks might think they need the AC adapter when they do not in all cases.
The blue LEDs on the device are NOT annoying like a lot of lights being used today. You can set this on your desktop and it won't bug you when the room lights are out.
The USB ports are nicely spaced, making it easy to plug things into the USB Hub.
The USB cable for the Hub is 5 feet long. The cable for the AC power supply is 6 feet. This should give you flexibility on where you place the hub. (One side comment: I wish AC power suppliers would label what they are for. Or, at least provide some white space to write on it using a Sharpie. It would make it easier when trying to figure out what adapter goes with a device.)
Of the various USB Hubs I've used over the years, this is my favorite so far.
Update 4/28/2011: Some of the other reviewers said that this would not power an iPad. I just received an iPad 2 for work, and indeed this hub would not charge it, even with the hub's power adapter plugged in. Note that my laptop and desktop units (both about 3 years old) would not power the iPad 2 through their USB ports either. The only way I was successul in charging the iPad 2 is through the Apple-supplied wall charger.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Medialink - 7-Port High Speed USB 2.0 Powered Hub - NEW Desktop Design w/Weighted Base
Medialink - 7-Port High Speed USB 2.0 Powered Hub - NEW Desktop Design w/Weighted Base
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