Question about 4-port USB Hubs

I am interested in getting the Belkin Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Pocket Hub. My question is why do some hubs come with a power supply? This one doesn't and I rather not carry around another plug. Will this cost me in terms of performance? I plan to add an external driver, speakers and webcam.

 

Because the USB hub can sometimes "overload". The laptop sometimes cannot give enough power to the HUB via USB, so it has a power adapter. If you are just using one device, you might not need a power supply. If you are using speakers and and two other devices, it is highly likely that you will need to plug your USB HUB into AC Power.

 

OK so then with this particular model, I can't go [edited by moderator] by adding lots of perripherals?

 

well, I don't recommend that USB Hub. Why not buy this one:

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=158017

If you add loads of Power Hungry devices without a separate power supply then there might be power surge on the Hub. I don't recommend this Compact Hub.

 

Also there are some devices that need more power than others. I have this one, and it came with a power supply.

http://www.compusa.com/products/pro...oduct_code=310730&Pn=USB_2_0_4_Port_Thumb_Hub

I don't need to use it though, and I have a wireless mouse base/charging station, keyboard, and printer attached currently. But I don't think any of these three draw that much power.

 

I have the one I recommened to Luar and if I don'r plug it in there is a power surge on the HUB. I would just get a HUB with a power supply juts to be on the safe side.

 

if i were to connect say a wired game controller, self-powered usb2.0HD, a wireless mouse adapter..would that demand a separate power supply?

 

It would be a borderline case... Remember, each USB port on your notebook can supply a maximum of 500mA. If you're running an unpowered USB hub, then that 500mA is shared between all periphrials.

The mouse receiver shouldn't be an issue, since it's passive by nature. The controller should also be OK, unless it has rumble support. That bus powered HDD is a worry though...

 

Lil Mayz: What is a USB powersurge like? Devices stop working? Don't think I've experience any of those myself.

I think since your HD is plugged in seperately, it should be OK. USB ports can't power HDs anyway so I don't think it will try to. I'm thinking it would make it a passive connection too (but I'm no expert).

I haven't had any problems using the three USB ports the way I have, but I think the only one taking any power is my Logitech G7 charging base/receiver. The keyboard and printer connections are both passive.

 

Power surge is probably overstating the problem, what's more likely to occur with an overloaded USB port is either the connected devices stop working properly, or the port burns out.

An external 3.5" HDD shouldn't be a problem, since as you pointed out it runs on an external power supply. My previous comment was directed to jterp, who I think was asking about a bus powered 2.5" drive.

I presume your keyboard runs on batteries? If not, then it's drawing (minimal) power from your hub. Your mouse receiver draws almost no power unless you're recharging the mouse.

In short, an unpowered hub should be fine unless you load it up with bus powered devices. YMMV.

 

yes I probably did overstate a "Power Surge" on a USB Hub. What happens is that Windows recognises that the HUB is not recieving enough power and it just "shuts it down" and the devices stop workng. This problem is usually remedied by plugging in the power to the HUB and restarting your PC.

 

haha i realized i should have said separately powered..its a 3.5" 250GB lacie..so i guess it shouldn't be a problem then..the game controller is one of those that converts ps2 into usb so it can be used on a computer..as far i know the rumble does work function though

 

Thanks TedJ and Lil Mayz!

It's actually a low-level wired keyboard so no batteries. I do charge the rechargeable batteries for my Logitech G7 every so often though.

I was just worried that I would fry something, but I don't think I'm overloading with the current devices. That's good to know that Windows looks out for that and shuts down automatically.

Thanks again guys!