What to Look for When Purchasing A USB Hub
With a USB Hub 3.0, you can get more out of a single USB port. Most people use them on laptops with few USB ports, but nothing stops you from getting more out of a PC’s front USB port.
There are some “hidden” things to look for when getting a USB hub. We say “hidden” because you can see them. They are not hidden. When buying a hub, it’s easy to forget about them, which can lead to a bad purchase.
- How Many Ports There Are
This may sound rude, but you should consider more than just what you need for ports. For example, you hate your laptop’s touchpad and keyboard. You need a hub with two ports, one for a mouse and one for a keyboard.
But think about it for a while before you buy. Do you move files with a USB stick? Is there a different USB port you can use on your laptop? If not, you should get more than two. You don’t have to unplug a keyboard or mouse to use a memory stick.
When you think like this, you can avoid problems in the future. It’s worth looking at the USB hubs with more ports than you need. If the price difference isn’t too big, you can buy that one and save yourself some trouble.
2. The Hub’s Power Output
When you buy a hub, you can choose between the ones that get their power from the original port and those that get their power from something else. The first option is more appealing because they are often less expensive than a plug socket.
But before you buy a hub without an external plug, think about what you’ll be plugging in. From the USB port, each device draws a certain amount of power. When you turn a port into a hub, the total power the port can handle is split between the ports on the hub.
This means that some devices on a hub that doesn’t have an external power supply won’t work if you use too many of them. In the product description, you can find out how much power the hub can handle. It will be written as a number followed by “mA.” A hub that runs on its power will usually be around 500mA.
Once you know how much power you can use, count how much power your peripherals use. This information is sometimes written on a sticker on the bottom of the peripheral. For example, my mouse draws 100mA, and my keyboard draws 400mA, which adds up to 500mA. This meets the 500mA requirement for a self-powered hub, but if I add a memory stick, the whole thing will fall apart!
3. USB Version of the Hub Port
Check to see what version of the ports on the hub itself are. Some hubs will use USB 2.0 to save money, but this will make it take longer for USB 3.0 devices to send and receive data. Of course, this is fine if all your devices use USB 2.0. If you have 3.0 devices, though, it’s worth paying a little more for a hub that can keep up with them.
4. The Hub’s Source of Power
When powering the hub, think about what you want to do with it. Say you want the hub to power or charge your devices even when the PC is turned off. If you get a hub that gets its power from somewhere else, you can charge your devices whether or not your PC is on. You might have a PC that can charge devices even when turned off. If so, you don’t need the extra plug.
The Bottom Line
USB, a “Universal Serial Bus,” is a standard protocol for connecting and talking to devices outside a computer. It can be used for many different things and in many different formats. USB 3.0 hubs are very useful, but when you buy one, you should look for some “hidden” specs. With these specs, you’ll be able to choose the best item for your needs.
