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USB Hubs

Just as you would add a power bar for additional outlets, USB hubs let you to do same except to add more USB ports for peripheral connections. They often come in 2 varieties: 4-port and 7-port USB hubs. Other more advanced USB hubs combine with serial, parallel, Ethernet and maybe USB audio / video output to form a brand-independent laptop docking station.

Installing a USB hub is simply a job of connecting the hub itself, AC adapter and USB cable, but if you already have a mix of Hi-Speed USB and classic USB devices, getting them to coexist could be a challenge. The reason is that two isochronous devices (real-time video & audio) can already saturate the classic speed bus. If you need a couple of different classic USB devices to operate simultaneously, multi-transaction translator USB hubs are crucial as they allocate dedicated 12Mbps bandwidth.

4-port Hi-Speed USB Hubs
Targus Universal Notebook Docking Station with VideoBelkin TetraHub Hi-Speed USB 2.0 4-Port HubAdaptec xHub for NotebooksFellowes USB 2.0 Swivel Hub
Targus Universal Notebook Docking Station with Video
  • Hi-Speed USB
  • 4 USB ports
  • Serial converter
  • SVGA video output, USB audio in/out, 2 1000mA USB 2.0 ports
  • Released in Jan 2005
Belkin TetraHub Hi-Speed USB 2.0 4-Port Hub
  • Hi-Speed USB
  • 4 USB ports
  • Turbo Transaction Translator Technology
  • Released in Oct 2003
Adaptec xHub for Notebooks
  • Hi-Speed USB
  • 4 USB ports
  • USBControl Utility
  • Released in Oct 2002
Fellowes USB 2.0 Swivel Hub
  • Hi-Speed USB
  • 4 USB ports
  • Swivel ports
  • Released in Dec 2001
Unlike the competitors, Targus USB docking station has a true USB video output that delivers a SVGA at 16-bit color which you can use to expand desktop or to use as a primary display. Tuning down res. will boost depth to 32-bit. Other interesting features include a USB audio in/out adapter; and 2 1,000mA ports for rapid battery charging. Belkin Hi-Speed USB hub's Turbo Transcation Translator Technology guarantees 12Mbps to each port to accomodate more bandwidth-hogging devices without tradeoffs. Adaptec’s Hi-Speed USB hub in a mobile form factor packs with 4 downstream ports with device indicator lights as well as exclusive USBControl utility to monitor peripheral activities. This certified Hi-Speed USB hub, as the name implies, comes with ports that can swivel in 180 degrees to avoid cable congestion and to streamline the flow of cables across your desk. 
Apple iPod USB Hubs
Belkin TuneSync for iPodBelkin Hi-Speed USB 2.0 4-port Hub for iPod shuffle
Belkin TuneSync for iPod
  • Hi-Speed USB
  • 5 USB ports
  • Apple iPod 3rd/4th dock, stereo line-out
  • Released in Nov 2005
Belkin Hi-Speed USB 2.0 4-port Hub for iPod shuffle
  • Hi-Speed USB
  • 4 USB ports
  • Apple iPod shuffle dock
  • Released in Oct 2005
The Belkin TuneSync for iPod features no less than 5 extra USB 2.0 ports in addition to the dock for your iPod. The Belkin charges your iPod or iPod mini while it syncs your tunes. The TuneSync includes a handy stereo-out jack for speakers, stereo or headset. LEDs help you monitor your ports and the unit has overcurrent protection as well.  The USB hub has a top-loading USB port that will work with highest-powered USB devices that draw up to 500mA; it can also handle another bus-powered device without a power adapter. The Belkin hub has a pearl white and compact shell that is a nice match to the color of iPod shuffle and Mac mini.  
7-port Hi-Speed USB Hubs
Belkin 7-port Plus USB 2.0 HubBelkin Hi-Speed USB 2.0 7-Port HubD-link DUB-H7 7-Port USB 2.0 HubAdaptec XHub7+
Belkin 7-port Plus USB 2.0 Hub
  • Hi-Speed USB
  • 7 USB ports
  • Released in Dec 2006
Belkin Hi-Speed USB 2.0 7-Port Hub
  • Hi-Speed USB
  • 7 USB ports
  • Released in Sep 2003
D-link DUB-H7 7-Port USB 2.0 Hub
  • Hi-Speed USB
  • 7 USB ports
  • Released in Oct 2002
Adaptec XHub7+
  • Hi-Speed USB
  • 7 USB ports
  • USBControl utility
  • Released in Oct 2001

Summary not yet available
 
Belkin's stackable, slim-line 7-port USB hub provides two top-loading ports for frequently removed peripherals and five horizontally mounted ports on the back plus a company's lifetime warranty. The rather ordinary looking hub provides seven Hi-Speed USB downstream ports, each of which can also cascade with another hub to provide an invisible extension of the USB bus. The 7-port hub - Adaptec’s first shot at the USB market – sets itself apart from the competition with its built-in photo frame, stackable design as well as unique cable management system. 
Internal 3.5" Hi-Speed USB & FireWire Hubs
SIIG USB 2.0 4-Port Bay HubBelkin Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Drive Bay Hub
SIIG USB 2.0 4-Port Bay Hub
  • Hi-Speed USB
  • 4 USB ports
  • Released in Jan 2003
Belkin Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Drive Bay Hub
  • Hi-Speed USB
  • 4 USB ports
  • Released in Jan 2003

Summary not yet available
 
The internal USB hub can easily expand Hi-Speed USB port availability for anyone who can spare a 3.5" drive bay and has a rare female type A USB connector on their motherboard or USB PCI. 

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