Recommend a USB 2.0 hub/card reader
I've finally managed to run out of USB slots on my computer. Can anyone recommend a good quality USB 2.0 hub that has a long enough cable that I can stick it in one of the rear ports and bring it up to my desk or at least the top of the tower?
Even more ideal would be to have one in combination with a SDHC/CF card reader.
I'd prefer it not to need an external power adaptor (running out of power sockets too), and I won't be charging anything through it anyway - the most power hungry thing would be an X360 controller.
Thanks in advance,
Re: Recommend a USB 2.0 hub/card reader
Are you out of internal header / drive bays? You could always go for something internal if not... I'll look up some ideas and come back... :D
OK, here's an internal Card Reader + single USB port that connects to a motherboard header and fits in either a 3.5" or a 5.25" bay: it would route a USB port to the front of your PC where you could add a USB 2.0 Mini-hub...?
Re: Recommend a USB 2.0 hub/card reader
Have plenty of drive bays spare, but not sure I've got any internal USB headers spare.. I could probably salvage the ones going to the front case ports as they're always flaky, but then again I'm not sure if it's the port or the header that's flaky.
The mini hub looks pretty good, thanks.
Re: Recommend a USB 2.0 hub/card reader
no worries :D from the reviews it needs an external supply to power something like a portable harddrive, but it should manage generic USB duties OK. If you're out of internal headers ebuyer also have a 4 port internal USB hub that utilises a normal USB plug to the back of your case (usually by exiting through an empty expansion slot, but I suspect there's quite a lot of ways you could get it to the back of the case...).
That said, I've got an earlier version of the card reader + usb port device and I swear by them - with the ubiquity of SD card readers on laptops now having an internal card reader is brilliant, frankly...
Re: Recommend a USB 2.0 hub/card reader
Heck if you have a spare pci slot then just get a USb 2 card, they are cheap.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/192862
If you have a spare usb header then you can use a pci slot cover with usb sockets that pulgs into the usb header like this.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/119520
If you need front access then you can use a simple usb extension cable.
Although I think my biggest question is how have you run out?
ahh just looked at the ASRock Dual Sata2 939, only 4 rear ports and 2 internal headers (each header supports 2 usb sockets.)
Still what are you using that's takeing up 4 usb solts?
Re: Recommend a USB 2.0 hub/card reader
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Pob255
Heck if you have a spare pci slot then just get a USb 2 card, they are cheap.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/192862
If you have a spare usb header then you can use a pci slot cover with usb sockets that pulgs into the usb header like this.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/119520
If you need front access then you can use a simple usb extension cable.
Although I think my biggest question is how have you run out?
ahh just looked at the ASRock Dual Sata2 939, only 4 rear ports and 2 internal headers (each header supports 2 usb sockets.)
Still what are you using that's takeing up 4 usb solts?
Keyboard, mouse, X360 Controller, Saitek Cyborg 3d joystick, Camera USB connector, Ipod USB connector, printer, SDHC card reader.
Internal headers taken up by current internal CF card reader and Case front USB slots.
Luckily I have a PCI wireless card, so no need for dongle ;) But that's taking up one PCI-slot, SB audigy 2zs is in another. Have to see if there's another one that's available :p
Re: Recommend a USB 2.0 hub/card reader
I think the multicard reader I linked to has CF & SD as well as an extra USB port, so could that not replace the internal CF card reader you already have?
Re: Recommend a USB 2.0 hub/card reader
Quote:
Originally Posted by
scaryjim
I think the multicard reader I linked to has CF & SD as well as an extra USB port, so could that not replace the internal CF card reader you already have?
Yup, think it's SDHC too which is required, and with the mini hub it'd probably be enough, best answer so far ;) But getting a portable card reader/USB hub would be the cherry on top, as I could take it to whoever's computer I was doing camera work with.
Re: Recommend a USB 2.0 hub/card reader
Well, I'm inclined to say google is your friend... the cheapest from a shop I recognise is this sweex model from WHS...
Re: Recommend a USB 2.0 hub/card reader
Unless you have a fancy mouse/keyboard then you can happly run them both off usb>ps2 adaptors that'll free up another 2 usb ports ;)
also the joystick & game pad don't need to be pluged in all the time, only when you're actually using one ;) although your front headers are best suited for that.
Re: Recommend a USB 2.0 hub/card reader
This is generally accepted as one of the best USB SDHC/CF (including UDMA CF) readers around, if not the best: Lexar Professional USB UDMA and SD Card Reader. How far it reaches is determined only by the length of the cable (it uses standard USB A to mini B) and comes with a fairly standard length one.
Re: Recommend a USB 2.0 hub/card reader
Quote:
Originally Posted by
scaryjim
Indeed, but with the number of crappy devices out there I was gunning for ones people could recommend. That sweex one could be perfect however, just need to check SDHC compatibility.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Pob255
Unless you have a fancy mouse/keyboard then you can happly run them both off usb>ps2 adaptors that'll free up another 2 usb ports ;)
They're moderately fancy, yes (Saitek eclipse II - backlit and logitech mx518)
Quote:
also the joystick & game pad don't need to be pluged in all the time, only when you're actually using one ;) although your front headers are best suited for that.
Yep, but when front ports have gone flaky I've started using the back, and they're a pain to access as the tower is tucked away under the desk.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
this_is_gav
This is generally accepted as one of the best USB SDHC/CF (including UDMA CF) readers around, if not the best:
Lexar Professional USB UDMA and SD Card Reader. How far it reaches is determined only by the length of the cable (it uses standard USB A to mini B) and comes with a fairly standard length one.
That looks very nice - I thought all CF readers could read UDMA CF anyway? But if not then this definitely looks nice as I will be getting UDMA cards in the future, though I guess we're USB 2.0 limited now.
