I need more USB ports!

[Taz]

I've simply run out of USB ports. I don't like plugging and unplugging cables so I leave some cables plugged into the USB ports.

However, I want to attach a few more devices to my PC but simply don't have any spare USB ports (unless I unplug a few cables which I don't really want to do).

In this instance, what is the best way to get around 4-8 more USB 2.0 full speed ports (480Mb/S)? Is a PCI card with USB ports the solution or just another USB hub (mains-powered)?

[dave87]

I bought this to take the stress off my laptops USB ports.

Dave

[Funkstar]

If you want a Hub, these ones are good:
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProdu...duct_Id=279201

They stack nicely and are pretty good quality, if a bit expensive. They are Belkin after all. Scan used to do them, but they seem to have been removed.

If you get a Hub, plug your low bandwidth devices into them, high bandwith items can go straight into the controller. Bear in mind that some boards do have a single controller, with all or some of the ports sharing bandwidth.

[dave87]

I had the Belkin USB Tetra Hub - It didn't seem to limit the performance of attached devices, haven't tried the D-Link one yet...

[this_is_gav]

They stack nicely and are pretty good quality, if a bit expensive. They are Belkin after all.

'Belkin' and 'quality' in the same sentence? Not often you hear that these days... they make good, solid power adapters... and... that's all I can think of

A bit like Plextor and their optical writers - ie they're living on past reputations.

[johnny02004976]

If you want a Hub, these ones are good:
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProdu...duct_Id=279201

agreed i have 2 of these and am very happy with them both

[Funkstar]

i have two as well. They are well put together, look pretty good and i've no had an issue with them. I don't really have any experience of any other Belkin products.

[jonathan_phang]

Guess it depends on how much bandwidth you need. If its going to be intensive then maybe get a PCI card, then you can plug your bits in and leave it alone, but if you just want to plug in a game controller plus some other bits then a hub would be good.

I'd go for PCI if you dont swap that much and also keeps all the cables out of sight, as it can get a bit messy. I have a belkin hub, and probably even cheaper that the above, and I've had no trouble with it tbh.

[Taz]

^ I bought a Belkin F5U220 PCI USB card this morning from PC World (yeah, yeah, I know, I know!). I paid 25% more than just about any other retailer but it was local and convenient.

It's a 5-port PCI card (4 external and 1 internal). It was tidier than an external hub and there is less cable mess (well, it's easier to hide!). It took seconds to install and no drivers were required for XP.

My main use of the card will be for the film scanner that i've ordered.