Belkin High-Speed USB 2.0 7-Port Mobile Hub
by Belkin Components
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List Price: Our Price: $17.31 You Save: $12.68 (42%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $8.89 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Belkin High-Speed USB 2.0 7-Port Mobile Hub
Customer Review: This device has it all!
Summary: 5 Stars
Short of high-tech validation testing, my use of this device resulted in all positives regarding function. The only negative (below) doesn't affect the device functionality one bit.
POSITIVES:
- Enables the obvious use of 7 USB ports where your PC probably doesn't have that many built-in. These extra ports can be conveniently setup on your table top so you don't have to reach down to (or behind) your PC to connect dynamic devices like cameras and cell phones.
- Supports USB 1.1 and 2.0 speeds simultaneously. In other words, USB 2.0 devices don't slow down just because you plug in a slower/older USB 1.1 device.
- Works with or without the power cord.
- When using the power cord, this unit charges USB devices even if not connected to a PC. My daughter wants another one in her room just for this purpose.
- Small enough to include in a laptop bag (though this is not how I use it).
- Excellent price for all this capability.
NEGATIVES:
- The physical device is light weight. If it was huge and heavy (like maybe a TV or a PC), you could plug in USB cables with one hand. Unless you screw this device down, you'll need two hands. Also, it won't stay put and may twist or flop around if you pull or twist the connected cables.
Customer Review: Black Magic
Summary: 5 Stars
This little guy is pure magic and solves the problem I was facing admirably. I have an HP Pavilion laptop that I use pretty heavily; it has 4 USB ports and I was finding that very restrictive given the number of things I plug in at my base station. My list of peripherals include: Logitech Nano mouse, iPod, laptop cooling pad, Cannon printer, SimpleTech remote hard drive and an Hauppauge WinTV-HVR. That makes 6 items for 4 ports, then add the thumb drive that I use pretty regularly and I was doing a lot of USB port swapping (not to mention the constant daily ritual of unplugging in the morning and replugging at night).
This hub solved those problems, I run smoothly with all of the peripherals connected to the hub (the mouse dongle stays on the laptop, it is so small that there is no need to ever remove it). I unplug one connection in the morning and replug it at night; the direct power to the hub means I can charge my iPod even without the laptop. The only negative that I have at this point is the cord length on the power supply (I think it is less than 3 feet); thankfully I have a plug close to my desk and the USB cables are all long enough to reach.
Bottom line, nice glossy black finish, powered USB 2.0 hub, saves me time and clutter around my laptop, well worth the price in my opinion.
P-)
Customer Review: Almost 2.0
Summary: 4 Stars
When it does come down to most of our computers, we often do need to find extra ports and strong storage space not just for our computer, but for our busy lives. Most of have laptops and desktops that try and deliver well, but the extra USB 2.0 hubs are a much different story. For Belkin, they do make quality compatability for their USB extended ports nicely, but this high-speed 7-port extender mobile hub handles most of those tricks. While it is very good at recognizing electronics and add-ons for your computer like the printer, cable modem and USB Flash drives pretty nicely. It does have a huge fault. It unfortunately doesn't recognize MP3 Players like it says so on the product box. So if you own a MP3 Player, or a Apple Ipod, do not plug it into the mobile hub, because it won't just charge it, it will not be able to sync with those devices, for adding music and media files, but also for when they can be rechargeable for on the go play. Despite that one major flaw, the Belkin High-Speed hub does handle mostly well for all other add-ons to support your laptop, desktop or Mac computers. It is a good buy, but don't plug in your MP3 Players on this hub.
Price: B
Compatability: B-
Convience: B
Overall: B 1/2-
Customer Review: Well Made Product
Summary: 4 Stars
I have been using this hub for over a week now and it has worked very well. I am running an Intel Core i7 with Vista Premium x64. Installation was a breeze. I just plugged it in and Windows picked it up. I didn't need to download or install any additional drivers or software.
All the ports were tested and work fine. Ultimately, I am using 5 of the 7 ports to attach all my input devices (wireless keyboard, wired optical mouse, Saitek X52 Flight Stick, CH Pro Pedals, Logitech headset) and everything has worked perfectly. All controls are powered, responsive, and have no lag whatsoever. The extra power you get from the external power cable is definitely a plus.
I have avoided using data storage devices such as my external hard drive or mp3 player for fear that it might cause some write errors. I would suggest avoiding this if possible and just sticking to devices that can tolerate some data loss just in case.
Overall this is a very good product. It is very small, inexpensive, looks good, and works great. Having the ports on the front and the back does make cable management a bit difficult. Also the included power cable is extremely short at 3ft (1m) in length. Nevertheless, I would recommend it to others.
Customer Review: Complete Junk! Don't Buy!
Summary: 1 Stars
If I could rate it zero stars, I would. This thing is a piece of junk. I bought it at an electronics store near me for $15 and well, you get what you pay for. I can't believe Amazon is trying to sell it for almost $30! I wouldn't pay that for this thing if my life depended on it.
Whenever I plug in a USB device to it, it freezes my mouse and my keyboard. Half the time the device I plug in will not be recognized by the computer (Mac), meaning it won't be detected at all. The other half the time, the device I plug in will be "ejected" out of the blue. I guess it's great if you want something for target practice or to chuck across the room when you're POed, but other than that it's completely useless. And just today when I plugged in my iPhone, my mouse froze up and my entire screen turned a lovely shade of pink. I had to force-restart.
Do yourself a favor and buy something a little more expensive and more reliable. Im planning on going back to the store and spending the $50 on the high quality USB Hub I was going to purchase originally.