Belkin USB 2.0 Plus Hub (7 Port) F5U307-WHT
by Belkin Components
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List Price: Our Price: $22.16 You Save: $27.79 (56%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $14.98 (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 USB 2.0 Plus Hub (7 Port) F5U307-WHT
Customer Review: iPad Friendly USB Hub? Nope, but Good
Summary: 5 Stars
I normally would never "review" a product I haven't yet purchased (now I have one; see update below), but in this case I may be able to offer some useful information for iPad owners and others needing a powered USB hub. Apple states on its Website that pads need more power to charge than smaller devices such as the iPhone and iPod, and that many USB hubs do not provide sufficient power to charge the iPad.
Apple further says that its newer computers feature powered USB ports that deliver 5V and 500mA to each port, which is sufficient to charge an iPad (I can vouch that this works with my own iMac and iPad).
The Belkin online manual for its model F5U307 USB 2.0 Plus Hub states that each of its ports is rated at 5V and 500mA, the same as iMac USB ports. Therefore, it would seem to have the power required to charge an iPad, as long as the Belkin hub is plugged into its own power outlet.
I plan to order this hub and will provide my results later.
UPDATE: I have now purchased the hub and like it very much. In fact it prompted me to completely reorganize my desk and get rid of all cable clutter. Also, it looks good and and the two ports on top, one of which I use when syncing my iPad to the computer, are very convenient.
Unfortunately, I find that it doesn't charge the iPad. This is not a big deal, but it would be preferable if it could. I don't know if this is a weakness of the USB hub, or whether Apple's "protective zeal" (profit motive) has led them to prevent the iPad from being charged by any computer (or peripheral device) other than a Mac.
Customer Review: Liked it for almost a year---then it DIED
Summary: 3 Stars
This seemed to be the perfect hub for my new intel imac which lacks enough usb ports. I think it is attractive, and I found it very handy with the 5 ports on the front for general always plugged in use and especially so with the 2 top ports for easy plugging and unplugging of flash drives, and the imic I had to buy to be able to plug in an external usb microphone. (my switch from PC to Mac wasn't the "it just works" as advertised, but I do like it after the Quicken Naturally Speaking to Bootcamp/Windows hurdles I hadn't anticipated were eventually sorted out)
This hub seemed like a great value for the price, BUT IT OVERHEATED and DIED in slightly less than 1 year of very minimal use. I just spent the last hour meticulously troubleshooting the sudden "no video" mouse freezes, etc problem until I plugged this little "gem" back in and was able to repeat the rather serious problems with it plugged in. The hub itself was found to be VERY hot so it must have fried. (I am a tech and of all the causes this would be my "pick" if something had to be wrong, so I'm not too upset NOW)
I thought you all should know though as I appreciate your reviews in helping me select items to purchase and I'm "giving back". Time to read more reviews on something newer perhaps?
Customer Review: Powered ports aplenty.
Summary: 5 Stars
When you rewire your house, you are sure you have fitted enough electrical outlets - but you'll one day wish you had more. And when you buy a PC you're confident it has all the USB ports you'll need - and soon find it hasn't. There are many USB hubs on the market that solve this problem. I did a lot of research before settling on the F5U307. The reviews were generally favorable, the price was competitive and Belkin was a brand I was comfortable with, so I went for this one, and first impressions are that I made a good choice.
If you are going to get a hub, you may as well go for 7 ports rather than less - as I say, you'll eventually need them. Also, you are better with a powered unit, like this one. Some hubs are not self-powered, which will cause you problems when you connect peripherals that draw their power from the computer.
Connecting it to my Dell Inspiron Vista machine was simple. A couple of seconds after I plugged it in, a message informed me that the driver was installed and the hub was ready for use.
If I encounter any problems with it in the future, I'll update this review, but for the moment it's working fine.
[PeterReeve]
Customer Review: Great looking and nice when it decides to work
Summary: 1 Stars
Well, I like many other reviewers bought this device (I bought it at a big box store full of best buys). I purchased 2 of these units and both have failed since purchase with the same basic issues, overheating and random disconnections or failure to connect newly plugged in devices.
The most recent one to fail was so hot on the bottom I thought I might burn my hand.
It is truly a shame as these hubs look nice and have such a well designed layout for the 7 ports (5 across the front and 2 on top) that make it easy for keep regularly plugged in and swapping devices a snap.
As the title said when the hubs were working they were great. However, far to often it would be a case of unplug everything and let it sit for a while before using again. This last time was just far too hot for me to consider it safe to plug it back in and as such both units and their random disconnects and feeling warm (or hot as this time) is just too much. I am now done with these Belkin units.
I would not recommend them to anyone who wants a convenient reliable hub. They just don't work reliably enough to fit the bill. Time to look for something else.
Customer Review: Will NOT charge iPhone or iPod when the computer is off
Summary: 4 Stars
This hub will NOT charge your iPhone or iPod when the computer is off.
The computer must be be ON in order for these devices to charge.
**Other USB devices may charge but the iPhone looks for "permission" before it starts charging when connected to a hub, to get permission it needs the computer to be on. Hubs are pretty much all the same in this respect...even though the hub is connected to an AC adapter, it will not necessarily charge your USB device. It depends on how "smart" the USB device is.
Now it's different when you plug an AC adapter to the end of the iPhone USB cable, in that case the iPhone recognizes that it is connected to an adapter and not a USB port/hub and will just charge.
Also, Belkin e-mailed me and said the manual is not correct. All seven ports operate at USB2 speed.
Thank you for contacting Belkin Customer Support and for your patience.
Hello,
The information regarding the four ports are at high speed (480mb) is an error in the manual. All 7 ports are designed for high speed connection (USB 2.0 connection).
Good Day,
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