Which USB Hub Do You Need to Get?

Our desktop computers now come with more USB ports, but when we have a lot of USB-based gadgets, such as mouse, printer, memory card reader, charging cables for smart phones, digital cameras, keyboard, etc, we will need more USB ports. Actually, we need a USB hub. A USB hub is to USB gadgets what a power strip to electronics. We need only one hub to split the ability of one USB port on our computer among many USB supported gadgets just in a similar way a power strip divides the electricity from a single outlet among various electrical devices.

Similar to the power strips, USB hubs are not created equal. There is a lot of discrepancy among features, specifications, quality or even safety between different USB hubs. Read on to know which USB hub you need next time.

Get the Most Current Standard USB Hub

The USB standard actually has experienced several iterations ever since its release. Each iteration has its features, and the transfer rate is probably the most obvious one. Other difference lies in features of charging specifications and data process. Now there are less USB 1.0 hub available in the market, but still a lot of USB 2.0 hubs and USB 3.0 hubs. USB 2.0 hub is now still fine for the current needs. But when the price difference between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 is negligible, why not get a USB 3.0 hub for faster transfer speed. The newer USB standard is more compatible with the former USB hubs.

The More Ports the Better

If you are in need of four extra USB ports today, you’d better get a USB hub with 6 or more ports because there will be another gadget you need to add in later. It is sensible to spend extra dollars for a few more ports. It pays back if you buy a bigger USB hub next year or add a USB expansion card to your computer.

Other Features of USB Hub

For safe use of the gadgets, get a USB hub with solid and safe build construction. Besides, USB hubs are different in some other aspects. For example, some of the USB hubs have tiny LED. Some of the modern USB hubs include power switches. Some hubs have a small power button that offers us the ability to toggle the whole hub on and off. If the extra cost for the USB hubs with more new features is negligible, get the USB hubs with more features.

FAQ About Super Speed USB 3.0 That You May Miss

Called super speed USB, USB 3.0 signifies a big progress that has most transformed computing in the recent years. USB 3.0 port is advantageous in various aspects, from its data transfer speed to compatibility with USB 2.0 gadgets, from capacity to performance. When USB 2.0 offer us 6x write speed, USB 3.0 has realized 12x. Now, the area that USB 3.0 technology covers has been extended to external hard drive from basic data backup. Now let's have a basic knowledge about some of the frequently asked questions about this advanced technology.

What is USB 3.0 port?

USB 3.0 port is just a step forward USB 2.0 ports. In the appearance, they do not have big difference, except a bright blue strip above the port opening. USB 3.0 is now major universal serial bus and it has greatly made the connection connection between PC and peripherals easily and simply. After a decade's domination of USB 2.0 in the PC world, USB 3.0 comes into being for the need for more speed by ever greater bandwidth demand from devices.

Advantages of USB 3.0

Generally, the USB 3.0 has advantages over USB 2.0 in these aspects, such as transfer speed up to 4.8Gbps, supporting new transfer types, great compatibility with USB 2.0, etc. The SuperSpeed USB can realize flexible interaction between device and host computer. Besides, the USB 3.0 can offer more power when needed. For example, those bus powered or battery powered devices can be charged at a faster speed and one of the major advantages of USB 3.0 lies in its power efficiency.

Improvements Expected From USB 3.0 Hubs

Although we can see a lot of improvements in USB 3.0 over USB 2.0, there are still drawbacks such as the cable length. USB 3.0 devices such as hubs are more expensive than the USB 2,0 hubs. Usually, for a super speed USB 3.0 hub, we can find two types of hubs, one for super speed, another hub at regular high speed. Anyway, with the competition of different USB 3.0 manufacturers, the price difference is not that sharp and acceptable.

New Application Allowed by USB 3.0

Generally, those high brand width gadget previously supported by USB 2.0 can work even better when USB 3.0 is applied. The USB 3.0 can be applied to hard drive, video adapters, flash drive, especially the high end flash drive, which USB 2.0 may fails to support with enough power or speed. We can gain a lot of convenience brought by USB 3.0 if we try to connect more electronic devices to a USB hub because USB 3.0 can offer more headroom for gadgets.

Then how the existing peripherals co-exist with USB 3.0?

There is no need to worry the retirement of the existing peripherals with the appearance of USB 3.0 because the latter has been planned initially to co-exist with USB 2.0. For one thing, USB 3.0 just defines new physical connection and the connector remains unchanged in shape with 4 USB 2.0 contacts in the exact same location as before.

Among all the applications of USB 3.0, external hard drives seem a good example, 3 times quicker than the USB 2.0 counterparts. They may be one of the big sellers at the moment.

Difference Between USB 2.0 & 3.0 Device

What type of USB hub are you currently using now, USB 2.0 or USB 3.0? In the digital market, we can find a lot of USB 3.0 devices and the popularity of USB 3.0 derives from its advantages over USB 2.0 in various aspects, such as very high data transfer rate, higher power availability, better power management, etc. Besides, the USB 3.0 devices can still work compatibly with USB 2.0 devices, hubs or other ports. When the PC users need more USB 3.0 ports than their PC or docking station provides, there is external USB 3.0 hub available. 

We know the updating of USB 3.0 from USB 2.0 is partly for the speed. Then how much faster is USB 3.0? Can it realize a great improvement if we upgrade our old USB 2.0 flash drives? Let’s have a further look at the difference between the two different USB hubs. 

In aspect of theoretical maximum signaling rate, USB 2.0 can provide a rate of 480 megabits per second, while USB 3.0 5 gigabits per second. In this way, USB 3.0 is theoretically faster than USB 2.0. But in reality, this standard just specifies the maximum data transfer rate via a USB port. USB drives will be obstructed by the speed of their flash memory. In the real world, the worst USB 3.0 drive was faster than the USB 2.0 drives, but only by a tiny bit. Or even some of the USB 3.0 drives are known to perform at similar speeds to USB 2.0 devices.

Then let's come to their price difference. Price is a huge factor that differentiates the USB 3.0 and USB 2.0. We can find a lot of USB 2.0 flash drives offered at very cheap price in the market, and maybe $10 is enough for getting a decent 2.0 flash drive of 8 GB USB. But for a USB 3.0 drive, we need to spend around $40. If you just need a small and cheap drive, USB 2.0 is enough. If you want a hard drive that is used frequently, and transfer speed is what you care much, choose a USB 3.0 drive. In general, the faster the USB device is, the more expensive their price will be. 

As a fantastic upgrade of USB 2.0, some types of USB devices are not that fast, such as USB mouse or USB 3.0 keyboard, with no improvement in input speed. Nevertheless, USB 3.0 will take place of USB 2.0 devices. Given the backwards compatibility, we can switch to USB 3.0 devices. But also, we can save dollars by just plugging USB 2.0 devices into USB 3.0 ports. 

USB Hubs Add Connectivity to More Devices

Sometimes, we just encounter with such a situation that we have several electronic devices out of power at the same time, but we only have one USB port. It is really disappointing when we can do nothing but wait for each of the devices to get charged one by one. If we get a hub with more ports, things will be easier.

How to Choose USB Hubs

We can find a lot of USB hubs in the market for computers or other digital devices. The USB hubs come in all shapes, sizes and configurations. We can find internal USB hubs, external powered USB hubs, USB 1.1, USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 hub. Faced with so many usb hubs, we need to take into consideration several questions before we get a new USB HUB, such as the devices we use, the ports of the laptop, the usb hubs we have already had. If we have more devices, we need to get hub with multiple ports. If we are often on the go, we need to get some USB hubs that are portable, compact and perfect for traveling.

Four USB Hub As Best Deal

We can spend more dollars to get a newest model, say, USB 3.0 hub with multiple ports that can offer super fast data transfer speed and enough power supply to high power usb devices. We can also spend less to get USB 2.0 hub that is enough to solve our need of more than one port to charge the gadgets. For different needs and budget, we can get the USB hubs we need. But here, i just want to try to share some USB hubs that is considered the best & cheapest deal.

iDsonix USB 3.0 10 Port Hub On/Off Switch

This is a USB Hub 3.0 with 10 ports. The hub has an additional on/off buttons as well as a LED indicator lights that can tell us which USB ports are in use at any given time. The hub is compatible with USB 2.0, or 1.1 devices. The charging port can give out enough current to devices from a smart phone to a laptop or tablet. The data transfer rate can reach up to 5Gbps, super fast.

Anker 7-Port or 9-Port USB 3.0 Hubs

A lot of digital gadget lovers may not strange to the brand Anker. The USB 3.0 hubs are also very popular, for its unique design. It has very small size and a lot of the on-the-go love to use it and place the hub in the bag. The Hubs are actually not the cheapest models around, but it is still worth your investment.

Macally Mini 7-Port USB 2.0 Hub

You will love the pyramid shape. The hub has very simple design, and the price is affordable. Moreover, it is much functional. If you don’t need seven ports, you can also get a four-port Macally hub.

Belkin 2 in 1 USB 2.0 7 Port Hub

It comes with a power adapter, but runs fine without it. This USB hub come with seven ports, enough for charging several devices at one time.. It can hold paper clips and the like in the area around it. Plus the grey part unplugs and goes along wherever you go offering 4 extra ports. It is also a very affordable hub.

Choose Right USB Hubs For Easy Connectivity

While there are many choices with USB hubs, be sure to take the time to find the right one for you. Color and size may be importable, but pay much attention to the uses and positioning of current and future devices. Making the right choice can simplify life, save money, and ensure a great networking experience.

7 Tips Help You Charge USB Powered Devices Faster

You must have such situations that you need to leave your home very soon while your smart phone is still not fully charger and you have to charge it as much as possible in very limited time. If you plug it into the laptop or computer, it will even take more time. Slow charging speed will make you feel uncomfortable. Here we have shared you some of the tips that will help make the phone charge very fast. Just read on. 

1. If you really like to charge your smart phone through your computer, instead of USB 2.0, try to use USB 3.0 or a dedicated charging if possible. Not all ports of the laptop or computer will supply the same amount of power. USB 1.0 and USB 2.0 are capable of 500mA of power, while USB 3.0 can deliver nearly double power, which usually reaches 900mA, that means faster. You can also choose a dedicated charging port that can offer power of even 1500mA. You have to know that the higher the supply of power, the faster your phone will be fully charged.If you happen to be lucky enough to have a plug outlet that is already wired for USB, you could be looking at speeds of up to 2,100mA.

2. USB 3.0 port charger is suggested. The USB 3.0 charger is well known for its faster data transfer sped and you will be glad to see its 900mA, almost reaching the powerful performance of AC wall chargers. So if you have no USB 3.0 charger, just get one for more powerful pace.  

3.Avoid the USB hub if you really need faster charging. Charging your smartphone via USB hub will just makes the charging speed slower by 50%, especially if your hub has no AC power connection. Choose a dedicated USB port for charging your digital devices. 

4.Just as i have said above, the higher power supply, the faster charging speed. Yes, you can choose to a bigger machine, or AC-wired USB power that can offer power twice of that of traditional charger or the speed can be 4 times faster than that of USB 2.0 port on the computer. For those larger and older computer, they have bigger batteries. You can use them to charge your phone instead of Ultrabooks.

5.Try a docking station. Docking station is thought to be slower than AC wall charger. But it can charge the smart phone at a speed 1.5 faster than that of usb 2.0 port. 

6. If you are driving a car out and your phone is out of power. Instead of charging it with a portable USB charger, just charge your smart phone via the car charger. This inexpensive usb charger can offer 1000to 2500mA , charging the phone within one hour.  

7. Switch off your phone and this is one of the ways that can speed up the charging. If you are too concerned about your phone calls and messages to respond back, then try to read on. The phone will try to search for possible signal and that just makes it use more charge. You can put the phone in Airplane mode or try an amplifier to stimulate the battery. If you do not switch the phone off, try to turn off vibration which will grab more charge. Or turn off apps when you are putting your phone in charge. This is because the more you make your phone to use a memory, the more it eats your charge. 

Choose Right USB Hubs For Convenient & Compact Connectivity

Do you have such experience that when you want to find a place to plug in your phone, the wireless mouse, mp4, portable hard drive or some other peripherals, you can do nothing but face the limited USB ports? When that happens, what you really have to do is to get a hub, with more ports compact in just one USB hub for convenient connectivity. 

With so many USB peripheral products ubiquitous in computer or digital world in recent years, it’s time to get convenient USB hub which allows us to plug a huge range of different peripherals into a computer via a single slot by adding multiple extra ports. 

We can use USB ports to connect almost every digital devices such as printers, external hard drives, USB memory sticks, cameras, mobile phones, etc. The great thing about USB ports lies in the fact that we do not need to shut down the computer when we plug in or remove the computer peripherals. Time to say bye to the days of swapping out devices when you need another port by plugging in one of these useful products. 

USB hubs actually come in various shapes, types and sizes. We can get a portable USB 2.0 hub that can be put in the pocket or try high end USB 3.0 hub with lights or multiple ports. Then how to choose USB hub?

Speed of USB Hub

We all know that when we try to connect more peripherals to a computer at one time, they will all vie for the same bandwidth. Then if your USB hub is slower in speed, you will be disappointed. You can try the USB 3.0 hub instead of the standard USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 for faster speeds. Get a hub with fast speed will save you time. 

Operating System of Your Computer

You also need to consider the operating system of your computer when you buy USB hubs. Not all USB hubs can be used on Windows-based system, and some units may be more specialized. Just have a look at the technical details on the packaging to verify if the device will work on your system. The wrong USB hub only means unnecessary inconvenience.

Number of USB Hub Ports

USB hubs may have different number of ports, and many may choose 4-port usb hub, yet for those who have multiple peripherals, maybe a 10-port usb external hub or hub with more ports is great. Of course, we can buy a 4-port usb hub and then get a second one, but get a hub with more built-in ports may be cheapest option.  

Price For USB Hubs

Price of USB hubs just differs and we can find some hubs very cheaply, but often the cheaper hubs are those old edition ones such as USB 1.1 standard with slower speed. Those with more options, or better features, such as higher speeds, wireless capability, and more ports, will cost more.

Durability of USB Hub

Besides, we still need to take into consideration the durability. If the multiple-port USB hubs fail to handle extra load, it is still useless. We have to check out how well the hubs support more devices. If we find some branded hubs easily overheat or broke without much pressure, we just give them up.  

If you’re on the hunt for a way to clear up the cable clutter on your desk, try USB hubs for convenience and fast connectivity.