USB hub?

[shimpster]

hi neighbors

i have a toshiba laptop with (two) usb ports.

i would like to be able to connect (five) my passport external drives, and the wireless mouse.

Would any type usb hub allow this?

I am wanting to transfer files from one external drive to another external drive, without having to transfer the files to the pitiful 320gb internal hard drive.

Thank U

 

[mfenn]

Yes, it will work. It won't be the highest-performance solution in the world since the copies have to go through your laptop's memory instead of directly from one disk to another, but it will work.

Make sure you're getting a self-powered hub (i.e. has its own power brick) since you're looking to connect a bunch of high current devices.

 

[shimpster]

Yes, it will work. It won't be the highest-performance solution in the world since the copies have to go through your laptop's memory instead of directly from one disk to another, but it will work.

Make sure you're getting a self-powered hub (i.e. has its own power brick) since you're looking to connect a bunch of high current devices.

Thank U for the advice.
Any recommendations for a good, dependable self powered hub(brand, capacity, etc)?
Since its going thru the laptop memory, should I upgrade my memory to give it a little more oomph?

Thank U

 

[MattJones]

D-Link is making several good powered USB hubs. I have been using the DUB-H7 without problems with several high current devices attached at the same time.
Not sure if upgrading your memory would help.

 

[mfenn]

Thank U for the advice.
Any recommendations for a good, dependable self powered hub(brand, capacity, etc)?
Since its going thru the laptop memory, should I upgrade my memory to give it a little more oomph?

Thank U

No, upgrading your memory wouldn't help. Your memory is ridiculously fast compared to USB. The performance hit comes from the data having to travel up the USB cable, turn around once it hits memory, and then travel back down the USB cable.

As for brands, I haven't bought a USB hub in a really long time, but the last Belkin I had was pretty solid.

EDIT: This one looks pretty good for desktop use. You could plug the more permanent stuff in the back and have the front ports available for more temporary devices.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Belkin is good, APC is good, I've never used D-Link.

Generic USB hubs from China are generally NOT good, and not worth the cheap money you would spend on them.