| USB Devices Table | |
|---|---|
| No | USB Devices |
| 1 | Keyboard |
| 2 | Mouse |
| 3 | Printer |
| 4 | Scanner |
| 5 | Web-cam |
| 6 | Digital camera |
| 7 | MP3 player |
| 8 | Flash Drive |
| 9 | Card Reader |
| 10 | Graphics Tablet Board |
| 11 | Printer (2nd) |
| 12 | Flash Drive (2nd) |
| 13 | USB cable (to laptop) |
| 14 | MP3 Player (2nd) |
| 15 | Card Reader (2nd) |
| 16 | Card Reader (3rd) |
Most new computers/laptops come with 2 or 4 USB ports.
However, this is not adequate for most users. The average modern user easily requires between 5 to 10 USB ports (see USB Devices Table for more details). Therefore a USB hub is needed for additional free USB ports for connecting the additional USB devices that your computer's built-in USB ports cannot support.
You should buy a USB 2.0 hub (don't buy a USB 1.1 hub because your devices would slow down unless you are really cash-strap) that is backward compatible with USB 1.1 devices.
Most hubs comes in standard sizes of 4 or 7 ports; A 4-port USB hub will give you 3 (not 4 because one default port would be used for hub connection) additional USB ports while 7-port USB hub will give you 6 additional USB ports. If you get a 7-port hub, it is better to get one with AC power adaptor because there may not be enough power supply left when many devices are operating at the same time; having an AC power adaptor would ensure that there would be sufficient power for all 7 USB devices.
| USB 2.0 Hub Reference Table (No of USB ports & Cost-Analysis) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer default | Needed for hub | No of ports from USB Hub | New Total No of USB Ports | Lowest cost to upgrade (exclude S/H) | Lowest cost to upgrade (include S/H) | Average lowest cost (includes S/H) per additional USB port |
| 2 | - | - | 2 | - | - | - |
| 2 | -1 | 4 | 5 | US$5.99 | US$12.98 | US$4.33 |
| 2 | -2 | 4+4 | 8 | US$15.98 | US$26.97 | US$4.50 |
| 2 | -1 | 7* | 8 | US$19.99 | US$30.98 | US$5.16* |
| 4 | - | - | 4 | - | - | - |
| 4 | -1 | 4 | 7 | US$5.99 | US$12.98 | US$4.33 |
| 4 | -2 | 4+4 | 10 | US$15.98 | US$26.97 | US$4.50 |
| 4 | -1 | 7* | 10 | US$19.99 | US$30.98 | US$5.16* |
True, you could share your USB ports by plugging and unplugging. However, it is very troublesome and time-consuming to do so (especially if your ports are located behind your computer requiring you to position yourself in a very uncomfortable position in order to do so). Imagine how many times you would have to do this per year. Isn't it better to just spend a little bit and make yourself more productive and comfortable? It's is going to be money well-spent.
Plugging and unplugging USB cables/devices may also affect the operations of other already plugged-in devices as it is inevitable that you would somehow touch the cables of the other devices. In some situations, you may even get an electrical shock because you fingers come into contact with metalic parts of computer/cable.
Because your devices are always connected to different USB ports, your computer (device drivers) may not recognize your USB devices. As a result, you would get a 'Device not recognized' error and would be prompted for reinstallation of device drivers.
In the long-run, plugging and unplugging USB cables/devices frequently would also damage the USB ports.
The cons of sharing USB ports are:
Most new computers/laptops come only with 2 or 4 USB ports. An average user needs somewhere between 5 to 10 USB ports. Solve your problems by getting a cheap but durable USB 2.0 hub today....