(mis)Understanding USB Hubs

Since Gateway doesn't make a docking station for my model of notebook, I'm thinking of just using one or two USB hubs for the same purpose instead. However, as I read over some consumer reviews I'm finding that these devises are a tad more complicated that I had thought. So, in order to avoid going down the wrong road, I've got some questions to ask to clear up some confusion on my part:

1. Does plugging in a USB 1.0/1.1 device *always* force the entire hub to revert to USB 1.0/1.1 mode? I've read a number of review about various USB 2.0 hubs that would only work in USB 2.0 mode when *all* of the devices plugged into it were USB 2.0 devices. Is this a universal "issue" or is it just a common design flaw that "quality" USB 2.0 hubs avoid?

2. Are there any references out there about how much bandwidth or power common USB devices use? I see that 7-port USB devices are popular with some, but I can't imagine that plugging 7 devices into a port designed to accomodate one device is a good thing. I would imagine that you'd be left with 7 devices that hardly work since they're all fighting to use the same bandwidth...especially if question 1 is true and you have 7 devices all trying to use a 1.0 port. Now, I realize that I might not be using all of my devices at the same time, etc., but it still would be nice to see a listing of which devices use what amount of bandwidth and roughly how much power they want to draw from the USB port. Until convinced otherwise, I'm thinking 2 4-port USB hubs plugged into two different USB ports on my notebook would allow my devices to function significantly better than a single 7-port USB hub plugged into just one port.

3. Are there audio-to-USB adapters that don't bypass the built-in soundcard? My audio jacks are in a bad spot (at the front edge of the keyboard), so it would be nice to get an adapter so I could plug them into a USB port/hub instead. Trouble is, the adapters I see include hardware to process the audio signal rather than routing the audio to my soundcard. Now, I'm not particularly (or at all) familiar with the mechanics involved, but it would be nice to use the soundcard tha's already there than buying a new soundcard as part of an adapter and leaving the old one there to stagnate.

 

Ok, I can't answer questuion 1, but I have 2 7port Hubs set up.

Point 1) normally a 7 port Hub is powered - thus you have no problem with running several devices off one USB port except speed.
I have 3 external HDDs on 7 hub - transfer speed to an external HDD - 8MB/s according to Vista (sometim es managed 20, god knows how) - from HDD to HDD (ext. both) about 3-4MB/s with small files.

I believe the XFi series by creative is software based but doesn't require software on the X-Fi go - that runs fine off the 7Hub with the HDDs in full use - speaking from expereince here.

I think it can reroute the external soundcard too if you instal the software, it allows you to chose the "audio device".

 

1) Not sure, sorry…

2) Doesn’t matter how many ports you have in your hub, you are ultimately restricted by the bandwidth of the port you connect the hub (which is 480Mbps for USB 2.0). That is quite a bit, unless you are planning to used multiple hard drives, I don’t see that bandwidth being a limitation.
If you use a bus powered hub then you might run in to problems because a single port on the computer can only give out 500mA at 5V. Therefore always better to use an externally powered hub if you are going to use multiple devices (especially if it includes hard drives). I use a 5 port externally powered hub. Mouse+keyboard receiver, USB Sound card, and an external HDD is always connected. The remaining ports are used to connect other peripherals (digi cam, printer/scanner, USB flash memory etc.) from time to time

3) NO, there are no USB adapters that will not bypass the soundcard. If you are considering of using a USB device then you might as well buy an external sound card, because usually sound quality of external cards are much better than integrated card ( I use one myself). Here are some options:
Creative X-Fi Go! (USB 2.1)
Creative X-Fi Surround 5.1 (USB 5.1)
TurtleBeach Audio Advantage SRM (USB 7.1)
Asus Xonar U1 Audio Station (USB 2.1)
Zalman ZM-RSSC (USB 5.1)

 

Mind if I ask what kind you use?

That X-Fi Go! looks like just what I'd want since I'm not going to be using anything other than stereo speakers or headphones anytime soon. Thanks for bringing that product to my attention. (nice review, btw)

On another note, I feel kind of silly about not thinking of this sooner, but since I need to upgrade my keyboard anyhow, I might as well focus on getting a keyboard that has an integrated USB hub. I'm taking a look at the options I can find on Amazon...any suggestions?

 

I've got the X-Fi Go too

Happy so far.

 

my friend has the x-fi too awesome he said