The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    USB Extender

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by JackVa1, Jan 5, 2009.

  1. JackVa1

    JackVa1 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I bought this thing that allows me to run 7 USB off of one USB connection. I plug it in to the USB port and all 7 light are lit and it works fine.

    Why did they include a power plug? It makes no sense.
     
    JackVa1, Jan 5, 2009
    #1
  2. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    4,843
    Messages:
    8,389
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Its called a USB HUB :)
    Why the power plug.
    You can charge devices off USB, say a BlackBerry (I do) an MP3 player (my little Sony does)
    All this needs power - up to 500mA at 5V max for each USB port.
    Now your computer port can only supply the same, so, if they are in parrale, each HUB port gets 500/7 mA max or in series 5/7V max, i.e. in most cases not enough.

    The power plug supplements the computers power supply via USB.

    Another one is an external HDD - one that runs on USB only, that needs a lot of electricity too.
     
    DetlevCM, Jan 5, 2009
    #2
  3. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    4,843
    Messages:
    8,389
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    As this is in off topic (posts don't count):
    I've got 2 7 port USB Hubs and 1 4 Port USB hub - all set up at home.
     
    DetlevCM, Jan 5, 2009
    #3
  4. Jeff

    Jeff Notebook Retard

    Reputations:
    3,106
    Messages:
    2,501
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    this is especially important with things like laptops that limit the amount of current through usb ports...likein my case 100mA i believe...so divide that by 4 on a 4 port and thats a puny 25mA...how are you going to stick 4 coffee cup warmers on that.
     
    Jeff, Jan 5, 2009
    #4
  5. JackVa1

    JackVa1 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Ok so we got it because our front USB's are not functioning.
    My wife will not usually have more than one or two devices plugged in at a time and none needing a charge (at least today)

    Funny they sell these with a two foot cord. You need an extension cord to mount the thing anywhere.

    Thanks for the answers
     
    JackVa1, Jan 5, 2009
    #5