How many USB ports do you want/need?

Here is the poll
How many USB ports would you like or need?

This is to figure out how many ports I need to include on my system

K-TRON

 

I really only need 2, but would like 3. I prefer keeping all my nonessential devices plugged into a USB hub, so I can unplug only one cord when taking my laptop on the go. The other two ports can be used for one or two external hard drives or USB drives. I voted for 4.

Although, since your machine is gigantic, I'd say you should include minimum 4. If you have space for more, though, why not?

 

4 or maybe even 6 ports usually suffices for me. What matters more is not the number of ports, but how they're placed. 4 ports placed directly next to each other isn't much more helpful than say, one on each side of the machine.

 

4 is my minimum to be sufficient on a laptop. Prefer them to be powered, but as Commander Wolf stated, placement is crucial.

 

Why would you ask how many we need to decided how many you need?
I currently have 8 rear ports, all used, a front port which I regularly use, and a hub on my keyboard and monitor that I also use often.
I'd say 10 rear + 2 front/easily accessed is nice for a desktop.

For a laptop... uh. One. Just one.

 

I think the max I need is maybe 6-8, but I just want to see what people say, and their reasoning

K-TRON

 

It really depends on the function of the device I suppose. I never use my laptops except on the go, so I don't need to hook in anything except my flash drive.
On the other hand, my desktop is loaded with USB devices - two mice, Xbox 360 controller, webcam, keyboard, hub on monitor, bluetooth module, printer, UPS signal cable, cable for PSP... etc. External hard drive is eSATA or that'd be in the mix as well.

 

I'd have picked 3 if it were an option, but I chose 4. Always need more than 2, in case you need to plug in an external drive that needs 2 USB ports, and you also need to use another USB device.

 

2 back.

1 on each side

4 all together... how about one of those esata/usb combo ports on the side so you have 3 usb but 1 is in disguise.

 

I use 1 port at home for my 4 port USB hub which is always connected to my laser printer, scanner, storage, and iPod charger (though rarely are all 4 peripherals powered on at the same time, my storage also has eSATA if I need to do lots of transfers and can just unplug the USB on the storage and plug the eSATA directly into the laptop).

The other 3 ports, I like to leave open to be used for USB drives (I've needed 2 drives at once occasionally) and for camera for uploading pics/vids etc.

I use a Bluetooth mouse, occasionally BT for phone transfers of pics and such. So I don't need a port for those.

 

4 or more will be good for me.

I prefer 2 on the left; 1 mainly for my mouse since it's wire is long and another one mainly for pendrive. My current system has 2 usb port on the left and I find its annoying for me to plug my pendrive in there since it will interfere with the movement of my mouse.

2 or 3 USB ports and a eSata at the back will be sweet. Mainly for cooler, USB sound card etc etc.

 

4 is enough to get by, 6 would be enough to never worry. I wouldn't mind being able to copy to an HDD, connect a camera, use a mouse, cooler, heck even a keyboard with an hdmi spot to spare for the big screen. Now really, when would I need all of this? You never know, but it doesn't hurt to be able to when the time comes

 

I need about 4 to 8 depending on where I am and what I'm doing.

 

It really depends on wht you want to do...

My laptop has 2 USB ports (my old one had 3) both are fine for me.

I plug the laptop in two joine 7 port USB-Hubs and have all my externals on one UB lead (and no, speed is OK for me, no problem).

So I could live with one USB port.

Oviously if you need fast tranfer rates this isn't an option - you should really choose what is best for you... think about what and how many periphals you want to use.

 

for my laptop 4 is good, preferably spread out 2 on each side or maybe one or two on the back.

for a desktop I want atleast 6 with preferably 8 as I have a lot more things to use.

 

I have 4 ports and use only 3. Not that I don't have devices to plugin it's just that I don't use them all at the same time. I'm using bluetooth mouse so this is one USB port less used.
I don't like wires around. Then again if you're going to use more, isn't it better to use a hub and move all those wires and devices away from your working space.

 

More important than number of ports is the quality of them

so many ports wont power my external hdd like they should.

 

i need 2 on my laptop.
At home I connect a 4 port USB hub to one port (2xkeyboard , 1xmouse, 1xscanner), and the second port do I use for USB stick or other devices which I connect sometimes.

 

While at desk home I use an USB hub for printer, tablet, large keyboard/mouse, external dvd, and memory sticks. Then a nano reciever for portable mouse directly in laptop that I never remove. The third port is used for external hdd, but that is also what i use esata/expresscard34 for. 3 USB ports is enough, I hardly ever use more than 2 as the laptop is more "on the go" for me. Nano reciever + memory stick.

 

I chose 40+ because.. why not? except for space and design issues

but in general, i'd love a notebook with two or three on each side. that would allow to connect close to anything everywhere, not needing to fiddle the cable around the notebook or so. i like the two-above-each-others, and two beside each other besides such a double-height pair.

I do have only two at all on my notebook, and while it works for most of my needs, i still like to have more. simply fill the space on the sides with connectors as much as you can

 

4 on a laptop, 6+ on a desktop.

 

much more than 6 on a desktop please (some in front, tons at the back).

i currently have at the desktop:
1 for keyboard&mouse
1 for extension to screen (easy usb-stick plugging and such)
1 cable for phone-sync
4 for external screens (tiny usb screens)
1 for external soundcard (audio kontrol 1)

and now imagine i would have to copy from one 2.5" disk to another, that would need another 4 slots.

and i could use a bluetooth dongle, too. possibly a connection to a ups..

so i could use 14 with ease

 

The Gateway P-series laptop that I own only comes with 3 usb ports. Luckily, I have a Cryo LX notebook cooler that adds 4 external usb ports.

 

I like your thinking

Now get this,
A chipset can take a maximum of 137 USB ports. My system board has two chipsets, so you know what that means

K-TRON

 

I agree... anymore and you you just have wires going everywhere from all the devices you would have plugged in at the same time

 

Too bad UWB isn't picking up.

 

Currently I have 4 on my notebook and that's fine. I currently have enough devices to use them all, and sometimes need to unplug things to use other devices (though it's not a big issue as I'm not always using them).
I wouldn't mind have 6. Any more than that would be too much.

 

I'd also choose 3 if it where an option, but as it's not (i don't know why? many laptops has only 3) . I choose 4 as more is always better.

Only things i use is 1 for mice, 1 for iphone and 1 for whatever,like a usb-stick or something!

 

I have a total of 9 USBs, I used 5 most of the times.

 

You forgot 3. Three is good enough but I had to choose 4 for sake of options. =)

 

its way too slow + buggy...

current laptop only has 2 usb ports... need a USB hub
1) USB mouse
2) USB TV Tuner
3) Printer cable
4) External HDD
5) USB Speakers
6) Microsoft Xbox 360 USB receiver
7) USB for my phone

 

Thought UWB was supposed to be at least as fast as USB2.0 (matching Bluetooth 3.0 and almost 802.11n specs)? Oh well, I suppose there had to be issues since it wasn't picked up by the mainstream companies.