USB hub powered or unpowered? [Archive]

moman1

05-18-2008, 10:03 PM

Hey guys I want to get a USB hub for my laptop which only has 2 ports. The question is if a buy a non-powered usb hub will it still run things such as usb sticks/usb mouse/usb keyboard?

Thank You
under

tehboris

05-18-2008, 11:45 PM

It is unlikly it will beable to do all three together.

shinigami052

05-19-2008, 12:28 AM

It really depends on the usb devices being plugged in and the power they draw. An unpowered USB hub will only draw (at max) the power of one USB port and then distribute that power out to the three ports. It is possible to do but I'd suggest a powered hub or two hubs so you can spread out the devices between the two USB ports on your laptop.

tokenuser

05-19-2008, 02:41 AM

Get a powered hub. Leave everything plugged into it, and then you have a single cable to plug into the laptop to give you those other things.

shinigami052

05-19-2008, 03:10 AM

Or you could get a docking station for ur laptop...

But like I said...an unpowered hub might work but if you're willing to take that risk then go for it. I've always used powered hubs and just left them plugged in like tokenuser said.

moman1

05-20-2008, 06:00 AM

That makes sense, the unpowered USB hub would distribute its 5Vs to anything plugged into to it. The main reason I don't want to buy a powered USB hub is simply because I would have to find an outlet to plug it into, (sure a multiplug would help...but again adding bulk is what I don't want).
A docking station sounds nice for home use but some are quite expensive, (you guys have any suggestions on a few?)

tokenuser

05-20-2008, 12:34 PM

That makes sense, the unpowered USB hub would distribute its 5Vs to anything plugged into to it. The main reason I don't want to buy a powered USB hub is simply because I would have to find an outlet to plug it into, (sure a multiplug would help...but again adding bulk is what I don't want).
A docking station sounds nice for home use but some are quite expensive, (you guys have any suggestions on a few?)Think about this ... how many devices do you need to plug in while you are mobile?

Not that many - probably not a keyboard or a printer. Memstick or mouse, maybe a camera. Direct connect an external drive to a laptop.

beatsbydre

05-20-2008, 08:58 PM

I've been thinking of the same thing,
My Laptop has 4 but it gets a little crowed when they are all plugged in.
I would go powered but thats just me,
which one were you thinking of getting?