A USB hub is a device that expands the number of USB ports and makes it possible to use multiple USB devices at the same time.
Recently, more and more various external devices have been created that are needed to work at a computer. Of course, not every user. These devices are connected to the computer using the USB port, a universal bus sequence. Such devices include keyboards, computer mice, external hard drives, lamps, flash drives, coffee makers, printers, and many other interesting things. How to deal with all this? There are several ways out:
- you can buy the necessary device, that is, a USB hub - hub. It is a small device with several USB ports that should be plugged into one of the computer's USB ports as needed;
- as an option, you can disconnect devices that are not being used at the moment for a while, and then connect the necessary device to the vacated connector. However, we must not forget that if you constantly switch devices, then over time the USB port will loosen and, as a result, fail;
- if possible, it is better to buy a new monitor that contains USB ports.
Types of hubs
When buying a USB hub, you need to know that there are several types of them. So, the first one is USB PCI card... It connects to the motherboard, to a free slot. Meanwhile, if the user is not familiar with the computer device, then it is better not to buy this type of USB extension, because something can be damaged during installation. By the way, in the operating systems Windows 2000, ME, and XP there is a set of drivers that are necessary for self-tuning the system, as well as for working with the newly added USB ports.Another type of USB hub is a small device that connects to one of the USB ports on your computer. Typically, it has two to six additional ports. The point is that the devices that connect to the hub consume a lot of power. Due to this internal energy resource, the USB hub may not be enough for all devices that are connected at the same time. Such devices include scanners, printers, and digital cameras, for example. These hubs are usually very compact, so they are suitable for both laptops and stationary computers.
The third kind is active USB hub... It connects to an electrical outlet and a computer. It has additional four or more USB ports. There are even models with 49 and 80 ports. By powering the hub from the mains, several power-hungry devices can be used simultaneously. The active hub is often supplied with a long USB cable. This makes it easier to use USB devices and allows for free placement.
For a laptop, there is an alternative to a USB hub. It is a computer USB stick. It plugs into a port on the side of the laptop and provides 2 additional USB ports.
What to look for when buying a USB hub?
When buying an external USB hub, you need to consider how the USB ports existing in your computer are located. So, if they are located on the back of the system unit or in its other hard-to-reach part, then you can facilitate the use of the ports using an extension cable, which can be purchased both with a USB hub or separately. Due to this, there will be no binding to the location.
Note that manufacturers of USB hubs are trying to be sophisticated in the variety and originality of the design of hubs so that their use is not only useful, but also very pleasant.
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