powerful usb hub for data transfer for mac

#Powerful usb hub for data transfer for mac how to#
#Powerful usb hub for data transfer for mac portable#
#Powerful usb hub for data transfer for mac mac#

In the middle-of-the-road scenario you’ll end up with a poorly wired, insulated, and protected device that could possibly lead to one or more of your expensive attached devices getting fried thanks to poor design and construction. In the best-case scenario, you’ll end up with a device that’s a knock-off in name but possibly built to similar specs (and maybe even at the same factory) as the brand name.

We’d strongly caution you against doing so. You can buy both desktop and laptop USB adapters for very cheap it’s easy to eBay a powered adapter for around $10 or less. Even small but high-quality laptop USB adapters run around $15 or so. The HooToo will run you around $40 and the LOFTEK will run you around $45.

#Powerful usb hub for data transfer for mac mac#

The two USB hubs we’re showcasing in this guide aren’t the most expensive on the market but they aren’t Big Mac meal cheap, either. Spend Cash Acquire Safetyīefore we delve into the features that are obvious (case design, number of ports, etc.) let’s talk about the most important feature that isn’t readily apparent to end user: internal construction and safety measures.

#Powerful usb hub for data transfer for mac how to#

You’ll learn how to pick a good USB hub for your own needs in the process. We’ve been quite pleased with both models but, rather than listing off all the reasons why first, let’s dig into the types of features a good USB hub has so you can understand exactly why we’re pleased with the USB hubs in question. In addition we’ll also be referencing a few other USB hubs which were unavailable for a photo session on account of being out and about in the field with other writers and staff members. For this guide we’ll be using the HooToo HT-UH010 7-Port USB 3.0 Hub and the LOFTEK 7-Port USB 3.0 Hub. Just like with the HTG to External Battery Packs, we’re showcasing devices we actually use and endorse. Let’s take a look at a few different USB hubs and use them to highlight why we would select different hubs for different applications as well as the benefits and shortcomings of each. Not only do you need to pay attention to features and specifications (despite how simple a USB hub might appear at first glance) you also need to be aware of the existing hardware on your computer (be it a desktop or laptop) in order to get the best performance out of your the hub. Just like power strips aren’t all created equal (you wouldn’t plug your $10,000 home theater system into a $5 no-name power strip from Wal-Mart, after all), all USB hubs aren’t created equal. A USB hub is to USB devices as a power strip is to electrical devices: you use a hub to split the capability of one USB port on your computer among many devices just as you use a power strip to split the electrical power from a single outlet in your home or office among multiple electrical devices. So where does that leave you, the over-deviced and under-ported computer user? In need of a USB hub. If you’re not familiar with USB hubs, don’t worry. One of our favorite ultra-slim notebooks we use for work-from-coffee-shop jaunts has a mere two ports. We all want super slim and super light laptops which leave little room for an armada of USB ports. As far as laptop users are concerned, well they can just forget it when it comes to an abundance or ports. Factor in the location of your physical computer relative to your workspace and it can quickly become impossible (because the ports are full) or inconvenient (because the computer is located under your desk) to plug in more devices. Even though you might reuse the same mini USB cable for a few devices, it’s all too easy to tie up a lot of USB ports rather quickly.

#Powerful usb hub for data transfer for mac portable#

It’s not unusual for a home user to have a USB-based keyboard, mouse, printer, scanner, and memory card readers, as well as charging/syncing cables for iPods, phones, e-book readers and other portable devices.

Although we’ve grown well beyond the days of desktop computers arriving equipped with only a few USB ports (it’s not uncommon for computers to now have 4-6+ on the back and 2-4 on the front of the case), most of us have also managed to acquire many USB-based devices.