Today there are more and more devices that connect to a computer via USB ports. These can be mice, keyboards, printers, external hard drives, flash drives, additional cooling fans and other necessary devices. In addition to such necessary equipment, the industry even produces coffee makers and lamps, powered by this port. All of this is great, but computers come with just a few USB inputs as standard. In the presence of a large number of such devices, a problem arises:
nowhere to turn on the next device. It’s good if one of the connected ones can be disconnected without damage to the work. And if this is not possible? It is necessary to increase the number of these ports. This can be done if you buy a USB hub. It is a small device, which usually has one input and several USB outputs. The number of such ports on one device can be from 2 to 90, but most often there are models with up to 10 inputs. Design, color and design are very diverse.
USB hubs can be of several types:
- A USB PCI card that connects to one of the connectors on the motherboard. To connect, open the system unit and insert this viewhub in a special socket. The operation requires, although not very significant, but certain skills and knowledge. If you do not have one, purchase a different type of device. In addition to installation difficulties, the USB PCI card is not very convenient to use: all inputs are located on the back of the system unit, which presents certain difficulties.
- Passive USB hub. As a rule, such models have from 2 to 6 inputs. Their application is quite limited: they cannot provide the simultaneous operation of several energy-intensive devices. Hubs of this type are commonly used on laptops.
- An active USB hub is simultaneously connected to the mains and to the computer. It can provide simultaneous connection and operation of a large number of devices (there are models with 90 inputs).
It is very important that when a USB hub is connected, the software and drivers are automatically installed to provide additional ports. After installation is complete, the system displays a ready-to-use message.
Sometimes when connecting multiple USB devices, difficulties arise due to very close ports. There are models on which the inputs are located on flexible wires, for example, the CH 170 USB Hub. This device also has a
mini USB input, which is also sometimes necessary to connect cameras, cameras and other equipment.
You have purchased a USB hub, connected, but there is a problem: where to put it. There are models that simply stand on a table or system unit, and there are devices that provide for mounting on a wall or any other vertical or horizontal surface.
In general, there are a lot of models. They differ in the number of ports, the type of their location, appearance, size, method of mounting, installation and, of course, price. In such a variety you will no doubt find what you want.