A tangled web of wires lies dormant behind the computer. Your back stiffens as you creep down to look for an open USB port to connect your new USB modem. Make installation easier with a Belkin 4-port USB hub.
Add four USB devices to a single USB port; also additional hubs can be stacked for endless daisy-chaining expansion. Easily connects into your PC's USB port.
1 At Least I'm Not Alone
Seven months after installation, my Belkin 4-Port hub died. To judge by the reviews posted here, this happens far more often than it should. Windows XP informed me the Belkin hub had "mal-functioned," and if reconnecting it didn't work should "replace the device." So I did.
Hopefully, my new D-Link 4-port hub will last longer. At least the connections for the power and CPU are located on the back of the D-Link. For some unfathomable reason they're located on the front of the Belkin, so the cords were always pulling the box to the side.
2 This is the first time I've had to return an item
I'm always very skeptical of good reviews on products. There's almost no reason for someone to lie and say a product is bad, unless it's just bad, but I'm sure there are people out there working for companies that make a product or two and might like to help boost sales and profit by leaving great feedback on sites of major online retailers. Honestly, this is the first time I'll ever be returning anything I've purchased on here. I saw that there were quite a few bad reviews for this product but decided to take a chance anyway because of one reviewer saying it 'works great for mac'. and since belkins does make alot of good mac products I gave it a try. unfortunately I'm guessing it doesn't work for a PC or Mac seeing as, when I connected more than one usb device, a screen popped up saying that, there was not enough power to support the usb device. the funny thing is, the belkins USB 4-Port Hub has a power pack and still couldn't function supporting more than one USB device at a time. I thought who knows, it could be my computer but some USB devices like my iMic didn't even work at all, when connected to this product. so whats the use of having a USB hub if half the stuff you plug in won't work. I want to buy another one but Im not going to feel too happy if I just end up returning a more expensive one since alot of these hubs seem to have bad feedback. I love Amazon and their feedback system. I figure from now on I'll actually pay attention when theres 2 or 3 people saying a product doesn't work. (when theres about 20 people like in this case, I have no excuse if I purchase a product and it doesn't work.)
3 I forgot I had it hooked up.
This has been great for me. I got it over a year ago. I am running Win 98 so I can't respond to the XP problems people mentioned but I don't even notice its existence. I have never even hooked up the power. I run an optical mouse, Palm cradle, scanner, and USB powered speakers. I love it and told my dad to get one.
4 What made it quit working?
I wondered why my printer stopped working, why my Palm wouldn't connect, why my camera wouldn't connect. Finally narrowed it down to my Belkin USB hub. If it doesn't work nothing else does. Checked the reviews and they'r all bad. Belkin, you've had your last chance with me. Bye. Bye.
5 Bad Choice
IT's not USB 2.0, with the same amount of money you can buy a USB 2.0 Hub that will work better.
Not Recomended.
6 A world of trouble
Don't buy this! I used this on a Mac. It worked OK when I just had a couple of devices on it, but when I added a Wi-Fi USB adapter, it caused frequent computer crashes on startup, loss of Internet connection, and freezing of my mouse. I thought it was the adapter's fault, but after reading the reviews here, I bought a D-Link USB hub to replace it. Haven't had a problem since!
7 Worked fine, then died
This hub worked fine for over a year, and then stopped working completely (lights don't go on).
8 Avoid like the plague (or suffer a heartbreak)
I've had this hub for a while and it worked fine (even though the AC adapter was a little bit clunky). But recently I tried attaching an 802.11b receiver via the USB and the thing wouldn't work after 3 days of use - Windows reported it being an Unknown Device. Plugging into the back of my computer would still report the same problem - I figured the wireless adapter was faulty. But then...
The other day I plugged a trusty Sidewinder into the hub to play some old games. Tonight the same thing happened - Windows now refuses to recognize the gamepad I've used faithfully for years now. I am convinced this hub is the culprit. Spend a little more money to buy a hub whose quality you can really depend on!
Perhaps this was purely my own experience with a faulty hub, but I'd strongly recommend you consider another product - you may be putting your expensive electronics at unnecessary risk.
9 Intermittantly works
Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Most of the time, I have to cycle around through the ports, and then if I'm lucky it will recognize the device. Sometimes it even "drops out" part way through a transmission. Very frustrating. Belkin used to have a good reputation. I guess they can make more money selling junk nowadays.
10 Don't make my mistake!
I bought this relatively expensive hub because I needed something powered for my web camera; it was a mistake. The hub couldn't power the camera appropriately - it wasn't powerful enough. I ended up using it as an unpowered hub for my other devices, and putting the camera on a new USB PCI card (which actually cost about the same). It only worked properly for a few weeks before it mysteriously stopped working, one channel at a time. I tried to contact Belkin about the "warranty" but apparently they don't answer e-mail regarding this issue. I tossed it in the trash, a $...mistake, less than 3 months after buying it. Avoid it if possible.....
11 worked fine for a while until it randomly stopped
This worked fine for over a year (unpowered) and then one day it just stopped. It hasn't worked since. The LEDs don't even light up. I tried plugging it in (the adapter this comes with is huge and very heavy and unwieldy), but that didn't work either. I'm going to switch to a different brand and a powered hub. This is the only Belkin product I've ever had a bad experience with. I would definitely not buy another Belkin USB hub.
12 Inexpensive hub for non-powered devices
I've had this USB hub for about six months, and it has worked flawlessly so far, with one very notable flaw. Devices, which derive their power from USB, like some webcams, cameras, and scanners will not work with this device. So far, my webcam is the only thing that will not work with the hub. My mice, yoke, usb pedals, joystick, PDA/phone cradle, and anything else I have plugged in worked fine.
The AC power adapter is bulky, and not really needed considering this box doesn't act like a good self-powered USB hub anyway. I was able to disconnect power and it still works fine (and free up some space on my power strip).
13 Inadequate!
I bought this hub to use with my Dell Dimension 4100 desktop 18 months ago without doing much research. The installation was a breeze, my computer recognized it right away after I plugged in the AC adapter and connected to the available USB hub. But like some of the reviews I read, there is not enough power of this hub to work with my Cannon scanner which is not self powered, nor the Thurstmaster gamepad I just got. It does work well with my webcam, mouse, smartmedia card reader and digital camera. Still it is a pain to have to get around to the back of the case to unplug the scanner if I want to use the gamepad, or vice versa.
14 Didn't work
After plugging this unit in, I received a cryptic error message about "missing function drivers", and the unit simply didn't work (with or without AC -- the hub is designed to run either way). The online Belkin support did not help.
Thinking my computer might be the problem, I tried a linksys 4-port ac-powered usb hub, which worked immediately. I'd recommend staying away from this Belkin usb hub. (My computer is an IBM Thinkpad, running Windows 2000)
15 Only worked for a few weeks
Worked great for a few weeks, until I started getting warning windows telling me there wasn't enough power to supply the USB devices it was connected to. Of course, then I started reading other reviews saying the same thing. Next time I'm buying a USB hub with its own power supply. Even though this wasn't expensive, it wasn't worth the money.
16 Overpriced hunk of plastic
Doesn't provide enough power to run a scanner or camera from. Works no better than a ... unpowered hub.
17 Fine for low power users
I rated this a 2 star. It worked find for my camera at first. But then I got on the USB band wagon and started replacing my worn out serial port devices with USB and BAMM! The hub did not work. In fact I finished looking all over the Belkin site for some assistance. No drivers to help. I did learn reading the reviews that others were having the same problem. I "tried" to keep my scanner, printer, APC and CDRW drive working but it just hung up and stopped. Worked for a while. Might keep it for the kids computer. Look past this one, go for a better product if you want to connect items I listed above.
18 Works as promised.
Great design.
Runs well under XP and easily sits on a desk witout skidding or moving.
19 A breeze to setup, works great
I had to buy this hub to connect the increasing amount of peripherals and add-ons for my PC.
I use it with the following equipment:
Visioneer 5800 Scanner, Sidewinder joystick, Sony digital camcorder, Polaroid digital camera.
Installation was very easy, Windows XP recognized it immediately and only required a reboot to start using it. After that, I have not even taken a look at it, it works transparently.
Good purchase, recommended.
20 Has power supply, but not enough power!?
This hub comes with an external power supply, which in theory enables it to be used with peripherals requiring significant power (scanners, webcams, etc.); however, turns out that I could not use it to connect my webcam along with DSL modem and mouse, because the power was insufficient! Hard to believe, but true.
It is now sitting in the bottom of one of my drawers...
21 Works fine...just be careful in storms
I got this about a month ago. It worked perfectly fine right out of the packaging. My computer (running Win2k Pro) immediately recognized the unit and it took about one minute for the driver to install. I had my cable modem, printer, and smartmedia card reader attached to it in no time. Just be sure to unplug it when I storm comes through. I heard a pop from my living room during a rainstorm, and it turned out to be the unit getting fried by lightning or something. Luckily, I was able to exchange it for another and it is working just like before. I have learned my lesson. Overall, a good buy for your usb needs.
22 Reliable, economic usb hub
This is a great little usb hub. It is almost inevitable to not own a hub, with all of today's peripheral devices. I highly recommend this one. It is possible to run this either by bus power, supplied from the pc main board, or by an ac adapter. I am running mine by means of an ac adapter, although I find the adapter a little bulky itself. The greatest thing about this product is from the time you fire it up, you can virtually forget about it. I've had no problems, never had to reconnect and cables, nor have I had any problems with system shut downs/restarts.
23 MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR BUDGET
I'm returning this without a trial because of your restrictive policy on unopened items.After reading that on the shipping sheet I reviewed all other reviews of the product,enough of which cautioned against using it that I wouldn't risk it on my new IMac nor forfeit the return.
24 OK if you only need for self-powered devices
Works fine as a hub but beware, it only delivers 100MA to each port, and many USB devices need more power from the hub to "see" the connection, ie: my card reader for Compact Flash and Smart Media needs 500ma but my PDA needs nothing. So I had to go out and buy a more expensive hub that delivers more power and threw this one away, a shame.
25 Good unit BUT AC power is useless
Unit worked fine for self powered USB applications -- The power adapter will not maintain power to the hub -- even if it is left in a sturdy position and not touched. If youi can get by without ac power and use self power from your computer it is fine --- if not it's useless.
26 Looks like a keeper.
The prices of these devices have come down into a narrow competitive range, so it's well worth spending an extra 10 or twenty bucks on a unit that does its job. So far, the Belkin has outperformed my two previous hubs, to which I'll admit I was attracted on the basis of lowest price, rebate offers, etc. No crashes, no freezes, no need to unplug from the hub to the iMac--it's become an "invisible" factor, which is what a well-designed, well-manufactured hub should be.
Only two cautions: the power supply is bulky, so be prepared for an extra power strip or some reconfiguration of your electrical connections. Also, the electrical and USB inputs on the unit do not permit a snug, "lock-in" fit of cables attached to it. Knowing this might help you remember not to force the connecting plugs and possibly damage the unit.
27 works exactly as advertised
After reading a couple of lukewarm reviews, I was a little concerned about this product. However, five minutes after unpacking it I was set. It works exactly as advertised and I have not experienced any of the problems other reviewers reported.
28 Works GREAT on a MAC
I'm using these on several IMAC's, a biege G/3, a B&W G/3, and a G/4 with no problems at all.
I would bu again for a Mac without a second thought.
29 Works better than Linksys
I ordered this one after I found out that my linksys hubs don't work with my new desktop. This hub does!
30 Avoid! (especially Windows XP users)
Buying this hub could be the worst thing you ever do to your computer. I run Windows XP, and it warned me that this hub is not Windows XP certified. Fine by me, since most hardware isn't, but works just fine.
Everything was going fine until I tried plugging in USB peripherals. None of them worked, including my Logitech Quickcam, Epson C80 printer, and Handspring Visor cradle.
Later that night, it was driver conflict hell. Before long, I lost my entire Windows XP install due to repeated appearances of the Blue Screen of Death (yep, it does exist in Windows XP after all).
Needless to say, I will never buy another Belkin product again, if I can help it.
31 works great
So far, so good. A very simple device, easy to use and works great. I read the other reviews, and was somewhat worried when I bought it. I've owned other Belkin equipment and had yet to be dissapointed. My power connection is snug and have had no problems. My computer desk is crowded and I like the fact that it is small and light. I can put it anywhere.
32 So Far, So Good
Seems like other users had problems with this system. As for me, everything worked great. Hooked-up a game pad, a Wacom drawing pad pen/mouse system and everything works fine. The setup was painless and straight forward. I didn't even need to use the AC power. By the way, the mouse works great. It was smooth and accurate unlike the other reviews. To me the cable does not slip out of the hub as others reported. Just a straight forward device that does the job as advertized (for me).
33 No Problems Here
I have had this usb hub for over 6 months and have not had and problems or issues the other reviewers have encountered, but I dont have mine in the middle of my desk to get knocked off either nor has the power adapter disconnected from the hub. I give the hub a 5 for being so easy to hook up and trouble free.
34 Bad Bad Bad USB Hub
This thing...! I've had it for 6 months for use with my laptop. Everthing works fine when power adapter stays connected, but, as another review mentioned - it rarely does. It's Belkin's "economy" model and it shows. At least you would hope that the power cable would actually make contact. Unfortunately, I don't have an alternative to recommend.
35 Works well, too light
The product works great, looks nice, but it's simply too darn light to stay in place on its own.
36 Works Fine, But Poor Performance For Price
I am pleased to say that I have never had an issue with the hub malfunctioning. I plugged it in and it detected and installed immediately, just as it should have. For more (money) though, I would buy a different brand. Its poor quality is apparent from the time you open the box. I was immediately disappointed as I would expect this simple device to be far more impressive for the money. Most notably, the power adapter tends to jiggle free from its socket in the hub very easily. I have it sitting on my desk, and it seems that whenever it gets slightly disturbed the plug falls out and my devices go dead. Fixed that problem with some tape but a pain in the arse nevertheless. Also, it is extremely light and gets flung around and off my desk like a Cheeto at a fat camp. There goes the power again. Very irritating. It does what it's supposed to do, but not well.
37 it did not function
I bought this unit to connect my growing array of usb peripherals. the AC adapter fit just fine, unlike previous reviews. but whatever i plugged into the unit could not be seen by my computer. The unit is supposed to work with the windows ME usb root hub drivers installed with the OS and therefore no specific drivers are needed for the unit, but it did not work out that way. and no drivers are supplied at all on the manufacturers website as a "just in case". so save yourself trouble and buy a different brand.
38 Self-power cable doesn't plug in physically to this hub.
I echo the previous reviewer that the power cable did not attach to the hub physically.
Not having the self-powered feature from a usb port was not an option for me,
because I didn't want to take the chance of overloading the power demand on my notebook
by attaching many devices at the same time. (4 usb devices and 2 non-usb add-on's)
I'll return this one and buy other manufacurer's USB hub.
39 Printing Problems.
Bought one of these hubs. Ran into problems immediately when attempting to print large files of photographs. Would only get a small part of the photo printed. Thought is was the printer or a buffer size problem. After getting a USB error I decided to by-pass the hub and plug the printer directly into the computers USB port. That worked great. Took the hub back to get a replacement. The replacement had the same problem. So now I by-pass the hub anytime I want to print anything as I may or may not get a complete printout no matter the size of the print file.
40 NOT for self-powered use
I bought two of these Belkin USB hubs due to the number of peripherals I bought with my new computer. Almost all of the peripherals required a self-powered hub, but the AC adapter did not fit properly and worked itself loose on BOTH hubs within several days. The hubs work great on bus power (which does not require the AC adapter), but these are unreliable for sefl-powered (AC) use.
41 Easy as Pie
I opened the package, plugged the hub into my computer and into the AC outlet, and it worked! As easy as that - no software to load, no books to read, no networking jargon to learn. All products should be this easy to use. If I had a complaint at all, it would be that the data cable that comes with the hub, used to connect the hub to the USB port on the PC, is less than 18 inches long. In my case, I took the new 6' cable I had purchased with my printer and used it to connect the hub, placing the hub next to the printer so that I could then use the short cable between the hub and the printer. USB is indeed a great option and this hub makes it possible to operate my digital camera and both my printers from a single USB port.
