Linksys (USBHUB4C) HUB 4-PORT USB TYPE A
Specially designed for PCs equipped with a USB port, the Proconnect compact USB four-port hub from Linksys offers instant connectivity for up to four USB devices. Plug in peripherals like digital cameras, Ethernet adapters, modems, printers, mice, keyboards, scanners, and portable data storage devices in seconds.
Ready to run, right out of the box, this compact USB four-port hub makes high-speed, low-cost expansion a snap. The hub allows four USB devices to be configured and ready for use as soon as you plug them in. Equipped with advanced hot-swap technology, the hub even lets you attach or detach USB devices while your computer is on, making it possible to switch devices on the fly!
The Linksys Proconnect compact USB four-port hub offers data transfer rates of up to 12 Mbps, which makes it perfect for speed-hungry multimedia, gaming, and Ethernet networking applications. For added expandability, you can daisy chain the hub to additional USB hubs. Use up to 127 USB devices at the same time.
1 Good for a laptop
For the price, this hub is a steal.
I've got a Dell laptop, so I've only got 2 USB ports to work with. This device is good for expanding a little bit, but you can't go overboard: the hub isn't powered. So far, I've had no problems with a printer/scanner/copier, optical mouse, and USB memory key all plugged in at the same time.
Just think about what you're jacking into it before you buy it.
2 Linksys USBHUB4C ProConnect Compact USB 4-Port Hub
I recieved the Linksys USBHUB4C ProConnect Compact USB 4-Port Hub exactly when I was told it would arrive. Great and quick service for Amazon.com,and the product was what I was looking for and at a good price too. I would buy from Amazon.com again. They have my business.
3 Wonderful
I love this little hub. When I sit at my desk with my laptop, I can connect my printer, usb mouse, scanner, and digital voice recorder cradle in one easy step. I was worried aout not having sufficient power through the usb based on reviews, but this has not been a problem. I have had it around 4 months and it works wonderfully. I've also used it on my desktop to make swapping the above mentioned devices between computers.
4 Great little hub for the price!
I bought this little guy so I could plug my Palm Tungsten T2 and 128 Megabyte Flash Drive on my DELL L400's single USB port. Works great! I did not have to install an external power supply for the Linksys four port hub. The cost/benefit ratio and quality is excellent. That is why I give it five stars.
5 Really reliable usb hub
This has got to be one of the best purchases I have ever made for my laptop. I have a t22 thinkpad and as anyone would know, 1 usb port in this modern world is like a horse and carriage in formula one! I got myself this hub since I had several usb device to use. These include my printer, my pocket pc, usb drives, bluetooth adapter and so on. This hub worked right out the box. It 'plugged and played' very well and I had no conflicting issues. Files transferred in a seamless manner albeit USB 1.1,there wasn't too much of a noticeable effect. Additionally, the conection cord is very short and unlike other USB hubs it is very, very convenient and confortable to take along with you. This feature also alows you to manage the cords better.
If feels sturdy and it has a nice colour.
Great buy.
6 USB 1.1--NOT 2.0
For those to whom it matters, note that these will be USB 1.1 connections, not the (much faster) USB 2.0 even if you plug this device into a 2.0 compatible port.
7 Great device, no problems at all!
This is a sleek little thing for the $13 I paid for it. I had absolutely no problem with the power issue that others have mentioned. I was able to connect a digital camera, as well as a USB 128 MB Flash memory from PNY technologies quite easily. My Windows ME laptop picked it both the items up rightaway, and both the items showed up as separate "drives" under "My Computer". I did not need any separate 'power adapter'. Despite the warnings about the power issue, I took a $13 risk, and it paid off!
8 Very useful
Very handy and efficient. Its very compact and just right for a laptop and easily portable.
9 A solution for the Power Supply Issue.
I have had a wonderful experience with this product!
The experience I had was, even though I could not buy online the power supply, I found that I simply needed to call up the Sales Department for Linksys (1-800-LINKSYS[546-5797] PRESS #1 when you get to the menu prompts). I explained that I needed the power supply for this item and I mentioned the Part Number - USBHUB4CP - and the cost, with free shipping, was just under $13. So, I do not see what the big deal some people are making about this problem. I, also, just wanted to let people know that there is an easy solution to this problem.
10 Does not support USB 2.0
Most computers have USB 2.0 port which is a much higher speed transfer. If you buy this you will be limited to a much lower speed. Buy a hub that supports USB 2.0 unless you have an older computer that does not have a USB 2.0 port.
11 Excellent USB Hub for the value
My Comp: Dell P4 Laptop running WinXP Pro
My USB Equip: Webcam, Printer, Mouse, External HD, Digital Camera
Received it two months ago and never experienced any power difficulties. I have all 5 Equip. connected to the laptop and it runs perfectly fine. It is plug and play and hot swappable. I bought it at $11 and it saves me at least 10 minutes per day swapping USB cables around. Totally worth it if you need additional USB ports.
It is true that the cable is extremely short. For PC users, you will either have to accept it or find a way around it. I am a laptop user so it doesn't bother me at all.
12 A pretty good hub
I bought this hub because I only have 2 usb ports on my desktop. After purchasing this item, I was able to plug all of my hardwares (printer, mouse, webcam, and my jump drive) without having to plug and unplug them all the time. I would highly recommand this item for anyone who has the same problem. Some complained about the power problem of this item, but having been using it for a month now, I have not encounter this problem, afterall I don't think it would take up too much power because the hub is only about half the size of a hand. The only problem I found with this item has is that the cord is too short, it is only about 5 inches long. I had to put the hub to the side of the tower and tape it there with velcro. But overall, I think this hub is worth the $10 if you don't have enough usb ports like me.
13 It works
It works, all four USB ports, it is USB 1.1 only, but hey, for the price, who cares. Linksys doesn't make mention of the power supply specs, but it's good to attach most things- printers, mouse/keyboard, etc. The cord is a little short, but that does reduce the desktop clutter. In short, this is one very cheap four port hub that works.
14 Plug and play USB port hub
From out of the box, directly into my laptop - this is convenience! I have no complaints and I highly recommend this product - especially at such a great price point. This little port hub takes very little space, and because it's so small I can bring it with me when I'm on the road.
15 Perfect for my laptop
Before purchasing, I read the many reviews and noted how many folks were upset that they couldn't find an external power supply(!). This should not be looked upon as a full-blown hub for connectivity of a bazillion devices. Even though it's self-powered, I've never had a problem with the lack of a power supply. I feel that it's a great little convenience item that makes laptop computing that much more bearable. The device indeed does have a very short cord. This is actually a good attribute, if used as the item was designed. It's perfect for a laptop or a USB port on the front of a tower case. Because I lug my laptop to work and home each night, I just keep the hub connected to the cable of my optical mouse. That way I can connect the mouse, a camera or memory key (or all) at any time. I also do a lot of traveling and find it's small enough to use on a plane.
16 Works OK
A neat device with little functionality, firstly i would not recommend to use it with power hungry usb devices, having more than one device attached at the same time will be a problem. Secondly, the ports are so close if you are lucky you will get 4 devices in at the same time.
17 awful-- don't buy
I bought this because the USB ports on my laptop are right on top of each other. I'm sure it seemed like a good idea at the time, however they are so close together, I can't have both ports filled at the same time. No device I've plugged into it works properly.
My wireless mouse works at about 20% its normal responsivenes. My USB key does is not recognized when I plug it in. Don't bother.
18 Good luck finding a power supply if you need one!
When I started having more USB devices than ports, I decided that this little hub would be just the ticket to keep everything running and happy. It did that, until I found out what many other revewers found out: this item does not come with a power supply.
Now, in many cases, this is in no way problematic. Many external devices like printers, mice, digital cameras, etc. can use either the minimal power supplied through the hub from the PC or their own power supply to operate. If you get power-hungry devices, however, you run into problems. There are some devices that require a full-power connection from the PC, not the split-down version that this offers. In that case, this item is completely useless.
When this happened, I noticed that it apparently supported a power supply, so I tried to find one both in stores and online. I could not find one ANYWHERE. I tried direct from Linksys and using just about every other online sales site I could think of. Apparently they decided not to make one. In addition to that, I found that between the product, the packaging, and the manual not a SINGLE ONE listed the voltage and amperage requirements of the device so that I could buy a 3rd party power supply.
Finally I just gave up and bought a 4-port powered desktop hub. I gave this thing to my roommate.
In short: if you have a desktop, I HIGHLY recommend spending a few extra dollars and get a powered USB hub. If you're using a laptop, this is about ideal if you're running out of space.
19 Very good USB hub
This 4-port Hub has given me no problems. NO software is even needed, just plug and play. I highly recommend it!
20 Though categorized as USB 2.0, it's not.
Good USB hub -- no problems. However, even though it is categorized under the 2.0 hubs, it's not. (I should have read the description a little closer -- "Fast 12 Mbps data transfer rate").
21 A nice compact 4-port hub
I recently added a wireless keyboard/mouse unit and needed an extra USB port. I purchased this unit after doing a fair amount of research at CompUSA, BestBuy, CircuitCity, Radio Shack, and numerous online areas. I found the best price here and I trusted the Linksys name. It arrived sooner than I expected so go with the free shipping. The unit snuggly plugs into the USB port and doesn't require additional support. It worked fine for me in the non-powered mode (kinda wish it shipped with power but I don't need it) and the scanner, printer, keyboard/mouse, etc. all seem to work fine.
22 Perfect hub for *LAPTOPS* equipped with one USB port!
My laptop came equipped with only one USB port. And, for the past couple of years, I have been swapping wires in and out of that port in order to use my external CD burner, PDA cradle, and digital camera. Concerned that I was putting my only USB port through unnecessary "wear-and-tear", I began to shop for a USB hub.
This particular Linksys hub is perhaps the best thing I have ever purchased for my LAPTOP computer! With it, it's as though my computer has four brand new USB ports, which can operate simultaneously!
NOTE: I absolutely wouldn't recommend the hub for a desktop or a tower-style system; if you read one of the preceding reviews (titled "The hub works, but..."), you'll understand why.
Nevertheless, this hub successfully allows me to download digital pictures, use my CD burner, and synchronize my PDA... all at the same time, with no glitches at all!
[I should also mention that none of my USB devices draw power from my computer's USB port. As long as you don't have any devices that require power *from* the USB port, you won't need the optional adapter that can give supplemental power to the hub. (If you do have a USB device that draws power from your computer's USB port, you will need to also purchase the optional adapter.)]
One final thing.. this hub is designed for USB ports that are 1.0 or 1.1. Be sure to check your USB devices for compliance before purchasing this hub.
Otherwise, you can't go wrong with this hub! It's truly amazing!
23 Hey -- it works !! (w/my iBook)
Description didn't speak to Mac's, but took a chance and
it works w/all the periph's on my iBook 600 [running 9.2].
Good Luck.
24 Great for travel!
Small and compact, unobtrusive and great for travel. Mine stays anchored on my desk so I just plug in when I bring the laptop to work.
25 One's man's ceiling is another man's floor
The warnings may be justified, but this device delivers exactly what I wanted. The short cord is ideal for my laptop setup. The lack of separate power is an asset, since all my USB devices (mouse, keyboard, printer, camera) can draw power from the USB connection itself. That means no additional power cord to snake through to an outlet. My desk appreciates the small form-factor. And of course it delivers the primary benefit of a hub: the necessity of unplugging just a single connection to get the laptop on the road.
I do wish Linksys would market an identical-format hub with USB 2.0 speed.
26 It works but you need a USBHUB adapter that doesn't exist
Depending on the usb device that you plan to plus into this adapter, you might need an external power supply for the 4-Port Hub, which I can't find anywhere on-line.
27 Excellent buy
I am very please with my order, the price was right and it was carefully packaged. I am happy with it.
28 GREAT LITTLE DEVICE
After searching, I found that this hub is what I need. It doesn't need a power supply. My Scaner which gets its power from the PC , works great. all my other devices that use USB works great too. It has a little power on light. This hub is small but works as it should. I recommend it to everyone. The size of the cord is not a problem, It is as if your computer had four more ports at the back. I think you could not find another hub at this price.
PEACE.
29 underwhelmed...
It has a really short cord - but more annoying is the fact that the on-line description said it was USB 2.0, but upon delivery the package and booklet say it's USB 1.0 and 1.1 - nothing about 2.0.
30 every one needs one or two of these
In today's world, so many of the add-ons for computers are the easy plug and play USB capabilities. I have a scanner, printer, camera, DSL modem, list goes on and on...some of my computers have 4 USB ports, but 2 have only 2 slots. It is a pain to wait to close it on your computers, then unplug, then plug...over and over again, when forced the switch them around. I almost bought this on open market and it was FOUR TIMES this price, so I bought two. This is such a time saver and such a great amazon price.
Believe me you won't regret having not to fuss with the USB port shuffle. Great price, too.
31 Oldie but Goodie
This is a nice piece of equipment that will promply improve the organization in your desk with three more USB connections for your peripherals.
Installing it couldn't be any easier, just hook it up and go.
One draw be is that this is a 1.0 USB compliant connector. You might want to consider the new 2.0 standard for faster speeds, and more value for your buck.
32 The hub works, but...
Like some reviews say, "You just plug it in and it works." Well that's a good start; that's what USB is supposed to do. But before you spent the money to buy this hub, consider the downsides.
1. Unfortunately the USB cord is about five or six inches long. On my computer and many others that means that the hub is just hanging precariously of the back of the tower.
2. Second, the hub is not compact. Its rectangular clunky design may take up a lot of very valuable area (especially since it may be hanging off the back of your desktop).
3. Thirdly, and probably most frustrating for me: no power cord included! I've purchased Belkin hubs in the past. They are all powered so that they work with powered devices. Unforturnately, Linksys says that you may purchase one of these separately. But when I call Linksys technical support they say, "Oh we're sorry, we don't support that product anymore," and everywhere I've read says that the cord is no longer available for purchase. Maybe I'll have to do ebay.
BUT this may be the hub for if:
1. You don't mind the short cord (ie if you're using it for a laptop or if your tower setup is condusive to a hub with very short wires)
2. You don't mind the awkward shape.
3. You don't use any USB powered devices.
The hub is definately inexpensive and it works well. Unfortunately, for me, the drawbacks made this an bad purchase.
33 I just plugged it in, and it worked fine!
So, you only have one or two USB ports on your computer? Fine, buy this hub. I just plugged it in, and it worked fine!
34 This little hub rocks...
This USB HUB has saved me lots of time and aggravation. Can't be easier to install, no quirks, 4 ports, works like a dream. Ok, it could be a little lighter, but if you tie it to another cord in the back of your computer, problem solved.
35 Perfect little USB hub!
It doesn't get any easier than this!
I had 2 ports on the PC and my new printer needed a 3rd. I unplugged the 2 cables from the PC, plugged in the hub and plugged the 3 cables into the hub.
In 30 seconds I was printing.
36 Do you know why there's a 78% off???
Only works for USB1.1 so if you have USB2.0 devices you are at a disadvantage. There's no power adapter provided along with the device and its hard to purchase it separately. I was susprised to see that Amazon, which is well know for its detailed description of products, did not inform anything about the adapter or the USB type.
Apart from these two disadvantages this is a very good buy for the price. With most of the systems being plug-and-play compatible installation is quite easy. This will be especially useful for older computers with limited number of USB outlets and allows for easy expansion. I believe one can connect upto 127 devices in daisy chain... hmmm... what would those 127 devices be?
37 Great!
This is a big help if you use a lot of peripherals. Just make sure you have enough memory to support them all!
38 Great hub by a great company but...
This Hub was worked out excellently for me on some devices. I get an excellent transfer rate and haven't had any problems with the device despite constant use. HOWEVER, many devices that require power will not work using this hub. For example, I have a USB TV Card that requires significant current which will not function. I've had to plug it into my Belkin powered hub. Also, my scanner is unable to function on this hub, but functions readily on a powered hub (I don't know why this would be but it is true). But the price is unbeatable. So if you just need extra USB connections for devices that do not need significant power from the USB port, this is your device. If not, you may want to hold off and search out a discounted powered hub.
NOTE: I have often seen powered hubs pop up in my Gold Box (upper right hand corner of the screen). Some of these have been excellent deals. If you aren't in a hurry you may want to check your gold box periodically along with surfing through the rest of Amazon's hub selections.
39 Good, compact solution
This is a great compact USB hub for basically any use you can imagine. Whether it's for a lap top where you cannot afford to carry around a clunky piece of equipment, or for a desktop where space is a commodity, this product will do the trick. The fact that, with most USB devices, it does not require a third-party power-source--works right off of that one USB port. But, if you need that extra power, you can buy an AC adapter that plugs right into the hub.
One drawback though: it does not support the faster USB 2.0 which more and more new devices offer. Keep in mind, though; if your motherboard does not support USB 2.0, you won't benefit from it anyway.
40 Quit Complaining...
All the other reviewers are harping on the lack of power supply and lack of extension cables. I applaud Linksys for providing a GREAT PRICE by excluding often uncessary parts such as the power adapter and a long cord.
If you want a longer cord, buy one for less than $$ and quit complaining. If you want a DC adapter they are insanely cheap. The only key is to know that it takes a 5v 2.4A adapter, and you can purchase these for under $.
For users who aren't running power hungry devices or don't need a 10 foot cable, this device is perfect.
For users who do need a power adapter or a longer cable, it is still a nice hub, it will just require a few additional parts.
41 A champ
Works great, no hassle, compact design. Worked immediately with XP. Has held up very well.
42 Worked well at first, not working well now
At first this item worked well. However, after a couple of months it started disconnecting my USB devices from my computer and then reconnecting them -- my computer would think that I had unplugged the peripherals and replugged them, although I hadn't touched them at all. This would happen at random moments and when I had not moved or touched the computer, peripherals, and cords at all. Just a note, I used all 3 or 4 ports on the hub at a time when this occured. Maybe mine is defective, but I can see why I got it for so cheap.
43 It works, sort of
I use this product with my laptop which only has one USB port. I have a variety of USB hardware items that I connect to it including a Microsoft Optical mouse, a burner, printer, and a palm handheld. I have a problem with it turning off and on. I often lose the ability to use my mouse because it runs out of power. This is simply because the mouse is drawing power from the USB port, and so are the other hardware items connected to it, which turns out to be too much for it to handle.
I would recomend buying a hub with a power adapter. You can buy a power adapter for this, but it's not really worth it.
44 Works great for me... but....
I use Linksys USB hub on my Dell 4150 laptop that comes with only one USB port. Instead of switching from mouse to CF card reader to scanner, I can use all of them at the same time.
However, before you make the purchase, you may need to consider the following:
1)The hub does not come with the optional power supply. Some reviewers have said that you might need it for power hungry products. I use a Canon scanner without any other means of power and it works fine. So you need to judge for yourself.
2)This hub will not provide an easier access to the ports on the back of your computer because the cable is only 5" long. It works great for laptop users and people with front USB port access. If you need to climb to the back of your desktop and knock down everything on your way to access your USB port, please get an extension cable also.
45 5 stars?
I only gave it a 4 stars because it does its job and does it well. What else is it suppose to do? Its not great, but a very good item if you need it.
46 Great little hub
Works perfectly. I put this on the end of a 10ft USB extension cable, so I can have my printer etc. in another room. Works flawlessly.
47 Trouble Free
I have two of these hubs (I know - should stop buying USB accessories) and both are working 100% with all different types of peripherals (Logitech Webcam, Palm Pilot, Madplayer, Motorola Phone, Kodak Camera, Raildriver, Mouse, ...)
48 Trouble Free
I have two of these hubs (I know - should stop buying USB accessories) and both are working 100% with all different types of peripherals (Logitech Webcam, Palm Pilot, Madplayer, Motorola Phone, Kodak Camera, Raildriver, Mouse, ...)
49 perfect!
Its great with laptops. I can put all my USB devices on it and not have to plug and unplug everytime i take my laptop out of my home. The short cord is nice as it keeps your desk clean and wire-free!
Beware: the power adapter doesn't come with the hub. I haven't needed it so it has worked well for me. I always keep my laptop on AC power so its not a problem. I had read that if on battery the hub could use up a lot of battery power. (not sure about it though)
50 Nice Hub
This is a very good, very simple to use USB hub. It is a USB 1.0 or 1.1 only, so it is pretty cheap. The cord is not too long and not too short, just as long as it is in the picture.
51 Worth the money
There isn't much about this really.
Bottomline - it is trouble free, easy to install, useful for people who have multiple devices to plug in using USB, I have a PALM, MP3 player, mouse, Micro vault storing device and all four can be plugged in at the same time.
As far as speed is concerned, I have not had any problems and cannot determine whether transfer speeds are compromised if all 4 hubs are being used at the same time.
Go for it without hesitation.
52 I wouldn't get this
I don't know Linksys' definition of compact, but this is a disappointment. It's clunky, the cord is too short and for about $ you can buy a usb hub that actually sends power to your usb devices, this doesn't.
i'm still using it, but have purchased a targa version which is much smaller, and provides power to my usb devices. for about $ more.
53 Extension Cord is too short
I just got this order and try it. I mainly want to use it to hook up a bunch of USB stuff such as Memory Keys in my notebook, which require not a lot of power. This product is Good. With a 250 MB zip driver and several USB memory key, it ran well.
However, my Toshiba notebook puts all of the USB head in the back. Thus, for such a USB hub with such a short extention cord, it is really inconvenient for me.
My suggestion is: for those person with USB jack behind the computer, this is not a good choice.
54 Fat and Clunky for "Compact", No USB Extension Included.
This has to be the fattest "compact" USB adapter I have ever seen. I've had USB hubs that were a 1/4 of the USBHUB4C's size, and got the job done well. AND, those other hubs were FREE after mail-in rebate....
It would have been nice if Linksys included an USB "A" extension cable with the USBHUB4C, since the cable itself is only about 5" long. It doesn't really benefit desktop users to have a short, stubby USB hub hanging off the back of the computer. If you have an extension cable, use it.
For some reason, the DC power adapter, USBHUB4CP, that you supposedly can purchase separately to turn this USBHUB4C into a powered USB hub, doesn't exist anymore on the web.... So don't count on this hub for any USB device that draws power from the computer itself, unless you can figure out the DC rating for this hub.
55 Works great on laptop.
I purchased this for a use with my laptop, USB version 1, Windows XP Home. It's working great with a scanner, ZIP Drive, mouse and camera download. All but the camera download are USB powered devices AND I AM NOT USING THE 'OPTIONAL' power supply.
Note: Not all USB cables are the same, the first one I tryed (grabbed it out of my pile of cables) didn't make a good connection (flickering ZIP Drive light). Using the correct cable fixed the problem.
56 Works great!
This is a time saver, Now I can plug all my peripherals into my lap top, at the same time, and not have to unplug re plug all the time. Also I can use my peripherals at the same time as well. It works great, and I recommend it.
57 Killed the PC
To my great surprise, something as simple as this external 4-port USB hub managed to lock up my PC every time I started the computer with the hub attached. A look at the Windows Task List showed that MSGSRV32 was "not responding", and had to be killed before the PC would respond again. This was on a Gateway 2000 Performance P4-1700, running under Windows ME.
58 Excellent Buy
If you really need a USB hub then this one will do it for ya. I bought it, I have used it at work, at home, on my laptop, etc. Because it is a usb device it works with PC's and Macintosh's alike. It is small and fits neatly into a purse, or a laptop case. It is your basic hub that does what it is supposed to do: give you more options when dealing with multiple devices. You can't beat the price and it is a Linksys - which means Quality.
I can happily recommend this product.
59 Obsolete product.
This is USB 1.0
Devices (like printers) sold today require USB 2.0.
60 Doesn't work
I tried to use the USB hub by Linksys and when I did the screen would freeze or my track ball or
keyboard would not work properly. They work fine when disconnected from hub. I am using with
Windows XP Professional on a Dell laptop. I called Linksys and was on hold for 25 minutes. I hung up.
Again I called and was on hold for 15 minutes then when they transferred me I was disconnected.
61 A USB port is a USB port
Works great, just as you'd expect from Linksys.
62 Cheap,good hardware piece for your USB troubles
A good piece works without AC/DC cord. You can plug cheaply all the gadgets you need. Easy driver less installation under Win XP.
63 Cheap,good hardware piece for your USB troubles
A good piece works without AC/DC cord. You can plug cheaply all the gadgets you need. Easy driver less installation under Win XP.
64 LINKSYS USB 4 PORT HUB
WORKS GREAT , LOVE IT, NO HASSLE .
65 A real pleasure!
This is awesome. I was having such problems before between my printer and burner my computer could NEVER read the right equipment. This took like no time to hook up and I have not had 1 problem. Everything reads perfectly! Wish I would have bought it a year ago. I now have my prinet, cd burner and my PDA cradle hooked up, what a pleasure!
I have not tried to use more than 1 at a time so I can't say how well that works. Just to have all the cords in the back and not hanging out of the front of the tower is worth the money.
66 nice and compact, but you might end up needing power
it's the perfect size if you need the ports for USB 1.0. be warned, however, that there's a tiny power input jack in the side (you can almost see it in the photo -- the little cutout on the left in the blue), but it doesn't come with a power adapter or any information about what to use. i use an optical mouse, a keyboard, and a webcam without problem, yet i've heard many usb devices need powered USB and there's clearly a jack, so i thought i should mention it.
67 NIce and Easy
Easy installation. Good product. Perfect for digital cameras and the like. Need powered hub for items that draw power from USB port. Impressed for the price. Much cheaper and less time consuming than buying another USB card.
68 Works flawlessly with Windows 2000 and XP
I can plug devices in and out at will and it works flawlessly.
69 Works for what it is..
It's a great non-powered USB hub. BEWARE if you are going to plug 4 power draining devices into it - it only has the power (100mA?) of on USB port, so if your optical mouse and scanner and camera all pull power it's not going to work!
Would be nice if Linksys would give us the power adapter as an option since the plug in is on the side, but they don't. :-(
70 can't find more affordable than this!!
this is the most inexpensive and most affordable 4-port USB hub available , but believe me, it's very good and offers same and perfect quality , and also, it detected all USB devices on its own....the only drawback is a very short cable, but overall quality and affordability make it a worth buyiing USB hub...
71 glenjwc23
I believe this item was designed with laptops in mind. I am using it with a DELL 4100 Tower PC. I have the Linksys Hub connected in the back of my PC via a 6 foot Belkin F3U133-06 USB Device Cable. This allows me to place this hub on top of my PC (under the desk) or hang it from a hook above my desk for easy access. I give it 4 stars instead of 5 because the cable end is too short for easy access when being used on a tower PC (or any full sized PC) under a desk.
72 Reduce the clutter behind your desktop computer.
I recently replaced my powered 4 port hub with this compact unit from Linksys. I was amazed by how much this simple change reduced the clutter behind my desktop computer.
My previous 4 port unit had its own power supply (a brick-shaped AC adapter). But the messiness caused by the hub was exacerbated by 1) the lengthy cable which ran to it, and by 2) the need to route all of the other cables (much further) to reach it.
With the Linksys hub, everthing is much more tidy. All of the cables flow neatly out from behind my CPU (as nature had originally intended), and the clutter behind my computer has been greatly reduced.
Since all of my USB devices have their own power supplies, (scanner, printers and Palm cradle), the unpowered feature of this Linksys hub was not a problem.
I had originally purchased this item assuming that I would use it on-the-road with my laptop PC. You could imagine my surprise when I ended up using it with my deskptop computer -- to make my house look more attractive! I highly recommend it.
73 Plug in and go!
I don't have any problems with this. I took it out of the box, plugged it into my computer and then plugged in my cable connection, an MP3 player, and digital camera. Everything works just like they did before, except now I don't have to unplug one thing to use another. I use WindowsME...if that makes a difference. :)
74 It simply doesn't perform as it should
It looks nice and is handy but it simply cannot handle two different devices working at the same time!
75 It's an unpowered hub
Since this hub draws power frm the computer bus, it will be sharing the 500 mhz of one USB power over the 4 ports it allows. On high-power devices such as scanners, printers, cameras, video capture, etc... this hub will not be able to support multiple devices of this kind.
It's fine for USB input devices (mice, keyboards, joysticks, etc). Nive form factor and price.
76 The trick with compaqs & Win 98
After 2 calls to tech support & 8 hours at the keyboard, I finally figured this out myself. There seems to be a problem with Compaq & Win 98. It finds the driver for the new device on the harddrive, but can't load it. The trick is to check the box that say's "Skip the file". It finished loading & now recognizes the device. Still not perfect...it runs my printer & DSL line, but when I add a 3rd device, e.g. a scanner, it knocks the DSL line off. It shouldn't be a power problem. I think all 3 devices have their own power. My solution. Give this hub to someone with a different computer & newer version of Windows & get a Belkin F5U021 4-port hub with optional power adapter included for a few $$ more. It was the same trick with clicking "Skip the file" to get it up & running, but it does run 4 devices at a time, including the DSL line.
77 DOESN'T WORK- DON'T BUY
This sounded like a wonderful product to enable me to use more than 1 USB device at once on my Compaq Presario 1650 laptop running Win 98. WRONG!! Neither my DSL line or Lexmark printer will run through the hub. Either one runs directly through the USB port on the computer. A call to Linksys technical assistance didn't help. They said no drivers were available and suggested I buy the USB100 model since it has drivers. It would have been worth $15 more to do this initially, if indeed it would work, rather than go through the hassle with this one. I'd say "false advertising" regarding the "plug & play" feature & ability to work with Win '98.
78 Cheap. But there is a CATCH!
I would recommend that if you are considering this product, you spend the extra [$] and get powered Linksys USB 4-Port Hub (ASIN: B00004Z6PI) instead.
What does not appear on Amazon's description, but appears on the back of the packaging is a warning from Linksys that this product may not work with USB devices that draw power through the connection, unless you buy an optional AC adapter add-on ...
You see, the USB socket provides both connectivity to other devices, and a low current power supply to those devices that need it -- like, for example, a mouse or a keyboard.
If you are attaching only devices that also plug into the wall -- such as a printer or scanner -- this may be a great, cheap solution for you. But if you need to be able to add on other devices without worrying about whether they can draw power through this un-powered hub, you'd better step up and buy a powered hub.
I hope this helps you avoid the mistake I made.
79 laptop / hub & more - heaven
It just doesn't get any better - having a laptop w/DVD & having the hub that can take up to 4 items - AND I don't have to shut the laptop every time I wanna see the usb port in rear. This hub allows me to be plugged in & not have to wrangle around the laptop to ensure I'm plugged in properly.
Life is Good!!
80 It's OK!
I just received my Hub two weeks ago, and so far it's been ok. I run Windows XP and plug both my optical mouse and Compaq ipaq into the usb ports. My only issue is that now my laptop wants to load the drivers for one or both device ('s) each time It boots up. It's more of an annoyance than anything. Otherwise the hub works fine.I am curious to know if anyone else is having this issue.
81 Great for laptops...
Just about everyone in our company uses it. We all have laptops that we take home and travel with but for some reason other types would not work correctly. This one does. It works great for us.
82 Great little item for a road trip or on your desk!
Plug and play makes this easy to use. A great value on sale.... Essential for all those USB devices!
83 Great laptop companion.
This tiny hub is perfect for travel, but at home I prefer a powered hub, as I have more power-hungry USB devices there than on the road. Also, its very short cable would render it less than ideal for most desktop setups.
84 Fast, simple and inexpensive expansion
Simple and effective. No drivers to install, no hassle. In my case, I just plugged it into my notebook and hooked up my USB gaming devices. I didn't even need to use an AC adapter, since the hub draws its power from the system. It supports USB 1 and 1.1, but goes for abouth a fifth of the price of USB 2 hubs which, frankly I still really don't need since I'm only connecting my gamepad, mouse and Palm craddle to it.
85 Tiny and cheap, but be sure to get the separate power supply
Tiny, inexpensive, basic USB hub. Check, however, to make sure all your USB peripherals draw very little power, otherwise you will need to buy the separate power supply as well.
86 Inexpensive and reliable
This is one of those products that do exactly what they say, with no fuss. I didn't want to install new drivers, I didn't want to plug yet another thing in... and this hub fits the bill just right. THe one to get.
87 Its simple, its cheap, it does the job
I ran out of USB space along time ago, and constantly had to reach behind my PC to plug in the device I wanted to use. Then while surfing on amazon, I came across this device - Its CHEAP, simple and it does the job. I was looking at other big hubs, that were more expenisive and cumbersome, this device hangs behind your PC, out of site, and you get 4 ports (ver 1.0, 1.1 only).
It was a great purchase!
88 Excellent item - A must for laptop users
The Linksys hub is small and stylish. It self installs itself on Win XP and is hot swappable as well as everything that is plugged into it. It is compatible with USB 1.0/1.1 devices (not 2.0) Another option available is a AC power adapter for it that will allow the hub to power the devices rather than the battery from your laptop (although the adapter does not appear to be sold on Amazon). I have a HP laptop with two USB ports and I have 4 USB devices to hook to it. I was constantly pulling off my scanner or digital camera cable to use my webcam or printer. The hub allows me to have all 4 connected all the time. Everything works great. Highly reccomend at the current low price point.
89 other reviewers missed the point completely....
our fellow reviewer elonita, seems to have missed the pointonita. this device more or less dangles in back of your computer out of the way, while you plug up to four devices into it. if you need to reach in back of your computer while still having 5 usb ports, there are other options. this is a very nice, compact product and saves alot of pain associated with clunky hubs.
90 Desktop Users, Beware!
As a desktop user with limited space, enchanted with the simplicity of USB's plug-and-play capability, and thoroughly sick of getting on my knees to unplug a device from one of my two USB ports several times a week, I thought this hub would be ideal. After all, this has the same number of ports as other, larger hubs, but takes up a lot less space.
There's just one problem: the cord on the hub also takes up a lot space-that is, it's incredibly short, barely six inches. If I were to hook this up in the back of my computer, I'd have more ports all right, but I'd STILL have to get on my hands and knees to reach those. And that, for me, defeats the purpose of buying this particular hub. I'd rather get a larger one and sacrifice the desk space.
Now, if you're a laptop user or you just want more hubs, regardless of whether or not you have to get on your knees to get to them, this may be worth it. But if you're in it for the convenience of staying seated at your computer desk, I'd advise looking elsewhere.
