7-Port USB Hub with ON/Off Switch, Black

Here's a two-part rating. The first and most important concerns its attributes as a device (data-moving) hub. I'm quite happy with it in this capacity, due to the following benefits: Pros * Compact form factor * Cool blue lights for each active port (the blue is more saturated and slightly darker than a blue coneflower, if that helps) * One on/off switch per port (so you can temporarily disable individual devices from being enumerated or unnecessarily powered up) * All seven ports work (kind of a base requirement, but I'm pleased that they all do) * Automatic driver installation in Win7/64 (and presumably other OSes as well) * Black case (goes better with my other components) * Positive engagement of the USB-A plugs (not loose at all, but not difficult to insert) Cons * Just discovered today that it doesn't supply a huge amount of power for charging. I was attempting to recharge a small 1500mAh backup battery and running two other devices -- a wired keyboard and a wireless mouse (the dongle for it). When I started charging the battery, the mouse jerked around and then stopped working. This abated when I used the hub's convenient switch to turn off the battery. I've plugged in the hub to a 5v power supply to remedy this. * Minor: the device is lightweight and thus is capsized by the cables I have plugged into it. This is a nit not worth docking a point for, rather just an FYI in case this sort of thing matters to you. * Some people may find the LEDs a bit bright (then again, it gets flipped over by cables, so the LEDs don't aim up, anyway). Other thoughts The power issue is a little annoying, but I'll live. I won't dock the device a star for this, but it is something future buyers should be aware of. ---- And here's where the review from the standpoint of a hub ends. Read on, if you want to try using this device to share peripherals between two computers by way of swapping plugs. The integral USB-A cable, rather than a USB-B socket with a B-male or mini-male to A-male cable supplied, slightly derails my original game plan for swapping peripherals between two computers using two interchanged USB-mini male plugs (one each per computer). I clearly see this pictured on the item page, and thus I won't be dropping any points from the rating of a fine piece of equipment. This is just a heads-up for those of you who might want to use this excellent hub like I plan to. I have purchased USB A (female) to USB A (male) extensions and all is well. I just switch manually, which beats a KVM that ultimately does unpredictable things or enforces keyboard emulation.

Not only is this a well-made functional seven port usb hub but it is ideal for geeks! There are the seven hubs, each with a positive-acting toggle switch plus when each switch is turned on, there is a large blue rectangular led! I attached mine with a couple squares of velcro to the left side of my tower near the back where I have it plugged in. If you are using most or all of the hubs, the leds might be a bit too much. I find that four are perfect. If I add any more to it, I can cover the extras with a small piece of black electrical tape. Wow! I just ordered a second one to place below the first one. I have 14 devices connected to usb ports and I have only eight usb ports on my machine so I do need a couple of these hubs. If you aren't into bright leds showing, you can always 'hide' the seven port hub behind your machine or cover them with electrical tape. A real plus here are the on/off toggle switches. These are usb 2 hubs so if you are fortunate enough to have usb 3 capability, these will function ok, but you will not have the speed advantage of the usb 3 devices.

It's Worked well for years now, over 5 years now. Constructed well, plastic sturdy with a solid feel. On/off switches are firm to press but not hard. Light up well to indicate on/off status. The USB card is a little short so you have to be fairly close to the PC. It does not come with a power card and it needs to be powered otherwise it causes issues with the Computer.

Ok, so first... PROs: 1.) I love the design of the hub, it's blue LEDs are very bright, almost like a night light when you consider that a PCs 5v source is always on as long as the PC is plugged in, even when the PC is off... I also love having 7 easy to reach ports. 2.) The port has an external power connector, but does NOT come with an external power supply. Still, it seems to work fine for most USB devices (memory sticks, FitBit charging dongle, etc...) My phone says it can pull ~ 450mA from the hub which I'm sure is a limitation of my PCs port rather than the hub. 3.) It's CHEAP, which is always nice. CONs: 1.) Ok, brace yourself for this one... When the hub arrived, only 3 of the 7 ports worked for data, the other 4 charged OK, but would not pass USB data... I'm a bit of an electronics guy, so rather than return a CHEAP hub, I opened it up and started diagnosing it. Here's what you're buying. a.) The PCB is single layer, which means they used conductive tape whenever PCB traces have to cross one another. Longevity? Give me a break. How long do you think the tape will hold? .... b.) About 40% of the structural, grounding solder joints were not soldered... Lazy manufacturing? c.) The PCB etchings are NOT tin platted. It has exposed copper pads, which over time will oxidize and become resistive... This is a BAD practice in general. So, what did I do? I soldered the unsoldered joints, I soldered over the unused, exposed copper, coating them. Then, I saw that the hub is actually 2 hubs in 1... It has two 4-port hubs, one is attached to the other (hence, the 7 port hub) ... the 4 ports that were not working when I bought it were all common to one hub (or chip) .. so, I started testing parts and found that the malfunctioning chip was due to a bad 12Mhz crystal -- I happen to have one of these laying around, so I replaced it and BAM, its fixed. It works beautifully now. Now, if you're not the type to test every component and feel like gambling on yours being assembled properly to begin with, go for it... Otherwise, stay away from these. I hope this helps. JP

El producto funciona a la perfección. Con seguridad debe tener alguna fuente de alimentación extra puesto que la he conectado con varios dispositivos que requieren de corriente mediante usb como bocinas o cargar celulares y el concentrador suministra toda la corriente sin problema. La única cuestión es que no es USB 3.0 por lo que se recomienda sólo para dispositivos que no impliquen transferencia de archivos.

So far it is giving good service.

This hub instantly increased the number of USB ports on my computer without having to download or install any software. The device is easy to use, just plug it into a free USB outlet on the computer, connect a device to one of the USB ports and turn on the respective switch, then it's ready to go. I use it as a central hub for a 1 Tb external Hard drive and four flash drives. With the individual switches I can select whichever drive(s) I wish to use while the others remain dormant. When I wish to close down a drive I simply use the "Safely remove hardware" function on the computer, then turn off the respective switch. I can leave the drive in the hub for the next time I want to access it. This device is great for plugging in digital cameras, mp 3 players etc. the open ports are right in front of me, so I don't have to look for an unused one on the computer or mess about with freeing up a port by removing some other device. The hub is small enough to take along with a lap top when I have to travel. A great product, great price - No complaints. I highly recommend it to anyone who needs more USB ports for their computer.

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Your product is very very bad . When I got it it was already damaged. Only 3 out of 7 ports were working and when I tried to return it you said no. I want a replacement correct working product.