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Front USB Ports; Poll

R

RussianSoldier

Banned
I've purchased a number of cases that have front usb ports. However, I've never used them much. With 6 USB ports in the back, I've never had the need to plug anything into the front. The only time I used one was to test some docking software for a PDA.

Do you use your front USB ports, and if so, for what? I've always thought they looked rather ugly, especially with a usb cable coming from the front of your case. The case I just bought had two ports in the front, in a slight indent about the size of a case badge, so I just put the case badge over them. I've used front panel audio, and firewire, but USB just seems like the Unused Serial Bus.
 
Originally posted by: NewBlackDak
I use the for my USB key, and digicam. Neither of them ever stay plugged in though.
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Same here, while it's convenient for quick access, having something plugged into the front of my case for long periods of time is annoying IMO 🙂
 
I use the front ports for thumb drives, my external hard drives (2.5" and 3.5" based), and anything else that I don't need to use all the time on the system. It would be a major paint to have to crawl under the desk to simply connect a thumb drive. Same for the external hard drives, and everything else. I don't bother with fron audio ports since I prefer to use speakers (2.1 or better) on the desktops. As such, front ports are totally useless.
 
Originally posted by: RussianSoldier
I hadn't thought about those jump drives; I suppose that would be more convienient...
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Hell yeah it is... About 10000X more so than trying to snake around to the back and connect it there. Anything that you only need to connect for a little while is a prime candidate for the front ports. On the rear of my system, I have one USB for the mouse, one for the printer, and that's all. I might connect the keyboard that way soon, just haven't bothered yet. I have six total in the back (four right off the mobo, two more from a PCI slot item) and I'm not using all of them. I use the front ports at least a few times a week for not all that long (moving driver installers to a thumb drive, connecting one of several different hard drives, etc.). Having a front FireWire port also helps.
 
Chalk me up as another one that uses the front ports for non-permanently connected stuff. Very handy.
 
Originally posted by: Zap
Chalk me up as another one that uses the front ports for non-permanently connected stuff. Very handy.
Click to expand...

And another. As with others - useful for stuff not permanently connected (for me, usb flash drives).
 
USB thumbdrive, digital camera, external hard drives, and anything else that's USB that I just need to quick stick in the computer, without trying to get to the back of my case, which, having a corner desk, is nearly impossible.
Front USB ports, combined with thumbdrives are a small step closer to stamping out the floppy disk once and for all, though I have the feeling it will continue to linger for several more years.
 
I would if they weren't such a PIA to hook up.

for my frequently-removed devices (digital camera, iPod, universal remote), I have a USB hub on my desk.
 
Originally posted by: loki8481
I would if they weren't such a PIA to hook up.

for my frequently-removed devices (digital camera, iPod, universal remote), I have a USB hub on my desk.
Click to expand...

In any decent case they are a snap to connect... I just had to plug in a single block to get the front ones to work (after I snipped the stray wire). One connection and both ports are live...
 
The front ports are not difficult to install. I've literally installed hundreds. These days they're almost standardized since the front port cable is usually split into two blocks of four (or five) with the wire order of VCC(5v), USB-, USB+, GROUND. On most new motherboards, the USB block will be a set of 2x5 with one missing pin. The two pins farthest away from the missing pin is usually the VCC.
 
nearly everyday. I don't have or use floppies so when I transfer files I use a usb drive. I have 4 or 5 of them.
 
I wont buy a case that doesnt have front firewire, usb, and audio ports up in front. The last thing I want to do is break out the flashlight and crawl under my desk just to plug something in.
 
I only use them for my gamepad, my digicam, or my Dell DJ.
But none of those are always plugged in so I voted sometimes...
 
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