USB 2.0 hub question and recommendation needed..

[nippyjun]

My current usb 1.1 hub can be used both with the ac adapter and without. Is this the same for usb 2.0 hubs where you can use them with or without the ac adapter?

Also, what usb 2.0 4 port hub do you recommend?

 

[Lord Evermore]

Yes. They're just "bus powered" or "self powered", USB 2.0 provides the same 500mA per root port or powered hub port as USB1.1. Just make sure the hub packaging says it can do both.

There's really not much difference in hubs I think. You can find pretty cheap ones that are still a "brand" name.

 

[Dug]

Some devices are high powered and require a powered usb hub. (They get their power through the usb connection) This or those devices need to be plugged directly into the back of the computer.

If you are not connecting high powered usb devices then a non powered usb hub will be fine.

If you want the best hub get a Keyspan. They are one of the few that regulate their power and have zero problems.
Stay away from Belkin.

 

[Lord Evermore]

Uhm...

There are 3 possible power levels. A USB device that draws so much power it has to be plugged in with a regular AC adapter. A device that can run on low bus power so it can draw power from a self-powered hub (a mouse connecting to a USB keyboard for example). And devices that use USB power but need the full 500mA. These don't have to be plugged into the computer ports necessarily; they can plug into a hub as long as the hub uses AC power, so that all the ports get the full 500mA. There really aren't many of those "mid-level" devices, most things are either very low power or draw too much power for the USB bus at all.

What does "regulating" the power mean? The USB specification calls for 500mA per port from a powered hub, there's no regulation to it other than normal voltage regulation, which can be crappy or good just like any other voltage regulator.

 

[Dug]

By regulating the power, I mean that there is constant power to each port. Cheap hubs actually work just like network hubs. Good usb hubs act like switches.

Any high powered device such as a scanner or tablet will loose connection or other miscellaneous irregularities that come with low or unregulated power, even if the device isn't using all of it.

It's not unlike a cheap 300w power supply compared to a quality one. Sure the cheap 300w should work just fine, but certain components hooked up to it might not work well. Believe me, I see every day.

 

[nippyjun]

Any other recommendations on usb 2.0 hubs that run with and without the ac adapter?