USB Hub choosing...

Hi there,

I want to get a USB hub, as I seem to now be swapping things in and out on my macbook pro - and also I'm considering getting an Air, which only has the one port I believe.

Anyway, I'd really like to get one as small as possible - there are some great tiny ones I've seen, but one of the things I plug into the USB is a USB modem, and another is my iPhone... and I suspect that a mini hub wouldn't have enough power to run the former and sync/charge the latter. Is this right? Would I need to get a hub with an independent power source?

If so, any advice for a good but very small one that I can carry around?

Thank you.

I have a very small unpowered 4 port hub that I run two 1.5 TB Hard Drives off of, a printer, and use it to sync/charge my iPod. Everything but the iPod has it's own power source, so all the USB cable is used for it data. If most of the devices you are plugging in have their own source of power, it won't matter if the hub is powered or not. I am sure it will have plenty of power to charge your iPhone.

That sounds promising... but then why can't I charge or sync my iPhone from the USB port in my keyboard?

And what about the USB modem? Would that still work in the hub?

I wouldn't split anything like a usb modem with a hub. It can still work, but dont expect it to function the same. Same thing when you have an iphone and something else that can be detected once plugged in...it will connect and disconnect it all the time. I usually put the most important ones on the computer, and split everything else like printer/light/etc...

I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending the Cyberpower battery powered USB2 4-port hub. It is a little beauty! Rechargeable AAA batteries are used. Ideal for use with either desktop or portable computers.

The unit I'm mentioning is viewable here http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/other-hardware-peripherals/118588-may-i-introduce.html.

hughvane said:

I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending the Cyberpower battery powered USB2 4-port hub. It is a little beauty! Rechargeable AAA batteries are used. Ideal for use with either desktop or portable computers.

The unit I'm mentioning is viewable here http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/other-hardware-peripherals/118588-may-i-introduce.html.

Click to expand...

Hey,

I recommend to buy a powered usb hub. You will never know what gadget you will buy in your next step. As I know, Macbook Air only has one usb port and powerless in that port....sadly....
So if you wanna plug in printer, iphone, and some other stuff at the same time. It wouldn't be working fine, one or either.