USB Port Location is a PITA

Having all the USB ports on the back of the iMac is a royal PITA to use. Any of you guys using some type of extension to make access easier? I've searched for a fix but can't find anything yet.

I keep one USB cable attached to my iMac at all times. When I need to hook up one of my external drives for backup or my external optical drive, I use that cable. That eliminates having to reach around the back of the machine. I also have my UPS sensor cable attached which still leaves two ports unused.

I have a seven port self powered USB connected to mine. It sits just under the machine at the front for easy access.

Gandalph said:

I have a seven port self powered USB connected to mine. It sits just under the machine at the front for easy access.

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That is what I am doing here also. It has 2 Top mounted ports and 5 in back of the USB Hub.

I don't trust powered hubs.....

Never had issues with the ones I use. 7-Port Belkin.

chscag said:

I don't trust powered hubs.....

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Why not? Bad experience?

I have ran into some powered hubs that were a total PITA but this one has been very good and reliable.

Have a four port hub. Powered direct from rear of the iMac. Each USB slot on the port has its own power on/off button. Surprisingly works a treat for a cheapie:-


http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4-PORT-S...ccessories&hash=item43a2a86e1f#ht_1842wt_1165

For what it is worth also have a Firewire 800 cable connected to plug in Mercury Elite Pro Mini external hard drive.

I use a short (6-8 in) USB extension cable. The end rests on the monitor foot, ready for the occasional thumb drive or other ad hoc connection.

As I said above, I use a USB cable as an extension cable. Some powered hubs can be problematic and can actually cause a device to fail or overdraw. And it's hard to tell the good ones from the bad ones. I just avoid all of them. The best powered hub costs $1000. It's called an Apple Cinema display.

I've had this Mikomi running for four years now and it (touch wood) has never hiccupped.

Full-size Apple keyboard has a USB port on each end as well. But...not a bad thing to get up from the chair every now and then!