Belkin High-Speed USB 2.0 7-Port Mobile Hub F5U701-BLK

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  H. J. Matthews said,

  Review by H. J. Matthews
  Rating:
  Short of high-tech validation testing, my use of this device resulted in all positives regarding function. The only negative (below) doesn’t affect the device functionality one bit.

  POSITIVES:
  
  ==========

  - Enables the obvious use of 7 USB ports where your PC probably doesn’t have that many built-in. These extra ports can be conveniently setup on your table top so you don’t have to reach down to (or behind) your PC to connect dynamic devices like cameras and cell phones.

  - Supports USB 1.1 and 2.0 speeds simultaneously. In other words, USB 2.0 devices don’t slow down just because you plug in a slower/older USB 1.1 device.

  - Works with or without the power cord.

  - When using the power cord, this unit charges USB devices even if not connected to a PC. My daughter wants another one in her room just for this purpose.

  - Small enough to include in a laptop bag (though this is not how I use it).

  - Excellent price for all this capability.

  NEGATIVES:
  
  ==========

  - The physical device is light weight. If it was huge and heavy (like maybe a TV or a PC), you could plug in USB cables with one hand. Unless you screw this device down, you’ll need two hands. Also, it won’t stay put and may twist or flop around if you pull or twist the connected cables.

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  dosers said,

  Review by dosers
  Rating:
  This is a very stylish hub, works well and is much smaller than it appears in the pictures.
  
  The bad news: The power cable that it comes with, and which is required for a lot of Hardware that draws power the USB port cannot provide is WAY too short. In fact, it’s positively a joke, and completely useless. It’s maybe half a meter. Less than 3 feet. It won’t even touch the floor from my table-top, much less have any chance of ever reaching a power outlet.

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  Stan Matofu said,

  Review by Stan Matofu
  Rating:
  The hub charges USB devices without computer. The power adapter is 4Amps. For the charging feature alone, it is worth 5 stars.

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  BB Indiana said,

  Review by BB Indiana
  Rating:
  Wow, this (little in size) thing works really well. I use a USB plugin called MagicJack which is “Internet Telephone” and it was stopping and restarting several times a day on my laptop. One of the fixes recommended was to “try” a powered USB hub. Apparently my laptop with a USB mouse and USB CD just didn’t have enough USB stability. With 7 USP ports available I also put a USB external speaker and my MP3 player on at the same time. I have not had a single problem with my Internet Telephone (or anything else) after a week! I was able to remove the laptop docking port because of the extra USB jacks available. I just purchased another hub for the 2nd computer (I’m a nerd). Now I can buy more toys for those other two unused USB jacks.

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  Justin said,

  Review by Justin
  Rating:
  The hub works as expected — you can plug in multiple devices, nothing too complex.

  But the power cable is WAY too short. Also, the USB connector that plugs in to the computer doesn’t fit my Macbook Pro very well. Barely jiggling the wire causes it to come lose and disconnect all my devices. It’s a shame, too, because I have a WD Passport HD plugged into the hub, and disconnecting without ejecting it can cause some serious problems with the drive. Luckily nothing has happened yet.

  Update (Dec 1, 2008): I thought that a loose USB connection into my Macbook Pro was the reason all of my devices would be come disconnected, but it seems like that’s not the case. Now, at least 2-3 times a day, each device that’s plugged into the hub (hard drive, iPhone, and printer) will disconnect and I’m 100% positive the cable is not coming loose. This thing sucks.

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