I need to buy a USB hub. I see that they come with their own A/C power supply or can draw power off the comp (BUS). I can't really find the difference. Are there any limitations if you draw power off the BUS? I mean the units you're plugging into the hub (camera, printer, mouse) are on their own power I assume so I don't know what the possibile limitations would be.
Thanks!
Mikey
"He who hath not a dram of folly in his mixture, hath pounds of much worse matter in his composition".
Posts: 334 | Location: New York, USA | Registered: 06 June 2003
Hey Mikey, I am afraid I may not be tech-nerdy enough for this one as I have only seen the USB hubs that draw from the PC in the stores here in Madrid.
Have never seen one that has its own AC power supply
Ok, while printers, didgi-cams and many other components and accessories may use their own power (digi-cam uses its battery, printer has its own AC power, etc...), most USB mice do not have their own power supplies (ie. no batteries as far as I know only cordless mice use their own batteries) but rather use the PC power. Webcams for example do not have their own power either.
So, I guess if you are planning on using the USB hub on a desktop (or a laptop that is always plugged into the AC power) then it is fine to have one that draws off of that PC. On the other hand, if you plan to use the hub on a laptop that will be on battery power and not plugged in, the accessories that do not have their own power (mice, webcams) would put a drain the laptop battery unless you used the USB hub that comes with its own A/C power supply.
They sell them here with their own A/C. However, if i'm using it outside I can't plug it in. I guess I'll get the one that plugs into the BUS. This way I can use my accessories on the go if I have to.
Laters!
"He who hath not a dram of folly in his mixture, hath pounds of much worse matter in his composition".
Posts: 334 | Location: New York, USA | Registered: 06 June 2003
"Only low power USB devices can be connected to a bus-powered hub (like mice and keyboards). A self-powered hub will allow you to safely connect other devices that require up to the full 500mA outlined in the USB specification."
I.E. You may have connection problems with some devices! My scanner isn't recognised when I cable it to a bus-powered USB hub.
The only things I would be connecting are a mouse, floppy external and my handspring cradle. I think these are pretty much low-powered devices. The handspring uses batteries anyway.
30-60 Euros?!
The BUS powered ones here cost like 7-10$. Guess it's ebay time! :jeje:
Thanks!
"He who hath not a dram of folly in his mixture, hath pounds of much worse matter in his composition".
Posts: 334 | Location: New York, USA | Registered: 06 June 2003
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