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ErikAndre

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Nov 14, 2007
719
0
Florida
I need more USB ports, but want to add an internal component, like a PCI-E card (NOT a USB Hub). Call me crazy, but I just want a clean look, not an additional component. Does anyone have any recommendations? Does one even exist (?). I saw a PCI USB card at Office Depot & Best Buy, but I'm pretty sure that won't work. Am I wrong?

Thoughts?

Side note...
I figured about now, in 2008, that machines would come with 6 USB ports (on the back) standard, considering everything is USB. Consumer Dell machines do it, so does HP and others... my $3000 Professional MP... 3 USB ports standard on the back.
 
Call me crazy, but I just want a clean look, not an additional component.

You're crazy. Utilize the beauty of USB and get a hub, for crying out loud. A new PCI-E card may require a driver (though unlikely). A hub won't. Just plug and play. Powered hubs are even better. USB ports on monitors are even better still.

jas
 
You're crazy. Utilize the beauty of USB and get a hub, for crying out loud. A new PCI-E card may require a driver (though unlikely). A hub won't. Just plug and play. Powered hubs are even better. USB ports on monitors are even better still.

I know... I just also know that I will always need more than 3 USB connectors, so why not have an internal one.

Yep. It has to be PCIe. Here's one. This is about as many USB ports as I've seen on a PCIe card. Two FireWire 400, too, so that's neat. Needs an external connector, though, so if you have a 5600 or two 8800s, no dice.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...TC-Froogle-_-Add-On+Cards-_-Bytecc-_-15283003

INCREDIBLE price, that.

Good call, but I don't need additional Firewire... if I were to get something internal, I would want it to have at least 4.

I did find this from OWC. It has five USB ports (4 external, 1 internal) and has confirmation to work with MacOS. Hmm...
 
Get an external monitor and it will probably have ports. That will keep it clean and it is easier to plug a flash drive into the monitor.
 
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