Need Dongle Advice/Amend to Read Hub Advice

[jparker402]

I have an early 2015 Macbook Air. On the left side there is a USB 3 port into which I have my HD for backup. On the right side there is another USB 3 port which I have my HP printer plugged into. Also on the right side I have a Thunderbolt 2 port (which I know nothing about). What I don't have is a place to plug my Logitech mouse bluetooth (?) device. What I have been doing is disconnecting the printer and plugging it in there when I want to use the mouse. Is there a dongle/adapter that I could use on the right side of the computer that would allow me to use the bluetooth device without disconnecting the printer?

 

[venom600]

You just need a USB 3 hub. First, make sure your mouse doesn't need a dongle for bluetooth. A lot of recent Logitech models can work with bluetooth or their dongle. If you do need a hub, there are dozens out there, but this is from a reputable maker and is under $10.

Anker 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub, Ultra-Slim Data USB Hub with 2 ft Extended Cable [Charging Not Supported], for MacBook, Mac Pro, Mac mini, iMac, Surface Pro, XPS, PC, Flash Drive, Mobile HDD

Ultra Slim 4-Port USB 3. 0 Data Hub The Small and Speedy Data Hub Supported Systems: Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP Max Ox 10. 6-10. 12 or later Linux 2. 6. 14 or Later Compatibility: 2. 4 GHz wireless devices (such as wireless keyboards and mice), MIDI devices and some USB 3. 0 devices may not be s...

www.amazon.com

 

[jparker402]

Thank you, venom! And, looking at pictures on Amazon, I see that I forgot I would like something to plug my flash drive into! I don't understand about my mouse and a dongle for bluetooth, but all I do now is just put the little plug-like thingy into the USB port.

One other question on this subject. It looks like my WD MyPassport HD gets its power through the USB port on the computer. Safe to assume that to use the HD on a hub would require the hub being able to power it? And the tech description for the hub would tell me that it would provide power?

 

[jparker402]

After reading more on the subject, think what I am looking for is a hub; specifically a USB 3 hub for my Macbook Air. And, from research on the subject, guess what I need is a powered hub to be sure I can drive USB thumb drives. And I gather that I may have problems using the hub for both my portable hard drive back-up and the Logitech gizmo that connects the cordless mouse to the computer. I would think four, useable USB 3 ports would be enough. I could use that hub for the Logictch gizmo, a plug-in for my printer, and then two USB thumb drives.

Look forward to comments and suggestions on a recommended device. And would like suggestions on what to do with the unused Thunderbolt 2 port. More specifically, can I somehow connect my HP printer to the Thunderbolt 2 if I get an adapter linking a USB 3 plug to a Thunderbolt 2 plug? Thanks!

 

[Erehy Dobon]

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[jparker402]

Just look for something highly rated from a reputable brand at Amazon, Newegg, etc. I'd stick with something that is at least an aggregate 4-star rating (or more) based on thousands of users.

And don't spend a lot, USB 3 hubs are commodity devices, have been for 5+ years. One of the sticky threads in this subforum is about USB 3 hubs, it is nearly eight years old.

I don't know why you continue to insist on plugging your HP printer into its own Thunderbolt 2 port. Printers generally take up very little bandwidth relative to today's usage patterns. It's not like you're streaming 4K video between your printer and your Mac.

Hell, my 2 year old HP printer isn't even connected via wire. When I need it, I power it up and it connects via WiFi.

The USB 3 hub should be a device where you plug all your homebound/stationary devices. When you disconnect the hub from your Mac, you're good to go. It makes zero sense to pull out 3-4 cables to go mobile when it really only requires one.

Don' t know what the Thunderbolt 2 is suppose to do! It is sitting next to the printer and has a hole to plug something into, so........ My HP printer used to work wirelessly until we moved into an assisted living home. Now it won't work that way. Apparently has something to do with the home's wifi set-up. No one here seems to know. Thoughts?

 

[Erehy Dobon]

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