iPod touch not enough usb's, any ideas?

[aaronandrews]

Hi everyone,

I store my iTunes library on an external hard drive that needs 2 USB plug-ins to work (one for information, one for power). I've also heard that my 30 GB iPod Touch doesn't support a firewire connection these days, so I've got to use a USB connection for it too.

The problem: there are only 2 USB ports on my MacBook Pro.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to sync my iPod?

Thanks a ton,
aaron

 

[miles01110]

Buy some sort of hub?

 

[old-wiz]

there are lots of powered hubs out there.

 

[Slix]

If you just need to sync it, you can use the keyboard ports, I believe. That won't charge it though.

 

[mchad]

If you just need to sync it, you can use the keyboard ports, I believe. That won't charge it though.

keyboard ports...what are you talking about?

 

[Eric.]

Sometimes external HDDs will work fine without having both plugs. Otherwise, like they said above, you'll need to track down an external powered USB-hub.

 

[ucfgrad93]

keyboard ports...what are you talking about?

The Apple wired keyboard has 2 usb ports on them. Slix didn't notice that the OP was using a MBP which obviously doesn't have keyboard ports.

OP, it seems like the best way around it is to get a powered usb hub as other people have mentioned.

 

[Slix]

Oh, I did miss that.
You could use a separate keyboard the same way, or you only other option is a hub like mentioned already.

 

[aaronandrews]

Thanks everyone, I'll go hunt down a powered hub!

 

[Googlyhead]

Another option; Could you not supply power to the HD from another source? eg. use an iPod charger for the powered USB side when you want to sync, thus freeing up a port for the iPod?
Cheaper if you already have an iPod charger.
I'm assuming there is no other power input to the HDD here for some reason..?