usb hub

[flalaw]

I'm thinking about getting this usb hub. It says it has 4 downstream ports? What exactly does that mean? Can I use a hard drive/printer normally? I'm guessing yes, but I dunno why it says downstream and not upstream.

http://www.upgradenation.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=NET-USBHUB20

 

[yellow]

That means that it expands 1 USB hub to 4. Upstream/Downstream really doesn't mean anything.

Please note that it's an UNPOWERED USB Hub, which means it has to use USB power of your Mac. In the past, Macs have had notoriously underpowered USB ports. Especially if you have a laptop. I'd suggest that you get a POWERED USB hub. That way you'll never have annoying issues with having to limit the devices you have plugged into your hub because there's not enough power on the bus.

 

[flalaw]

cool. thanks for the suggestion. so i take it 2 hard drives and a printer ain't gonna cut it w/ an unpowered hub?

 

[yellow]

Well, the printer most likely has it's own power, but do they HDs? If they don't, the it's not going to cut it.. IMO. If they do.. well it still might not cut it. Your safest bet is to get a powered hub.