USB Port connections - most optiminal???

[Spike88]

My new 2010 iMac 21.5" is "on order" and expected to arrive before Aug 20 (due to my remote locaton). Like many, I have lots of USB devices. For most optiminal connection, how would you connect them?

USB Devices are:
- Backup APC 1300VA LCD unit.
- Large keyboard within numeric pad.
- HP F4480 Printer
- IPod Touch
- Digital camera (with large memory card).
- future My Book 1 TD external HDD.

Was thinking of:
- iMac Port 1 - 'future' My Book 1 TB external HDD.
- iMac Port 2 - HP F4480 Printer
- iMac Port 3 - Backup APC 1300VA LCD unit.
- iMac Port 4 - external 4 port USB Hub. "Power Hub" - connected to Backup APC unit.

- 4 Port USB Hub - Port 1 - IPod Touch
- 4 Port USB Hub - Port 2 - Digital camera (with large memory card).
- 4 Port USB Hub - Port 3 - Large size "wired" keyboard
- 4 Port USB Hub - Port 4 - forward facing uner iMac unit - for easy plug in of other things (when needed).

Is this a good "optimal" configuration of USB ports?

Sorry if "silly question" for the well experienced. Just wondering if physcially shared USB ports need to be optimized (for best data transfer usage).

thanks.

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[bolen]

I would swap places with the printer and the ipod if the USB hub isn't powered.

 

[Spike88]

I would swap places with the printer and the ipod if the USB hub isn't powered.

Good point... We do use the iPod Touch connection much more then printing stuff. Good catch...

thanks.

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[Hellhammer]

That sounds like a decent plan. It doesn't really matter what way they are but as mentioned above, make sure to get AC powered hub

 

[zaffle]

why not get a hd with fw800?

 

[bolen]

That sounds like a decent plan. It doesn't really matter what way they are but as mentioned above, make sure to get AC powered hub

yeah, as long as the hub is powered externally it shouldn't matter.

I just figured that the printer would be powered externally while the ipod needs charging over USB.

 

[rkahl]

why not get a hd with fw800?

I agree, if you haven't purchased the external hd yet, get one with firewire 800. This will be alot faster and it will free up one of your USB ports.

 

[zaffle]

I agree, if you haven't purchased the external hd yet, get one with firewire 800. This will be alot faster and it will free up one of your USB ports.

precisely, and i'd personally recommend a LaCie D2 Quadra. solid drive that.

 

[Spike88]

precisely, and i'd personally recommend a LaCie D2 Quadra. solid drive that.

This drive is $189 + 13% taxes in my area. It might be "too far" outside my budget. re: http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=15_213_603&item_id=027316

But... If I saved a few months more, it might be a good 2010 Christmas present `to my wife` (for her current "on order" iMac). Only time will tell...

Thanks for the tip about this FW800 external drive.

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[Guiyon]

If you are going to be mixing USB 1 and 2 devices on a single hub, make sure it is a multi-TT hub, otherwise you'll hit some significant speed issues.

 

[aliensporebomb]

Good thread!

Good thread here - my G5 only had 3 USB ports and I had to break up my devices with two eight port hubs.

Now with four ports on the back of the iMac it's a little easier but just wait, there's quite a few devices connected.

Stay tuned.

 

[allen1]

USB Port connections - most optiminal???

We are under the feeling that at what time my Dac is in place, we will worship listen to it. in support of that cause , we wish for to attach to by the most excellent wire I can. I consider using any well made USB 2.0 spec cable will work fine as in the case of my friend with his Bel canto Dac 3.
we contain understand the appraisal of the Kimber Kable and we want to know from all of you if we feel this is better than a usual cable? We see Synergistic make a wire yet it is insanely expensive.

 

[Spike88]

thanks for everyone's feedback.

I'll probably configure as:

iMac:
- Port 1 - Backup APC 1300VA LCD unit - control cable.
- Port 2 - HP F4480 Printer
- Port 3 - IPod Touch
- Port 4 - external 4 port USB Hub. "Power Hub" - its AC cord connected to Backup APC unit.

4 Port USB Hub (powered hub - off APC unit)
- Port 1 - Digital camera (with large memory card).
- Port 2 - Large size "wired" keyboard (with numeric pad)
- Port 3 & 4: forward facing under iMac unit - for easy plug in of other USB devices. For example: 8 GB USB stick for portable data transport.

Will connect Backup external HDD (1 TB) via iMac's rear FW800 port. This device used for Time Machine backups.

Thanks for everyone's recommendations...

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