Gigaware® USB 4-Port Desktop Hub

Comments about Gigaware® USB 4-Port Desktop Hub:

I purchased this product because it was self-powered, in order to charge my iPhone as well as connect it to a more convenient port than the computer's front-mounted ports. It does this well. Unfortunately, it does not supply power to the iPhone if it is plugged in while the computer is in sleep (it will begin if the computer is woken, and it will continue charging if it falls asleep after it was already connected) or turned off. I have since found out that this is a limitation of the USB specification, so I can't fault this device in particular; but if you plan on charging your iPhone through a hub I would recommend purchasing a dedicated charger/hub combination that is intended to charge the phone regardless of active data connection instead.

On my computer (a self-built) the unit is currently returning an error through Windows about an unrecognized device. However, it transfers data just fine, so it is only a minor inconvenience. I have an identical hub attached to my wife's computer (a Dell) and it is reporting no such error, so I suspect there is a settings issue on my own system I need to fix.

I have not attempted any high-bandwidth devices like webcams or data drives, but I know the webcams I have on other computers do require the external power made availible by this unit.

To clarify my bottom line below: There is nothing I find about this hub to recommend against it, but there is also nothing special about it to set it apart from other self-powered hubs.

Comments about Gigaware® USB 4-Port Desktop Hub:

I tested this product against the Belkin Lighted High Speed USB 2.0 4-Port Hub by transferring a 255 MB file from one external hard drive to another. Gigaware took 2m 11s and Belkin took 1m 39s. The Belkin is rated at 2A of power, Gigaware at 2.6A. Conclusion: Gigaware is 25% slower and 25% less energy efficient.

Comments about Gigaware® USB 4-Port Desktop Hub:

I have bought one of these before along time ago and I have it still connected to my computer at home, it's been 5 years and still going strong. I will buy another one for my netbook when I get the time to do so. BTW, Works great with Linux. Never had a problem.

Comments about Gigaware® USB 4-Port Desktop Hub:

i like this because of its convienense like size weight compatability to computer butt horible resolution cant see anything good cord holds it back alot and dont even try to make a stop motion video with it will look horible like mine does.

Comments about Gigaware® USB 4-Port Desktop Hub:

I noticed a lot of negative reviews of this hub, and I suspect that the principal problem that various people are having is with trying to draw too much power. USB hubs can either simply pass through the power supplied by the host computer, or can provide additional power via an external power adapter. The power adapter provided with this hub provides 2.5 amps, which, at 5 VDC, equates to 12.5 Watts. This is more than the 10 Watt power adapter that Apple sells for the iPad, but when that power adapter is used with the iPad, the iPad is the only device that is connected. You have to look at the amount of current or power that is supplied by the host computer, and add up all the current or power that is demanded at the USB port by the various devices that you expect to connect at the hub. The difference is the amount of current or power that the hub itself needs to supply via its external power adapter. Depending on what you want to connect, you many not need any additional power at all, or you might need more than the 2.5 Amp (12.5 Watt of power at 5 VDC) that this hub supplies. If you are connecting one or more device that has an internal battery that is drawing current to charge the battery, you can potentially run into a problem no matter how much power the adapter supplies, because batteries have a way of causing the supply voltage to drop, because the amount of power they draw is the amount that is needed to cause this to happen.

My MacBook Pro computer has two USB ports. I have the keyboard connected to one of them, but this is purely because by connecting the keyboard cable on that side, it reduces the chance of my feet tangling in the cable. This very nice, small and convenient USB hub is connected to the other port, via the very nice and convenient, long cable supplied with this hub. This allows me to place the hub itself in a more convenient location than right next to the computer. At the hub, I have connected the receiver for the wireless mouse, the cable for my scanner, a USB extension cable that I use to connect memory cards on occasion, and the Apple cable for the iPad and the iPod. I have not yet had any problem of any sort. My printer is connected to my wireless router, but I have no doubt that it would work perfectly well were I to connect it to the hub or to the extension cable that is connected to the hub. The small hub that I was using previously would become very hot to the touch, indicating that it had a internal design flaw of some sort, because this simply should not happen. It is made by Belkin, which is a brand that I found to be typically of low quality and priced excessively. With this Gigaware hub, I have not had any problem of any sort, and know of no reason not to give it a strong recommendation.

Comments about Gigaware® USB 4-Port Desktop Hub:

It doesn't work with Vista. It works at the very beginning before Windows starts (I'm able to enter my PC password), but then it stops working and is not recognized.

No driver is available..

Comments about Gigaware® USB 4-Port Desktop Hub:

I bought a USB hard drive for file backups. The drive would not work on my Dell 5100 laptop. It worked on ALL my other PCs. My guess was a power issue with the Dell. I bought this hub locally [...] I installed it and everything is working as it should. All my USB accessories are working at full speed now.

Comments about Gigaware® USB 4-Port Desktop Hub:

I bought it, connected it, and it burnedt out inmmediatly and never worked. No guarantee due a supposed failure in my brand new laptop!! hahaha GREAT JOB RADIOSHACK!

Comments about Gigaware® USB 4-Port Desktop Hub:

Currently trying to stress test this hub. Attached are a Logitech Trackman, an IBM USB Keyboard/Hub, a T-Mobile MyTouch, and a 3rd generation iPod Nano, with the last two charging at the same time.

It also charges an iPhone 3GS as well.

No issues with attaching to the host system, which is running Windows 7 x64. The OS detected the new hardware and installed the appropriate support automatifally.

For what it's worth the motherboard is an MSI K9N SLI Platinum.

I wouldn't recommend trying to use this as a standalone recharging station for usb-based devices (I've read that this was possible from some tech writers). What worked in this mode was a 2nd gen iPod Nano and a T-Mobile MyTouch.

No dice on a 3rd Gen Nano or an iPhone 3GS when running the hub in this manner.

As always, your mileage may vary.

Comments about Gigaware® USB 4-Port Desktop Hub:

I got a Belkin 7 port usb hub, and ending up returning that one because it did not properly run any of my usb devices.

This one though it only has 4 ports, it works nicely. I have 9 devices connected to it, and three of them are high bandwith devices; my television tuner (probably the highest), and my two external drives. I'm able to operate all of my 9 devices with no problem, including my television tuner, Ipod charger charges the mp3 player with ease, memory card reader, and all the rest work better than they did without a powered hub.

I would have gave it a 5 star if the price was lower, the construction was better. Considering that this device is made in China, the price could be a lot lower. As to the construction, I would say there's nothing to worry about if you're just using it at home, and you leave it on your desk all the time, if you're taking it with you, make sure and handle it carefully.

I know other reviewers have expressed they didn't like it. All I can speak on is my experience with this usb hub, and it's serving it's purpose very well for me.