Customer Reviews

Belkin USB 4-Port Hub with 6FT Cable/Power Supply

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(24)

 

 

[The quest for a genuinely practical, dependable, convenient and inexpensive hub is apparently ongoing. This one is now outdated, but you'll find at least a half-dozen Belkin hubs on Amazon that are USB 2.0. The most popular (of all hubs, not just Belkin's) is at least 2/3 less expensive than the pictured one and has performed flawlessly for me (admittedly I haven't used it that much). It's not AC-powered yet has never failed me in running peripherals with a computer having a single USB port (Mac Air). Amazon page listing: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Q8UAWY/ref=wms_ohs_product (If it doesn't show, click on any hub, then click on hub ratings. It should appear instantly.]

The prices of these devices have come down into a narrow competitive range, so it's well worth spending an extra 10 or twenty bucks on a unit that does its job. So far, the Belkin has outperformed my two previous hubs, to which I'll admit I was attracted on the basis of lowest price, rebate offers, etc. No crashes, no freezes, no need to unplug from the hub to the iMac--it's become an "invisible" factor, which is what a well-designed, well-manufactured hub should be.

Only two cautions: the power supply is bulky, so be prepared for an extra power strip or some reconfiguration of your electrical connections. Also, the electrical and USB inputs on the unit do not permit a snug, "lock-in" fit of cables attached to it. Knowing this might help you remember not to force the connecting plugs and possibly damage the unit.

I opened the package, plugged the hub into my computer and into the AC outlet, and it worked! As easy as that - no software to load, no books to read, no networking jargon to learn. All products should be this easy to use. If I had a complaint at all, it would be that the data cable that comes with the hub, used to connect the hub to the USB port on the PC, is less than 18 inches long. In my case, I took the new 6' cable I had purchased with my printer and used it to connect the hub, placing the hub next to the printer so that I could then use the short cable between the hub and the printer. USB is indeed a great option and this hub makes it possible to operate my digital camera and both my printers from a single USB port.

I've had this USB hub for about six months, and it has worked flawlessly so far, with one very notable flaw. Devices, which derive their power from USB, like some webcams, cameras, and scanners will not work with this device. So far, my webcam is the only thing that will not work with the hub. My mice, yoke, usb pedals, joystick, PDA/phone cradle, and anything else I have plugged in worked fine.

The AC power adapter is bulky, and not really needed considering this box doesn't act like a good self-powered USB hub anyway. I was able to disconnect power and it still works fine (and free up some space on my power strip).

I'm always very skeptical of good reviews on products. There's almost no reason for someone to lie and say a product is bad, unless it's just bad, but I'm sure there are people out there working for companies that make a product or two and might like to help boost sales and profit by leaving great feedback on sites of major online retailers. Honestly, this is the first time I'll ever be returning anything I've purchased on here. I saw that there were quite a few bad reviews for this product but decided to take a chance anyway because of one reviewer saying it 'works great for mac'. and since belkins does make alot of good mac products I gave it a try. unfortunately I'm guessing it doesn't work for a PC or Mac seeing as, when I connected more than one usb device, a screen popped up saying that, there was not enough power to support the usb device. the funny thing is, the belkins USB 4-Port Hub has a power pack and still couldn't function supporting more than one USB device at a time. I thought who knows, it could be my computer but some USB devices like my iMic didn't even work at all, when connected to this product. so whats the use of having a USB hub if half the stuff you plug in won't work. I want to buy another one but Im not going to feel too happy if I just end up returning a more expensive one since alot of these hubs seem to have bad feedback. I love Amazon and their feedback system. I figure from now on I'll actually pay attention when theres 2 or 3 people saying a product doesn't work. (when theres about 20 people like in this case, I have no excuse if I purchase a product and it doesn't work.)

I am pleased to say that I have never had an issue with the hub malfunctioning. I plugged it in and it detected and installed immediately, just as it should have. For more (money) though, I would buy a different brand. Its poor quality is apparent from the time you open the box. I was immediately disappointed as I would expect this simple device to be far more impressive for the money. Most notably, the power adapter tends to jiggle free from its socket in the hub very easily. I have it sitting on my desk, and it seems that whenever it gets slightly disturbed the plug falls out and my devices go dead. Fixed that problem with some tape but a pain in the arse nevertheless. Also, it is extremely light and gets flung around and off my desk like a Cheeto at a fat camp. There goes the power again. Very irritating. It does what it's supposed to do, but not well.

Seven months after installation, my Belkin 4-Port hub died. To judge by the reviews posted here, this happens far more often than it should. Windows XP informed me the Belkin hub had "mal-functioned," and if reconnecting it didn't work should "replace the device." So I did.

Hopefully, my new D-Link 4-port hub will last longer. At least the connections for the power and CPU are located on the back of the D-Link. For some unfathomable reason they're located on the front of the Belkin, so the cords were always pulling the box to the side.

This is not a good product if your USB devices need power. Even though the hub comes with a Power Supply, it does not power the devices plugged into it. For me, that makes this a worthless hub. The 7 port version provides power to the bus, and is therefore far superior.

Since my iMac only has 3 USB ports. 1 is used by the keyboard. 1 for the printer and the last for a router. BUT that still leaves my scanner, DSL modem and VOIP telephone. So I bought this hub. From day one my computer would report low USB power. I would then have to unplug 1 or 2 things to get something else to work. Although it pluggs into a power outlet, apparently, the individual ports are not powered (self powered). I replaced it with a D-Link which is working GREAT with things plugged into all 4 ports. I recommend that you pass on this product and go with a D-Link.

After plugging this unit in, I received a cryptic error message about "missing function drivers", and the unit simply didn't work (with or without AC -- the hub is designed to run either way). The online Belkin support did not help.

Thinking my computer might be the problem, I tried a linksys 4-port ac-powered usb hub, which worked immediately. I'd recommend staying away from this Belkin usb hub. (My computer is an IBM Thinkpad, running Windows 2000)

I bought this unit to connect my growing array of usb peripherals. the AC adapter fit just fine, unlike previous reviews. but whatever i plugged into the unit could not be seen by my computer. The unit is supposed to work with the windows ME usb root hub drivers installed with the OS and therefore no specific drivers are needed for the unit, but it did not work out that way. and no drivers are supplied at all on the manufacturers website as a "just in case". so save yourself trouble and buy a different brand.