Customer Reviews

Belkin High-Speed USB 2.0 7-Port Mobile Hub F5U701-BLK

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(30)

 

 

Short of high-tech validation testing, my use of this device resulted in all positives regarding function. The only negative (below) doesn't affect the device functionality one bit.

POSITIVES:
==========

- Enables the obvious use of 7 USB ports where your PC probably doesn't have that many built-in. These extra ports can be conveniently setup on your table top so you don't have to reach down to (or behind) your PC to connect dynamic devices like cameras and cell phones.

- Supports USB 1.1 and 2.0 speeds simultaneously. In other words, USB 2.0 devices don't slow down just because you plug in a slower/older USB 1.1 device.

- Works with or without the power cord.

- When using the power cord, this unit charges USB devices even if not connected to a PC. My daughter wants another one in her room just for this purpose.

- Small enough to include in a laptop bag (though this is not how I use it).

- Excellent price for all this capability.

NEGATIVES:
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- The physical device is light weight. If it was huge and heavy (like maybe a TV or a PC), you could plug in USB cables with one hand. Unless you screw this device down, you'll need two hands. Also, it won't stay put and may twist or flop around if you pull or twist the connected cables.

This is a very stylish hub, works well and is much smaller than it appears in the pictures.
The bad news: The power cable that it comes with, and which is required for a lot of Hardware that draws power the USB port cannot provide is WAY too short. In fact, it's positively a joke, and completely useless. It's maybe half a meter. Less than 3 feet. It won't even touch the floor from my table-top, much less have any chance of ever reaching a power outlet.

The hub charges USB devices without computer. The power adapter is 4Amps. For the charging feature alone, it is worth 5 stars.

Wow, this (little in size) thing works really well. I use a USB plugin called MagicJack which is "Internet Telephone" and it was stopping and restarting several times a day on my laptop. One of the fixes recommended was to "try" a powered USB hub. Apparently my laptop with a USB mouse and USB CD just didn't have enough USB stability. With 7 USP ports available I also put a USB external speaker and my MP3 player on at the same time. I have not had a single problem with my Internet Telephone (or anything else) after a week! I was able to remove the laptop docking port because of the extra USB jacks available. I just purchased another hub for the 2nd computer (I'm a nerd). Now I can buy more toys for those other two unused USB jacks.

The hub works as expected -- you can plug in multiple devices, nothing too complex.

But the power cable is WAY too short. Also, the USB connector that plugs in to the computer doesn't fit my Macbook Pro very well. Barely jiggling the wire causes it to come lose and disconnect all my devices. It's a shame, too, because I have a WD Passport HD plugged into the hub, and disconnecting without ejecting it can cause some serious problems with the drive. Luckily nothing has happened yet.

Update (Dec 1, 2008): I thought that a loose USB connection into my Macbook Pro was the reason all of my devices would be come disconnected, but it seems like that's not the case. Now, at least 2-3 times a day, each device that's plugged into the hub (hard drive, iPhone, and printer) will disconnect and I'm 100% positive the cable is not coming loose. This thing sucks.

I have had this for a few months now. I bought it from Target for 30 dollars, I think. I'm still using it, and it's my first USB hub. I hate this thing. It won't power my portable HD at all. It's very flimsy. It won't let me use any 2 ports that are pointing toward each other. After the first week or two of use, I kept getting the message, "Your USB device could perform faster..." I now wish I would of gotten another product. I also don't like my Belkin laptop cooling mat. I am never buying another product from Belkin ever again.

this product cuts out every now and then. i use four different devices through it, and when two or more are being used (mouse, iphone, hardrive) it will suddenly stop connecting one or more to my laptop. so suddenyl i dont see the harddrive on my screen. very annoying. its a beautfiul product, but this just ruins everything.

It does what its supposed to without getting in the way. A very sleek, compact design, that enhances my work area.

This worked okay for the first few weeks but is flakey and unreliable now. Half the ports don't work, and the rest stop working for no apparent reason, you can unplug/replug to get it to work a while again.

I don't usually like writing bad reviews (I feel that people generally only say something if it's bad, so why not combat that trend?), but as I'm sitting here searching Amazon for a hub to replace this one, which has *never* worked properly, I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents.

The basic problem is that the ports are very loose. I suppose making them shallow (the plugs don't slide in as far as on regular-sized hubs) is what allows them to make it so small. And it is *very* small. But because the USB cables I have plugged into it don't sit snugly, they're very loose, and because of that, the connection isn't solid. I was using it for external hard drives, and I was constantly getting warnings that I hadn't ejected the drive before I unplugged it, and i hadn't unplugged it!

And if it doesn't work to the point of unusabiility, than I think it gets one star and a warning to my fellow shoppers. I recommend going with something a little sturdier.