COMPAQ USBFW 7-Port USB 2.0 / FireWire Combo Hub

by Compaq

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0001DZGX2
• Item model number: CPQUSBFW
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #105,396 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 25, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Expand both your USB 2.0 and FireWire connectivity with one hub! This device provides four downstream USB ports and three FireWire ports for adding more devices. It comes with both USB and FireWire cables and has a limited lifetime warranty.

What's in the Box
Firewire/USB 2.0 combo hub, AC jack, USB cable, Firewire cable

Product Description

Connect all your USB 2.0 - 1.1 and FireWire accessories with ease for simultaneous or random use 4 RAM Slots (2 available) 160GB 7200RPM SATA HDD Double Layer DVD Writer - (write speeds) up to 2.4x DL DVD+R, 16x DVD+R, 8x DVD-R, 4x DVD+RW, 4x DVD-RW, 40x CD-R & 24x CD-RW Double Layer DVD Writer - (read speeds) up to 16x DVD-ROM & 40x CD-ROM 48x CD-ROM Drive Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 900 with up to 128MB of shared video memory Intel High Definition Audio - 8 speaker configurable 56k Fax Modem Front Panel 9-in-1 Media Card Reader - supports Smart Media, xD, MultiMedia Card (MMC), Secure Digital (SD), Compact Flash I/II, Micro Drive, Memory Stick, & Memory Stick Pro Ports - 10/100 Ethernet, 7 USB 2.0 (3 front), 2 FireWire (1 front), 1 Parallel, 2 PS/2, Microphone/Headphone/Line-In Slots - 3 PCI (2 available) Bays - 2 External 5.25 (0 available), 1 External 3.5 (1 available), & 1 Internal 3.5 (0 available) Unit Weight - 30 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Works great, but it's really a 6 port hub (2 firewire ports), May 25, 2005

By 

Matthew Haughey (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: COMPAQ USBFW 7-Port USB 2.0 / FireWire Combo Hub (Personal Computers)

I've got several firewire devices that interact with my powerbook, including a backup drive, an ipod, a camera reader, and often networking between two computers over firewire. I shopped around amazon looking for more firewire ports and a few extra USB slots (mouse, printer, ipod shuffle, etc all take up ports).

This compaq stood out from the rest because it says it's a 4 port USB/3 port firewire hub. If you look around, you'll only find 4 port USB/2 port firewire hubs for a similar price. I thought I was getting a deal by getting that one extra port, but it arrived today and I have to say they kind of lied in the product description.

The USB section does include four ports, with a fifth small USB port used to connect to your computer. However, the firewire section of the hub has three ports total -- with one port used to connect to your computer. This means that you've really only got two open ports to work with, not three.

I feel like I've been tricked by the product description and now when I want to sync my ipod I have to remove my backup drive to get that the second port. Other than that, it works fine and isn't too large, and they were nice enough to include all the cables you'd need.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hub works great and is good value., June 9, 2005

By 

Marsha Kissen (flushing, ny United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: COMPAQ USBFW 7-Port USB 2.0 / FireWire Combo Hub (Personal Computers)

Firewire/USB 2.0 hub works perfectly with my1999 G4 Sawtooth Mac running Panther. (USB 2.0 card added in addition to a lot of other upgrades.) If you are not esthetically offended by the Compaq logo on the hub, you will be a happy camper. This hub comes with the usb 2.0 and firewire cables included. The inclusion of the cables constitutes a significant savings. Comparable hubs do not include the cables which are pretty expensive to buy.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Compaq USB Hub does the job, December 2, 2006

By 

C. H. Gonzalez "Caffeine Fiend" (San Antonio, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: COMPAQ USBFW 7-Port USB 2.0 / FireWire Combo Hub (Personal Computers)

Introduction:
I initially needed a USB hub to simplify the routing of cables to my laptop. This little device really delivers, I only have to (un)plug one USB cable for four devices.

Pros:
1. As advertised, four USB ports (not three and one to connect, but four) and three firewire (you only get two firewire here, as one must be sacrificed to connect to the computer)
2. Convenient design where all ports are on the back
3. Power cord and USB cord included (thank you Compaq, or your licensee)

Cons:
1. Compaq logo on the top detracts
2. Lightweight and feels "cheap" (don't place this near the edge of your desk or cables can pull it off) - Compaq should have stuck with a nice silver box, it would sit on the desk and match my Mac better.

Summary:
Overall, this is a great product with a few minor aesthetic issues, which if you don't mind, shouldn't bother you. It functions as advertised and I have been pleased with it! I heartily recommend this hub, but have to ding it one star for being light and having the bold red Compaq logo on the top; sure they should get some advertising, but I don't care for it there.

N.B. Do not connect USB 1 and 2.0 devices concurrently to the hub as it will surely reduce the speed of all USB devices attached.