Customer Reviews

Cisco-Linksys USBHUB4C ProConnect Compact USB 4-Port Hub

5 star:		(80)
4 star:		(30)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(24)

 

 

I would recommend that if you are considering this product, you spend the extra [$] and get powered Linksys USB 4-Port Hub (ASIN: B00004Z6PI) instead.

What does not appear on Amazon's description, but appears on the back of the packaging is a warning from Linksys that this product may not work with USB devices that draw power through the connection, unless you buy an optional AC adapter add-on ...

You see, the USB socket provides both connectivity to other devices, and a low current power supply to those devices that need it -- like, for example, a mouse or a keyboard.

If you are attaching only devices that also plug into the wall -- such as a printer or scanner -- this may be a great, cheap solution for you. But if you need to be able to add on other devices without worrying about whether they can draw power through this un-powered hub, you'd better step up and buy a powered hub.

I hope this helps you avoid the mistake I made.

Like some reviews say, "You just plug it in and it works." Well that's a good start; that's what USB is supposed to do. But before you spent the money to buy this hub, consider the downsides.

1. Unfortunately the USB cord is about five or six inches long. On my computer and many others that means that the hub is just hanging precariously of the back of the tower.
2. Second, the hub is not compact. Its rectangular clunky design may take up a lot of very valuable area (especially since it may be hanging off the back of your desktop).
3. Thirdly, and probably most frustrating for me: no power cord included! I've purchased Belkin hubs in the past. They are all powered so that they work with powered devices. Unforturnately, Linksys says that you may purchase one of these separately. But when I call Linksys technical support they say, "Oh we're sorry, we don't support that product anymore," and everywhere I've read says that the cord is no longer available for purchase. Maybe I'll have to do ebay.

BUT this may be the hub for if:
1. You don't mind the short cord (ie if you're using it for a laptop or if your tower setup is condusive to a hub with very short wires)
2. You don't mind the awkward shape.
3. You don't use any USB powered devices.

The hub is definately inexpensive and it works well. Unfortunately, for me, the drawbacks made this an bad purchase.

This has to be the fattest "compact" USB adapter I have ever seen. I've had USB hubs that were a 1/4 of the USBHUB4C's size, and got the job done well. AND, those other hubs were FREE after mail-in rebate....

It would have been nice if Linksys included an USB "A" extension cable with the USBHUB4C, since the cable itself is only about 5" long. It doesn't really benefit desktop users to have a short, stubby USB hub hanging off the back of the computer. If you have an extension cable, use it.

For some reason, the DC power adapter, USBHUB4CP, that you supposedly can purchase separately to turn this USBHUB4C into a powered USB hub, doesn't exist anymore on the web.... So don't count on this hub for any USB device that draws power from the computer itself, unless you can figure out the DC rating for this hub.

The Linksys hub is small and stylish. It self installs itself on Win XP and is hot swappable as well as everything that is plugged into it. It is compatible with USB 1.0/1.1 devices (not 2.0) Another option available is a AC power adapter for it that will allow the hub to power the devices rather than the battery from your laptop (although the adapter does not appear to be sold on Amazon). I have a HP laptop with two USB ports and I have 4 USB devices to hook to it. I was constantly pulling off my scanner or digital camera cable to use my webcam or printer. The hub allows me to have all 4 connected all the time. Everything works great. Highly reccomend at the current low price point.

It has a really short cord - but more annoying is the fact that the on-line description said it was USB 2.0, but upon delivery the package and booklet say it's USB 1.0 and 1.1 - nothing about 2.0.

For those to whom it matters, note that these will be USB 1.1 connections, not the (much faster) USB 2.0 even if you plug this device into a 2.0 compatible port.

The warnings may be justified, but this device delivers exactly what I wanted. The short cord is ideal for my laptop setup. The lack of separate power is an asset, since all my USB devices (mouse, keyboard, printer, camera) can draw power from the USB connection itself. That means no additional power cord to snake through to an outlet. My desk appreciates the small form-factor. And of course it delivers the primary benefit of a hub: the necessity of unplugging just a single connection to get the laptop on the road.

I do wish Linksys would market an identical-format hub with USB 2.0 speed.

This is a nice piece of equipment that will promply improve the organization in your desk with three more USB connections for your peripherals.
Installing it couldn't be any easier, just hook it up and go.
One draw be is that this is a 1.0 USB compliant connector. You might want to consider the new 2.0 standard for faster speeds, and more value for your buck.

Only works for USB1.1 so if you have USB2.0 devices you are at a disadvantage. There's no power adapter provided along with the device and its hard to purchase it separately. I was susprised to see that Amazon, which is well know for its detailed description of products, did not inform anything about the adapter or the USB type.

Apart from these two disadvantages this is a very good buy for the price. With most of the systems being plug-and-play compatible installation is quite easy. This will be especially useful for older computers with limited number of USB outlets and allows for easy expansion. I believe one can connect upto 127 devices in daisy chain... hmmm... what would those 127 devices be?

it's the perfect size if you need the ports for USB 1.0. be warned, however, that there's a tiny power input jack in the side (you can almost see it in the photo -- the little cutout on the left in the blue), but it doesn't come with a power adapter or any information about what to use. i use an optical mouse, a keyboard, and a webcam without problem, yet i've heard many usb devices need powered USB and there's clearly a jack, so i thought i should mention it.