Kensington DomeHub 7-port USB 2.0 Hub with FlyLight

by Kensington

Product Details

Data Sheet [79kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002FHENE
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 33118
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (184 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 12, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Rock-solid hub tames USB cable creep

The DomeHub 2.0 won't be pushed around like featherweight, plastic USB hubs. Its weighted base and non-skid feet stay put, even when cables are being connected or disconnected. And with its USB 2.0 speed-up to 40 times faster than USB 1.1-the hub is a heavyweight performer, connecting up to seven USB devices. Flylight is included.

Features

• Weighted base and non-skid feet stay put
  
• Seven USB ports to connect up to seven devices
  
• USB 2.0 delivers up to 40 times the speed of USB 1.1
  
• Dome design adds stylish flair
  
• FlyLight® included
  
• Works with USB 2.0 and 1.
• PC/MAC compatible
  

Warranty

DomeHub USB 2.0 (7 ports) is backed by the Kensington 1-Year warranty.

Product Description

Kensington K33118 7-port USB 2.0 DomeHub K33118USB USB Hubs

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

151 of 156 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why user-centred design really works., January 12, 2005

By 

John Jones (Shippensburg, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kensington DomeHub 7-port USB 2.0 Hub with FlyLight (Personal Computers)

The Kensington 7 Port USB 2.0 Dome Hub is a superb piece of user-centred design.

For years I've used USB ports that technically did their job, but failed in other areas. Take the most recent that I've been using - made by GE, it suffers from design flaws that are truly infuriating. First, there is not enough space between the USB port sockets, so that USB leads that have fat plugs cannot be plugged in next to each other. Secondly, the unit is so light (despite being a seven-port hub) that it slides around my desk whenever I move one of the leads that are plugged into it. It might work technically as a hub, but as a piece of useful technology it's hopeless. It has quite clearly never actually been tested by a real end-user in a working environment.

The Kensington 7 Port USB 2.0 Dome Hub, on the other hand, is superbly designed. Its rounded shape means that the USB lead plugs are adequately separated and all the ports can accommodate a lead with a fat plug. One of the ports is conveniently located right at the top of the dome, perfect positioning for items that are frequently plugged and unplugged, such as pen drives. And, the unit is heavily weighted, and never slides around my desk. And, it looks superb as well. Highly recommended.

176 of 188 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Plugs don't stay in, February 4, 2005

By 

Karen Wallace (MD, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kensington DomeHub 7-port USB 2.0 Hub with FlyLight (Personal Computers)

It's very cute, and I like the way the LEDs light up when something is plugged in and blink when data is going through. However, I have a few complaints.

1) The plugs don't go all the way in because the ports are set parallel to the base, not perpendicular to the surface. One side of the plug is seated all the way, but the other side isn't.

2) Plugged-in items slip out easily. The hub is behind my monitor where nothing moving touches it, yet I occasionally find that my printer is offline because the plug has slipped out of the hub.

96 of 100 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Is it OK to love a USB hub?, July 2, 2006

By 

Greg Robertson (Historic Quincy, MA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kensington DomeHub 7-port USB 2.0 Hub with FlyLight (Personal Computers)

I don't usually get all misty about peripherals, but the Kensington 7-Port USB 2.0 Dome Hub solved a couple of major usability issues for me and is possibly the best, most intelligently thought out USB hub made. Why?

1) This hub replaced an older 4-port hub that had too few ports even when it was new. This makes me ask: Why do others even bother to make a 4-port desktop hub today? If you're on the fence as to whether it's worth spending $12 more to get 7 ports instead of 4, the answer is Yes, Yes, YES! Even if you don't use all 7 right away, at some point -- like when you need them most -- you'll be glad they are there.

2) This hub's dome design actually makes it more compact than my old 4-port hub, so it takes less desktop space while doing more work.

3) It's weighted, so it stays where I put it. As with other hubs sold even today, my old one was not weighted, so it moved whenever a USB cable did, which in turn often made cables come loose. But the Kensington Dome is rock steady and the cables stay put.

4) It worked instantly right out of the box, and still works flawlessly. Note that I run a Mac OS X system, so no driver was needed for this hub. If you run OS 9 or older, or a PC with Windows, you'll need to load the driver provided on a CD that comes in the package. I can't vouch for how it runs with those systems, but it worked so well with mine that I see no reason it shouldn't with yours.

Finally, keep in mind that although this is a USB 2.0 hub, if you plug it into a USB 1.1 computer port, like those in an older computer, it can only do USB 1.1 work. This may seem obvious, but unfortunately isn't to some, and it's an important point in order to give this little beauty it's due respect.

Go for it. You'll love it, too.