Buying a USB Hub Splitter Box
A USB hub from D-Link can help you get more USB ports in the event you need a few extra for any purpose. Be aware of what you can find in your splitter box.
How Does This Adapter Work?
A USB hub uses several points for making it work:
- A small motherboard will house the USB ports. Those connections need to be as close to one another as possible.
- The box should have a plug that links to another item. This might include another USB port that links to a desktop or laptop computer. A charging-only unit would be plugged into a traditional wall outlet.
- The electric current produced will spread to all of the built-in ports on the box.
- The USB ports should be fully functional after the box is plugged in. It may take a moment for the ports to start working after the power to the unit is sent out.
What Is the Intention For?
Your splitter box will work with one of two intentions in mind:
- Some models may link up to a computer through a high-speed USB connection. For instance, you can connect a portable hard drive onto a splitter box that will be read by the computer, thus allowing you to access what is on that drive.
- Another option is designed for charging use. You would use an electric cable to secure the box to a wall outlet. This would produce some ports that you can charge smaller devices with.
How Many Ports Does a Box Have?
The number of ports in your USB hub will vary by model. You may find a four-port model that is suitable for most computing needs. Some larger choices include a D-Link seven-port model.
Some models will have the ports on one side of the box. Others are rotatable and allow you to reach certain ports on different sides. This includes a square-shaped four-port hub that uses one port on each side to keep the wires apart.
What Types of Ports Work?
The ports you will find on your portable hub should be reviewed accordingly. Several choices may work:
- USB2. The second standard for USB connections is used on most laptops and desktops.
- USB3. The transfer rate on a USB3 link is faster than what the USB2 setup uses.
- USB-C. This smaller port design is utilized for handling smaller devices.
- Charging ports. While many ports on a drive might work for linking items to a computer, others are designed exclusively for powering up devices. These include drives for mobile phones, tablets, and media players. Some D-Link four-port models combine the two features together and should be labels letting you know which ones are charger spots and which are for other items.
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