Intro:

    USB hubs have been around for a quite some time now. Older PC's used to come with just two ports, and newer ones come with 4, 6, or even more now. Little did we know back then that the little engine that could, USB, would gain such popularity. Or did we? Regardless, there are many instances where a USB hub comes in handy. Laptops for one, as they tend to skimp out on USB ports it seems. So something like a hub definitely comes in handy. And that is where this compact hub would serve its purpose. Continue on for the review...


About this product:

Compact and light weight USB 2.0 Hub.


Specification & Features:

 - 4 Port USB 2.0 Hub
 - Support USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed)
 - Transfer speed up to 480 Mbps
 - Blue LED indicator.
 - Support Windows 2000, ME, XP and Mac OS
 - Driverless, Plug & Play.
 - Weight : 33gm
 - Size : 58.5 x 46.7 x 11.4 mm
 - Retractable USB cable & extension cable included.


The packaging:

    In clear retail packaging, the hub, and one of the included USB cables is easily seen. The other USB cable is located behind the cardboard insert. Nothing else really stands out right now, during this writing process, so I'll just let the pictures do the talking.

(1) Front	(2) Back

The cables:

    As previously mentioned, there are two USB cables included in the kit. One, a retractable cable unit, and an all so common now, clear/silver USB cable. What the silver one is not, is an extension cable, as stated in the specifications. It is a nearly 29" long and has a USB A to mini B connector, which has the same ends as the retractable cable. Those of you with 2.5" external USB enclosures just got yourself another cable. :)

    The retractable cable is 30" end to end when extended. It sure isn't a 6 foot cable, but something of this size is really geared for portable users, or someone who just likes the looks of this USB 2.0 capable hub.

(3) Retractable	(4) Silver colored cable (Not an extension cable)

The hub:

    Not previously mentioned, is the body of the hub is made out of metal. I'm no metallurgist, so I can't tell you what it is. Sorry. The end caps are a very shiny plastic. Now that comes as a double edged sword. Fingerprints are easily seen on the whole thing. So no eating pizza and handling your hub. Well, you can if you want, but I wouldn't really recommend it, unless you like looking at your fingerprints. For fingerprints to show up easily on the body of the hub, you'd think that the paint job on the unit was very good. And it is! Which was one point I was trying to make.

    If you saw the specs above, then you know this thing is pretty darn small. (Feel free to use the Conversions page if that helps.) The front of the hub has 2 outgoing USB ports. The back has 2 outgoing USB ports, the input USB (mini B) and a plug for optional power if you need it. Which you may, and I'll get into that. Lastly, the advertising is on me this time BIC.

(5) Front	(6) Back	(7) BIC lighter comparison

A better view of the ports:

    Below is a better shot of the front and back of the hub. Note: You need a 5 Volt, 2.6 Amp power adapter to change this from a self powered hub to a powered one. The adapter of course isn't included, but maybe you have something like that laying around the house. If you don't, I'm sure you can look one up, or look at your local electronic parts store...

(8) Front	(9) Back

In use/testing:

    My plan was to do some benchmarks with an external hard drive enclosure. That however was that idea was short lived. Not that it is this products fault, but in general, a self powered hub doesn't have the juice to run certain things. Like printers, in some instances, scanners, external enclosures, etc,. However, some card readers, (my xD card reader worked fine here, along with my Fuji digital camera) most defiantly mice, keyboards, Xmas ornaments, mouse pads, and lights work fine.

    With low powered items as aforementioned, the hub worked as expected with USB. Things just work. Plug in a mouse, it works, keyboard, it works, got the idea? For the manufacturer to include a power brick, it would drive up the cost, and hurt portability at the same time, so I don't have any qualms about that.

(10) Plugged in

Summary:

    Once again, with low power devices, the 4 port hub worked fine in both USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 modes. I have no real complaints, unless you put the hub at eye level. Bright blue LED's are all the rage in modding, and this is a bright blue LED. Please don't stare into it. It sure won't make your palms grow hair, but it will probably make you go blind. With general sincerity, this little USB hub should be seriously considered for anyone that likes the looks of this metallic hub, or is on the go with a laptop.


Pros:

   • Bright blue LED 'on' indicator
   • Two USB cables included
   • Very small and compact
   • Metal housing
   • USB cables are short, but an asset to mobile users
   • USB 1.1 and 2.0 functionality
   • Inexpensive at only $13 USD



Cons:

   • Bright blue LED 'on' indicator
   • Not an extension cable as described in the specifications
   • Shows fingerprints easily
   • USB cables are short, but an asset to mobile users
   • Being self powered, it will not handle high drain USB devices

"A small USB 2.0 compliant hub that every mobile user should consider."

Outtakes:

    Although I didn't cover it in the main review, I thought I'd share a couple pictures that maybe you would have liked to have seen. Well, here they are. The first is more of a size of the retractable wires picture, and the second, after finding my jewelers type screwdriver, I removed the 4 screws on the side of the hub, slipped off the back cover, and pushed the "insides" out of the front of the case. Ot2 is the result...So with a multimeter in hand, which I personally didn't dig out, you could test the voltage to the LED. I'm guessing it is 5 volts though, and finding a replacement if the blue one doesn't fit your scheme of things should be easy to do. Kudos for the blue to begin with though. Blue seems to be the "pushed upon us" color of choice, "for something different than green" that is...

(Ot1) Size of retractable cables	(Ot2) Inside...

Closing:

    I'd like to thank USBGEEK for sponsoring this USB 2.0 hub for review. It's going into the laptop arsenal bag right now. Also keep in mind, if you are looking for a powered hub, USBGEEK has them as well as many USB devices. If you hadn't guessed that already by their company name...I hope you enjoyed the review. Thanks for coming by! Until next time...

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