Hey OZB, I have recently, for the first time in my life, have the need for a Powered USB Hub and I have realized stupidly how little I actually know about these things.. I'm after the type that uses wall-power for the devices but leaves the upstream bandwidth for the computer to interface with. I have just ordered a laptop with only 2 USB ports but I need to connect quite a few (audio/midi) controllers and my keyboard/mouse as I will be using the setup for creating/editing/mixing audio.
Most of the deals I find with a search here (for information) are the powered hubs for charging - but they lack the computer host interface to be used to expand USB slots on a computer or laptop. (I assume high power drain really shouldn't be an issue for me as anything with big power draw already has its own external power source)
So, in fear of me falling into one of my walls of text I will get straight to the meat of my inquiry..
.. What should I be looking for in a powered hub? Possibly something in the 20% off sale? Ideally I need 5 ports or higher.
As always, thankyou for your time!
Basically, you are just looking for a data hub of the type you need (USB2, USB3) for your equipment. All the data lines will be connected and passed through the hub to connect to the host computer. The data speed/bandwidth should not be affected at all unless the current draw is stupidly large, in which case the electronics aren't functioning properly due to power starvation. In each USB socket, there are also pins for power, which is drawn from the host device as well. This current is limited — 0.5A for USB2, more for USB3. You need to be mindful if for example you have say a 7 port hub, each supplying maximum current to high drain devices, you would need a LOT of power supplied from the host, which it can't supply from a single port. Too many of these devices and the available power can dip enough to prevent the devices operating correctly. A powered hub relies on an external plugpack to help out and supply the majority of the voltage/current to drive these high drain devices. If the use you put the port to is low drain, you don't really need to boost the power. A mouse or USB flash drive typically doesn't draw much. A lot of external USB hard disks need a lot of power to spin the drive, often more than the port can supply. They often come with an extra USB "power-only" plug on the cable to draw a bit more power from a second port. A powered hub can be identified by a small DC socket (a small hole) on the case where you connect a plugpack. This is different to a USB charger where you just plug your phone in to recharge (or multiple devices). These don't carry data and don't plug into a host computer, they just supply power on the power pins. Plugging in just 5 keyboards/mice and midi controllers should all be low drain devices and should be able to be powered comfortably by the host device without needing a powered hub. When you start getting up to dozens of attached devices, there might be a need.