Ask HN: Good USB hub? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Good USB hub?

1 pointcallumjones4 comments

I know this is a pretty bog standard question, but I'm fed up with buying a Belkin or Logitech hub and finding they either don't power my iPhone 4 or give me an electrical shock.

Which leads me to ask for the community, what is a good decent USB hub (desktop based) for a MacBook Pro. When I mean decent I mean good solid build that doesn't fall over if too many cables are pulling on it and one that actually is capable to being a hub for more than 2 devices without shocking me.

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I've been using a 7 port powered (but not enough power to max all 7) hub from Monoprice for some time and am pleased. Product ID is 5328.

As for the mass problem, double back tape is your friend. There is a weighted hub available from Belkin, but they charge a ridiculous price.

Just remember the Monoprice shopping philosophy:

• When placing an order, get a couple of every cable you are likely to need in the next year plus some for your technically challenged friends. You probably can't beat these prices. That amortizes the shipping cost.

• Don't expect the same product to be there the next time you shop. (But I stocked up on $1 iPhone cables and $2 headphone/mic sets when they were there, see above)

• Prices are low, quality is generally acceptable, but won't be top notch. On the other hand, making a Cat-5 cable is not rocket science.

• CAT-6 is cool, but by the time your gear goes to 10Gbps+ it will need something better anyway.

Here's an industrial-looking 7-port hub:

http://www.buy.com/prod/startech-com-st7200usbm-mountable-ru...

A bit pricey, and doesn't come with a power supply (it has terminals for bare wires carrying 7-12V DC). But looks hefty.

I see that you specifically called out Belkin as undesirable, but I have a Belkin F4U017 on my desk plugged into my MacBook Pro charging my iPhone 4 and handling 3 other peripherals. It has been fantastic so far.

Please tell us how you managed a usb related injury.

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