Satechi 3.0 4-Port USB Hub

More is better, at least when it comes to USB 3.0 ports. This rings especially true in the era of ultrabooks, which tend to be rather skimpy on port selection. And it's safe to say that fewer things disrupt workflow or unnecessarily irritate more than being forced to switch between peripheral devices because of limited port real estate. Enter the Satechi 3.0 4-Port USB Hub ($39.99 direct), which lets you quadruple your system's USB 3.0 connectivity. Naturally it's backward-compatible with USB 2.0 devices as well, but its support with the faster and more versatile USB 3.0 interface is what truly sets it apart from other hubs. For those looking to get the most mileage out of a single USB 3.0 port, it's a nearly perfect blend of simplicity, affordability, and portability. Its requiring an external power source to fully function is inconvenient, but the Satechi 3.0 ?is nonetheless a fine choice for anyone in the market looking to expand their connectivity options.

Setting up the Satechi 3.0 is incredibly straightforward. Simply plug it in to one of your computer's USB 3.0 ports via the included USB Micro B cable and presto, you've gained four additional USB 3.0 ports. That's it?there's no cumbersome software to install, and it's compatible with Windows (98SE/ME/2000/XP/Vista/7), Linux (kernel version 2.4 or later), and Mac (OS 9.1 or later). Of course, Apple's roster of USB 3.0?equipped systems is dwarfed in comparison to the number Windows has, save for a handful of systems including the latest wave of MacBook Pros and the MacBook Air 13-inch (Mid 2012) ?(4 stars).

The Satechi 3.0 measures 0.5 by 3 by 2 inches (HWD), or roughly the size of a stack of ten credit cards. Because it weighs next to nothing (1.6 ounces), it can just as easily be carried around in your shirt pocket as your laptop bag without adding any noticeable heft. The compact yellow chassis is constructed primarily out of plastic, with a gray aluminum lid rounding out an overall two-tone finish. Beneath the Satechi logo on the lower-right side of the lid is an LED activity light that blinks whenever the hub is in use. Four tiny rubber pads on the hub's underside provide a grip so you don't have to worry about it sliding around and potentially unplugging your devices. Three of the USB 3.0 ports are located at the front of the hub, with the fourth located at the rear alongside a power port for the included AC adapter and a micro USB B port for connecting to your system's USB 3.0 port.

Overall, the Satechi 3.0 nicely combines form and function. When transferring our 1.22GB test folder, I noticed no performance degradation. This brings me to the hub's only real drawback: It uses an external power source. Were this not the case, it would have essentially been as portable as a flash drive. External power supplies aren't always necessary; keyboards, mice, and many single bus-powered portable hard drives don't need them, and it's feasible to charge (but not sync) most smartphones without them as well. But to take full advantage of the Satechi 3.0, a power outlet must be nearby. For the desktop-bound, this barely registers as a complaint, but those looking for something truly portable may be miffed by this shortcoming.

For users looking to expand their USB 3.0 connectivity, the Satechi 3.0 4-Port USB Hub is overall a very good choice. And at $40, it's also a solid value, boiling down to $10 per USB 3.0 port. Just be sure to have a power outlet nearby.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/RdmrMu_3ROk/0,2817,2407655,00.asp

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