StarTech 7-Port Compact USB 3.0 Hub With Built-in Cable

Works really well nice and slim easy-to-use fits almost anywhere

Bad port out of the box

Bad port out of the box

Exactly what I was looking for! I have an iMac and it has very few USB ports, so I have been usin...

Exactly what I was looking for! I have an iMac and it has very few USB ports, so I have been using small 2 port hubs to try to be able to plug more stuff in. However, I had cables all over the place. I have something called a "TwelveSouth Backpack" that essentially puts a small shelf on the back of the iMac stand. I was using it for a small hard drive, but I was looking for a non-bulky solution (many similar products are designed to have cables coming out of the front, back, top and bottom) that I could plug all my USB accessories into while being able to fit it on the shelf with the hard drive. This thing is perfect for that situation because it is slim, has cables coming out of only the top and one side, and if someone sees it back there, its silver case makes it ... MoreExactly what I was looking for! I have an iMac and it has very few USB ports, so I have been using small 2 port hubs to try to be able to plug more stuff in. However, I had cables all over the place. I have something called a "TwelveSouth Backpack" that essentially puts a small shelf on the back of the iMac stand. I was using it for a small hard drive, but I was looking for a non-bulky solution (many similar products are designed to have cables coming out of the front, back, top and bottom) that I could plug all my USB accessories into while being able to fit it on the shelf with the hard drive. This thing is perfect for that situation because it is slim, has cables coming out of only the top and one side, and if someone sees it back there, its silver case makes it look like it was made for the iMac. The only downside is that the wall wart is huge. However, it wasn't a problem for my setup, but something to keep in mind for certain usage. For my needs, I really couldn't have asked for a better fit.

Good USB port

Good product. Works like it's supposed to. Metal case and narrow footprint fits well on desktop.

This STARTECH 7-PORT COMPACT ALUMINUM USB 3.0 HUB (with Built-in Cable and 20W Power Adapter) is ...

This STARTECH 7-PORT COMPACT ALUMINUM USB 3.0 HUB (with Built-in Cable and 20W Power Adapter) is an "Apple-Style Hub" (designed to harmonize with a MacBook). However, it works fine with my ASUS desktop PC. Plugged into the computer's USB 3.0 port and an AC outlet, the hub is fast and responsive--it performs better than my old powered 4-port Belkin 3.0 hub. USB 3.0 is backward compatible, so the hub works with both my USB 2.0 and 3.0 thumb drives. It's nice to have 7 ports, because I rarely need more than 4 ports, and having unused ports means there is space to plug in wide USB drives (e.g., an EyeFi card reader). The ports are tight, so it's harder to plug in a thumb drive than I would like, but that's a quibble. The hub has an attached USB cable, which makes it ... MoreThis STARTECH 7-PORT COMPACT ALUMINUM USB 3.0 HUB (with Built-in Cable and 20W Power Adapter) is an "Apple-Style Hub" (designed to harmonize with a MacBook). However, it works fine with my ASUS desktop PC. Plugged into the computer's USB 3.0 port and an AC outlet, the hub is fast and responsive--it performs better than my old powered 4-port Belkin 3.0 hub. USB 3.0 is backward compatible, so the hub works with both my USB 2.0 and 3.0 thumb drives. It's nice to have 7 ports, because I rarely need more than 4 ports, and having unused ports means there is space to plug in wide USB drives (e.g., an EyeFi card reader). The ports are tight, so it's harder to plug in a thumb drive than I would like, but that's a quibble. The hub has an attached USB cable, which makes it more suitable for a desktop setup than for travel. Nevertheless, it's equipped for travel--the power supply is equipped with a "universal plug" that works with all styles of electrical outlets. It arrives with a standard two-pronged U.S. wall outlet adapter installed, but there are three more adapters for other countries' outlets. The adapters (plastic plates with different kinds of prongs) slide on and off the basic power plug. In the past, I've purchased many StarTech adapters, components, and cables. The StarTech products have always performed satisfactorily, and I trust the brand.

This is a hub which works as expected. It's made plastic finished to look like brushed aluminum s...

This is a hub which works as expected. It's made plastic finished to look like brushed aluminum so while it appears to be a nice piece, handling it isn't nearly as satisfying at looking at it. I tested all ports finding they both communicated with the PC perfectly and also charged various iDevices and those which use USB to USB micro connections such as Samsungs or general accessories such as headphones. No technical issues at all were encountered during several days testing. As to final test, I plugged a four port non-powered USB hub into one of the seven ports turning this effectively into a 10 port device. I then transferred files between a thumb drive plugged into the four port hub and the computer. The transfer was a bit pokey but it didn't error once. I do ... MoreThis is a hub which works as expected. It's made plastic finished to look like brushed aluminum so while it appears to be a nice piece, handling it isn't nearly as satisfying at looking at it. I tested all ports finding they both communicated with the PC perfectly and also charged various iDevices and those which use USB to USB micro connections such as Samsungs or general accessories such as headphones. No technical issues at all were encountered during several days testing. As to final test, I plugged a four port non-powered USB hub into one of the seven ports turning this effectively into a 10 port device. I then transferred files between a thumb drive plugged into the four port hub and the computer. The transfer was a bit pokey but it didn't error once. I do have one minor and one not so minor gripe with this hub. The minor one is that both the power and USB to PC cords are just a wee too short with the power cord the worst offender. Many like me have their USB ports at the rear of the machine and of course, the power is almost always there too. This means I have the hub on the rear edge of the desk. That's as far as the power cord will let me take it. That's not a terribly convenient position for switching out USB devices / cords. My not so minor gripe is again the power cord which terminates at the plug end with the largest transformer block I"ve ever seen. This demands the last (or the first depending on how you count) power port on a stripe or UPS. Since there is only one end port (due to polarity issues) on each strip, this hog demands it for itself. If you have another one of these real estate grabbers, you need to decide accessory A or B or buy another expensive strip to accommodate this huge ugly lump. I find these end of cord power lumps to be a major discourtesy on the part of not just this manufacturer but many of them. I think it just stinks and damages the utility of an otherwise nice hub.

This is an excellent and extremely light weight USB Hub that I think works best as a portable hub...

This is an excellent and extremely light weight USB Hub that I think works best as a portable hub. From the photo I hoped, though even a second's thought should have shown me that it wasn't possible, that this was powered by my laptop's USB port. It will drive a three USB port, but not a seven port. The photo cuts off the end, where the power cord is attached. And the fact is that the power cord doesn't make this all that heavy. Not as portable as I had hoped, but not a huge inconvenience. It does mean that when I go to a library or coffee shop I have to find a power outlet, which to be honest I wanted to find anyway. It works great as a portable hub because it weighs practically nothing. Other seven port USB 3.0 hubs weigh a pound or two, which minimizes the value ... MoreThis is an excellent and extremely light weight USB Hub that I think works best as a portable hub. From the photo I hoped, though even a second's thought should have shown me that it wasn't possible, that this was powered by my laptop's USB port. It will drive a three USB port, but not a seven port. The photo cuts off the end, where the power cord is attached. And the fact is that the power cord doesn't make this all that heavy. Not as portable as I had hoped, but not a huge inconvenience. It does mean that when I go to a library or coffee shop I have to find a power outlet, which to be honest I wanted to find anyway. It works great as a portable hub because it weighs practically nothing. Other seven port USB 3.0 hubs weigh a pound or two, which minimizes the value of those super thin laptops they keep pushing us to buy. Once plugged into a power outlet I found that I had plenty of power for any combo I wanted using all seven plugs. So even though I'm a little disappointed that the strip requires a power cord, that is on me for having unreasonable expectations.

This works beautifully and has just enough ports for a Mac desk setup with a keyboard, mouse, cam...

This works beautifully and has just enough ports for a Mac desk setup with a keyboard, mouse, camera, audio transceiver, microphone and two spares for general use/charging. Ive noticed that occasionally it will get stuck and I have to full power cycle it to get it working again (unplug power adapater AND upstream computer connection).

Works very well. It has been holding up well, as I am regularly plugging and unplugging devices. ...

Works very well. It has been holding up well, as I am regularly plugging and unplugging devices. The cables are too long for my tight desk layout, and need to be bundled up tight - but that may not be an issue for you. The 20-watt AC adapter is somewhat bulky and heavy, but offers plenty of power if you're connecting many power-hungry devices.