Belkin Macintosh Manual Switchbox 2-port - switch - 2 ports

Advantages: Very versatile, handy, and easy to use
Disadvantages: A bit more expensive than some other "cheaper" hubs

...The Belkin USB BusStation is an extremely easy way to expand your USB ports / serial / com / ps2 / Ethernet ports. The basic package comes as a 4 bay stackable system, with one base 4 port USB hub, and 3 other 1 port USB hubs. All are removable and can be exhanged for other Belkin hub products. This means total diversity. You could, for example, have 4 x 4 port USB hubs (a 16 port USB hub in total). The BusStation has it's own power supply, providing a true 500 mA per port current, with an overload protection system on each port. Currently, Belkin are giving a £5 rebate back if you send off the barcode on the bottom (or a £10 rebate if you send off the barcodes from a BusStation and one other Belkin hub product). To see more of the Belkin range, visit their website www.belkin.com or www.belkin.co.uk... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: small, no power supply needed
Disadvantages: very old hat, will not work with all printers,bad instructions

...of printers are multi-function. As I had ,ofcourse, already opened the pack I thought Id give it go anyway, installation of the switch and software is dead easy but when i came to look at the much boasted about 'hot key switching' I found that the installation booklet tells you to 'refer to the user manual' . There isn't one, not in the pack or on the CD. In fact I had to go to the Belkin web site and download the manual, THEN I could work out how to actually use the switch. It would work, but not switch between printers using the hot key, I guess this is due to the incompatability with multi-funtion printers so I gave up at that stage. So bottom line is, I think this will work OK with a basic printer but play safe and buy the later model, which I believe will work with all. If you do buy then expect the usual Belkin view that if you buy one... Read review

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Advantages: Speed and number of available ports
Disadvantages: Occupies one PCI slot, no USB2.0 driver yet!?

...Belkin - a name you can trust for quality hardware. That is enough justification for me, having struggled for ages (and failed miserably) to get the USB ports on my motherboard to work reliably (VIA Chipset - yuk!). So, I head straight for the shops to find a plug-and-play USB card so that I can add some working ports to my PC, and connect up my new digital camera without messing about with serial communications errors. Belkin seemed to have the answer, this four port USB card that plugs into one of my motherboard's spare PCI slots. As a bonus, it also claims to support the new USB 2.0 standard. Not that I need version 2.0 just yet, but it always pays to be ahead of the game if you can afford it. So the box arrives, and I eagerly unpack it - only to find that Belkin have pulled a rather mean trick. They haven't written the USB 2... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful