Can a USB port use a splitter?

Wings_of_Ambition

Hello there

How are you? Really? Did she? Well I never. I always thought she was a bit dodgy. Some people never learn, eh!?

Right, thats the small talk out of the way, so onto my question:

I have a laptop with one USB port. I plug a wireless network adapter into it. Occasionally, I would like to be able to use other applications which require a port - scanner, digicam, webcam - at the same time as being on the net. Is it possible to get some sort of USB port 'splitter', and will the computer allow this?

Cheers

WoA

Rev

Do you mean something like this 4 port USB from ebuyer?

squirrelz

As the above post suggests, what you need is a USB hub. They come in 2 main types
1) host powered - draws its power from the machine you plug it in to. This means it has limited power to supply to USB devices, so a mouse will be fine, a USB scanner will be fine if it has its own power supply, a USB key will be fine, but you probably wont be able to charge a mobile phone from it, or a PDA.
2) self powered - comes with a separate power adaptor (but can usually be used without it in host power mode). Can supply the same amount of power as a normal USB port.

They also come in USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 flavours - if you've only got one port on the laptop, it's probably only USB 1.1

mondayuk

Great start to the post it has to be said.

wobbley

I believe you can have up to 127 devices linked to each USB port. This could be achieved by 'daisy-chaining' hubs together. However some devices draw power from the USB port These are usually those with no other power supply like some scanners and illuminated keypads and mice. To run multiple 'powered' devices from one port it would be best to get a 'powered' hub, that means one with an external power supply that plugs into the mains. Best to go for a USB 2 one as this will work perfectly on all current ports but a USB 1 hub will only work at a slow speed even if the device and port are USB 2.

matty_c608

Get a USB Hub at poundland - £1 duhh! They have 4 ports. That means you can connect 4 items at once. Beware though USB devices drain Laptop batteries fast!

-=Mr-J=-

wobbley wrote:

I believe you can have up to 127 devices linked to each USB port. This could be achieved by 'daisy-chaining' hubs together...

There is a theoretical maximum of 1024 USB devices, 1365 if you count the 341 hubs required to achieve this.
127 is the recommended maximum for concurrently connected devices.

I personally have not made it past four - so plenty of room for expansion

robnye

-=Mr-J=- wrote:

There is a theoretical maximum of 1024 USB devices, 1365 if you count the 341 hubs required to achieve this.
127 is the recommended maximum for concurrently connected devices.

I personally have not made it past four - so plenty of room for expansion

can you imagine the state of your computer desk if you had 1365 devices daisy chained......... and what about the power cables and electricity usage...... :eek: