Running out of USB Ports? Look no further. The GWC HU2G40 is a portable solution to your USB port problems. It allows for up to 4 additional USB ports, and with an optional external power source it's a great and inexpensive way to expand your connectability. Compact and portable, move it between systems or take it with you anywhere you need it.
It's Plug n' Play, and can be moved between systems without being reconfigured. It will also support almost any operating system, including Windows 98, 98SE, 2000, ME, XP, and Mac OS X. A great inexpensive addition to any computer, the GWC HU2G40 is a perfect piece of hardware to expand USB connectivity.
4-port USB HubThe GWC HU2G40 USB 2.0 hub features one USB 2.0 upstream port to connect the hub and your computer and four USB 2.0 downstream ports for connection to a variety of USB devices such as storage devices, scanners, printers, external optical drivers and digital cameras.
USB 2.0 InterfaceThe USB 2.0 interface enables high data transfer speeds of up to 480Mbps so you save time while copying or moving data. This device is also backwards compatible with USB Revision 1.1 products.
Both Bus Power and Self Power AvailableThe GWC HU2G40 USB 2.0 hub can be powered either via the USB port on your computer or via the external power adapter. When the bus power (through the USB port on the computer) fails to meet the power requirements of the USB devices, plugging the power adapter to external power will ensure your USB devices work properly.
Pros: Tiny! I didn't realize how small this thing was going to be before I received it. It's about the size of four USB type-A connectors side-by-side. It seems to work fine, too.
Cons: There are no indicators for port status or external power supply availability. Be careful if you use high-current devices, because the hub always reports itself as self-powered so there is NO protection against trying to source 2 amps from the upstream port if the hub's power supply isn't connected.
Overall Review: This unit (at least, at the time of this writing) is based on the Genesys Logic GL850A chip, which is a low-end product from a low-end manufacturer. Besides the power issues noted above, this chip only contains a single Transaction Translator, so it will be very slow at driving multiple USB 1.1 devices for a USB 2.0 uplink. Should be fine if all your devices are USB 2.0 though.