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Many modern devices are equipped with USB connectors. Often the number of USB ports provided by the manufacturer is not enough.

It is possible to increase the number of USB connectors in several ways, for example, using a USB hub, hub, or splitter.

USB Hub USB hub USB splitter

USB HUB (USB HUB, USB hub), USB hub, USB splitter - this is the same device that allows you to get a certain number of additional ones from one USB connector

USB HUB is easy to use; it does not require any specific skills or knowledge before use.

All that is required is to connect it to a free usb connector on a computer, laptop or other device and to the power supply, if an active usb hub has been selected.

After these steps, a number of additional USB connectors will become available to the user.

Number of usb hub connectors

The number of available connectors will depend on the type of USB hub.

There are two types: passive and active. Both types may have a large number of connectors, but not each is able to provide the required conditions for stable operation of a large number of simultaneously connected and volatile devices.

Passive usb hub

The passive type is the most common; it does not require additional power from the mains and has a more attractive cost. Most models provide from 2 to 6 additional USB connectors.

A passive USB hub is often unable to properly ensure stable, correct operation of a large number of simultaneously connected devices and devices with high power consumption due to the inability of the USB connector to which the hub is connected to produce the high current required to operate the increased number of devices .

Active usb hub

An active USB hub, unlike a passive one, has the ability to connect additional power from the network, due to this, an active hub can provide up to 16, and sometimes more additional USB ports. It allows you to connect more devices and volatile devices, within the maximum power of its power supply.

Most models of active hubs can be used as passive ones if you do not connect additional power to them, in which case the key capabilities of this type are lost, but this feature allows you to use an active hub as a passive one in the absence of the ability to connect additional ones. nutrition.

Some models are equipped with separate USB ports designed for faster charging of portable devices; as a rule, they are painted in a different color, for example, yellow. Usually, their availability is indicated on the packaging or in the documentation.

The active type will be useful when connecting a large number of devices or devices with increased power requirements, in other cases this type may not be so popular...

USB extension cable

A USB extension cable, often designated as (3.0) AMAF (AM AF), has one USB connector that allows you to move the USB input on the desired device to the required distance.

The maximum available length is no more than 5 meters.

The longer the length, the greater the losses in speed and current, therefore, not every device will be able to operate stably over a long wire length.

Helpful hints

1 If the device to which the hub or splitter is connected has ports, then it is better to choose a hub or splitter that supports USB 3.0 to get maximum performance.

If the device has USB 2.0 ports, then there will be no difference between versions 2 and 3, since the 2.0 port cannot use the additional pins available on the 3.0 plug.

2 An extension cord can be used to extend the hub wire if it is not long enough.

Approximately how many devices can be connected to the hub?

A passive hub is capable of ensuring stable operation of 3 flash drives without backlighting, and up to 5, provided they are connected to a port with the same standard.

The capabilities of the active one will depend on the characteristics of its power supply.

Features of a USB hub. Three types of USB hub. Selecting the interface and design of the USB hub.

The problem of insufficient USB ports becomes more acute with the rapidly growing number of additional devices. So, even on the most modern computer of the latest model, there may not be enough space to connect the necessary equipment with a USB connector.

The more additional devices you have, the more USB ports you need. If the permanent connectors are already occupied by a keyboard, mouse, printer, scanner, modem, joystick, then there is hardly any room to connect a webcam or flash drive.

Constantly switching from one to another is also not an option; not only is it inconvenient and takes extra time, but the sockets themselves become loose from frequent connections and disconnections. For such cases, we have developed our own version - a USB hub or USB hub.

A USB hub is a special device for increasing the number of USB ports. For each specific case, you can select an individual concentrator with the necessary parameters.

There are three types of USB hub. The first is a regular USB hub. Its structure is quite simple and it is installed as easily as a flash drive. Occupying only one USB port slot, it makes it possible to get several additional USB ports.

Regular USB hubs come in several types. Some connect to a USB port via a cable, others directly to the USB port itself. Each option has its own pros and cons.

If you connect a USB hub via a cord, the port can be placed where it is convenient to use it, for example, on a desktop. The disadvantage is that interference occurs with extra centimeters of cable. And when connecting a large number of USB devices, the data transfer speed decreases sharply.

And in this case, the most successful option would be to use the second type of hub - an active USB hub. These devices are powered not from the computer’s USB port, but from an external power source, and as a result, the signal is not attenuated, but amplified.

This type of active USB hub is more practical and much more convenient than the first. Its advantages are that even if the hub is located a few meters away from the main USB port, interference will not occur. The distance is compensated by the presence of external power.

Sometimes an active USB hub is the only solution when connecting an external device at any distance from the system unit. A variety of such hubs are wireless USB hubs.

The absence of wires makes them an ideal solution for increasing the number of USB ports on a laptop. Their difference from active wired USB hubs is that the connection is via Wi-Fi and not via cable.

The third type of USB hub is a USB PCI card. As an option for operating concentrators, it is the best, but not always acceptable. The fact is that the USB PCI card is installed inside the computer, on the motherboard.

The plus is that all data passes without interference and at maximum speed, but the minus is that USB ports will appear on the back of the system unit. Simply put, if you need to move the USB ports some distance from the system unit, a USB PCI card is not an option.

The inconvenience of this type of concentrator is that, unlike the first two, it must be installed by a specialist. A USB PCI A card will not fit into a laptop if you need a USB hub for it.

In general, each of the three USB hub options has its own positive and negative sides. And determining which one is better can only be done by correlating all the data applicable to each specific case.

The next criterion that must be adhered to when choosing a USB hub is the interface. The data transfer speed will depend on it. The best option is a USB hub for interface 2.0. This is what modern computers work well with.

For processors manufactured ten years ago, only a USB hub with a 1.1 interface is suitable. Today, such hubs are no longer produced, but there are still USB hubs on sale that simultaneously support two interfaces - 2.0 and 1.1.

In addition to the types and interface, USB hubs differ in design. Today there is a large selection, both in form and additional functions. There are simple, unassuming concentrators, and others in the form of pyramids, clocks and other toys.

The appearance and originality of the form, in principle, do not significantly affect the quality of operation of the USB hub. The only thing to consider when choosing a hub is its size; USB devices should not interfere with each other when connected at the same time.

When purchasing a flash drive, many people ask the question: “how to choose the right flash drive.” Of course, choosing a flash drive is not so difficult if you know exactly for what purpose it is being purchased. In this article I will try to give a complete answer to the question posed. I decided to write only about what to look for when buying.

A flash drive (USB drive) is a drive designed for storing and transferring information. The flash drive works very simply without batteries. You just need to connect it to the USB port of your PC.

1. Flash drive interface

At the moment there are 2 interfaces: USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. If you decide to buy a flash drive, then I recommend taking a flash drive with a USB 3.0 interface. This interface was made recently, its main feature is high data transfer speed. We'll talk about speeds a little lower.

This is one of the main parameters that you need to look at first. Now flash drives from 1 GB to 256 GB are sold. The cost of a flash drive will directly depend on the amount of memory. Here you need to immediately decide for what purpose you are buying a flash drive. If you are going to store text documents on it, then 1 GB is enough. For downloading and transferring movies, music, photos, etc. you need to take the more, the better. Today, the most popular flash drives are from 8GB to 16GB.

3. Housing material

The body can be made of plastic, glass, wood, metal, etc. Most flash drives are made of plastic. I can’t give any advice here; it all depends on the buyer’s preferences.

4. Data transfer rate

Earlier I wrote that there are two standards: USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. Now I will explain how they differ. The USB 2.0 standard has read speeds of up to 18 Mbit/s and write speeds of up to 10 Mbit/s. The USB 3.0 standard has a read speed of 20-70 Mbit/s, and a write speed of 15-70 Mbit/s. Here, I think, there is no need to explain anything.

Nowadays you can find flash drives of different shapes and sizes in stores. They can be in the form of jewelry, fancy animals, etc. Here I would advise taking flash drives that have a protective cap.

6. Password protection

There are flash drives that have a password protection feature. Such protection is carried out using a program that is located in the flash drive itself. The password can be set both on the entire flash drive and on part of the data in it. Such a flash drive will primarily be useful to people who transfer corporate information to it. According to the manufacturers, if you lose it, you don’t have to worry about your data. Not so simple. If such a flash drive falls into the hands of an understanding person, then hacking it is just a matter of time.

These flash drives look very beautiful, but I would not recommend buying them. Because they are very fragile and often break in half. But if you are a neat person, then feel free to take it.

Conclusion

As you noticed, there are many nuances. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. In my opinion, the most important parameters when choosing are: the standard of the flash drive, the capacity and speed of writing and reading. And everything else: design, material, options - this is just everyone’s personal choice.

Good afternoon, my dear friends. In today's article I want to talk about how to choose the right mouse pad. When buying a rug, many people do not attach any importance to this. But as it turned out, this point needs to be given special attention, because... The mat determines one of the indicators of comfort while working at a PC. For an avid gamer, choosing a rug is a completely different story. Let's look at what types of mouse pads have been invented today.

Mat options

1. Aluminum
2. Glass
3. Plastic
4. Rubberized
5. Double sided
6. Helium

And now I would like to talk about each type in more detail.

1. First I want to consider three options at once: plastic, aluminum and glass. These rugs are very popular among gamers. For example, plastic mats are easier to find on sale. The mouse glides quickly and accurately on these mats. And most importantly, these mouse pads are suitable for both laser and optical mice. Aluminum and glass mats will be a little harder to find. Yes, and they will cost a lot. True, there is a reason for this - they will serve for a very long time. These types of rugs have minor flaws. Many people say that they rustle when operating and are a little cool to the touch, which may cause discomfort for some users.

2. Rubberized (rag) mats have soft sliding, but the accuracy of their movements is worse. For ordinary users, such a mat will be just right. And they are much cheaper than the previous ones.

3. Double-sided mouse pads, in my opinion, are a very interesting type of mouse pad. As the name suggests, these rugs have two sides. Typically, one side is high-speed and the other is high-precision. It happens that each side is designed for a specific game.

4. Helium mats have a silicone cushion. She supposedly supports the hand and relieves tension from it. For me personally, they turned out to be the most inconvenient. According to their intended purpose, they are designed for office workers, since they sit at the computer all day long. These mats are not suitable for casual users and gamers. The mouse glides very poorly on the surface of such mouse pads, and their accuracy is not the best.

Mat sizes

There are three types of rugs: large, medium and small. Here everything primarily depends on the taste of the user. But as is commonly believed, large rugs are good for games. Small and medium ones are taken mainly for work.

Rugs design

In this regard, there are no restrictions. It all depends on what you want to see on your rug. Fortunately, now they don’t draw anything on rugs. The most popular are the logos of computer games, such as Dota, Warcraft, Line, etc. But if it happened that you couldn’t find a rug with the pattern you wanted, don’t be upset. Now you can order a print on a rug. But such mats have a disadvantage: when printing is applied to the surface of the mat, its properties deteriorate. Design in exchange for quality.

This is where I want to end the article. On my own behalf, I wish you to make the right choice and be satisfied with it.
For anyone who doesn’t have a mouse or wants to replace it with another one, I advise you to look at the article:.

Microsoft's all-in-one PCs have been replenished with a new all-in-one model called Surface Studio. Microsoft recently presented its new product at an exhibition in New York.

On a note! I wrote an article a couple of weeks ago where I reviewed the Surface all-in-one. This candy bar was presented earlier. To view the article, click on.

Design

Microsoft calls its new product the world's thinnest candy bar. Weighing 9.56 kg, the thickness of the display is only 12.5 mm, the remaining dimensions are 637.35x438.9 mm. The display dimensions are 28 inches with a resolution greater than 4K (4500x3000 pixels), aspect ratio 3:2.

On a note! The display resolution of 4500x3000 pixels corresponds to 13.5 million pixels. This is 63% more than 4K resolution.

The all-in-one display itself is touch-sensitive, housed in an aluminum case. On such a display it is very convenient to draw with a stylus, which ultimately opens up new possibilities for using a candy bar. In my opinion, this candy bar model will appeal to creative people (photographers, designers, etc.).

On a note! For people in creative professions, I advise you to look at the article where I reviewed all-in-one computers with similar functionality. Click on the highlighted one: .

To everything written above, I would add that the main feature of the candy bar will be its ability to instantly turn into a tablet with a huge working surface.

On a note! By the way, Microsoft has another amazing candy bar. To find out about it, go to.

Specifications

I will present the characteristics in the form of a photograph.

From the periphery, I note the following: 4 USB ports, Mini-Display Port connector, Ethernet network port, card-reader, 3.5 mm audio jack, 1080p webcam, 2 microphones, 2.1 Dolby Audio Premium audio system, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. The candy bar also supports Xbox wireless controllers.

Price

When purchasing an all-in-one PC, Windows 10 Creators Update will be installed on it. This system should be released in the spring of 2017. This operating system will have updated Paint, Office, etc. The price for an all-in-one PC will be from $3,000.
Dear friends, write in the comments what you think about this candy bar, ask questions. I'll be glad to chat!

OCZ demonstrated the new VX 500 SSD drives. These drives will be equipped with a Serial ATA 3.0 interface and are made in a 2.5-inch form factor.

On a note! Anyone interested in how SSD drives work and how long they last can read in an article I wrote earlier:.

The new products are made using 15-nanometer technology and will be equipped with Tochiba MLC NAND flash memory microchips. The controller in the SSD drives will be Tochiba TC 35 8790.
The VX 500 drive range will consist of 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB. According to the manufacturer, the sequential read speed will be 550 MB/s (this is for all drives in this series), but the write speed will be from 485 MB/s to 512 MB/s.

The number of input/output operations per second (IOPS) with data blocks of 4 KB in size can reach 92,000 when reading, and 65,000 when writing (this is all at random).
The thickness of OCZ VX 500 drives will be 7 mm. This will allow them to be used in ultrabooks.

The prices of the new products will be as follows: 128 GB - $64, 256 GB - $93, 512 GB - $153, 1 TB - $337. I think in Russia they will cost more.

Lenovo presented its new gaming all-in-one IdeaCentre Y910 at Gamescom 2016.

On a note! Previously, I wrote an article where I already reviewed gaming monoblocks from different manufacturers. This article can be viewed by clicking on this one.

The new product from Lenovo received a frameless display measuring 27 inches. The display resolution is 2560x1440 pixels (this is QHD format), the refresh rate is 144 Hz, and the response time is 5 ms.

The monoblock will have several configurations. The maximum configuration includes a 6th generation Intel Core i7 processor and a hard drive capacity of up to 2 TB or 256 GB. The amount of RAM is 32 GB DDR4. The graphics will be provided by an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 or GeForce GTX 1080 video card with Pascal architecture. Thanks to such a video card, it will be possible to connect a virtual reality helmet to the candy bar.
From the periphery of the candy bar, I would highlight the Harmon Kardon audio system with 5-watt speakers, the Killer DoubleShot Pro Wi-Fi module, a webcam, USB ports 2.0 and 3.0, and HDMI connectors.

In its basic version, the IdeaCentre Y910 monoblock will go on sale in September 2016 at a price of 1,800 euros. But the candy bar with the “VR-ready” version will appear in October at a price of 2,200 euros. It is known that this version will have a GeForce GTX 1070 video card.

MediaTek has decided to upgrade its Helio X30 mobile processor. So now the developers from MediaTek are designing a new mobile processor called Helio X35.

I would like to briefly talk about Helio X30. This processor has 10 cores, which are combined into 3 clusters. Helio X30 has 3 variations. The first - the most powerful - consists of Cortex-A73 cores with a frequency of up to 2.8 GHz. There are also units with Cortex-A53 cores with a frequency of up to 2.2 GHz and Cortex-A35 with a frequency of 2.0 GHz.

The new Helio X35 processor also has 10 cores and is created using 10-nanometer technology. The clock frequency in this processor will be much higher than that of its predecessor and ranges from 3.0 Hz. The new product will allow you to use up to 8 GB of LPDDR4 RAM. The graphics in the processor will most likely be handled by the Power VR 7XT controller.
The station itself can be seen in the photographs in the article. In them we can see storage compartments. One bay has a 3.5" jack and the other has a 2.5" jack. Thus, it will be possible to connect both a solid-state drive (SSD) and a hard drive (HDD) to the new station.

The dimensions of the Drive Dock station are 160x150x85mm, and the weight is no less than 970 grams.
Many people probably have a question about how the Drive Dock connects to a computer. I answer: this happens through the USB port 3.1 Gen 1. According to the manufacturer, the sequential read speed will be 434 MB/s, and in write mode (sequential) 406 MB/s. The new product will be compatible with Windows and Mac OS.

This device will be very useful for people who work with photo and video materials at a professional level. Drive Dock can also be used for file backups.
The price for the new device will be acceptable - it is $90.

On a note! Previously, Renduchinthala worked for Qualcomm. And since November 2015, he moved to a competing company, Intel.

In his interview, Renduchintala did not talk about mobile processors, but only said the following, I quote: “I prefer to talk less and do more.”
Thus, the Intel top manager created great intrigue with his interview. We can only wait for new announcements in the future.

Today, more and more devices are appearing that connect to a computer via USB ports. These can be mice, keyboards, printers, external hard drives, flash drives, additional cooling fans and other necessary devices. In addition to such necessary equipment, the industry even produces coffee makers and lamps, the power of which is supplied through this port. This is all great, but computers only have a few USB inputs as standard. If there are a large number of such devices, a problem arises:

There is nowhere to turn on the next device. It’s good if one of the connected ones can be disconnected without affecting operation. What if this is not possible? The number of these ports needs to be increased. This can be done if you buy a USB hub. It is a small device that usually has one input and several USB outputs. The number of such ports on one device can be from 2 to 90, but most often there are models with up to 10 inputs. Design, color and decoration are very diverse.

USB hubs can be of several types:

It is very important that when you connect a USB hub, programs and drivers are automatically installed to ensure the operation of additional ports. After installation is complete, the system displays a message indicating it is ready for use.

Sometimes, when connecting multiple USB devices, difficulties arise due to the ports being very close together. There are models on which the inputs are located on flexible wires, for example, CH 170 USB Hub. This device also has what is also sometimes necessary for connecting cameras, cameras and other equipment.

You purchased a USB hub, connected it, but a problem arises: where to put it. There are models that simply stand on a table or system unit, and there are devices that are designed to be mounted on a wall or any other vertical or horizontal surface.

In general, there are a lot of models. They differ in the number of ports, the type of their location, appearance, size, method of fastening, installation and, of course, price. In such a variety, you will undoubtedly find what you want.

Of course, you can follow the “old-fashioned” methods: disconnect the mouse to connect the printer, and then frantically look for where to “plug” the flash drive. It is also not uncommon for a user to purchase a webcam, USB oscilloscope or some other gadget, and then it turns out that the length of the device’s wire does not allow it to be conveniently placed.

However, the modern market can offer a rational way out of this situation, and it is called a USB hub or hub.

A hub is a device that allows you to increase the number of USB ports.

In general, there are four varieties of this miracle device in the world:

• USB PCI type card. This option, as the name suggests, is a motherboard that is attached directly to the motherboard in the computer case. This is precisely where the main drawback and main advantage of such a device lies.

Pros: close proximity to the motherboard, which provides high speed information exchange.

Cons: inconvenient location, not suitable for devices with short cables.

• Passive USB hub. Such a device is somewhat similar to the usual “flash drive”; it also connects to a USB port, but with the only difference that instead of additional disk space it provides the user with additional connectors. There are often cases when this type of hub is equipped with a long wire, which allows you to easily place this “cluster of connectors” in the workplace.

Pros: convenient placement
Cons: The connecting mechanism, that is, the wire, creates interference, which reduces the data transfer speed.

• Active USB hub. Active hubs, unlike their “simple” counterparts, are powered not from a USB port, but directly from the mains or a built-in battery. The connection to the computer is carried out in a similar way to a passive hub, that is, using a cable to the port.

Pros: such a device can be conveniently placed in the workplace without compromising its performance
Cons: Requires external power supply

• Wireless USB hub. Quite an interesting and fresh solution. Such a hub connects to a computer via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Such a device is ideal for laptop computers that rarely stay in one place for long and have appropriate modules. That is, no wires connected to the computer, although at the expense of data exchange speed.

Pros: you can place the hub in almost any convenient place.
Cons: Wireless devices also require power, so you won't be able to completely get rid of wires. Of course, there are also models with built-in batteries, which, oddly enough, also have to be charged from the mains using a cable. Another disadvantage is the relatively low data transfer speed, which is due to the nature of wireless networks.

Most likely, it will not be particularly difficult for any of the users to decide on the type of hub. But in addition to the connection method, the interfaces of this very device are of key importance.

Many people know that the USB interface comes in several versions, which differ in data transfer speed. The fastest is USB 3.0, and the most common is USB 2.0; the first version is almost never seen anymore.

Before choosing a hub, you need to make sure that the appropriate ports are available directly on your computer. That is, if « insert » USB 3.0 hub into a USB 2.0 port, the data transfer speed will correspond to the slowest option. This does not apply to wireless devices, as their capabilities are limited by wireless communications.

And finally, you should study the appearance of the device. Of course, for each of the types of hubs listed above, different design techniques are used due to the design features of the devices, but here we will talk about their more hardware part.

The first thing you should pay attention to when choosing is the number of connectors. There are no special recommendations on this matter, however, it should be remembered that communication with the computer is provided for the entire hub, and not for each device connected to the hub, so it turns out that the more devices are “plugged in”, the lower the speed of information exchange with computer for each of them.

Another important selection criterion is the distance of the ports from each other. If the connectors are located closely, then there is a high probability that two devices will not be able to “stand” side by side at once, since there may not be enough space for one of them.

USB hubs are useful, one might even say, irreplaceable devices that can simplify the life of every computer user. And most importantly, these devices are offered in a huge variety of options for both price and design, so choosing the most suitable device for yourself will not be difficult.

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