Is there such thing as a USB Hub for just data?

CerebralFreeze · 17 Sep 2018

I looked on the internet and on Amazon and couldn't seem to find one for a Windows PC desktop. Maybe it goes by a different name. But, I'm looking for a USB hub that I can connect my keyboard, mouse, VOIP phone, and phone for data, all at once.

I seemed to find USB hubs like the one I described on Amazon but they all seemed to be geared for laptops so the cord is only about a feet long.

Are these USB hubs a bad idea that they don't have them connected to desktops?

PolarNettles · 17 Sep 2018

You can get a USB extension cord or get a hub that has a removable cable so you can supply your own longer one.

Shorter cables are nice for laptops, which have fewer available ports than desktops, and they are cheaper to manufacture. So hubs tend not to come with long cables.

Clintlgm · 17 Sep 2018

CerebralFreeze said:

I looked on the internet and on Amazon and couldn't seem to find one for a Windows PC desktop. Maybe it goes by a different name. But, I'm looking for a USB hub that I can connect my keyboard, mouse, VOIP phone, and phone for data, all at once.

I seemed to find USB hubs like the one I described on Amazon but they all seemed to be geared for laptops so the cord is only about a feet long.

Are these USB hubs a bad idea that they don't have them connected to desktops?

Here is a good one comes with 2.5' cable, however, you can use any USB 3.0 cable you choose it has a standard USB 3.0 cable to connect to your computer, you can just type in 7 or 10 port Powered USB hub in to google or New egg I personally have had good luck with Anker brand but nowadays I think all the vendors have to correct chipset for maximum power, connectivity, and reliability this wasn't true a few years ago when USB 3.0 was originally released to the public and after a few tries's I found Anker had it figured out.

Amazon.com: Anker 10 Port 60W Data Hub with 7 USB 3.0 Ports and 3 PowerIQ Charging Ports for Macbook, Mac Pro/mini, iMac, XPS, Surface Pro, iPhone 7, 6s Plus, iPad Air 2, Galaxy Series, Mobile HDD, and More: Computers Accessories

or here is a whole page of Hub that would work for you worst case you might have to buy a longer USB 3.0 Cable the power cables are generally 6' or so pretty much standard Amazon.com: anker 7 port usb 3.0 hub

Here are some different length cables that should work for any of the USB 3.0 Hubs Amazon.com: Cable Matters USB 3.0 Cable (USB 3 Cable/USB 3.0 A to B Cable) in Black 6 Feet - Available 3FT - 15FT in Length: Computers Accessories

Don't waste you money on any that are not powered they are only good for USB thumb Drives etc things that don't use a lot of power like an IP phone or external hard drive.

CerebralFreeze · 17 Sep 2018

I was actually looking specifically at ones without power to power the keyboard, mouse, and phone data. Maybe this is the reason why I couldn't find that many?

So, without it being powered by a separate power supply, is the USB hub not possible? Is that the reason why I had such a hard time looking for a USB hub for my needs?

Clintlgm said:

Don't waste you money on any that are not powered they are only good for USB thumb Drives etc things that don't use a lot of power like an IP phone or external hard drive.

Berton · 17 Sep 2018

USB Hubs can be port-powered or self-powered. As for the Data part keep in mind that USB is Universal Serial Bus, has to work with many types of USB devices.

Kbird · 17 Sep 2018

CerebralFreeze said:

I was actually looking specifically at ones without power to power the keyboard, mouse, and phone data. Maybe this is the reason why I couldn't find that many?

So, without it being powered by a separate power supply, is the USB hub not possible? Is that the reason why I had such a hard time looking for a USB hub for my needs?

Hubs work fine without a power Adaptor for low power devices like Mice and keyboards , but Devices like some USB External Drives require more power than the USB Port alone can supply , if an EXT. HDD keeps losing connection to the PC this is likely the Reason. Most large (3.5") Ext. HDD come with their own power Adaptor for this reason.

I just got this one with a 3ft cord :

Amazon.com: UGREEN USB 3.0 Hub 4 Port USB 3 Data Hub Portable Super Speed for MacBook Air, Mac Mini, iMac Pro, Microsoft Surface, Ultrabooks with 3 FT Extension Cable USB Hub (Black): Computers Accessories

CountMike · 18 Sep 2018

All USB ports have two (ends) contacts with power, +5vDC and -5VDC, devices connected to them couldn't work otherwise.
A Hub itself could be self powered (have a 5vDC adapter) or to get power from USB port it's connected to. If you use a self powered adapter but don't connect power adapter to it, it will likely have only data going thru it.
Just one more thing, ordinary USB hubs are not port replicators, all devices connected to it share same USB port and so are going to slow down proportionally with their number.