Newer Tech 7 Port USB 2.0 Powered Hub

Introduction:

Have you ever wished for a device that will allow you to have multiple USB inputs as well as being a portable device charger without installing both hardware and drivers? Look no further. Today we have a seven port USB 2.0 hub with 4.0 AMP power supply. To really beef things up, the hub we're looking at today also has one 2.1 AMP port for charging power hungry tablets such as the iPad, Nexus 7 etc. This device is made by Newer Technology, and it will work for PC, and yes, even Mac.

First Look:

On the top side of the device lay five USB ports and on the opposite side you will find one port that is labeled as, "Sync" and one other designated as 2.1 A. On the back side are also the inputs for connecting the power and usb cables. It's a pretty basic layout and with the ports rotated at 90°, you should be able to cram more USB devices in less space than if the ports were horizontal.

Features & Specifications:

We have pulled some of the product information for this USB Hub from Newer Tech's website and posted it here for your convenience. For all the details, please check their site.

• Plug and Play...no drivers to install!
• One USB 2.0 Uplink Type "B" port for connecting to Mac or PC and seven USB 2.0/1.1 ports.
• Type "A" ports for connecting devices.
• Over-current detection and protection.
• Supports "hot swapping" of USB devices.
• User-friendly and ergonomic design.
• Durable aluminum enclosure for rugged mobile use.
• One dedicated 2.1Amp port for charging high powered USB chargeable devices.
• 1 Year Warranty Register Here

Installation:

The installation of the hub was simple and did not require anything from me other than plugging it into power and into my PC. Simple installation is AWESOME! The installation could not have been much simpler. As stated on the box,"plug and play...no drivers to install". Thankfully, it didn't end up being "plug and pray".

Testing:

At first glance, this product looks good but once I took a closer look, the plastic is a bit cheaper and the metal attached to the device could have had a better fit and finish. Also the plug that goes into the device for the USB seemed a little on the loose side. The power cord provided with the Hub was a little short. If they would have provided a longer cable it would be a lot more useful for desktop applications. This would have made it a little more convenient as well if the back two USB ports had been on the front with the other five.

One other thing I noticed is that the stand included with it was warped and misshapen, rendering it useless. If it had been flat, it would have been handy. Having said this, the device itself is still a decent piece of equipment.

USB devices plug in and fit very well. It does its job very well as far as connecting multiple devices. I have had up to six devices plugged in at once and it worked fantastic. The only slight thing is that my computer froze for up to a couple of minutes when I plugged an iPod into the hub, but when it came around it still did well. The amazing thing about this product is how well it works and the price. This item does what it is supposed to and is very economical.

Conclusion:

As we have seen, this product is a little bit of a let down on the cosmetic quality department. Also the lack of a useable base makes it a little more inconvenient, but its seven extremely useful USB plugs almost totally wipes that from one's memory. What this means essentially is you can charge your portable device and still have six other miscellaneous peripherals, USB flash drives, portable hard drives and any other devices you would normally plug into your USB ports.

This device works well, and that says a lot especially since this product costs only $27.95 as seen on the company's website. If you want a decent USB hub at a reasonable price, this is a product you should seriously consider adding to your computer setup.

Pros:

• Functionality
• Easy installation
• Affordable

Cons:

• Feels cheap
• Short power pable
• Plastic stand came warped
• One minor issue involving an Apple product