Belkin USB 2.0& Firewire 6-Port Hub For Mac Mini by Belkin Components
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Digital camera reviews of Belkin USB 2.0& Firewire 6-Port Hub For Mac Mini
Digital camera Review: Excellent USB Expansion
Summary: 5 Stars
I love this little device. It has nice expandability with both USB and Firewire. My favorite feature is the front USB/Firewire ports! I can plug my USB SD card reader and external USB devices in quickly - to the work - and then unplug. No Noise, No Heat - just sits there and works. It would be better if it had a memory card reader in it as well - but that is fine.Digital camera Review: Excellent port expander
Summary: 5 Stars
This item does exactly what it is supposed to: provides more USB and Firewire ports, both on the rear and front of the device. It just works. I have not attempted to test speeds, but all port seem to operate as well as the built-in ones.Digital camera Review: Faulty front port stopped working after 10 days
Summary: 2 Stars
Cons: The front, quick-access USB port stopped working after 10 days. From the beginning, the connection was not good--cables had to be pushed in hard to achieve a connection. Just poor quality in the item. I'm awaiting a replacement from Amazon now, and will update this review if the new unit is better/lasts longer than a month. I would give it 4 stars if the ports worked on mine.
Also, the supplied 2-inch patch cables are totally useless, unless you place the unit directly under a Mac Mini (which has its own problems of port access, as other reviewers have noted).
Pros:
It does look great.
The latest versions ship with good rubberized feet so slipping is no longer a problem.
It fits *perfectly* under the current iMac models--it's the same size as the iMac's aluminum "foot," and strong enough to support the iMac's weight.
The front access ports are convenient (or would be, if they worked).
UPDATE 05/30/07: Amazon has notified me that they are no longer carrying this device, so I guess I won't be getting a replacement from them after all. (It's only offered on Amazon thru third-party sellers now.) Not a good sign, I'd say.
Digital camera Review: Fire Whoever Designed This
Summary: 2 Stars
Far as I know this unit's main purpose is to supply more USB ports into which one can plug the various USB powered devices he/she owns. Given that fact I'm going to suggest that it might have been a good idea to put the USB ports where they belong ... in the front of the device where they are clearly visible and easily reachable without having to battle the jungle of wires already populating the back of the Mac Mini.
And, bean counters be damned, I'm going to guess that while equipping the device with cables actually long enough to allow connecting things without risking life and limb might have reduced profit margins on this device a tiny bit, the loss in margin could have been easily recouped by ... drum roll please ... paying the guy who designed this thing what he/she is actually worth.
Last, but not least, I bought this as a result of a positive review that ran in Mac World in which the reviewer mentioned the fact that this is not a self powered unit but that, in his estimation, that was not a big deal. So far I've had three devices that won't operate when plugged into this device due to it's lack of a power supply and I can tell you that's a big enough deal for me...
Digital camera Review: For iMacs Too!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
This hub not only works with the Mac Mini, but also works wonderfully with my iMac 24". I had originally thought about being able to set my iMac on top of this hub. As soon as I picked this hub up I immediately knew that was not an option. This hub is very light and in a thin plastic case.
Pros: Seamless glossy "Apple" look, no wall transformer or power cord needed, thin profile, fast speeds, one front USB port, all ports USB 2.0
Cons: Needs your own cords if not used on Mac Mini, thin case (although adequate for its intended purpose)
If you plan on using this hub for anything other than the Mac Mini be prepared to search through your spare cable box to find your own Firewire 400 and USB cord. Really was not a problem for me, but may be for some people. The cables included are about 2 inches long and meant to use with a Mac Mini because of their length.
Overall this hub is very nice and serves my purpose exactly. BE SURE TO CONNECT THE FIREWIRE PORT TO YOUR COMPUTER as this is where the hub receives it's power to be a powered USB hub.