Belkin takes USB hubs to the next level

Belkin has introduced three new clutter-destroying, space-saving hubs that will have you straightened up and back in business in no time. First there's the Swivel Hub ($29.99), which allows you to swing its four USB ports in any direction you'd like instead of having to use totally bendable cables to determine the angle of hub entry. Next up is the Clip-On ($29.99), a two port hub which opens up your workflow by clipping to the side of a desk and wrangling your loose cables -- unless your desk is thicker than 1.25 inches, which would make this product worthless. Finally, Belkin wants you to get acquainted with the Hub-To-Go ($49.99), a base of three ports which has a travel adapter containing four more that you can "take on the go", although you'll probably have to cancel your vacation plans since you just spent $50 on a USB hub.

[peter @ Jul 10th 2007 4:18PM]

Does the Clip-On hub fit to a bicycle?

[Ryan @ Jul 10th 2007 4:31PM]

I guess this guy isn't one of the new writers for Engadget:USB-HUB

[Paris K @ Jul 10th 2007 4:54PM]

Which level is this? The one after wireless USB hubs or before?

[Eric @ Jul 10th 2007 4:58PM]

A two port hub is almost useless. Unless it's purpose is to be a mini hub for travel, which in this case it's not. Even their "on the go" hub has four ports. If cable management is your reason for buying this use the lifehacker tip and attach a large binder clip to your desk and run the cables through its arms.

[Joe Smith @ Jul 10th 2007 5:04PM]

"angle of hub entry"
HA!

[peter @ Jul 10th 2007 5:12PM]

No really! :-) No pun intended. Does it fit to a bicycle tube? I think every object should have a computer attached to it.

[Matt @ Jul 10th 2007 5:16PM]

Will somebody make a USB hub with more than 7 ports, for flippin' crissake?!

[John Doe @ Jul 10th 2007 7:06PM]

Sure. Ready?
1) Get 3 4-port hubs.
2) Connect two of them to the other one
3) Voila! 10 USB ports

[Matt @ Jul 10th 2007 7:35PM]

Yeah, and you can sorta get a 160GB ipod by taping two 80 giggers together. But we all know there's a more elegant solution.

The problem is that I have about 14 USB devices, and I don't like daisy chaining, because it's a waste of ports. They make power strips with that many outlets... why not USB hubs?

[Cristian Prano @ Jul 10th 2007 10:41PM]

Try checking dynamism.com and the Engadget archives for a 16-port USB hub. I already bought one and it is being shipped as I post. http://www.dynamism.com/usb-hub/main.shtml

[M@ @ Jul 11th 2007 9:21PM]

Surely the inelegance of daisy-chaining a couple of hubs would be better than having that fugly thing on your desk!??!

Belkin make a stackable 7-port hub, but my experience with Belkin products (and the user reviews on their page) would make me hesitant to use it to say the least.

Given that wireless USB will be more or less ubiquitous in the near future, I'd live with the daisy-chained hubs for a while longer.

[Greenster @ Jul 10th 2007 11:26PM]

I don't get why you need a complicated swivel design on a simple USB hub - I mean can't your cables be bent around to suit, unless its like a 1 inch long cable or something...

Cheers,
Henry
http://www.digivista.com.au/