Brando's four-port USB hub comes with on / off switches
By Joshua Fruhlinger 
posted Jun 19th 2008 12:08PM
posted Jun 19th 2008 12:08PM
Please note: If you're a current Engadget commenter, you do not need to re-register. Simply login and you will be prompted to select a username.
I like their UFO design better.
http://usb.brando.com.hk/prod_detail.php?prod_id=00520&cat_id=039&dept_id=015
If the on off switch controlled the connection but let the power continue to flow then I could see this being useful...I don't need to connect and launch programs every time I charge my Mp3 player...but it doesn't say whether it does that so it probably just cuts off the entire USB port which would be pointless....
I could see the switches being useful. I hate the fact that TimeMachine runs every hour, so I end up just turning off or unplugging my external drive because it doesn't need the stress of running 24/7. Doing that, shuts the external down, so having a switch instead would be useful.
You can change the settings of Time Machine to run to your likings.
I concur. Many external hard drives (especially the 2.5" portables
from Seagate, Western Digital, etc) and enclosures do not power-down according to other system parameters, and may even keep spinning after the computer is turned off. An on/off switch can prevent unnecessary wear on the drives.
My USB logitec webcam still draws a lot of power even when not used. Its actually warm to the touch. This is why I unplug it when I dont plan on using it for a long time. An on/off switch would be handy.
I like the space saving design
Wait till the switch malfunctions and corrupts some files.
I had Griffin's Rocket FM which had a bright blue LED that stayed lit up as long as it was plugged in. The on/off switch here would have been perfect for the Rocket FM... or the Rocket FM would have been perfect had it the option to turn off the light!
Looks a little cheesy to me.
Cheddar cheese, to be precise.
Well put!
It has electrolytes!
more lytes than my body has room for!
Finally a great way to plug in all 4 of your Olinari Silver USB dog tags! lol
check it
http://olinari.com
finally. they are weighing heavy on my neck . . . the price of awesome these days
Bluetooth dongles, a must have for this season's fashion.
There are a TON of USB gadgets that would benefit from an on/off switch... From a lava lamp to a George Foreman grill.
http://www.thinkgeek.com/brain/whereisit.cgi?t=usb&sortby=min_price&sortorder=asc&sorthow=num&dispstart=1&dispnum=all
I like the feature.
Think about bluetooth dongles you don't want to be powered and connected all the time, or similar devices.
USB Lamps, USB Fans, etc..
Nice, but I'd rather go with the Allspark USB hub *if I can find one*
i have a usb hub that have a led light on it, sometimes id really like to turn that light off specially when i need all the lights out in my room, id really want that on/off switch for the led light on my usb hub
Electrical tape.
It doesn't support Macs?
I have to ask that, too!
A USB hub that doesn't want to support a Mac?
It's just a USB hub!
Then again, I don't know a lot about the tech, so I can't say it's super easy.
But seeing as USB is ubiquitous, why in the world not?
I'm going to buy it and test it out. The green one will look so cute on my little desk; I'm already imagining my cute little Kingston Mini Fun (purple) plugged in =)
It's nice to be a girly girl.
I could see the use for the on/off switch for my PS2 Socom headset. When it's plugged in, ALL the audio gets routed to it. Trying to disconnect it when some audio is playing locks up said app. I only use it for Team Fortress 2.
I use a webcam that has a few LEDs that turn on when it's dark
This is great when I use iChat in a dim-lit room, but not so great when I put my computer to sleep to watch a movie with those same lights still on at full brightness...
So: great feature for my use!
My external USB drive keeps spinning constantly, running very hot. I would love to switch it off easily with a button.
Very nice. A cute system, looks organized.
I would love one of these things for my old laptop, (only has 1 USB port).
This would just simplify things sooo much !
WIRELESS!! Switch your wireless gadgets on on off people, amongst all the other suggestions above.
Well, I'm a musician and my M-Audio Trigger Finger controller doesn't have a power switch. Absolutely dumb design decision to cut a few cents off the final price, I think.
mpd24 too =/
Funny... I found this page through a google search while trying to deal with another crappy m-audio design decision for the groovelab/transit. The stupid LED stays on even after my computer is turned off, and to compound the problem, the beta drivers for vista force my machine to BSOD if the device is plugged in on boot...
Brando seems to be picking up some attention these days. I wonder what's their next big thing.
I've had this hub since I bought it from Yodabashi Camera in Akiba a few years back (in white not yellow).
It works.
Nothing special.
The switches are a little loose but you know when it's switched on or off. It's a really helpful feature but alas, it's just a regular hub. It does it's job well. No complaints.