Home > Consumer Reviews > Syba SD-U2HUB-4 4-Port USB 2.0 Hub with 3.5-Inch Front Panel, Genesys chipset

I ordered this 4-Port Hub because of the vertical orientation of the USB ports, and because it can be mounted internally. There was a question I had about the electrical connections which was resolved quickly by contacting the vendor, Endless Variety.

The unit installs easily as far as the electrical connections are concerned. So, I will comment on those simple connections, but not the mechanical installation which depends on your individual hardware arrangement.

1. Power Down completely

2. Using the supplied USB cable, make the connection from the Hub to any available USB Port in your PC.

3. There are 2 sizes of power connectors at the ends of the long power cables coming from your PC power supply. Find a power cable that has a small connector at the end of it.

4. Insert the small connector into the rectangular opening at the rear of the Hub.

BE SURE THAT THE YELLOW LEAD OF THIS CONNECTOR IS NEXT TO THE UNUSED +5V INPUT OF THE HUB.

BE SURE THAT THE SMALL CONNECTOR IS PUSHED INTO THE RECTANGULAR OPENING UNTIL A CLICK IS HEARD.

5. Button everything up, and then POWER UP.

6. No drivers are necessary, the Operating System should find the Hub automatically.

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NOTES:

In rare cases, there may be no available small power connector in your computer. If this is the situation with your hardware, you will have to purchase an adapter such as "PWD-6" 3.5" Floppy Disk Drive Power Adaptor Cable". One place to purchase this adapter is at shop.willyselectronics.com/browse.cfm/4,6023.html

The Hub will function marginally if no power cable is used, but I would not recommend it.

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BOTTOM LINE
I couldn't be more happy with the Hub. Chances are I'll order another one.

I like that it's powered from a floppy drive connector (you'll need an adapter from a standard hard drive power connector if you don't have the floppy connector in your case.) The USB cable that comes with the unit plugs into a standard type A jack, so you either need a USB card that has an internal type A jack or some type of adapter from your motherboard header pins to USB cable (the input on the back of the device is type B)(or route the cable out of a back slot to a USB connector on the rear of your case). It comes with a regular wall-wart transformer for external use. If you're using a 5.25" bay, you'll need a adapter bracket; the cables unlimited bracket that I ordered through Amazon included a hard-drive to floppy-drive power adapter. I've been able to use the device to charge my hard drive IPod and other devices with no problem.

Just great, working just great. Because the ports are built vertically I can use them all at a time. This is the main feature I ordered this product. Thanks.

I didn't notice when I bought that it was internal/external, I got it soley as an internal USB hub.

First, what I didn't buy it for, an external hub. This requires you to plug in 2 USB cords, one for data, one for power, so as an external it really only gains you 2 ports.

What I did buy it for, and why I am rating it low, the internal hub.

Sure, it goes inside the case. However, it requires access to a usb PORT, I thought that "INTERNAL" implied, you know, internal. I thought it would plug into a USB header on my motherboard. Nope, I get to run this usb cable through my case, out the back, and then plug that into a port in the back. Not a huge deal, but NOT what I thought I was buying (maybe it was shame on me for not reading every review, heck, maybe the product description said it and I missed it....)

I wanted an external usb hub with an external power adapter, what i got was an external/internal usbhub, 4 screws, 1 usb a to b cable, and a stupid usb to power cord, which has apparently replaced the wall wort. so i'm not sure it will suit my needs. kinda ticked that the package content's changed between the review below and when i got mine. bad business.