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

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.

This device works great as either an internal bay or external device. It needs an internal US card with an internal USB access port on that card, for an internal installation. For external, you only need a USB port.

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.

My computer is housed inside a desk. Accessing USB ports on the computer is awkward. The Syba 2.0 Hub sits neatly on the desk top giving me easy access to 2.0 ports. Running both a USB cable and a separate 5v DC power cable to the hub (both cables included) allows me to use the hub with more power hungry devices such as my iPod Touch2 and memory sticks. I also upload a lot of photographs from several digital cameras. It took a matter of five minutes to install the hub. The only minor hitch was learning on my own I had to use a separate power cable as mentioned above. If it was explained in the instructions I overlooked it. I'm most satisfied.