Product Review: Staples 4 Port Hub

My new computer was excellent but had one issue . It wouldn't let me introduce photographs from my digital camera disc to my computer. My husband said we'd have to send the computer back. The idea of being without a computer for an indefinite amount of time was very disconcerting, to say the least. Rather than be without the computer for an undetermined amount of time he came up with an idea. He would find something at Staples to bypass the problem. Our Staples is 5 minutes from our home. He went to Staples and purchased a 4 port Hub for about $21.00 . This is a 2" x 6" silver grey ovoid item with 4 openings in which you can insert a CameraMate. The CameraMate holds your digital camera disc. Your computer has a UB port in the rear this item makes everything more accessible.

The Staples 4 Port Hub comes with a limited lifetime warranty that covers the original purchaser. This warrants the item will be free of defects in design, assembly, materials and workmanship. Staples will replace the hub free of charge or refund 100% of the price, at Staples' option. The hub is not warranted to operate without failure. They warn you in the instruction pamplet not to use this hub in any application where failure could cause loss or injury. It's intended for consumer use only.

Your 4 Port Hub kit comes with a Hi speed USB 2.0 4 port hub, an AC Power adaptor, installation instructions, a 6 tfoot USB device cable, 2 reusable cable ties, and a desk mounting kit.

The Staples 4 Port Hub features 4 USB downstream ports that connect to 4 high speed USB 2.0 or 1.1 devices. It can be used with Mac or Windows. Windows will detect your hub and install the required hub support. Mac users will not be able to detect that the hub is being installed. Mac users would have to open the Apple System Profiler and look for USB information then follow prompts. If you move a device from one port to another it may be necessary to reinstall the driver.

To stack your hubs they must face the same direction. You line up the clips on the bottom of Hub A with the slots on the cover of Hub B then Slide Hub A into Hub B. It's ll very simple both to install and to use.

Mounting: To permanently mount your hub you apply double sided tape to the back of the stand and press into your desired location. You can also mount your hub using screws. Your mounting kit includes both the screws and the tape.

Yor port can be used with a CameraMate. This is the part you put your disc in. When your CameraMate is slid into the port a green light will go on indicating readiness. You slide your card into the CameraMate and the CameraMate into the port. When the CamerMate is unplugged from the port a red light will show indicating it's ready for use.

The hub must be connected to a USB 2.0 compliant host in order to function in high speed mode. If its connected to a USB 1.1 compliant host. It will only operate on low speed or full speed mode.

To operate the hub you plug your AC adaptor into a wall outlet or surge suppressor. Plug the DC connector into the DC power jack on the side of the hub. Plug the flat end of the provided USB cable device into the downstream port of your computer then plug in the mini 5 connector into the rear of the hub.

I've been using this method to transfer pictures to my computer from my digital camera card now for a month without any issue. It's working very well and saving me time lost having to do without my computer. The whole unit takes up minimal space on my desk top. It's a temporary fix that could work permanently as far as I'm concerned. My husband uses this system in the office without any problems. For the price it's given me complete satisfaction.