D-Link DUB-H4 High Speed USB 2.0 4-Port Hub Reviews

• Two features worth noting

  
  By A3SF2N0BJF0YJS on 2004-07-27
  I think the other reviews largely get it right. Two things I haven't seen in them, however: first, the plug on the power cord is in the shape of a wide black monolith, so, like bulky a/c adaptors... Second, the included documentation says that the hub will revert to a USB 1.1 hub FOR ALL DEVICES if you have any USB 1 device connected. It says that to get USB 2.0 throughput, you must disconnect all USB 1.0 or 1.1 devices from the hub first. That's worth knowing.
  
  Finally, if you buy the hub, I suggest going to Windows Update and downloading the optional USB 2.0 fix for WinXP SP 1.
  
  
  
  

• Good product, but laptop users beware

  
  By A2JNHZXG3N72S2 on 2004-01-17
  I bought this product to work with my Dell Inspiron laptop running WinXP Pro. So far it works great with my wireless mouse, keyboard, and digital camera plugged in simultaneously. The AC power ensures that your USB-powered devices will work properly. However, there is one issue to be aware of: this hub only works when plugged into AC power, which was not clearly indicated in the specs. For this reason, it is not a good hub for laptop users on the go, which is why I give it only 4 stars. Other than that, it is a solid performer. It is small, so it doesn't clutter your desktop too much, and has rubber feet to keep it from sliding. The AC adapter is sideways so that it only takes up one plug, which is a nice detail. This would be a good choice if you are planning to use it for a desktop, particularly if you have several USB-powered devices.
  
  

• Great USB Hub; Works without A/C Power for Me

  
  By A23VGBG17K5NJ3 on 2005-03-23
  I originally purchased this hub to make it easier to use multiple USB devices with my laptop while using it at my desk at home. My printer, mouse, barcode scanner, and thumb drive are all USB devices, and pulling the laptop out to unplug one and attach another was getting rather old.
  
  It's a smallish hub, but not one so tiny that the ports are so crammed together so as to be nearly useless. At 4 inches wide and less than an inch tall, the hub should easily fit on any desk, and the rubber feet help hold it in place. The ports are widely enough spaced that you shouldn't have a problem attaching cords, thumb drives, or other USB devices.
  
  Since I planned to use it only at my desk anyway, the caveat that an A/C adapter is required didn't bother me--but I've found that the hub works fine without any A/C power at all, and despite the instructions claiming it doesn't draw power from the USB bus, the power LED lights up, and all devices work fine. Without the A/C adapter in use, the hub also runs quite cool and doesn't suffer from the lock-up problems others have mentioned.
  
  If you plan on using mostly powered USB devices--like printers, external hard drives or CD/DVD drives--you should be fine using the hub "unpowered." Using it for a keyboard, mouse, barcode reader, and thumb drive may require the use of the A/C power for reliable operation. And if you're worried about putting too much of a power strain on your laptop's USB bus, connect it via a docking station (as I do) or use the A/C adapter. Still, with that said, many people should be able to use it just fine without having to add another bulky "leech" to their power strips.
  
  Finally, the manual does state that the use of both USB 1 and 2 devices at the same time may cause the hub to drop into USB 1-only mode. I stress "may," as so far the tests I've run with older devices in combination with a USB 2.0 CD burner have worked fine at USB 2 speeds--I assume then the compatibility depends largely on the actual devices used.
  
  

• Can't properly mix and match devices

  
  By A3K807XF9GT3V6 on 2005-08-15
  What's not specified in the item description is that if you mix and match USB 1.1 and USB 2 devices, the hub may only provide the much slower USB 1.1 speed for ALL ports. You don't read that in the product description. You have to wait until you purchase the item and read the documentation. So, don't plug an iPod mini and a USB 1.1 device (in my case a wireless mouse) into the same hub or your iPod may have major problems, as mine did. The iPod wants to run at full USB 2 speeds.
  
  Why is there a problem with the manufacturer providing that info in the description before you purchase the hub? This is highly deceptive, in my opinion.
  
  

• Works fine

  
  By on 2003-12-20
  I have this hub hooked up to a Dell 5100 laptop. Installation was quick and easy. I have not had any issues and have the following devices hooked up to it: Hp printer, Creative Labs Extigy sound card, Microsoft Optical mouse and Palm Hotsync cradle. Scanner is connected to the spare USB port on PC. In reading some of the comments, I feel the need to say that scanners and web cams historically cause problems when hooked up to any USB hub as they tend to "HOG" the bandwith leaving little for the other devices. I am surprised that D-Link claims to have not had complaints on this issue. My advice would be to hook these items directly to the pc's USB port and use the hub for the other "less power hungry" devices.
  
  
• disappointing...
  By on 2003-04-30
  This is my first usb hub.
  One of my devices, a linksys usb200ha, works fine when plugged directly into a usb port on the pc. When I attempt to plug this device into the dlink hub the port "overloads" and shuts itself off. My other devices seem to work ok with the hub: a usb powered 100mb zip drive, and a LiteOn DVD/CDRW.
  
  
• I also have the freezing problem
  By A1MVPVKACK6K7B on 2003-04-29
  When connecting my Logitech Quikcam 4000 and my Logitech USB mouse through this HUB trouble is ahead.
  After starting a camera application (e.g. Yahoo Messenger) the mouse starts acting erratic and after a few seconds freezes completely. Disabling the camera application does not unfreeze the mouse.
  I checked with D-Link and they have no similar complaints on file so I am returning this Item to Amazon.com for a refund. and go with the advise of getting another hub.
  
  
• How easy can it get?
  By A23QO0DHCW04U9 on 2003-02-03
  Plugged it in, plugged in peripherals, it works. One of the easier hardware installations I've done for my home PC. There was one feature that was particularly interesting: the AC adapter is designed so it sticks out to the left or right of a surge protector, rather than up or down and taking up two plugs worth of space like many AC adapters. Not a big deal, but a nice little detail.
  
  
• Good, reliable, and inexpensive
  By ASDFYMJ1MTPE7 on 2006-02-20
  I've had this hub for two months and have had no problems with it. Installation was a snap, as it should be for a basic hub. The hub is small and a bit too light, but it's definitely not for laptop users, as it needs an AC adapter. The power brick is actually smaller than most other brick-style adapters and rises straight up from the prongs, saving you space on power strips that have the plugs aligned vertically or on wall outlets (a nice touch). I have an iPod and a multifunction printer attached to the hub, and have had no problems with either. A word of warning, however--as other reviewers have noted, if you plug a USB 1.0 device into the hub, all USB 2.0 devices will slow down to 1.0 speeds.
  
  
• THIS IS WHAT EASY IS SUPPOSED TO BE!
  By A3MHBU3D85L4KP on 2005-11-02
  I picked up this baby a few months ago because the unit I had made by another manufacturer was malfunctioning. Sometimes for no reason I would lose my ability to print or my mouse would stop functioning and I would have to pull the cable and reconnect it to restore functionality. I decided to dump that dog and I invested in this unit and am totally happy. You simply take it out of the box, hook up the wiring, power it up and presto your in business. One nice feature is that the LEDs are large and bright so you can see them in even in direct sunlight. You can get cheaper ports but I think this one is a quality product. Thank goodness some things in life are simple!
  
  
• Works as designed
  By A3BBCDCHC5U1VK on 2003-09-26
  This is a nice little hub which takes up very little desktop space and has the ports on the front rather than the back, which I like. It has performed well since I purchased it and hasn't given any problems, even with bandwidth-hogging devices such as scanners. It also comes with its own power adapter, which is a plus.
  
  
• Try a USB 2.0 Hub from Targus Instead
  By A2XASSA8ZAHWU3 on 2004-08-05
  Tends to run hot. Frequently freezes. My two Targus mini-hubs (one an earlier 1.1, the other a 2.0 -- bought after the demise of the two D-Links) are ultra-compact, don't seem to want a power supply,& have worked very well on four PCs laptop & desktop, 98SE, XP Home, and XP Pro. Frankly, I'm amazed. Usually, anytime I add ANYthing to the home PCs, I get catcalls and complaints from the peanut gallery -- despite my very professional demeanor. Neither Targus was even noticed. Okay, the, to me, irritating, but otherwise real cool blue lights on the first, got oohs & aahs. No complaints, though.
  
  
• Great for desktops.... less so for notebooks
  By A30GT91JHIBUOM on 2005-06-05
  I purchased this after reading the reviews for a number of USB hubs (really!) I can't use my iPod and 2.5" WD Passport at the same time as my USB mouse & flash drive on the notebook (just two USB ports, both 2.0), and so the purchase...
  
  1. Long USB cable works nicely for desktops, but do I want to carry that around? It might be useful for notebooks with recessed USB ports, but read on....
  
  2. My external DVD writer, 3.5" external HDD work fine w/o the hub powered because they have their own power adapters. My self-powered WD Passport 2.5" HDD and iPod need the power cable to be plugged in. My USB1.1 Lexar flash drive works without the hub powered (mobile for the low-power-draw devices). So: great for desktops, but not particularly mobile.
  
  3. Tested my USB2.0 3.5" external HDD plugged in parallel to the USB1.1 flash drive - both work as expected. USB2.0 - 184 MB in ~1/2 minute, USB1.1 - 4 MB in less time. As another reviewer pointed out, probably depends on the device. This test was without the hub powered (note: not the USB-powered WD 2.5" HDD).
  
  4. The two-pin power adapter is as thick as a three pin plug, but wide. So it will work fine when the flat pins are parallel to the length of the strip, but the adapter will block the adjoining sockets with the flat pins perpendicular to the strip. I have both types of power strips!
  
  Bottom line: it works great with my desktop and my notebook when docked. However, my search for a mobile USB hub continues.
  
  
• Works Great
  By APDK0PSW1EH5D on 2005-09-29
  I have actually bought 3 of these hubs and am using them on 3 different computers. I have had great luck with them.
  
  
• NICE AND EASY ACCESS!!!
  By AMIIEC4RBYP8F on 2003-07-28
  I HOOKED THIS ITEM UP AND,PRESTO, IT WORKS PERFECTLY WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS.I AM RUNNING WINDOWS ME, SO I WAS QUITE HAPPY TO SEE THE INSTALLATION WORK OUT SO SMOOTHLY.I AM USING IT WITH 1.1 USB,BUT JUST ORDERED AN ADAPTEC 2.0 USB CARD TO INSTALL.THIS UNIT PLACES USB ACCESS AT A CONVENIENT LOCATION,ON YOUR DESK.IT WILL BE VERY HANDY FOR PORTABLE,PLUG AND PLAY DEVICES.IT IS AN ATTRACTIVE UNIT AND LOOKS NICE AND NEAT ON MY DESK.
  GOOD PURCHASE AND GOOD PRICE FROM AMAZON.
  
  
• Great Pricing
  By A1GHUN5HXMHZ89 on 2004-10-20
  I have bought D-Link equipment for years. They may not be the very best in the industry, but they certainly are not overpriced as some manufacturers. I have found their equipment durable and dependable. Considering they are usually cheaper than the competition, I highly recommend their equipment. This USB hub is no exception. Shop around and you will see many competitors sell it for more than twenty-three dollars. This hub is fast and works well with most PCs USB ports and operating systems. If you have any issues it probably isn't the hub, but your USB interface. Check your USB set up for buses. Make sure you have the right software loaded. Some laptops are not configured initially to work with USB hubs and they require installing a USB Controller. If you are not familiar with how to use the Administrator tools to do it then go to the D-Link site or do a search on USB controllers on the internet.
  
  
• OK but not great
  By A38199CD1BX0KO on 2005-04-08
  I purchased two of these hubs based on reviews on this site. For the most part they work well, but there have been problems. My laptop at the office now only recognizes USB devices plugged into the hub. If I plug a device into the laptop's other USB port it is not recognized - it was before I purchased this hub. On my PC at home I continue to have a rare problem with my MS optical mouse working especially after putting the computer into sleep or hibernate mode. I don't know if these problems have anything to do with the hub, but I suspect that they do.
  
  
• It works
  By A1TKN7GRY62QX on 2005-10-14
  Plug in and go. Has the external power supply just incase you need that extra juice for your USB device.
  
  
• Just what I needed
  By A3UY0ITQKFW8VC on 2006-02-20
  I was looking for a hub that I could put at the back of my desk for quick hook-ups. I wanted the wire coming from the computer (under my desk) to come out the back of my desk and connect simply from behind (as well as the power) to leave only what I wanted to connect to be seen. This unit does just that. I didn't like that it was so light because the cord would pull the unit up. A bit of velcro to the desk and unit fixed the problem. Good value & it works!
  
  
• The Hub-a Dub-Dub
  By A1M724KFM47TIB on 2005-09-13
  This little jewel of a four-way Hub is great for connecting up to four devices(peripherals) to your PC or Laptop computers. It is very small which does not take up much desk space. It could be mounted securely, using Velcro strips, to a desk partition, the side of your PC or, anywhere else that is handy in your environment.
  
  
• Plug No Problem
  By AZS0YT2OY1TYQ on 2006-12-18
  Earlier reviews I read on this product caused me to cancel my original order but I relented and placed the order once again. I was concerned at the mention of the power plug taking up three spaces on a power outlet.
  
  The item I received today (December 2006) may have been redesigned because it takes no more space than the plug of a radio or table lamp on a power strip or wall socket. The plug extends upward about 2 inches and is about another 2 inches wide but this is a GREAT improvement over my other plug-in power sources which command two or three sockets!
  
  I rate the entire hub at 5-stars. It does exactly what it's supposed to do and was no effort to install. I may buy another as a spare because the price is so good!
  
  
• Does the Job!
  By ABSIJ0Q8N0VKP on 2003-06-19
  I am very happy with this unit. Works great, easy to install, looks great. D-Link has a winner here for a good price!
  
  
• Excellent Product
  By A2GHDBWLMYBWYX on 2004-03-21
  It was an easy installation. No problem at all. The package came with power supply cord, AC Adapter ,and USB 2.0 Cable. I use Windows 98.
  
  Now, I have migrated to my new notebook, Dell Insprion 1150 and XP Home. The hub is still working properly. See the picture.
  
  
• A great product, takes up very little space
  By A3D6GY45R37QLC on 2004-07-25
  I hadn't heard of a USB hub before and was just hoping to find an adapter to fit 2 items into one port when I happened across this. Now I leave all my USB devices plugged in at all times, and never have to unplug and search behind my computer desk for the right spot to plug the cord into! I have my printer, my zip disk, my digital camera, and my trackball mouse all plugged in and I've never had a problem with it. It is so worth the money!
  
  
• The way a hub is supposed to work!
  By A1Z746KUGKBFHO on 2005-08-26
  This 2.o USB hub works without problems. It works the way a hub is supposed to. The added power supply allows you to hook ANY USB device. It works much better than the little "min" hubs without power.
  
  
• Works as Advertised
  By A2C8CRZIN4Q3MU on 2007-03-09
  I hate the fact that the computer industry lies about just about everything. To call this a 4 port switch is a really stretching the truth. Since I have to plug one end into a free USB port on my computer and the other into the 4 port USB block, I really get 3 ports.
  
  Otherwise it's a powered hub that does what a hub is suppose to do - give me more free USB ports.
  
  
• No problems so far
  By AAXMMFJ8EPDD8 on 2004-07-19
  I've had the D-Link DUB-H4 USB 2.0 4-Port Hub for about a week now. I've been using it with a Dell notebook running Windows XP. So far, the only devices that I have connected to it are an 80 GB external hard drive, a multifunction printer/scanner, and my Nikon Coolpix 3200 digital camera, all of which are devices that support USB 2.0. And like my title says, I've had no problems so far. All of the devices are running at USB 2.0 speed, and everything is running fine.
  
  
• A Great USB 2.0 Hub
  By A1SHE19NASQ3ER on 2005-04-23
  This USB hub has worked great for me and my desktop. I orginally had only 2 USB ports and now I have more! Yay! The installation was a snap, mainly because it's USB I'm sure, but it does work great.
  
  I've had zero hang ups or problems with this USB hub, and I'm glad I went with such a small form factor because it doesn't take up much room on my desk.
  
  
• GREAT!!
  By A3OFLHQZGIWYPF on 2005-08-21
  The USB Hub is working great and awesomely faster than a 1.1 hub. And the price was right.
  
  Thanks alot.
  
  
• Does everything it should
  By A22GJYZLSWS9GN on 2006-02-25
  I use my USB hub every day and it works fine with every device I plug into it.
  
  

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