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This review is for the 1byone USB 3.0 7-port aluminum hub. I have an ASUS ROG laptop computer. It has 4 USB ports, all of which are USB 3.0. With a laser printer, wireless mouse, USB speakers, external USB WiFi antenna, and an assortment of cameras, thumb drives, and other devices that I need to connect periodically to USB, I found myself in need of some more ports. I already have a 4-port USB charging station, but it is strictly for charging devices. It does not connect to my laptop, so it cannot act as a USB hub to transfer data.
I read reviews for a large number of powered USB 3.0 hubs. This was the only one on Amazon that I found had a 5 star rating. There were some models from Anker and other reputable companies that had 4.5 star ratings, and a much larger overall number of reviews, but I decided to purchase this model for a couple of reasons. One was that the USB cable that goes from the hub to the computer is hardwired into the hub. This eliminates one potential source for a bad connection. Another reason is that it has an aluminum body. This is a bonus not only because it is more durable, but because aluminum acts as a heat sink, dissipating the internal heat of the unit better than a plastic model.
One concern I had was the potential for dropped connections. This is evidently an issue with hubs from most of the manufacturers out there. There are so many factors involved, however, that it is often difficult to lay the blame at the feet of the USB hub. Having worked for years in computer support at a large hospital, and also having taught computer management and repair at a local technical college, I am aware that there are a large number of variables that could cause a device to not work properly with a USB hub.
My chief interest in purchasing a hub was to move the Alfa 1 (Model Awus036H) WiFi network adapter from its location velcroed to the back of my laptop, to a nearby window at the end of my desk. I was concerned that the Alfa 1, which greatly improves my laptop's Wi-Fi reception, pulling in distant signals that the built in WiFi adapter could barely detect, would not play well with the hub. I really wanted to move the Alfa 1 antenna from the back of my laptop because I had purchased a Logitech USB Laptop Speaker (Z305) that hangs on the top of the laptop screen. The speaker's position would interfere with the position of the antenna, and since I already had both USB ports filled towards the back of the laptop, I would need to relocate some devices to a hub in order to plug in the speakers.
Upon receiving the hub, I plugged it in and connected several devices, including my Alfa 1 antenna and a Brother HL-4150CDN color laser printer. Everything was recognized at once and appeared to function okay. Over the course of the next day or two I experienced significant slow-downs of my WiFi. The Alfa 1 antenna was having some sort of communication problem while plugged into the hub. It was such a problem that I knew that if I could not correct it, I would have to look for another solution than the hub I had purchased. I did some researching of the issue online and found that wireless devices and USB often have signal interference problems with one another. This explains at least a portion of the complaints from people who are attempting to run wireless keyboards or mice through a USB hub.
When I purchased the Alfa 1 antenna it came with both an omni-directional 5Dbi antenna (looks like a small whip antenna), and a 7Dbi panel antenna (looks like a small rectangular paddle). I had always used the omni-directional antenna because I am a full-time RVer and my location changes at times which means the direction to the WiFi source also changes. An omni-directional antenna does not have to be aimed, but the panel antenna does.
The thought arose that I might eliminate any possible interference by using the panel antenna instead of the whip. The WiFi router is 180 degrees opposite of where my USB hub is placed, so any signal from the antenna would be aimed away from the hub. I changed out the antenna on the Alfa 1, a simple matter of unscrewing the old one and screwing on the new one. I immediately got a good connection, and found that I was getting better Internet connection speeds than I had for the previous year and a half I have been at my present location. I played some YouTube videos and there was no lag, something I had been experiencing regularly before. I left the laptop turned on overnight and the connection to the antenna through the hub never dropped. It was still giving great speeds the next morning.
I have now been using the antenna through the hub for the past 10 hours and it is performing better than when I had it connected directly to the USB port on my laptop. I should mention also that the Alfa 1 is a bit power hungry. Its transmitter actually makes the antenna feel hot to the touch, but the 1byone hub has remained completely cool to the touch. I am quite happy with the hub's performance. I give this hub 5 stars for being a well designed product.
| Brand | 1 BY ONE |
|---|---|
| Item model number | O00BW-0584 |
| Item Weight | 3.04 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 6.14 x 0.91 x 1.02 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 6.14 x 0.91 x 1.02 inches |
| Color | Silver |
| Manufacturer | 1byone |
| ASIN | B00UX32OX0 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | March 19, 2015 |
