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It was just over ten years ago that I was first introduced to USB (Universal Serial Bus). Two distinct memories still exists from that first meeting. One was a conversation with a fellow journalist who had a heart pacemaker inserted a few days and was back working as if nothing had occurred. The second memory was that much was being made of USB's capability to daisy-chain up to 128 devices from one port.

Of course, we were told that devices were not currently available to take advantage of this linking feature but they would soon arrive.  Since then I have seen that journalist several times but can not say the same about USB devices that can link together. In fact during the intervening decade nothing seems to have happened with regards to the daisy-chaining aspect. The only USB device I have come across that allows you to connect more than one USB device is a hub. This is not really daisy-chaining as I understand it. It is more like a tree structure with sprouting branches.

See also: USB

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However this brief look back does provide me with an opening introduction to this next product from Belkin. This is a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 4-Port Hub. The "Hi-Speed" part of this product's title alludes to the 480Mbps (megabytes per second) data transfer rate that is theoretically possible with USB 2.0 rather than the meagre 12Mbps achievable with USB 1.1.

This Belkin hub, with its milky white top and silver sides, measures 82 x 85 x 27mm (W x L x D). One port is positioned on the top of the device, which is ideal for connecting a stick-style MP3 player, while the other three ports are at the rear along with the power and upstream connection sockets. Both a power lead with three-pin plug and 180cm USB 2.0 cable are included in the box. According to Belkin you should be able to connect up to two devices to the hub without needing and external power but as the lead is supplied I saw no need to test this feature.

This is the first hub that I've seen that has the capability to handle both USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 devices at their optimum speeds. This ability is the result of new technology which will enable users to mix new and legacy devices on one hub without missing out on the benefits of the 480Mbps transfer rate. Partially concealed lights on the top of the hub glow green to indicate power and connected devices.

This Belkin device takes up little desktop space, has a pleasant appearance and can handle a mix of both USB standards. It has been priced at £24.99.

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=203043