As I browsed the many Mac catalogues and web sites I noticed
something characteristic about USB hubs: Most companies are joining the
trend of producing smaller hubs, which means the ports are closer
together.
These hubs are fairly easy to use with one or two devices, but
problems start to appear when you have something plugged into one of
the middle ports. How are you supposed to remove the plug? You
basically have to do it with both hands as you struggle to pull the
plugs free. You might even have to unplug the surrounding devices,
which proves quite inconvenient. One could pull the cord to unplug, but
for those people whose parents always told them never to unplug
electrical stuff by the cord, safety takes precedence over brevity.
What's a user to do? I thought USB was supposed to be easier to use
than previous serial technologies? What I would like to see is a hub
with ports on the top of the hub, spaced far enough apart so that one
doesn't need paper-thin fingers to get a good hold when removing the
plugs. It would also be cool if the lights showing USB bandwidth
pulsated back and forth, à la KITT from Knight Rider.
The Interex (XLR8) Iceview hub comes closer to this feedback ideal
with its cool USB load meter, but alas, its ports are hidden in the
back as in other hubs. Plus, the ports are crammed into one panel. A
review of this beautiful hub can be found at on Mac
NN.
The only hub I own is a Macally four port bondi hub. It works most
of the time (when the beige Epson cooperates with it). The ports are
spaced far enough apart to be more convenient than on other hubs, but
sometimes it is necessary to hold the hub with one hand while removing
devices with the other hand.
I am tired of hubs that try to hide the ports in back and place them
as close together as possible. (Names have been withheld to protect the
guilty.)
Whatever happened to form follows function? What about ergonomics?
As you go shopping for the ideal hub, kindly ask the hub manufacturers
for more innovative devices.
Share your perspective on the Mac by emailing with "My Turn" as your subject.
