Extra USB Ports for 2.4 GHz iMac

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Level 2

224 points

Extra USB Ports for 2.4 GHz iMac

I just changed from a tricked out G4 tower to the new iMac and really miss the Belkin USB 2.0 PCI card that added extra USB ports. My iMac is starting to look like the Dell pictured on the Apple web page with all of the wires hanging out.

I tried using an old 4-Port USB hub and the iMac (or OSX) nagged me and shut down everything associated that port. It would not even run the Keyboard and mouse. My guess it was an older non powered HUB. Maybe i need to buy a powered hub?

An associate wants to sell me a Belkin F5U101-MAC powered hub. I am not sure but I don't think it supports USB 2.0.

What are others using for extra USB connections?

20" iMac 2.4 GHz-2 GB Intel Core 2 Duo, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Aug 19, 2007 6:06 PM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

91,534 points

Aug 19, 2007 6:45 PM in response to aRKay

Hi aRkay

Yes I have two of the F5U101's and they work with the Intel iMac's, but they are only 1.1.
BelkinF5U101

What ever hub you decide on, make sure it supports the Mac OS X platform!

Belkin TetraHub Hi-Speed USB 2.0 4-Port Hub

Hi-Speed USB 2.0 4-Port for Macintosh

Also if you look at your iMac User's Guide you will find that the mouse should be connected to the keyboard, with keyboard connected to a port on back of the iMac.

Dennis

Message was edited by: den.thed

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Answer 2

mrwombat

Level 1

5 points

Aug 19, 2007 8:03 PM in response to aRKay

I'm using the Kensington DomeHub it's got 7 powered 2.0 ports and it's weighted so it stays on the desk.I'm using it with a 24" iMac. I think it was $35.99 on Amazon. Actually I have 2 of them.

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Answer 3

aRKay Author

Level 2

224 points

Aug 20, 2007 4:37 AM in response to den.thed

I wonder if there is much, if any, difference between USB1.1 and USB2 for
non data transfer devices? I understand the need for USB 2 for an external hard drive but for an iMac, mouse or keyboard or old printer I can't see
any problem with using something like the Belkin FSU101.

For $10 it can be a useful device

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Answer 4

Aug 20, 2007 5:51 AM in response to aRKay

USB hubs can be a nuisance. I use a powered hub. This prevents the low current warning that occurs with flash drives, but it introduces a new problem. With a mouse or keyboard plugged into the hub instead of the iMac a "device not found" message appears every time I reboot the iMac. I have to unplug the mouse or keyboard from the hub and then plug it back in for the iMac to recognize the device. After trying 3 hubs I have been unable to eliminate the problem. I don't want to waste money on another hub that won't allow the mouse or keyboard to be seen at boot time.

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Answer 5

Aug 20, 2007 8:18 AM in response to aRKay

I just switched from a PC and I have a Belkin N10117 7-port USB 2.0 hub that worked well on Windows.

So I tried it with my new 24" iMac but it seems to cause problems, so I took it off. I have actually bought the Belkin TetraHub recommended by Dennis on this thread. So Thanks Dennis 😉 .

Frank B.

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Answer 6

den.thed

Level 10

91,534 points

Aug 20, 2007 4:13 PM in response to aRKay

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner (work)

My Keyboard in in one port, mouse connected to keyboard.
My printer is in the second port.
Hub is in third port, with cables run up next to printer for camera's, iPod and extention cable for flash drives.

The FSU101-Mac does allow the iMac to sleep, but I get a message that my devices are connected to a 1.1 bus. While it all works fine except that it's real slow to updated even the 2GB iPod playlist and downloading from the digital camera's.

I think for the extra $10.76 + shipping this Belkin Hi-Speed USB 2.0 4-Port for Macintosh is realy the better way to go.

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