I have enough ports on my iMac. Can a USB hub manage power distribution better?

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cocoazenith Author

Level 1

8 points

I have enough ports on my iMac. Can a USB hub manage power distribution better?

So here's the deal.

My iMac has 4 USB 3.0 ports and two USB 3.1 ports.

Four 3.0 ports is precisely what I need to connect my USB 3.0 and 2.0 devices:

an external HDD, an audio interface, a MIDI keyboard controller and my Logitech mouse receiver.

However I cannot help but feel that using a USB 3.0 on one of the ports, in which I could connect two of the four devices (which have lower consumption) would be better.

Can a USB hub act as a power damper and mediator that increases power distribution efficiency?

Right now I fear that my audio interface or Logitech mouse receiver do not receive enough power,

if all these four devices are connected to the same USB Bus.

Thanks!

iMac 21.5" 4K, macOS 10.13

Posted on Dec 28, 2019 2:55 AM

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Answer 1

cocoazenith Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 28, 2019 5:24 AM in response to dialabrain

They seem to work just fine...

For the moment I switched to using the iMac ports only, after a couple of months

of also using a hub. I will report any findings if things start to look differently.

My OP stems from one thing only. The Logitech receiver is notorious for drop-outs when

used with Apple computers, and it seems to me it works better when "help" the iMac by splitting the

USB connections duties, between its ports and an Amazon USB 3.0 Hub.

Which of course is also connected to an iMac port...LOL.

I cannot help but wonder if there is such a thing as putting a strain on a computer's USB interface and its ports.

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Answer 2

den.thed

Level 10

90,496 points

Dec 28, 2019 5:45 AM in response to cocoazenith

Yes' I have a lot of USB devices and use two Self-Powered USB Hubs.

a Belkin 7 port USB 2.0 Hub for my Keyboard, Mouse, USB 2.0 External Drives, etc...

plus a Sabrent 4 port USB 3.0 Hub for my USB 3.0 External Drives, FlashDrives, etc...

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Answer 3

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,030 points

Dec 28, 2019 7:47 AM in response to cocoazenith

The last USB3.0 port on my Late-2013 iMac was a PITA to reach around and connect items too. Got fed up and purchased a $33USB 3.1 Gen 2, 4-port Inland (optionally) powered hub. This allows me to easily connect a scanner, Blu-ray writer, or USB stick without any connectivity acrobatics.

This was more for convenience, as I believe the USB devices that I own receive sufficient power from the iMac USB3 ports without the need for a bus or powered hub. Your peripheral device power needs may benefit from a powered hub.

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Answer 4

dialabrain

Level 10

135,311 points

Dec 28, 2019 3:07 AM in response to cocoazenith

If they are working, you don't need a hub. If you think you will add more devices, a powered hub would be useful.

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Answer 5

dialabrain

Level 10

135,311 points

Dec 28, 2019 3:23 AM in response to cocoazenith

Just to add, I use a hub on my iMac Pro and iMac 5K. Not because they are needed, just because the ports are easier to get to than the back of the Macs.

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I have enough ports on my iMac. Can a USB hub manage power distribution better?

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