My external hard drive (Timemachine), my keyboard, my power supply backup (APC UPS), and my usb hub are all supposed to be connected directly to the iMac. How do I do this (short of getting a wireless keyboard)?
iMac 3.06 GH Intel Duo, Mac OS X (10.6.7)
External USB hubs. Preferrably self-power from an AC adapter. Will turn 1 USB port into several ... from 4 all the way to 12 for some adapters. 4-port models start around $20 for the least expensive.
I always thought there were at least 4 USB ports on your model; then there are the keyboard's.
steve359: I've got external powered hub with adequate space. Problem is that Apple recommends that Timemachine and keyboard both be directly plugged into iMac. APC recommends that UPS be directly plugged into iMac. That leaves everything else which goes through the hub. I need to get a new external HD (my Iomega died). If anyone knows of a good external HD that allows connection by usb and has an auxilliary usb port so my hub can go through that, it might work. The Iomega used firewire so it didn't compete for iMac usb ports, but I'd prefer to have a usb HD.
seventy one: Rechecked. My iMac has 3 usb ports and two firewire.
Everyone wants to be first in line but that being said I've run all my peripherals from hubs without conflict for years. The one consideration in your case would be that the UPS if plugged into a Hub the Hub should be powered by the same A/C circuit as the iMac.
Does anyone know what I lose if my usb keyboard is connected through the hub? Is there a real downside?
Nope, been using mine that way for years.
My iMac has only 3 usb ports, but I need four.
