Best USB Hub for MacBook

If there is one complaint that people have against the supremely impressive Apple MacBooks, it is that the number of USB ports are not sufficient enough. Both the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro have only two USB ports, and while this may be enough for most people, there are many who feel that a few more ports would not have hurt. After all, these ports are used for connecting a whole host of peripheral devices to the machine so the more there are, the better it is.

External devices like USB flash drives, external hard drives, mobile phones, computer mouse, handheld gaming consoles, printers, scanners, digital cameras and MP3 players can all be connected to a MacBook through a USB port, and it is quite disappointing that Apple feels that one may only need to connect two of these at the same time. This is where a USB hub comes into the picture.

It's an interconnecting device that has up to 7 USB outlets at one end, so it enables one to connect a maximum of 7 peripheral devices to one single USB port on the machine. The utility of this device need not be explained, and this is a great solution for people who feel constricted by the number of USB ports on a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro.

Powered vs Unpowered USB Hubs
An important choice needs to be made when you are picking a hub for your MacBook, and this involves choosing between a powered and an unpowered hub. As the name suggests, the former has its own source of power so it will need to be connected to an external power outlet once it has been attached to the MacBook. This will result in faster transfer speeds, and no loss of MacBook battery if you are attaching several power hungry peripherals to the MacBook.

On the other hand, an unpowered USB hub derives its power from the computer itself. This is fine if your MacBook is connected to a power outlet, but if you are running on the MacBook's battery then you will see a massive drop in the battery level in no time at all. Transfer speeds are also much lower in their case. These hubs are good for people who carry their MacBook around a lot, but it is always better to use a powered hub, or at least connect the MacBook to a power outlet if an unpowered one is attached to it.

Top USB Hubs for MacBook Air
Once you have figured out your usage needs and made a choice between a powered and an unpowered hub, you can pick one from amongst the following for your MacBook Air. As mentioned before, it is advisable to pick the best one if you are certain that you will have access to a power outlet at all times.

• Belkin 4-Port USB Hub
• CyberPower CP-H720P 7-Port USB Hub
• D-Link (DUB-H7) 7-Port USB Hub
• Dynamode 4-Port Passive USB 2.0 Micro Hub
• Entrega MAC-HUB-7U 7-Port USB Hub
• IOgear 4-Port Wireless USB Hub
• Kensington DomeHub 7-Port USB 2.0 Weighted Hub 33118
• Linksys Compact USB 4-Port Hub
• Macally 4-Port Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Hub for Mac
• Sabrent Arkview Premium USB 2.0 7-Port Hub
• Startech 4-Port USB 2.0 Self Powered Hub
• Strand USB 4-Port Hub
• Trust HU-440P 4-Port USB 2.0 Mini Hub

From this list you can find one that fits your budget, and this should solve your problem of adding additional peripherals to your MacBook Air without worrying about the limitations of the number of ports available on the machine.

Top USB Hubs for MacBook Pro
The MacBook Pro has a similar problem as the MacBook Air when it comes to USB ports. Additionally, many people complain that the two USB ports are so close to each other that it is difficult to connect even two devices at the same time. This is another reason for which a USB hub is essential for MacBook Pro owners, and here are some popular choices to pick from.

• Belkin F5U526-APL
• CTG 7-Port 2.0 Hub Aluminum
• IOgear GUH275 4-Port
• Logitech Premium 4-Port
• Port Designs iHome IH-U561SW 7-Port
• Sabrent SBT-U2H4 4-Port
• Targus PAUH112U 4-Port
• Targus TCH81US
• Ultramax Ultra ULT40290 HUB

There are no restrictions about which machine a specific hub works with, so you do not have to look for a hub for a MacBook Air or a MacBook Pro separately. The same hub will work with both models, and it will even work with Windows based laptops if you wish to use them for the same. A USB hub will make your life much simpler, especially if you connect a lot of external gadgets and peripherals to your MacBook. So you should definitely go out and get one for yourself as soon as possible.