Considering a USB 3.0 ExpressCard adapter

[Guest]

So I feel that I'm in need of additional USB ports as I have an ever growing number of devices. I've also got a USB 3,0 HDD.

Not really sure what to make of the market. I'm mainly looking at the 2 port flush variety and it's hard to really know what to expect.

I was thinking this one:

http://www.amazon.co...bs_computers_15

Since the reviews say it powers their HDD happily.

But then there's this:

http://www.amazon.co...VFGSC1HG5MM3WSN

With one less port and more yet costly. What's going on here?

Might just get a Belkin 7-port USB hub for a tenner instead.

[+Eternal Tempest MVC]

May want to wait a few months there's a revised usb 3.0 standard coming out very soon that offer's more speed.

A powered usb hub might hold you over for a bit. Something like this - http://www.monoprice...&seq=1&format=2

The only practical use for USB 3.0 is if you have USB 3.0 device.

USB 3.0 will not read use 1.0/1.1 usb devices. It won't make usb 2.0 devices transfer faster if plugged in to usb 3.0 port.

If you have usb 3.0 port on usb 3.0 device, such as hard drive enclosure or usb 3.0 drive it is nice.

[JJ_]

Never heard of the Orico brand before which is probably why it is so cheap with a likewise chipset, whereas the Targus likely has a decent USB 3.0 chipset inside.

Also your first link is of a 54mm ExpressCard with 2 USB 3.0 ports. Some notebooks will have this funny shaped 54mm (CardBus opening type) ExpressCard slot. The following Orico card is comparable to the Targus card you linked:

http://www.amazon.co...1&s=electronics

Both are 34mm ExpressCards with a single USB 3.0 port. This shaped ExpressCard is aimed for 34mm ExpressCard slots similar to the one the MCB 2011 has.

[Davo]

While honestly not knowing much about ExpressCards, do some research to see if you'll actually get USB 3.0 speeds. For example, you can get a USB 3.0 PCI card but it's only slightly faster than USB 2.0 due to PCI's limitations.

[Guest]

Yeah I was wondering if ExpressCard can actually do the full 5Gbit/s. Reviews say they get 4 times speed. Say 25MB/s on USB 2.0 then to 100MB/s on 3.0.

Just gets me a few more USB slots and keeps it fairly elegant.

I was thinking this hub: (bit more than a tenner, actually.)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-F5U701PukBLK-USB-Port-Mobile/dp/B003CJ6EGK/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1358806156&sr=1-2

Fairly inexpensive and the box is small. I've read good things on the Ableton forums for their reliability with audio/MIDI gear.