Turning One USB Port Into Seven

Reader Chris writes: You know how a power strip makes one outlet into 5? Is there somthing that does the same thing execpt insted of power outlets it converts one USB outlet into 5 outlets?

Sure is, and it's called a USB hub. (USB plugs are actually called "ports," not "outlets," but anyway...)

It seems that no matter how many USB ports any PC has, you always end up needing more. USB hubs can actually be found in all kinds of devices, from printers to monitors to more. But what you probably want is a standalone USB hub.

There are literally hundreds to choose from. The one on my desk is a Kensington 7-port DomeHub ($50). It has six USB ports around the base and one on top. I plug printers and other devices that I'm not constantly removing into the side ports and reserve the top port for a thumbdrive. The only thing I don't like about it is that the base ports are angled and aren't quite deep enough, and if the cables are jostled, they can slip out, though this is rare. Note that you will also need to have a power plug available for just about any USB hub you purchase: The USB bus alone can't power all those devices without a little extra juice from the wall.

If your PC doesn't have integrated memory card reader slots, another good option is to get a dual-purpose card reader and USB hub. This way you get all the features of both devices without using up excess desk space and connections to your PC and wall power. Again there are numerous products on the market. As an example, the $40 Mobile Edge Card Reader/USB Hub features 3 USB ports and a 12-in-1 card reader.