Adding more USB ports

[jhansman]

What do you all do to add more USB ports to you older Thinkpads? My A21m has just the one, so I've been investigating adapters that provide more, but most are less than elegant, and it doesn't help that the one port on the A21m is vertical (most adapters are designed for horizontal existing ports). Any recommendations?

BTW, I'm really impressed with the knowledge leve and willingness to help found here. This is not always the case with enthusiast sites.

[TippmannMan]

I'm not sure if you mean PCMCIA cards or hubs or neither when you say adapter, however I use a 4 port USB hub, since I have a similar situation like yours (I only have one USB port cause my other one broke) and I don't like the fact that the PCMCIA cards stick out either. There are SO many USB hubs out there you should be able to find one that looks appealing to you. Try to look for a powered USB hub, since a lot of peripherals would benefit from one. If you don't have a preferred retailer you can always use a search engine like Google. Just type in USB hub.

[jhansman]

No, not PCMCIA, but a USB adapter that provides more USB ports . Since my OP, I did find one at Cyberguys (http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/sear ... b40&child=) that looks usable,
but I thought I'd check here before ordering anything.

[SeanM]

Those are cute, but please understand that there's only a certain amount of power that comes out of a USB port. It's very easy to run over that amount. . plug in a mouse and a keyboard and that could do it. Powered hubs are better: hubs that have an adapter that you have to plug into an AC outlet.

If you get that thing, don't get upset when you plug in two devices and one doesn't work.

[Nolonemo]

Some USB PC Cards come with a "power booster" cable that plugs into the card and into the PS/2 port on the laptop, thus providing enough power to the USB ports on the card. I wonder if there are any laptop-oriented hubs that have a similar feature?

[jhansman]

Powered hubs are better: hubs that have an adapter that you have to plug into an AC outlet.

Not practical for on-the-go. The whole point of having a portable computer is so you don't have to be tethered to AC.

[Nolonemo]

[quote="jhansmanNot practical for on-the-go. The whole point of having a portable computer is so you don't have to be tethered to AC.[/quote]

Right!

I didn't see a USB hub that can draw extra power off the laptop, as I had suggested above. I guess if one were really enterprising, one could make a custom power cable that ran from the PS/2 port to the DC-in on a powered hub (I assume the DC-in on the powered hub is 5v). I shouldn't be too hard, the components have got to be easy to get and the pin-outs etc are easily found on the web.

OTOH, I don't see what the big deal is with a PC Card, since you're going to have the USB cables attaching to it anyway.

[jhansman]

OTOH, I don't see what the big deal is with a PC Card, since you're going to have the USB cables attaching to it anyway.

Except that my PC Card slot (one only on the A21m) is taken up by my Wireless G adapter, so I'm pretty much limited to the existing USB port for expansion. I am, however, intrigued by the idea of using the PS/2 port for more power. Good thinking!

[SeanM]

Powered hubs are better: hubs that have an adapter that you have to plug into an AC outlet.

Not practical for on-the-go. The whole point of having a portable computer is so you don't have to be tethered to AC.

For some people. Feel free to ignore my warnings if you like.

I am, however, intrigued by the idea of using the PS/2 port for more power. Good thinking!

Test it first. As I recall, this machine won't supply power to that port unless it finds a mouse there during bootup. Maybe someone else can fill in the details. . . ?

[jhansman]

Duly noted, and thanks.