I have an X220 with one USB 3.0 port. So far all the USB 3.0 devices I have are external HDs. Two are self-powered and one is USB powered. Any one of them is great when hooked up to the USB 3.0 port, but transferring files between drives is very slow (USB 2.0 speed of course). I expect to get another self-powered 3.5" drive in the next few weeks.
Looking on Amazon.com, I see I essentially have a choice of a 4-port USB 3.0 hub, or a 2-port ExpressCard 34/54 card. The former will result in four USB 3.0 ports, the latter in three. The card also takes up less room in my kit. >From the reviews, it seems none of these devices will give the full (4.8?) speed of USB 3.0, but that it may not matter as long as I'm hooking up rotating hard drives. Also the ExpressCard at least doesn't give enough power to power the small HD, but for now I can use the built-in port for that drive. In terms of cheap, not surprisingly everything has some negative reviews, but surprisingly some have pretty high ratings. I'm seeing a 4-port hub w/2A adapter for U$30 shipped (ASIN B005QWY3PU, 4/5*). The related 7-port hub is U$50 shipped. Of the cheaper hubs, ASIN B007BWTOHU (U$27) seems to have the best ratings. For ExpressCard, ASIN B004YB60KA (54mm) is U$6.45 shipped and some negative reviews. Same for ASIN B0046XUMDW (54mm) U$10.76 shipped, rated 3.5/5*. There's a bunch in the $10 range. If I get smart and limit to 4* and better (and Prime), cheapest ExpressCard adapter is ASIN B006K25AX4 at $29. Cheapest 4*/Prime hub is ASIN B004WM36WG at $26. My question really, is first if anyone has experience with any of these (or another in the <$30 range), and secondly if there are significant reasons I should go with ExpressCard vs. Hub and why. Thanks! - - Andrew mailto:[email protected] _______________________________________________ Thinkpad mailing list [email protected] http://stderr.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/thinkpad
