StarTech.com 4 Port USB 3.1 USB Hub, USB Powered, 94 mm 26 mm 94mm

Save the expense of purchasing duplicate peripherals, by sharing devices (such as USB printers, portable hard drives, mouse and keyboard) with up to four computers. The USB switch also lets you avoid having to swap cables from one system to another, saving time and effort.

Enjoy fast data transfers to and from your shared peripheral devices. The USB switch supports USB 3.0 (up to 5Gbps), providing high-bandwidth support for devices like external hard drives and webcams. The USB 3.0 switch is also backward compatible with USB 2.0/1.1 and works with older devices.

The plug-and-play USB switch is easy to use, with no drivers or software required. It features a remote port selector that lets you switch peripheral devices from one computer to another with the press of a button. The LED indicates the active computer.

The switch’s compact design takes up minimal desk space and it’s USB-powered.

The 4-port USB switch can also be connected to a USB hub or docking station, to expand the number of shared devices.

The HBS304A24A is backed by a StarTech.com 2-year warranty and free lifetime technical support.

• Remote port selector lets you switch devices from one computer to another, with the press of a button

• USB 3.0 throughput support with data transfer rates of up to 5Gbps (backwards compatible)

• Hot-pluggable USB switch, with over-current protection

• Includes four USB-A to USB-B cables - 2x 1.2 m (4 ft) / 2x 1.8 m (6 ft)

• Share a USB 3.0 peripheral between up to four computers on a work bench.

• Connect an external hard drive between four systems for merging data to a single shared drive.

• 1.8 m [6 ft] remote port selector

• USB 3.0 cables - USB-A to USB-B

• 2x 1.2 m [4 ft] / 2x 1.8 m [6 ft]

• quick-start guide

USB 3.0 ports are backwards compatible with all earlier versions of USB, so with the help of adapters, it is easy to remain connected to older peripherals after you’ve upgraded devices. With USB-C, for example, while the port is physically different, with a simple adapter you can easily connect your USB-A tech tools to your USB-C devices. With that said, it will downgrade performance to that supported by the device.

There are key differences between the USB 2.0 & USB 3.0 is that the USB 3.0 has an improved data transfer speed, transferring data up to 5Gbps whereas the USB 2.0 can only support speeds up to 480Mbps. USB 3.0 type can also support video and provides additional power transfer of 900 mA. USB 3.0 is backwards compatible with all earlier version of USB types too.