Lets talk about USB hubs for a moment. I need one.

[little_scrapper]

I need a 4xish port USB hub. Should I get a desktop or 3.5" front panel? And if the later, how is it hooked up?

Here are some examples for consideration:

Belkin, like the name, they make good cables. seems fairly innovative?<>?>
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817394025

D-Link, again, a well respected name brand and seems to require no external power.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817111402

SYBA front panel 3.5" bay mounted 4 port hub. But I would probably have to remove my front upper/internal case fan, not really a big concern because I have a 80mm right on top of my ballistix.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817801001

I need to know what I need to know about USB expansion ports. And for the record, I buy NOTHING without the approval of the voice in my left back pocket. And that voice tends to agree with what knowledgable people tell me I should be in agreement with. :yepp::up:

[zanzabar]

u need external power for most things to work with more than one item running at a time, other than that im not sure that it matters

[vinister]

I just got a D-link 7 port hub. It requires external power (you want external power, trust me), and supports any 7 of my usb 2.0 devices with no problems whatsoever. It isn't the prettiest, but I like its no-nonsense design, and I like the lights which indicate when the device connected to that port is active.

I even have it at the end of about 30 feet of USB cable, half of which is a 15 foot Tripp-lite powered usb2 extension, which is a single port usb hub in itself. The tripp-lite is necessary to go any more than 15 feet via usb.

[M31]

I'm actually thinking of buying an Ebay USB 4 port hub that couples as a mug of tea/coffee warmer, its not powered, but since I'll be plugging it into my Dell 24" LCD that *is* a powered USB hub as well, then I don't expect any problems ... right?