By Strider - August 14, 2000
(Direct comments to Tikkler)

D-Link Systems, Inc. has been expanding their product line lately, and improving their old products. Ranging from digital web cameras to radios, D-Link has opened up a whole new section in their product line; most of these products utilize the incredibly useful USB ports. D-Link has been creating USB devices for some time now and with all of these other companies making USB devices, the standard 2 ports won't cut it for some users. Do you have enough free USB ports? Don't worry, D-Link has already accounted for most mainboards' lack of excess USB ports with their range of hubs. This review will focus on D-Link’s DSB-H4 USB hub.

D-Link saw the rise of USB products in the market, including the production of their own USB products. Realizing the next logical step, they created the DSB-H4, which provides the end user with 4 additional USB ports aside from the pre-existing ports. There are LED lights on the unit to provide the user with the instant understanding that once the unit is plugged in, the illuminated ports are ready to be used. You will have to sacrifice one USB port to connect the hub to your computer, but in the end you're gaining 4 off of the hub. You can run the hub off of your own computer, or plug it into an outlet to gain its power independantly.

The clear case around the actual product is seen throughout some of other D-Link products, and provides the user with an internal look into the product. It is extremely small, only 4 inches wide, and barely over half an inch in height. This is very good, as computer desktops most likely are already filled with many other things, and the hub can fit nicely anywhere you choose. Since the unit itself is so small, it allows for quick access to USB ports, which allow you to quickly connect scanners, gamepads, mice, keyboards, etc. Overall, I found this product to be extremely useful.

Since this is merely a USB hub, there was no installation hassles whatsoever. All you need to do is remove the hub from the box, and connect it to your PC. The DSB-H4 has guarenteed compatibility with all PC's and Macintoshs (Apple iMac, or G4) [Ed: GAH! Macs!] as long as they have at least a free USB support, and are running either Windows 95 with OSR2 support, Windows 98, or Windows 2000. The plug-and-play compatibility definitely shines here, as soon as you connect the USB cable from the hub to your PC, you're instantly provided with a working USB hub. Thats it. No drivers to install, no hassle. The time it takes to remove the product from the box and connect it to your PC can take all of 15 seconds.

While there isn’t much left to say about the D-Link DSB-H4, other than it’s a wonderful product--what more could you expect from a USB hub? If the fact that it only features 4 USB ports, then feel free to order the D-Link DSB-H7, which features 7 ports. At an extremely reasonable price of only $59 USD, you cannot go wrong.

Pros

• 4 USB Ports
• Absolutely NO installation hassle
• No drivers to install
• Bargain price
• Small and Translucent

Cons

• Only 4 USB Ports (If you feel this is insufficient)
• Lose 1 USB port in the connection of the hub to your PC