Poor man's docking station: IBM Multi-Port USB HUB - 5 USB Ports, 2 PS2, 1 Parallel, 1 Serial - $20+s/h

[cleek]

Connects to the host machine though USB. Nice option for expansion or cable management. Ignore the mktg focus on thinkpad.
It works through USB

IBM USB Multiport Hub (00N8215) - Housed in a tiny footprint, & highly affordable, your multiport hub provides connections for 5 USB devices + printer, serial, keyboard and mouse ports giving you a myriad of connection options.

The IBM Multi-Port USB Hub provides a quick and convenient connection to multiple devices through one simple connection to your IBM ThinkPad computer. The nine ports on the hub enable you to connect the following devices to the computer while the computer is on:
- Up to five Universal Serial Bus (USB) devices
- Printer
- Serial device NOTE: The hub will not work with a serial mouse.
- Standard keyboard
- Standard mouse
- Drivers for Microsoft Windows 98/Me/2000/XP



Deal

Drivers from IBM

 

[ScrapSilicon]

very nice item!

 

[bit]

very nice!

 

[HaVoC]

Nice deal, but watch out...my S&H was $10.81 ouch.

 

[cleek]

Anybody know what is the longest USB cable available?

Want to put the computers futher away from the kids

 

[Mday]

Originally posted by: cleek
Anybody know what is the longest USB cable available?

Want to put the computers futher away from the kids

about 5 meters (15 or 16 feet), after that, you should have active extensions. you can always connect that ibm hub through another hub. of course the keyboard and mouse adds like 6 feet from their own cords.

ordered 2 =D

This device, when it first came out, was like $150. Oh, it's just a rebadge job by ibm, btw.

 

[DieselMan]

Thanks, exactly what I needed for my laptop!

 

[bizmark]

bah! I would've been all over this if it wasn't a TigerDirect deal.... buyer beware :disgust:

 

[cleek]

Originally posted by: HaVoC
Nice deal, but watch out...my S&H was $10.81 ouch.

That's what I paid for shipping for two to MD. You defininitely need to buy a couple of things to lessen the pain of TD's shipping bite. (rubs sore @ss knowingly).

 

[alm99]

this will work for a regular desktop, right? externally powered?

 

[cleek]

Originally posted by: alm99
this will work for a regular desktop, right? externally powered?

Yes - excerpt from the driver's link above

To install the USB hub:

1. Turn on the computer.
2. Insert the IBM Multi-Port Universal Serial Bus (USB) Hub Option Diskette into the diskette drive.
# (Insert your Windows 98/2000/XP installation compact disc (CD) into the CD-ROM drive if you are prompted to do so by the on-screen instructions. If you do not have a CD-ROM drive, insert the first Windows 98/2000/XP installation diskette into the diskette drive.)
# Insert the barrel connector at the end of the ac/dc power adapter into the power-adapter connector on the rear of the hub, then connect the other end of the cord to an electrical outlet.
# Connect one end of the two-foot USB cable to the computer USB connector and the other end of the cable to the USB cable connector on the front of the hub

 

[Idahoski]

This looks like my Mobility Easidock USB 200 which I got for free after rebate at CC. It is a piece of work! Take a look at the KNOWN limitations:
Limitations.

I love the fact that my computer won't start with it connected and all of the other problems they list.

I hope the IBM version is better.

Andrew

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: Mday

Originally posted by: cleek
Anybody know what is the longest USB cable available?

Want to put the computers futher away from the kids

about 5 meters (15 or 16 feet), after that, you should have active extensions. you can always connect that ibm hub through another hub. of course the keyboard and mouse adds like 6 feet from their own cords.

ordered 2 =D

This device, when it first came out, was like $150. Oh, it's just a rebadge job by ibm, btw.

USB will go 30' before the need for a repeater (powered hub, active extension, etc). I asked this same question when setting up a wireless USB NIC that I needed to get near a window. I have mine at 24' with extension cables and it works fine.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: Idahoski
This looks like my Mobility Easidock USB 200 which I got for free after rebate at CC. It is a piece of work! Take a look at the KNOWN limitations:
Limitations.

I love the fact that my computer won't start with it connected and all of the other problems they list.

I hope the IBM version is better.

Andrew

All those are pretty well known issues with ANY USB device. And that startup issue affects BX motherboards with a Phoenix BIOS....if you're still using a BX chipset, get another computer, will ya???

 

[Buzzman151]

HOLY MOTHER!!! 10 DOLLARS SHIPPING!!!! Crap on that.... this was gonna be such a hot deal for me...... but that 10 bucks shipping is quite the kick in the pants. :/

 

[wizz0bang]

This is a very good deal on a very solid device. Mine is working with my home build desktop, USR Courier external modem (serial), HP LJ4 (parallel) and my mouse/keyboard/joystick/MIDI interface (all usb). Therefore, I only have 4 cables coming out of the back of my box: 1 usb, 1 power, 1 video, 1 sound. It's great!


Even with the rediculous shipping... this is a HECK of a buy... they normally go for around $100 + shipping.

 

[jbwhite99]

The IBM retail price on these was/is $79, so this is a deal. A friend of mine at IBM said that they used to call these a "beak" because they look like a nose.

The limitations are correct, but then would you want a video port or LAN connection going through a USB cable?

 

[cleek]

rcv'd mone - three at installed on a variety of machines with no problem. just wish there was a linux drive too

 

[Mday]

arrived today, i installed it on my laptop, with windows xp, so far so good. i downloaded the drivers from ibm.

most of those limitations are actual known problems with all usb-parallel adapters. the hibernate thing is a bug in windows, which fails to recognize\reinitialize some usb devices after hibernation. as for win98 and w2k, ibm's driver pack had win2k and win98 drivers.

shipping was a bitch, but think of what you are getting, a 5 port usb hub, and other ports!!! i ordered 2 to reduce the shipping hit.

 

[Boomer2]

If anyone wants to combine an order in the Phoenix, AZ, area to reduce the shipping bite, PM me.

 

[airduct]

shipping is definately a rip off... but for $30, this is better than the $100 laptop docking stations from dell etc...

 

[Macro2]

nice find. Great for laptop.

 

[alkemyst]

Anyone use this on a Abit BX6r2? I need 5 USB (would love 2.0 though I am down to two PCI slots and haven't added a NIC or eventually a TV Tuner, I do have one ISA as a possiblity)

 

[cleek]

bump for the A31 Thinkpad discussionhere

 

[sxr7171]

I've never quite understood why people would spend $200 upwards on docking stations (companies - I can understand, but not individuals), but I've never had a laptop so maybe there's something I don't know about docking stations.