What USB-Based Tools Do You Need To Get Things Done?

9 responses to “What USB-Based Tools Do You Need To Get Things Done?”

1. 

   John Cox

   July 2, 2011

   I have a 7 port USB hub attached to my MacBook Pro:
   2 x USB2DVI adaptors (laptop driving 3 x screens (1 with minidisplay))
   1 x iPhone dock
   1 x IBM ModelM13 keyboard
   1 x External Video Camera
   1 x Wireless receiver for a headset
   1 x spare for plugging in drives

   The 2 USB plugs on the MacBook Pro itself have
   1 x 7 ports USB hub (obviously)
   1 x 1TB external HDD

   Log in to Reply
   1. 

      JR

      July 2, 2011

      Maybe you would have been better suited with a desktop…

      I can’t imagine moving that lot around.

      Log in to Reply
      1. 

         John Cox

         July 3, 2011

         Hi JR,

         I work from home in my office the majority of the time so it is set up (as my son says) like mission control. But I also travel regularly and simply detach the laptop and I have my world with me.

         Log in to Reply
2. 

   Rivett

   July 2, 2011

   I have a few USB devices at present but I can see their number dropping in the recent future. Currently I have a usb hub and keyboard pugged into the two ports on my MBP with a mouse, printer and iPod cable plugged into the hub.

   I rarely use a thumb drive now that I’ve started using dropbox, and my next printer will be wifi enabled. With wireless syncing coming to iOS 5 that removes the iPod cable as well (I charge using a wall charger). My external hard drive is Firewire so no need for USB their either.

   Really makes the amount of money I spent on a 7-port hub seem unnecessary, but it is handy to know you have spare ports to plug in other peoples USB drives, phones, etc.

   On another note, I’d be interested in hearing more about your USB2DVI adaptors John.

   Log in to Reply
   1. 

      John Cox

      July 3, 2011

      Hi Rivett,

      These are the adaptors in question:

      UV Plus+ | Model: UV16 :

      http://www.evga.com/products/moreInfo.asp?pn=100-U2-UV16-A1&family=USB&sw=10

      These suit me perfectly for my work doing coding and office stuff. I wouldn’t recommend high FPS gaming or video, but it suits my needs and enables me to have 4 x 1650 x 1080 screens (driven by Laptop screen, Minidisplay port and the 2 x adaptors.)

      So my 3 screens sit on an Egrotron LX Triple Display Lift Stand.

      http://www.ergotron.com/Products/tabid/65/PRDID/128/language/en-AU/Default.aspx

      Really should do a featured desk submission…

      // John

      Log in to Reply
3. 

   Burt

   July 2, 2011

   7 Port USB hub jacked into the PS3 servicing:
   PlayTV
   EarforceDSS Dolby Digital Decoder and Headphone Amp
   2xDualshock 3 controllers
   Driving Force GT Steering Wheel

   4 Port USB hub jacked into the router servicing:
   2xWD Elements ExternalHDD’s
   2xthumbdrives

   Log in to Reply
4. 

   Peter

   July 3, 2011

   A USB-Serial adaptor for hooking in to serial consoles on assorted devices.

   A single thumb drive that holds my VPN keys and KeePass password file. That sits on a keyring with my house key, and is with me everywhere I go. (backed up in a secure location, naturally)

   Log in to Reply
5. 

   Peter

   July 3, 2011

   A USB-Serial adaptor for hooking in to serial consoles on assorted devices.

   A single thumb drive that holds my VPN keys and KeePass password file. That sits on a keyring with my house key, and is with me everywhere I go. (backed up in a secure location, naturally)

   Log in to Reply
6. 

   Wayne

   July 4, 2011

   7-port USB hub into IBM laptop:
   – wireless mouse dongle
   – iDevice (phone, pad, pod)
   – 2x ext. HDD (1TB)
   – HTC phone cable (micro USB)
   – external WebCam
   – 1x free socket (for thumb drives, etc)

   4-port USB hub into Xbox 360:
   – humping dog 🙂
   – wireless microsoft arc keyboard
   – turtle beach Earforce DSS
   – 1x free socket (for anything else)

   Log in to Reply