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Summing Up
Summing Up
In order of preference, here are the ways to add more USB ports to your system:
Best (and sometimes cheapest):
- Make sure all USB ports built into your system are in use
- Connect USB header cables to any unused USB headers on the motherboard
- Add a dock or port replicator to a notebook computer if feasible
More expensive, but adds additional ports without sacrificing an existing port:
- Add a USB card to your computer
- If you plan to use USB 3.0 devices, add a USB 3.0 card (it’s backwards-compatible with USB 2.0/USB 1.1 devices)
Less expensive, but sacrifices an existing port:
- USB 2.0 self-powered hub (works with virtually all devices)
- USB 2.0 bus-powered hub (works with low-power devices)
- USB 1.1 bus-powered hub (works with low-speed, low-power input devices; slows down low-power USB 2.0 devices)
Use the most suitable methods for your situation to avoid the “USB Shuffle.”
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