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Powered USB-A hub or not powered USB-C hub?

447 Views 5 Replies 2 Participants Last post by Macboatmaster, Mar 6, 2020

hirowhite

Discussion Starter · Feb 28, 2020

Hello. I currently operate at least two USB microphones that connect to earbuds that I'm using. Pretty high powered. I got a Powered USB-A hub. This wasn't enough. The devices I use always end up going into bricked state (they don't do this when connected directly to the Laptop).I also have a phone that needs constant charging. I heard USB-C is the best, but I can't get a powered one and am skeptical because I think something powered would be better. I charge a phone also, but can do that on a different laptop.

I am looking for opinions or advice. It would be nice if there was something where I didn't have to worry about this. But it seems that it comes down to USB-A or USB-C. Another thought: would a USB-A hub attached to a USB-C adapter to the USB-C port be better than just USB-A? For some Any opinions or advice? I'd probably willing to get anything below $100 if it worked.

This is what I have:

Lenovo Ideapad 320-15IKB
Win10-64
Intel I-5
12GB RAM

For some reason, It won't show the USB power output that I'm using in device manager.

Thanks,
Brad

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Macboatmaster

· #2 · Feb 29, 2020 (Edited)

USB-C is merely an connector shape
It does NOT mean that USB C supports extra power or indeed speed, although I appreciate that your question is power related

https://www.howtogeek.com/211843/usb-type-c-explained-what-it-is-and-why-youll-want-it/

I think I am correct in saying that the usb ports on your computer are usb 3.0
plus a usb -c
http://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF/datasheet/ideapad_320_15IKB_17IKB_datasheet_EN.pdf
I/O (Input/Output) Ports
1 x USB Type-C™
2 x USB 3.0

You need to establish if the usb type c is usb 3.0 or 3.1
I suspect it is 3.0
https://www.avadirect.com/blog/usb-3-1-vs-3-0-vs-usb-type-c-thunderbolt-difference/

Similarly, a USB Type-C port may support USB 3.1, 3.0 or even USB 2.0, so just because you see the new port, doesn't mean that it can transfer data at high speeds or provide 100W of power. When you see the term USB 3.1 Gen 1, this is just a fancy name for USB 3.0, and provides speeds up to 5Gbps. USB 3.1 Gen 2 is the new name for USB 3.1 which provides speeds up to 10Gbps. Confused yet? It can certainly be hard to tell if your computer has USB 3.1 Gen 1 or USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports.

Also the cheaper powered hubs do NOT allow the power draw to each device in the hub, but split it between the devices, as they are used.

Finally a hub that is NONE USB-C will not whatever adapter is used provide the devices in the hub with USB-C
They remain as though they were connected to a NONE USB-C
https://superuser.com/questions/1460313/what-is-the-maximum-power-supplied-by-a-usb-3-0-port

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Macboatmaster

· #3 · Feb 29, 2020 (Edited)

Reference above I have now found the full maintenance manual for your computer
USB
USB 3.0 × 2,
Type-C (Support USB 3.1 Gen 1, Output 5V DC, 0.9A DC) × 1

https://download.lenovo.com/consume...5ikb_320x-15ikb_320-15ikbtouch_hmm_201704.pdf

It may well prove useful to you at sometime, being NOT just the user manual but as I said the full maintenance manual
As you can see the power available is 900Ma - 0.9amp

However as I said in my first reply, that does NOT mean that your hub allows 900Ma to each of the devices connected.
It may mean, that one can use, what it needs up to 900Ma and then when another device requires power, it can use what remains of the 900
OR it may mean that if you have three devices connected EACH can only use 300Ma

It depends on the hub - even if the hub is powered
and for example and it is of course only an example - something of this type is

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-7-Port...witches-AC-Power-Adapter-For-PC/143470665590?

unlikely to be successful

and the better quality
https://www.ebuyer.com/search?q=powered+usb+3.0+hub

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Macboatmaster

· #4 · Mar 1, 2020

I see you have seen my reply
Your response would be appreciated when you get chance
You will no doubt have noticed that I also linked to the full maintenance manual for your computer.

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hirowhite

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 1, 2020

Yes, thank you. I will look through it when I get a chance.

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Macboatmaster

· #6 · Mar 6, 2020

I presume you no longer require my help.
Hope you get it sorted
Good luck with

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