StarTech.com 4-Port USB Hub - USB 3.0 5Gbps, Bus Powered, USB-A to 4x USB-A Hub w/ Optional Auxiliary Power Input - Portable Desktop/Laptop USB Hub, 1ft/30cm Cable, USB Expansion Hub

Product Overview

AI-generated summary

For £24.91 ex-VAT, this StarTech 4‑port USB 3.0 hub is the kind of “boring but reliable” add-on that earns its keep in an office or at client sites. It’s bus-powered, so for typical admin work—plugging in a mouse/keyboard, a card reader, a USB Wi‑Fi dongle, or a couple of peripherals—it’s exactly the right size and price. The short 30cm lead is handy for keeping tidy setups on small desks and hotel hot-desks, and StarTech hubs tend to behave well with mixed devices (unlike some cheaper no-name ones that get temperamental).

That said, I wouldn’t buy it if you’re expecting it to run power-hungry gear. If you’re connecting items that draw a lot of current (think external hard drives without their own power, some docking-like accessories, or multiple high-draw devices at once), you’ll hit stability/performance issues because bus power can’t stretch much. Also, since it’s a straightforward hub (not a full docking station), it won’t replace anything requiring video, Ethernet, or serious I/O consolidation. Overall: good value for expanding a laptop’s USB ports on the cheap—just don’t treat it like a mini dock for everything.