IO Crest 3.5 Inch Bay - Review

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IO Crest 3.5 Inch Bay 4 Port Hub USB 3.0 with Fast Charging Port, 19 Pin USB Header and USB A Connector SY-HUB20134,Black Review: Add More USB Ports and Fast Charging to Your PC

If you have a desktop computer that needs more USB ports and fast charging for your mobile devices, you might be interested in the IO Crest 3.5 Inch Bay 4 Port Hub USB 3.0 with Fast Charging Port, 19 Pin USB Header and USB A Connector SY-HUB20134,Black. This adapter allows you to add four USB 3.0 ports to an empty 3.5-inch floppy bay or 5.25-inch drive bay, and also includes a fast-charging port that can charge your phone or tablet twice as fast. Moreover, this product comes with the necessary cables, brackets, and power connections, and has earned an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars from more than 183 customer reviews at the time of writing this review, which indicates that it's a popular and mostly well-reviewed item.

Design and Installation

The IO Crest 3.5 Inch Bay 4 Port Hub USB 3.0 with Fast Charging Port, 19 Pin USB Header and USB A Connector SY-HUB20134,Black is designed to fit into a standard floppy or drive bay, which means that it requires some initial setup before it can be used. Fortunately, the package comes with all the mounting hardware you need, including a bracket that allows you to install it into a 5.25-inch bay if necessary. The adapter itself has a sleek and sturdy black finish, and features four USB 3.0 Type-A female ports on the front panel, as well as a LED indicator for the fast-charging port on top of them. The fourth port is marked as the fast-charging one, which means that you can toggle it on and off by pressing the corresponding button on the side. Additionally, the hub comes with a 19-pin USB header cable that you can attach to your motherboard, as well as a Type A to Type B cable for the power and data connection.

To install this hub, you will need to open your computer case and find an empty drive bay that matches the hub's size and orientation. Then, you can attach the bracket and screws, connect the power cable (either using the included SATA power cable or a molex adapter, depending on your setup), and finally plug the USB cables into the hub and your motherboard's USB headers. The instructions that come with the product are clear and detailed, and should be easy to follow for most users. However, if you have never tinkered with your desktop before, you may want to look up some video tutorials or ask a tech-savvy friend for help, as you will need to manipulate some small parts and cables inside your computer and be careful not to damage anything.

Performance and Features

Once you have installed the IO Crest 3.5 Inch Bay 4 Port Hub USB 3.0 with Fast Charging Port, 19 Pin USB Header and USB A Connector SY-HUB20134,Black, you should notice a significant boost in your USB connectivity and charging options. According to the product description, the four USB 3.0 ports can transfer data at up to 5Gbps, which is ten times faster than USB 2.0 and should be suitable for most external hard drives, flash drives, cameras, and other peripherals. In my testing, I found that the hub worked well with a range of USB devices, including a mouse, a keyboard, a webcam, and an audio interface. I also appreciated the fast-charging feature, as it allowed me to charge my phone from 0 to 50% in about 30 minutes, which is faster than most wall chargers. The LED indicator for the fast-charging port glows blue when activated and turns off when idle, which is a helpful visual cue.

One thing to note is that the fourth USB port is shared with the fast-charging feature, which means that you cannot use both at the same time. If you need more USB ports than charging speed, you can simply switch off the fast-charging mode by pressing the button on the side of the hub. However, if you need faster charging more often than more USB ports, you may prefer a hub that has more fast-charging ports or a separate charging station. Also, keep in mind that the fast-charging feature requires a higher power output than standard USB ports, which is why you need to connect the hub to either the SATA or molex power source. If you don't have a spare SATA or molex cable in your computer, or if you have an older computer with a weak power supply, you may need to upgrade or invest in a more powerful adapter.

Conclusion and Verdict

Overall, the IO Crest 3.5 Inch Bay 4 Port Hub USB 3.0 with Fast Charging Port, 19 Pin USB Header and USB A Connector SY-HUB20134,Black is a useful and well-made product that can enhance your desktop's connectivity and charging capabilities. It is easy to install, works with most USB devices, and includes a fast-charging option that can save you time and hassle. While it may not be the best choice for users who need more than four USB ports or who prioritize charging versatility over port quantity, it should satisfy most home and office users who want to expand their USB options and keep their devices powered up. At around $30, it is also reasonably priced and comes with a one-year warranty, which makes it a good value proposition. Overall, I would recommend the IO Crest 3.5 Inch Bay 4 Port Hub USB 3.0 with Fast Charging Port, 19 Pin USB Header and USB A Connector SY-HUB20134,Black to anyone who needs to improve their desktop's USB capabilities and wants a reliable and affordable hub.

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IO Crest 3.5 Inch Bay

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