Comment on Why do (desktop) PC have so few USB ports ?
cali_ash@lemmy.wtf 7 months ago
You can get an USB hub to expand that number as needed. With USB 3.2 ports you can connect all of the things you listed over a single port without any performance issues.
You can literally connect hundreds of devices to those ports, if needed.
Ziggurat@sh.itjust.works 7 months ago
Sure, but just like the PCIe USB port option, it’s quite frustrating to add another device to a new PC.
Ptsf@lemmy.world 7 months ago
You’re the one with exorbitant usb needs. That means you’ll be the one who expansions are made for. I don’t have the stats in front of me, but I’d wager the vast vast majority of pc users don’t use beyond 4.
kurcatovium@lemm.ee 7 months ago
Thinking about this, my Mobo has only 5+c on back panel and I was bit afraid of that. Well, why though? Keyboard, mouse, usb audio and well, that is it. Sometimes I plug in extra usb mic. I don’t have printer or some weird setup, hard drives etc. When I want to connect flash drive, I put it to one of 2 extra slots in front. Same with mobile when I want to transfer something.
FuglyDuck@lemmy.world 7 months ago
Most people will only need 3-4 usb ports…. Ever.
1-2 for the KBM, another for a printer (which are increasingly WiFi enabled,) and another for a sub stick.
Hubs aren’t that difficult and a single cable will look neater to your desk anyhow. Run your KbM/joysticks to the hub instead. (And you can get some 3m VHB tape, or far less permanently, the 3m command adhesive that’s double sided, to mount it somewhere like the back of the KB tray.)
Stamets@lemmy.world 7 months ago
I’ve got 7 USB ports on my PC and every single one of them is used. I don’t need anymore at the moment but I mean this adds up fast.
Then I’ve got my HOTAS. I just unplug my controller and plug that in to use instead.
Mesophar@lemm.ee 7 months ago
This seems like a lot, though. Like, they are all reasonable items! But it seems more like a niche/enthusiasts situation, which would require a niche/enthusiasm solution.
Not saying it wouldn’t be nice to have more usb as standard, but most decent motherboards I’ve checked out have around 4 2.0 slots, 2-4 3.0 slots, and 0-2 C slots. Just for back panel I/O
6-ish slots seems fine for most uses
Kecessa@sh.itjust.works 7 months ago
Speakers > Why USB instead of optical/aux?
SSD, HDD, Memory card reader > Do you use all of them every day?
Headset + microphone > Why not combine/do you use both every day?
And I mean, you already have a hub, worst case if it’s full just get a second one or one with more slots…
Buffalox@lemmy.world 7 months ago
You obviously need a USB beer glass stand, and a USB keyboard fan, and a USB lamp to spot on the game keys.
You are not utilizing the full potential of USB versatility! 😋
FuglyDuck@lemmy.world 7 months ago
HOTAS, pedals, VR headset, earcans, KBM, webcam. Laser printer/scanner
A pi pico W that serves as control node for the adhoc pico network I’ve cobbled into a home control network. (Maybe I have a problem,)
A couple desktop 3d printers, plus their webcams.
A TX adapter for an R/C simulator.
And of course the hubs to manage all that.
We’re not normal, though.
lemmyng@lemmy.ca 7 months ago
What’s annoying these days is how few USB-C port expanders there are. I get why - USB-C is supposed to be able to deliver a certain amount of power, and a hub can’t do that while staying compliant to the standard - but it means that I have to resort to switching back and forth between devices. It’s even worse with laptops that have only one USB-C port that also doubles as power delivery: can’t use a yubikey C while having the laptop plugged in!
cali_ash@lemmy.wtf 7 months ago
I guess I’ve been using laptops for so long, the concept of not having a USB hub seems alien to me. But they are really cheap and you just need to plug them in (so much easier than installing a PCIe card).
Also some peripharals come with addition USB ports. My monitors provide 3 USB-A ports each when connected over USB-C. They are only USB 2.0 ports but that’s perfect for plugging in the mouse and keyboard.
ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de 7 months ago
What? It’s easy as hell, man. Shut off pc, take off side and plug in the pcie hub, one screw, put the side on, and turn on PC again. Usually don’t even need to install the driver yourself. I don’t even think you listed more than like 7 things to plug in, anyhow.