Good evening. I'm getting more frustrated with my HP laptop and growing more happy with my Macbook, but I find tonight I need another USB port.

This machine has two ports, and I need at least three -- mouse, USB memory stick, and Arduino cable.

Can I add a simple USB hub ( like this), or do I need some Apple-specific device?

Thanks, all.

Have you considered a bluetooth pared mouse?

^^^
This mouse uses Bluetooth to connect to the gadget that plugs into one of the USB ports... is that different from what you're thinking?

The usb device you listed should work fine. My 11 year old son has a Macbook and I bought him a cheap usb hub off of Amazon and it works great.

The specs for the hub you mentioned give the Mac requirements:

quote:

Mac system requirements
OS X v10.4 or higher; available USB 2.0 port.

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:
^^^
This mouse uses Bluetooth to connect to the gadget that plugs into one of the USB ports... is that different from what you're thinking?

Can you use the computer internal bluetooth signal to connect with the bluetooth mouse?

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:
^^^
This mouse uses Bluetooth to connect to the gadget that plugs into one of the USB ports... is that different from what you're thinking?

That means you have a wireless mouse, not a Bluetooth mouse. I’d recommend purchasing a Bluetooth mouse as well.

quote:

Originally posted by kkina:
The specs for the hub you mentioned give the Mac requirements:

I overlooked that. Thank you, kkina.

I have used a USB hub on my Mac for years but had to get a powered version to run all the extras I had plugged into it. A non powered version couldn't handle the load, but I had a 5 port hub full of stuff including an external hard drive.

I bought a Anker 4 place hub and it works fine on mine and if you get a true bluetooth mouse (Apple magic Mouse) you'll get a port back

Does your mac book have usb?

Apple Magic Mouse 2 will rock your world, hoky. And, free up one of those USB ports. Yes, it's pricey. Sooo worth it.

quote:

Originally posted by Ronin101:
Does your mac book have usb?

It does.

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:
This machine has two ports, and I need at least three

- - -

quote:

Originally posted by VictimNoMore:
Sooo worth it.

For real? 'Cuz I'm really happy with my Logitech M310.

Agreed. I have one that resides in my laptop bag so it travels with me.

quote:

Originally posted by VictimNoMore:
Apple Magic Mouse 2 will rock your world, hoky. And, free up one of those USB ports. Yes, it's pricey. Sooo worth it.

Logitech is ok, I have one but always use my Magic Mouse.

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:
For real? 'Cuz I'm really happy with my Logitech M310.

Jimbo and the Doc agree, as well. That makes three of us.
Might be a pattern here...
I will even offer (next time I'm down around Bluefield) to let you try it out in person.

 
Depending on your needs, the age of your MBP (does it have Thunderbolt ports), and your budget, you might want to consider one of the many Thunderbolt docks. They generally provide an additional 2 or 3 USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI and a Gigabit network jack, sound in and out. The actual arrangement of ports varies with brands, but they all give you at least two additional USB 3.0, plus an additional Thunderbolt port (for daisy chaining), an HDMI port (external monitor), and Gigabit network port, for additional network connectivity. I have one and don't use half the available ports, but it is a compact and complete solution.
 
Here is CalDigit TB-2 dock. Some of the TB-2 docks are being surpassed by TB-3 docks, which are backwards compatible.
 

quote:

Originally posted by VictimNoMore:
Jimbo and the Doc agree, as well. That makes three of us.
Might be a pattern here...
I will even offer (next time I'm down around Bluefield) to let you try it out in person.

Good point.

Get to Bluefield sometime, and I'll make my way over there... first beverage is on me.

quote:

Originally posted by henryaz:
They generally provide an additional 2 or 3 USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI and a Gigabit network jack, sound in and out.

Wow! I'll check that out in a second. Thank you. Eventually, my old HP is going to croak, and this one may take its place for the routine deskwork. I'm spoiled by my dual 19" monitors... Is there a way to connect both to a Macbook (at the same time)?

- - -

Edit: Rats! Found this on CalDigit's site: "For Mac customers looking to use dual monitors with an extended desktop this is not currently possible, as MST (Multi Stream Transport) is not supported within the Mac OS."

Check out OWC's Thunderbolt Docks. I use an original with my MacBook Pro. Works great.

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:

Can I add a simple USB hub ( like this)

Yes, that USB 2.0 hub will work with your mid-2012 pre-Retina MBP. Since that model has USB 3.0 ports, you might consider a USB 3.0 hub. However, there are reported issues with USB 3.0 hubs/devices causing interference with wireless devices, so you might be better off with a USB 2.0 extender/hub.

ETA: Thunderbolt stuff is expensive.