I need a little help. I’ve Googled this topic, but I can’t find an answer to my question so I’m hoping one of our forum members can help. So here goes.
I have a MacBook Pro that’s connected to two 23" LG monitors via something called a Matrox DualHead2Go ME, which converts a single external display signal to dual displays. This device obtains its power from the MacBook’s USB port.
Unfortunately, I only have two external USB ports on this MacBook. One is utilized for the Matrox device and the other is used for everything else that connects to my MacBook using USB (Dymo label printer, scale, mouse, external DVD drive, etc.) You get the idea.
Anyway, I’m currently using a powered USB hub to expand the MacBook’s remaining USB port so I can power all of the USB devices I use. The problem is I’ve run out of ports. So here’s my question.
Can a second powered USB hub be connected to the first powered USB hub so I can expand the number of available ports? I would think the answer would be, “yes”, but I know that with other types of devices, such as surge protectors, that’s not allowed. Any help with this is greatly appreciated.
You can daisy-chain USB ports up to the allowed limit of ports, I think. Not sure what the limit is, but I recall for years there was a running contest at Macworld Expo to see how many devices could be connected to a Mac at once. It’s an insane limit you’re not likely to overrun.
Walter
On Jan 10, 2014, at 9:05 AM, RavenManiac wrote:
Can a second powered USB hub be connected to the first powered USB hub so I can expand the number of available ports? I would think the answer would be, “yes”, but I know that with other types of devices, such as surge protectors, that’s not allowed. Any help with this is greatly appreciated.
I think it’s 127 devices, but I’m still not clear on if it’s acceptable to daisy chain powered USB hubs together. Perhaps I’ll call the USB hub manufacturer, which I probably should have done in the first place.
You must be able to, otherwise I doubt the Macworld hoohah would have gotten very far.
Walter
On Jan 10, 2014, at 10:45 AM, RavenManiac wrote:
I think it’s 127 devices, but I’m still not clear on if it’s acceptable to daisy chain powered USB hubs together. Perhaps I’ll call the USB hub manufacturer, which I probably should have done in the first place.
I just wanted to post a postscript on this. I called Satechi, who makes the excellent 7-port powered USB hub I’m using (see link below) and their technical support department said that daisy chaining two powered USB hubs was not a problem at all.
