Teardown: A Generic 7-Port USB 3.0 Hub That Wasn't
a day ago
- #USB Hub
- #Product Review
- #Consumer Electronics
- The author bought a cheap 7-port USB 3.0 hub from AliExpress during sales, but it turned out to be mostly USB 2.0 with only one true USB 3.0 port.
- Teardown revealed poor construction: USB 2.0 ports lacked proper soldering, used cost-saving single-transaction-translator hub chips, and had a design that could backfeed power to the computer, risking damage.
- Despite high ratings and many positive reviews, the hub was deceptive in marketing, leading the author to feel duped and note that such low-quality products contribute to e-waste.
- The hub was detected by a PC as two stacked USB 2.0 hubs, confirming its lack of true USB 3.0 functionality, and its build quality was flimsy with thin metal and minimal components.