MBP Users: 2 or 3 USB Ports?

[IronMac]

Ok, for those of you with MBPs, what would be the optimal number of USB ports for you? I won't get into the definition of you being a "mobile" user or not. The very fact that you have an MBP means that you intend to move the thing around once in a while.

I'm going to add in an option for a fourth port but I'd love to hear how that is being used!

[Gareth]

2 USB and bring back the ExpressCard slot.

I think the real question should be: What are you willing to give up for the third or fourth USB port? It's not like Apple is just being mean not giving it to us, there physically isn't room on the 13" and 15". You could trade the Ethernet port, the firewire port, have a smaller battery, or lose the optical drive and get a whole slew of new ports, or do you just want a physically bigger, uglier machine with lots of ports?

[deckeda]

Hmm, mine has 2 but I've never used more than one at a time. Guess I'll still have to choose "2" for the poll.

[C(-)ris]

Where is the option for one? I usually only have 1 USB device at a time either a USB flash drive or a USB HD, but if I needed more than that I would just plug in a hub.

[Doc]

Gareth wrote:
2 USB and bring back the ExpressCard slot.

:agree:

Gareth wrote: I think the real question should be: What are you willing to give up for the third or fourth USB port? It's not like Apple is just being mean not giving it to us, there physically isn't room on the 13" and 15".

Apple used a USB connection for the SD card slot.

[C(-)ris]

Doc wrote:
[quote=Gareth]
2 USB and bring back the ExpressCard slot.

:agree:

Gareth wrote: I think the real question should be: What are you willing to give up for the third or fourth USB port? It's not like Apple is just being mean not giving it to us, there physically isn't room on the 13" and 15".

Apple used a USB connection for the SD card slot.
I would say, for me at least, the SD card slot is more useful than a third USB port. I use it all the time on both my iMac and MacBook Pro. I suppose if you weren't into photography at all it would be near useless, but almost everyone I know who uses a Mac has a huge iPhoto library and most cameras use SD.

[IronMac]

As an aside, I found out that on my 2008 C2D MBP that you cannot put a USB-powered HD on a USB non-powered hub. There is just not enough juice. So, I always need to have a USB port free in order to plug an HD in.

[Doc]

C(-)ris wrote: I suppose if you weren't into photography at all it would be near useless, but almost everyone I know who uses a Mac has a huge iPhoto library and most cameras use SD.

If you were into photography, you'd need a CF slot.

The top 10 professional SLRs all take CF cards, 'tho some of them do take SD or other types of flash card as well.

...And I connect my prosumer Canon (which does use SD cards) via USB. It's faster that way.

[Gareth]

IronMac wrote:
As an aside, I found out that on my 2008 C2D MBP that you cannot put a USB-powered HD on a USB non-powered hub. There is just not enough juice. So, I always need to have a USB port free in order to plug an HD in.

I haven't actually tried mine with a USB powered hard drive, but Dr. Bott's T3Hub (non-powered) claims to support 1 high-power device along with 2 low-power devices. It does this by telling the computer it is a powered hub. http://www.drbott.net/product/3115-THSS/ Oh, and it comes with a short USB extension you can use with your 3G modem.

I'd test it with a hard drive for you, but I'm actually traveling right now and didn't bring it (more than happy to try it when I get home though). Only anticipated using two USB ports, one for the mouse and the other for a hard drive. 2nd hard drive will go on the FW800 port and I threw an SD card reader in the ExpressCard slot. I use a Cradlepoint router with an external battery for my 3G modem.

[Filliam H. Muffman]

Three USB 3 ports. Two bonded ports could essentially allow you to use it as a high speed docking station.