Desktop owners have the additional option of expanding USB functionality with PCI-E cards and front panel adapters.
Here’s how you might easily add more ports to both desktop computers and laptops.
Why Add More USB Ports to your gear?
But for the rest of us, there are never enough USB ports to go around.
And if you have alaptop?
Well, forget it.
This compact USB 3.0 hub is perfect for adding a few extra ports to desktop computers and laptops alike.
Fortunately, it’s really easy to add ports to desktop PCs and laptops.
Let’s look at the options now.
We’ve organized them here in order of complexity, with the fastest and easiest method at the top.
If you need more ports than a basic hub offers and you want full power across all the ports, including two charging ports for convenience, it’s tough for beat this 7+2 design from TP-Link.
Here’s a quick summary to help you jump to the right spot.
Adding a USB hub is analogous to adding a power strip to an outlet.
What do we mean by undemanding?
Hannah Stryker / How-To Geek Hannah Stryker / Review Geek Hannah Stryker / LifeSavvy
This compact USB 3.0 hub is perfect for adding a few extra ports to desktop computers and laptops alike.
The biggest shortcoming of the Anker model and similar compact data-only USB 3.0 hubs is the limited power.
The power output of a single USB 3.0 port is shared across all the ports.
If you want to expand the capacity of your laptop to include more ports as well as display and Ethernet connectivity, this Anker USB C hub is a huge step up from a basic USB hub.
Maybe you want more on the back of your PC.
Maybe you want some on the front panel of your PC.
The docks were unwieldy, and you had to buy a specific dock for your particular laptop model.
Jason Fitzpatrick / How-To Geek
On the compact side, it’s possible for you to pick upthis 8-in-1 Anker USB-C hub.
It’s great for small at-home setups and tiny enough to take it on the road easily.
All you need isan available PCI-E slotin your rig.
Love your old PC case but don’t love the lack of modern ports? Add a front panel adapter to bring your old case into the USB-C age.
Love your old PC case but don’t love the lack of modern ports?
Add a front panel adapter to bring your old case into the USB-C age.
Whatever adapter you use, be sure to pay attention to the motherboard port connections it requires.
