Enclosure for multiple USB 3 portable hard drive

grssam

Prominent
Apr 9, 2017
3
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510
I have many portable USB 3.0 hard drives (4) and I want to connect all of them at once to my PC. I have only 2 USB 3.0 ports and 1 USB 3.1 Type C port. Thus, I definitely need a powered hub. Here are my findings till now:

1. Powered USB 3.1 hubs are rare and I have not seen any supporting 4 USB 3.0 ports.
2. All physical enclosures I found are for 2.5/3.5" hard disks connecting via sata ports and not for portable usb hard drives.
3. All enclosures which support 4 disks are usb 3.0 based

Thus, anyone has any idea of either:
1. A full blown enclosure meant for portable usb hard drives with usb 3/3.1 support
2. Power usb 3.1 hub with at least 4 usb 3.0 ports.
 
Might you consider a 4-bay docking station, e.g., https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-4-Bay-Docking-Station-SDOCK4U33/dp/B00MA1N8GA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1491769394&sr=8-4&keywords=4+bay+docking+station

There are others on the market, of course. Do a Google search.

I'm not aware of any USB 3.1 powered hubs but they might exist. Keep looking.

One thing more...

Be careful about using USB 3.1 terminology. Many of the devices on the market described as "USB 3.1", are not what you think. That nomenclature can now be used for what we have called in the past as "USB 3.0". You have to ensure that the device is described as "USB 3.1 Gen 2" for "true" USB 3.1 capability. Capiche?

Also, you mention your USB 3.1 connector (port) is Type C; that might limit its capability with USB 3.1 Gen 2 devices since many of them are designed for Type-A connectors. So be aware of the connectors before purchasing a device.
 

Paperdoc

Polypheme
Ambassador
The device recommended by Paperdoc may well meet your needs, HOWEVER,
Note its Type-C connector provides USB 3.0 transfer speeds of "Up to 5 Gbps", i.e., USB 3.0. In other words, as I warned you before, be careful when these devices indicate they are "USB 3.1" devices. They must SPECIFICALLY indicate an interface of "USB 3.1 Gen 2" to be considered as a "true" USB 3.1 device.

P.S.
I don't believe this WavLink device is a powered hub, is it?
 

Paperdoc

Polypheme
Ambassador
ArtPog is right about the speed. In fact, I recall that it is represented as a USB 3.1 Gen 1 device. On your laptop, do you know what the speed capability of its USB3 Type C port is? Is it faster than USB 3.0 specs?

Regarding the power supply, there are very similar ones that do NOT have a supply with them although they have an input jack. But the one I linked to specifically says in the "What is included" that it comes with a power supply for 5 VDC at 4 amps, for USA use.

OH, and I got days wrong. The deal ends TODAY (Sunday), not on Monday.
 

grssam

Prominent
Apr 9, 2017
3
0
510


I am sorry, but I think this device is meant for internal 2.5/3.5" hdd and connects via sata port.
 

grssam

Prominent
Apr 9, 2017
3
0
510


Don't worry about the deal, I am India based, so would probably buy from some local website (amazon etc).

regarding speed - I have 10Gbps USB 3.1 Type C connector on my device, but since the hard disk is USB 3.0 type, the hard disk can at max support 5Gbps only (in reality its much less because the drives are disk drives and only give less than 100MBps transfer speed i.e. 0.8Gbps)