Thread: New Product: p5USB Hub

There are some other people talking about USB hacking and cheaper hacked solutions over in this thread. I made a response in this post which might be relevant to some of your comments.

Originally Posted by Sonicxtacy02

it should be clear they arent marketing this to you if the features arent something you use. I understand that it can be done for far CHEAPER.. but its no different from people that can build there own PC for cheap versus people that buy computers.

If people who bought computers spent 3x as much as people who built them themselves it would be a fair argument-but thats clearly not the case.

I may be a computer engineer - but its incredibly simple for the average person to replicate every feature but the startup and shutdown controller. I can further estimate from that circuit board pic I saw in another thread that mass produced these boards cost about $30-40 each...and they charge $85!! Please try telling me how thats anything short of taking advantage of people.

We thought there might be some value in putting this all together in one package. If you are on a budget, looking for a hobby, or trying to find a use for spare parts we certainly won't be angry if you want to build your own hack or even post a diagram and parts list about how to build your own for less money. Some people might like to focus on other parts of their install and have this part done quickly and reliably. The preassembled option is there, should it fit your needs, budget, and schedule.

Originally Posted by justchat_1

If people who bought computers spent 3x as much as people who built them themselves it would be a fair argument-but thats clearly not the case.

I may be a computer engineer - but its incredibly simple for the average person to replicate every feature but the startup and shutdown controller. I can further estimate from that circuit board pic I saw in another thread that mass produced these boards cost about $30-40 each...and they charge $85!! Please try telling me how thats anything short of taking advantage of people.

As much as I disagree with the price, its not taking advantage of people. It's offering convenience at a price. Some people are willing to pay that price, and that's how the company makes money. Some people (like us) are not willing to pay that price, and we are encouraged to "hack" together our own solutions. I mean, there are a lot of overhead costs: design, packaging, enclosure, testing, sales, evaluations, etc.

Originally Posted by justchat_1

If people who bought computers spent 3x as much as people who built them themselves it would be a fair argument-but thats clearly not the case.

I may be a computer engineer - but its incredibly simple for the average person to replicate every feature but the startup and shutdown controller. I can further estimate from that circuit board pic I saw in another thread that mass produced these boards cost about $30-40 each...and they charge $85!! Please try telling me how thats anything short of taking advantage of people.

I dont see the point you're trying to make here. AGAIN, if the average person could build one of these the product would not exist. If you CAN build one, you are not average. Its a pretty basic concept that you pay more to have someone do something for you than you would if you handled it DIY right? No ones being taken advantage of because no one HAS to buy it right?

$85 for a USB hub??? Are you kidding me?

Seems like a lot of people are being ungrateful. I have used this thing for a long time now and it has been flawless. Works every single time, and a rabid chimpanzee could install it drunk (and have it work).

Cases are not cheap, and to make something as polished as this requires a lot of engineering time and initial costs. The community has been asking for this ever since I can remember. If it was easy or something anyone could do, more people would have done it by now. Sure some techies have, but average person around here is more on the computer side than the electrical side.

$85 is not a bad price for something like this.

question...if i use this..i can essential use a 15foot usb cable from my trunk to the front glove compartment..and i willl be able to :
attach a usb dvd burner..
proivde power to charge my ipods
or theoretically provide the max power to any device that would normally suffer from extended usb lengths?

Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

and a rabid chimpanzee could install it drunk (and have it work).

As opposed to the badger on speed that did install it?