In this thread I bemoaned the lack of USB ports on computers these days. Respondents there seemed to agree.
Now, I have a core of 8 devices always connected, with 4 more that ‘float’ - and it would be easier for me if some were semi-permanently connected too. I expect that I’m to the upper end, but I don’t now, so I ask the SDMB, how many USB devices do you have on your computers at home?
Hmm… I don’t tend to leave many things ‘connected’ permanently. The only device that’s actually hooked up at the moment, (though both it and the desktop computer are turned off,) is the 250gig powered external hard drive.
I have a lot of cables always plugged into the desktop at all times though, ready to connect stuff - custom cable for the audible otis players, palmpilot cradle, a to mini B for generic MP3 players, and A to full size B for the alphasmart dana. Used to have the custom cable for the sansa view plugged in, but I took it out to recharge the view’s battery from laptop power instead of turning the desktop on because it’s been so hot this weekend.
Have a whole bunch of flash drives, one MP3 player with built-in USB that plugs in directly like a flash drive, several SD card readers, a USB to serial adapter for the sharp organizer, and a few cradles and cables for pocket PC devices.
So yeah, I wants more MP3 ports too - on the toshiba laptop, the eeepc, and the desktop tower. 
Printer and scanner. More recently, a Bluetooth adapter, too. And the keyboard and mouse. But, aren’t there sometimes components inside the computer that use USB? Maybe there are different ways of counting this?
[ul][li]3 USB ports in the back[list][]Printer[/li][li]External Hard Drive[/li][li]External Hard Drive[/ul][/li][li]2 in the front[ul][]Keyboard*[/li][li]Empty[/ul][/li][li]2 on the keyboard[ul]Empty[/li][li]Empty[/ul][/list][/li]Card reader, 3 flash drives and iPod cable added when needed.
*My mouse is bluetooth, but my keyboard, unfortunately, is not. Apple’s new BT keyboard isn’t full-sized, so I had to settle with the wired one.
iPod, Garmin Forerunner 305.
The external HDD is Firewire, Mouse and Keyboard are bluetooth, and printer is on the network.
Keyboard and mouse in the docking station (plus a network cable, monitor, and AC adapter.) Occasionally I hook up my Blackberry or a thumb drive.
I’ve got a file server that handles my external storage needs. It’s hooked up to a UPS, and I occasionally attach an external disk to it for offsite backups.
4 on the back of my desktop, containing my mouse, keyboard, wireless adapter, and a USB hub with 4 ports. Those four ports are connected to things that come in and out - my iPhone cable, jumpdrive, SD card reader, etc.
I use FireWire for a lot, which cuts down on necessary USB stuff… let’s see…
a) printer
b) keyboard
c) mouse
d) camera cable to attach camera to & download pix
e) slide scanner
I think that’s it. That’s on the home front.
In my work studio it’s down to keyboard and mouse. I’ll eventually probably buy a printer but I don’t have one right now.
My desktop has four ports on back, two in front. My monitor has four more. I also have a 4-port powered hub and a 4-port unpowered hub…
Wow, that’s more than I would have thought. Most of these are connected, but turned off. I also have a couple of flash drives that just insert when needed.
Back:
Front:
Hub:
Jeepers. Compared to some of you, we’re quite USB poor!
Laptop:
Elsewhere, I have my iPhone charger in the bedroom, which is technically a USB into a little block converter at the outlet.
Umm, if I need to charge a PS3 controller, then it’s a USB to mini connection between the console and controller, but that’s only once every two weeks or so.
Hey no fair. I started the same damn thread last month and didn’t get ANY replies!
My answer’s in the OP of MY thread.
Four ports in back:
2 ports in front:empty
Interesting. USB sure is popular!
2 hubs plugged into main computer ports:
Hub 1:
Ipod
Fan
Griffin PowerMate (this)
Belkin n52te (this)
Hub 2:
B/W laser printer
Colour printer/scanner
Webcam
4gb Thumbdrive
Also 2 external hard drives plugged into main computer ports.
So 10, or 12 if you want to count the hubs. I have so many more currently unplugged things, it’s just not funny anymore.
Recently freed up two ports by going wireless on the mouse and keyboard front! Yippee!
Printer
USB Turntable
Joystick
Cool USB “lava Lamp”
Ipod
External Hard Drive
Keyboard
Flashdrive
The printer is on the LAN, and the external hard drive is FireWire.
On USB, I’ve got:
Keyboard
Drawing tablet (instead of a mouse)
UPS
Memory card reader
iPod dock
If I need to plug in a jump drive, I unplug the iPod dock. One of these days, I just might be bothered enough to get a USB hub, or maybe upgrade the card reader to one that has a USB port or two on it.
2: keyboard and mouse. Printer is on the LAN, rarely use my iPod, no joystick or camera. Sometimes I’ll plug in my thumbdrive. Pleanty of hard drive space on the internals.
Very modest set-up. Current system is an Acer laptop; 2 ports on each side.
Under normal circumstances, using it as primary desk machine:
Left side,
One port open
One to a 4-way mini-hub in turn to
External **Keyboard ** and
Drawing tablet/mouse
Right side,
One port open
One to a 7-way powered hub, to which in turn are plugged:
**to External backup HDD;
AIO fax/scanner/printer/cardreader;
backup printer (off unless in use);
External disc burner (off unless in use);
One mini-USB cable**, with the far end unoccupied and onto which may be plugged cameras, PDAs and other hand-portables for syncing/charging.
Flash memory drives are plugged into whatever’s open.
HP printer/copier/scanner with camera card slots
Flash drive
cable to generic “fauxpod”
Keyboard
Wireless mouse
And this http://www.mensup.fr/usbwine/usbwine.swf