IOGEAR today announced the release of what it bills as “the world’s first certified USB 2.0 hub.” The four-port hub works with USB 2.0, the high-speed alternative to USB 1.1.
USB 2.0 is not a factory-installed option on Macs, but some brave souls are venturing forth into this unexplored terrain by adding third-party PCI-based expansion cards that support USB 2.0 to their Mac OS X-equipped systems. IOGERE said that Macs thus equipped will work with the new hub.
Like other USB 2.0-compliant peripherals, the USB 2.0 hub from IOGEAR is downwardly compatible with USB 1.1-based devices. With USB 2.0-based devices, the hub works at transfer rates up to 480 megabits per second.
Expect to see the IOGEAR USB 2.0 hub hit store shelves this September. The hub carries a suggested retail price of US$59.