Comments on: USB ports too close together?

By: Douglas Broad

Douglas Broad — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 04:04:51 +0000

Thanks for the advice. I recently purchased a MacBook and have been frustrated in trying to put a Linksys wireless device in 1 USB port and a USB cable (necessary for syncing the wireless pen) for a Wacom Cintiq 21 in the other USB port. It simply does not work but this will solve the problem!

By: Marshall

Marshall — Sun, 10 May 2009 11:23:03 +0000

I use THE FLEX HUB from Logiix:
http://www.logiix.net/itoolkit.asp?pg=products&specific=jnnnmsf0

– I like that it has flexible cables so that devices connected to it won’t potentially break off at the USB port if jostled on my car seat (I use my laptop in the car a fair bit on shooting days).

By: terrywhite

terrywhite — Thu, 07 May 2009 13:51:52 +0000

thanks Issac!

By: Issac

Issac — Thu, 07 May 2009 13:49:08 +0000

Terry, you’re just the man…had to relay some props for the stellar finds and fixes you’ve got posted here. Thanks man~
(:
~Issac

By: James Katt

James Katt — Sat, 02 May 2009 06:32:36 +0000

Having 2 USB ports right next to each other has been in MacBooks and Powerbooks since the beginning – over 10 years ago.

This is not a new problem.

Even if there was a USB port on either side of the MacBook, there still is the problem of Oversized USB devices blocking the other ports – such as the firewire ports.

It is the fault of the manufacturer of oversized USB devices. Not Apple’s.

These manufacturers should include an extension USB cord with their devices.

A good manufacturer such as El Gato realizes this is a problem and includes a USB extension cord with their oversized Turbo.264 device.

It is not Apple’s fault. It is the USB device manufacturer’s fault.

Or it is no body’s fault.

If you want to use an oversized device, get an extension cord.

By: Lynn Grillo

Lynn Grillo — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:58:47 +0000

Great post, Terry. My pet peeve about the USB ports is that I use a travel mouse that has a retractable cable. It’s not really long enough to go all the way around the back of the laptop to the left side. I really miss that right side USB port. Guess I’ve got to get a bluetooth mouse, but I want a really, really tiny one. I like the itty bitty ones.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:16:38 +0000

This is indeed a problem. I frequently have to unplug my charging iPhone to plug in a USB stick that’s too wide to fit the adjacent socket.

It’s also frustrating having both plugs on the same side. I frequently use a Microsoft Laptop mouse, which has a very short cord. I’m right handed and have to run the cord around the back of the laptop to plug it in, leaving very little length left on the right hand side.

By: Reggie

Reggie — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:08:40 +0000

Hi Terry,

I agree about the USB port spacing. I bought a SDHC Express Card reader that fits in the Express Card slot. Eliminates the need for a USB card reader. I leave my Express Card reader in the slot all the time (seeing as how I don’t use the slot for anything else). No USB card reader blocking other USB ports and one less item to keep up with when I travel. Also, have you considered getting a WiFi Hotspot for your AT&T 3G USBconnect? http://www.cradlepoint.com/products/phs300-personal-wifi-hotspot.

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:07:35 +0000

Geesh, I wish you’d written this a month ago when I ended up buying a funky usb hub that looks like an octopus. I could not find a place in town that sold simple little extenders. I will definitely be ordering a couple of the flex USB’s. Not only will they work better – they are way cheaper.

By: Macadam

Macadam — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:10:02 +0000

This is the spacing Apple has used on iBooks and MacBooks since circa 2001 at least (first white iBook). It’s tight, but for many of us this is USB. I use a USB thumb drive that gives me this same problem but then again the casing on this drive is thick as well as wide and I cannot put it next to another USB device on the back of my Mac Pro either do to thickness in the other dimension. The only reason is styling of the drive. This thumb drive I speak of is 128MB and the guts of it are smaller than the USB connector it uses. There is NO reason it should be fat and wide. I literally have not found a Mac or PC configuration that this drive won’t block the adjacent port on.

OTOH, I have had no less than 6 USB thumb drives that do not give me this trouble at all. Device makers need to be conscious of the fact that some of us want to use adjoining USB slots when they design their devices.

having said all of that, I am a former Mac Genius and I can tell you that on the plastic MacBooks this spacing is pretty near mandatory. It’s part of the compromise to get the overall form factor to work. Could it be different? Sure. Could it be better? Maybe. Would it change the entire machine? Probably. Unfortunately when you are dealing with these small light form factors you make a lot of compromises. This is but one.

By: Brett

Brett — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:20:25 +0000

Is there some official USB socket spacing standard that Apple is violating?

One could make the claim that designers of oversized USB devices should consider making the plug end slimmer (and perhaps slightly longer as well, to account for recessed sockets)

By: Ryan Davis

Ryan Davis — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:08:40 +0000

I agree completely with the fact that the USB ports are too close together. The way I get around it is with a 7-port USB hub when I am at my desk and a 4-port portable adapter when I am not. Apple really needs to do something about this in the next update.

By: arw

arw — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:22:12 +0000

I forgot to mention, here is another adapter I found a while back (but have not acutally seen one)…

http://www.radtech.us/Products/ProCableUSBExtender.aspx

By: arw

arw — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:10:30 +0000

I agree totally. Apple screwed the pooch on this one. I’ve bought 2 Unibody MBPs, and really like them. But the USB ports being so close together is a real drag, and a serious oversight by their engineers; so much in fact that I wonder how this could have happened. At the very least, Apple should include a short adapter cable with the MBP in order to use both USB ports at the same time.

By: Gary Tate

Gary Tate — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:07:40 +0000

Great review/analysis especially since I am buying a 15″ power book after the updates (?).

Thanks