Can I use this device without the A/C charger as a "host power" hub to run a flash drive and my wireless keyboard/mouse and move about freely?
778940
it will be ok for 1 flash drive and wireless keyboard/mouse without the A/C adapter , but i will suggest you using that A/C adapter for a better experience
995658
Of couse, isn't the best option but you can do it. I think is better use it with a keyboard and a mouse. Is a great item. I buyed it because the charger pin faults, and the dock charges perfectly.
1108084
Yes you can. I even have a wired mouse and keyboard connected at the same time, as a backup in case the batteries die on the wireless devices.
1434169
You could get a power pack and use that to power the Qi charger. I am going to do that and take my Moto 360 on trips without messing with the Motorola base. It can dual purpose and charge my Nexus 5 in addition. The main point is you do not necessarily need A/C power if you have an external power brick. They are more than reasonable now.
2068202
I have not tried that... You would need a USB port. Check the StarTech web site.
1529800
I haven't tried charging another device from this but the operation does not need power supply. Simply plugging in to the USB port is sufficient to run all the functions.
2181005
didn't try that, but i don't see why not.with a separate usb hub of course.
230893
Yes but you'll still need an external power source. I always plug in with USB.
2038167
No. This device does not need external power. Direct plug and play ( like a thumb drive)
555249
I have no idea-I think if you just have the USB port, you should be good to go. You do need the power cord too.
528563
That other answer is not entirely correct. A powered hub can operate on USB power only. It does not NEED to be plugged into AC. It will work the same as an un-powered hub, which will limit you to a total of 500mA of current draw from all ports combined. However, if you use the AC adapter then you will have up to 500mA per-port (2A total).So if you are only going to connect low powered devices, or self powered devices, then the AC adapter can be considered optional. If you need to connect devices that draw more power (portable hard drives, USB powered scanners, burners, etc.) then you would need to use the AC adapter to supply the additional power. That other answer is not entirely correct. A powered hub can operate on USB power only. It does not NEED to be plugged into AC. It will work the same as an un-powered hub, which will limit you to a total of 500mA of current draw from all ports combined. However, if you use the AC adapter then you will have up to 500mA per-port (2A total).So if you are only going to connect low powered devices, or self powered devices, then the AC adapter can be considered optional. If you need to connect devices that draw more power (portable hard drives, USB powered scanners, burners, etc.)... » Read More That other answer is not entirely correct. A powered hub can operate on USB power only. It does not NEED to be plugged into AC. It will work the same as an un-powered hub, which will limit you to a total of 500mA of current draw from all ports combined. However, if you use the AC adapter then you will have up to 500mA per-port (2A total).So if you are only going to connect low powered devices, or self powered devices, then the AC adapter can be considered optional. If you need to connect devices that draw more power (portable hard drives, USB powered scanners, burners, etc.) then you would need to use the AC adapter to supply the additional power. « Show Less
1648032
If I understand you right, yes. The hub is powered and will provide power to any thing plugged into it (optical mouse, keyboard, Thumb drive). The 2 "high" power ports are for fast charging something but does not fast charge if the hub is connected to a PC. They supply the usual USB voltage.
2138809
Absolutely. You don't need any drivers or anything. Just one USB port for the keyboard, and another if you want to use the built-in USB 2 hub.
648508
I haven't tested it, but I'm very confident that the mouse and keyboard would still function without the monitor plugged in. They are all separate, basically analog connections.
1195181
If it's a external hard drive, you cannot because there's not enough power running through the device. But thumb drives and flash drives work fine but beware that they transfer very slowly
333862
No external power source needed. Just simply plug in the 3.0 USB to the PC and you are set. :)
1649817
I just tried mine without the power plugged in, and it worked OK with the track ball that is plugged into it. However, I suspect that any device that requires power from the USB bus (like an self-powered hard drive) would NOT work unless the hub itself is powered.