Targus Ultralife USB Hub with Ethernet Port

Buy an ultrabook lately? Then you may be frustrated with the fact that your ultrabook only has two USB ports, meaning you find yourself endlessly switching between peripheral devices. Enter the Targus Ultralife USB Hub with Ethernet Port ($39.99 direct), a portable hub that allows you to triple your ultrabook's USB connectivity. It's handsomely designed, highly portable, and even features an Ethernet port. Were it not for its lack of USB 3.0 connectivity, it would be the quintessential hub. Still, it's a solid choice for anyone looking to expand their connectivity options.

Measuring 0.63 by 2.33 by 4.13 inches (HWD) and weighing a scant 2.88 ounces, the Ultralife is portable enough to fit comfortably in your pocket without adding any more heft than an average cell phone. While its compact chassis is constructed primarily out of plastic, its face is decked out in a handsome bronze finish, so it won't cramp your ultrabook's style when it sits to the side. Like the rest of the Ultralife line, a stylistic flair in the shape of a hole pierces the hub's body and, in turn, exposes the surface beneath which it sits. Make what you will of the hole, and even though it's a highly subjective matter of taste, it looks far more natural on a hub rather than, say, a mouse. The Ultralife's underside, meanwhile, is constructed out of black plastic. There aren't any grip feet, which means that the hub may slide around on smooth surfaces whenever it gets tugged between competing peripherals.

Unlike the , which plugs into your system via a detachable cable, the Ultralife Hub connects to your system via a tethered USB cable that measures roughly three inches in length. While three inches may not be enough for some, the length allows the cable to be neatly tucked into the hub on the side opposite the trio of USB 2.0 ports. In between the cable and the USB ports lies a full-size 10/100 Ethernet port. For owners of ultrabooks that don't come with a built-in Ethernet port, this feature alone may justify the price, especially for those who don't readily have access to a wireless network.

Since accessing the hub's trio of USB 2.0 ports first requires the tethered cable to be plugged into one of your system's USB ports, you effectively get a net gain of two USB 2.0 ports. The lack of USB 3.0 connectivity is undoubtedly the only drawback of the Ultralife Hub, and the primary distinction between the Ultralife Hub and the Satechi 3.0.

Setting up the Ultralife Hub simply requires plugging it into one of your system's USB ports. It works just as expected, and I experienced no performance degradation when transferring our 1.22GB test folder. Like the Satechi 3.0, the Ultralife Hub is compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems.

Overall, the Targus Ultralife USB Hub with Ethernet Port is a great choice for anyone looking to expand their USB 2.0 connectivity or who wants an Ethernet port in an attractively designed and highly portable package. The choice ultimately boils down to either the Satechi 3.0 and the Ultralife Hub. While both sport the same price tag, the Satechi 3.0 gives your system three additional USB 3.0 ports versus the Ultralife Hub's two additional USB 2.0 ports. The Ultralife Hub features an Ethernet port and, unlike the Satechi 3.0, doesn't require an external power supply, thereby making it far more portable. Still, we ultimately prefer function over form, and for that reason the Satechi 3.0 retains its edge over the Ultralife Hub.