I'm new to the ereaders and ebooks - need help please. - Page 2

Worldwalker · 06-11-2010, 07:11 PM

A USB hub is a dingus you plug into a USB port to turn it into multiple ports. It's usually a little flat box with a cable that goes to your computer and four (sometimes seven, rarely more) USB ports on the sides of it. Some of them are powered -- that is, they have a wall wart that plugs in to supply auxiliary power to them -- and some are not; they just use the power supplied by the computer. It's the latter that can drain your Reader battery, as I found out the hard way.

If you're hooking it directly into your computer (laptop or desktop), you're fine. Well, unless you're like me and have some ports that are the old USB 1.1 instead of 2.0, in which case the computer (aside from transferring data really slowly) will sometimes randomly refuse to admit that the Reader exists. Remember that most computers shut off their USB ports when they go into sleep/suspend/whatever mode, as part of their power management, which is most likely to be a problem with the laptop.

I have an official Sony charger (thanks to a relative, a Christmas gift card, and a moment of self-indulgence) and I find that it's much faster than charging off USB. However, since in either case charging generally involves plugging it into something once every week or two, it's really not a big deal either way.

DarkHaloPrincess · 06-12-2010, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worldwalker

A USB hub is a dingus you plug into a USB port to turn it into multiple ports. It's usually a little flat box with a cable that goes to your computer and four (sometimes seven, rarely more) USB ports on the sides of it. Some of them are powered -- that is, they have a wall wart that plugs in to supply auxiliary power to them -- and some are not; they just use the power supplied by the computer. It's the latter that can drain your Reader battery, as I found out the hard way.

I have an official Sony charger (thanks to a relative, a Christmas gift card, and a moment of self-indulgence) and I find that it's much faster than charging off USB. However, since in either case charging generally involves plugging it into something once every week or two, it's really not a big deal either way.

Thanks for the explanations about hubs. I understand now. I prefer mains charging and I was looking for a cheap mains charger that would work but I'm going to go ahead and buy the official sony ac charger (for peace of mind) from PLAY for £14.99 http://www.play.com/Electronics/Elec...r/Product.html. I don't mind spending the extra bit since I got the cover for £5.00 (saving 30/40 quid) from PLAY aswell.

Thanks to everyone who's given me suggestions!

rudyt · 06-12-2010, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkHaloPrincess

Hi,

I've found this ac adapter charger - is this suitable or is it a cheap knock off? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/UK-MAINS-CHARG...item563cc8d264

Just a quick note that the charger you're looking at is a 5V charger, and the Sony likes to see USB voltage, which is 5.2V (it's silkscreened right on next to the power cnnector). Will 5V work . . . probably. There are plenty of 5.2V chargers on eBay as well (although I haven't looked for UK versions), so why not just go with what Sony recommends.

If you do go with the 5V unit, you're safe in that it won't hurt the 300

Cheers!

/rudy

DarkHaloPrincess · 06-12-2010, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudyt

Just a quick note that the charger you're looking at is a 5V charger, and the Sony likes to see USB voltage, which is 5.2V (it's silkscreened right on next to the power cnnector). Will 5V work . . . probably. There are plenty of 5.2V chargers on eBay as well (although I haven't looked for UK versions), so why not just go with what Sony recommends.

If you do go with the 5V unit, you're safe in that it won't hurt the 300

Cheers!

/rudy

Hi rudyt. Thanks for the info. I finally bought the sony one for £14.99 (half price) from PLAY and I'm glad I did since what you say about the 5V.

dorino · 06-12-2010, 03:49 PM

5V will work, it'll just charge a teensy bit slower.

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06-11-2010, 07:11 PM	#16
Worldwalker Curmudgeon Posts: 3,085 Karma: 722357 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: PRS-505	A USB hub is a dingus you plug into a USB port to turn it into multiple ports. It's usually a little flat box with a cable that goes to your computer and four (sometimes seven, rarely more) USB ports on the sides of it. Some of them are powered -- that is, they have a wall wart that plugs in to supply auxiliary power to them -- and some are not; they just use the power supplied by the computer. It's the latter that can drain your Reader battery, as I found out the hard way. If you're hooking it directly into your computer (laptop or desktop), you're fine. Well, unless you're like me and have some ports that are the old USB 1.1 instead of 2.0, in which case the computer (aside from transferring data really slowly) will sometimes randomly refuse to admit that the Reader exists. Remember that most computers shut off their USB ports when they go into sleep/suspend/whatever mode, as part of their power management, which is most likely to be a problem with the laptop. I have an official Sony charger (thanks to a relative, a Christmas gift card, and a moment of self-indulgence) and I find that it's much faster than charging off USB. However, since in either case charging generally involves plugging it into something once every week or two, it's really not a big deal either way.

06-12-2010, 03:49 PM	#20
dorino I'm odd. Take note. Posts: 325 Karma: 779 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Montana Device: deceased PRS-600, Nook STR	5V will work, it'll just charge a teensy bit slower.