Medialink 4-Port Powered USB 2.0 Hub with External Power Supply

I bought this to charge my extra PS3 controllers and what attracted me to it was the external power source. Plugging in the power supply that was supplied with this product turned on the red led light telling me there was power going to it. I then proceeded to plug in two PS3 controllers and the charging lights on the controllers did not light up nor did the light on the USB hub (blue led). I was not able to determine whether it was charging them or not but believe it wasn't.When I powered the USB hub through my laptop(without the AC power attachment) the PS3 controllers led and the USB hub's blue led lit up telling me power was flowing and they were charging.Strangely when I plugged in the external AC power to the USB hub while it was still tethered to my laptop and then disconnected the USB cord from my laptop, it continued to charge my controllers.The USB hub does not come with an instruction booklet either, just picture diagrams on the back of the packaging with very brief instructions.I could not give it 5 stars because it was a bit frustrating and does not charge anything with the external power without some other steps. I'm not sure if anyone else is having this issue since I haven't read all the previous reviews.If you plan to replicate a USB port and power it through an existing USB(2.0) port, this HUB works perfectly. If you're buying it to power PS3 controllers or any other USB powered devices...it's a bit frustrating.

The product overall looks nice and works well, but has one very major flaw. The plug on the power supply does not fit all the way in, leaving about half a centimeter of metal exposing. This part of the product doesn't look right, and seems like a possible fire hazard to me. I called the company and they told me that they are aware of it and it should be OK so I'm taking their word on it.

I purchased this to use with my heavily upgraded HTPC  eMachines ER1402-05 Desktop (Black) . In part, because I needed some more ports, and in part because I wanted to give my computer's small and overtaxed power supply what little relief I could from the burdens my upgrades had imposed.I chose this hub because I thought the aesthetics went well with the ER1402, it came with a power supply, and had positive reviews. [Rant Ahead Warning] I bought it here because I am sick and tired of the drill at my local F__'s, (rhymes with fries) no, I don't want to go to register 99 at the other end of the planet I'll pick mt own thank you, no I don't want to put it on a F__'s card, no I don't want to apply for a F__'s card, please don't mark all over the text on my receipt, and yes, I'm carrying my iPad into the store with me - ENOUGH ALREADY!When you buy inexpensive generic items off the Internet, you get used to the vendor taking shortcuts: minimalist packaging, no accessories, etc.,. So I was pleasantly surprised when I received this item. It came with a good quality USB cable, was nicely packaged, and appeared to be a first class product. I now have it installed, and it is supporting an infrared receiver dongle, a 2.4ghz keyboard/mouse dongle, a bluetooth dongle, and an optical drive. It seems to be functioning quite well with these items. For those of you who do not already have an adequate supply of glowing, blinking, colored lights in your life, you will be pleased to know this device adds a lovely red power led, and a set of chic blue leds for the ports. (At the rate I'm going, soon I can eliminate the use of my household lighting entirely in favor of the myriad of colored led lights.)So, we have a good looking, nicely packaged, modestly priced, well functioning product, with no sales tax, free shipping (with a prime membership) that magically appears at my door, vs. the same sort of product, with the added benefits of driving in traffic, paying sales tax, and putting up with a store whose management has confused its customers with its employees, micro-managing and hassling us at every turn. Which hub would you pick ?Anyway, it is a nice little hub, and if four ports are enough to meet your needs, it is a good choice. By the way, that funky port on top is really great for my infra-red dongle, it gives it a nice view of the incoming signal from the remote.

I first purchased this hub a couple of months ago and loved it... at first! I have 3 ports on my laptop, but I work remote with my job so I need extra. Within 3 weeks it just stopped working. At first I thought my wireless keyboard stopped working only to find out it was my brand new cool looking hub that cost a lot more than others and shouldn't have stopped working already. I thought perhaps I just received a bad one and was thankful it was still within the 30 days so I sent it back. I liked the design and the sleek look so much that I decided to order another one and was thrilled when it arrived within 2 days. I was very hopeful the new one wouldn't break down on me, but low and behold I started having trouble with it working off and on a few days ago and now it's completely done and won't work at all. Wouldn't you know it started acting up the day after my 30 days was up so it's too late to return it. A complete waste of money and now I have to go spend more money on another one after only using this one for a month, but you can bet I won't be buying another Medialink!