USB 2.0 Mice: Do they need 2.0?

[axiom]

I'm hooked on using my USB keyboard with 2 built in USB 1.1 ports. I use the ports for my mouse and memory card reader. The ports free up more USB ports for other uses.

My question is in regards to new mice on the market that are USB 2.0. Does a mouse really need USB 2.0 bandwidth? Is it transferring that much data where it would need bandwidth beyond 11mbps?

RANT: USB 2.0 would be a lot better if it could draw power from the motherboard like firewire.

 

[-zax-]

No.

The only USB 2.0 mice I've seen where USB 2.0 comes in handy are the ones with the built in card readers on the mouse.

edit. - I believe USB 2.0 is powered by the mobo unless you are running an external USB 2.0 hub that requires its own power source.

 

[Canon]

To my knowledge no mouse or keyboard should need the bandwidth of USB 2.0, it's probably just a marketing gimick...

Anyhow USB 2.0 devices can in fact draw power from the motherboard. There is a limit however. When you plug into a hub the hub allots 100mah per port when on bus power and then up to 500mah when it is self powered.

 

[-zax-]

Anyhow USB 2.0 devices can in fact draw power from the motherboard. There is a limit however. When you plug into a hub the hub allots 100mah per port when on bus power and then up to 500mah when it is self powered.

Thx for clearing that part up for me.

 

[axiom]

I have a USB 2.0 external hard drive. It requires a separate AC adapter to work. Maybe because it is a basic external case that holds any hard drive you choose, but it's annoying to have another huge box shaped ac adapter taking up space on the power strip.

USB is much better when it is just one cable, one motion, one love.

 

[-zax-]

I have a USB 2.0 external hard drive. It requires a separate AC adapter to work. Maybe because it is a basic external case that holds any hard drive you choose, but it's annoying to have another huge box shaped ac adapter taking up space on the power strip.

USB is much better when it is just one cable, one motion, one love.

The reason why the external HDD has its own power supply is because it draws more power than the motherboard of a powered USB hub would provide. Considering its always spinning at either 5400 or 7200 RPM, that would be a consistant but large draw of power from your motherboard.

I'm running an external WD HDD with the purdy lights.. and hook it up via firewire because I find that even though the speed of USB 2.0 is quicker than firewire, firewire still transfers faster because it had less CPU utilization than USB does and uses less system resources.

 

[axiom]

I'm running an external WD HDD with the purdy lights.. and hook it up via firewire because I find that even though the speed of USB 2.0 is quicker than firewire, firewire still transfers faster because it had less CPU utilization than USB does and uses less system resources.

Does your firewire drive require an external power solution?

 

[Whatsisname]

just milliamps, not milliamp hours.

To my knowledge no mouse or keyboard should need the bandwidth of USB 2.0, it's probably just a marketing gimick...

Anyhow USB 2.0 devices can in fact draw power from the motherboard. There is a limit however. When you plug into a hub the hub allots 100mah per port when on bus power and then up to 500mah when it is self powered.

 

[-zax-]

Does your firewire drive require an external power solution?

Yes... it requires an external power source.

Its a drive I can hook up via USB 2.0 or firewire and I chose firewire because of its smoother transfer rates.