PortStation Port Expansion System - Evaluation

Home Office Computing,  Feb, 2000  by Amee Abel

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One of the pitfalls to low-priced PCs--especially portables--is that manufacturers often skimp on expandability. This can leave your new computer without room for a network interface card (NIC) or additional USB ports. Xircom's PortStation Expansion System ($254 for Connection Starter Kit; 800-438-4526, www.xircom.com/ portstation) helps you snap together the expansion hub you need.

Designed to work with USB-equipped Windows PCs, the PortStation system lets you mix and match a variety of connectivity modules, including four- and seven-port USB hubs ($69 and $99, respectively); a 10Mbps Ethernet module ($109); two DB-9 serial ports ($129); two PS/2 ports ($69); and a parallel port ($54), though the last works only with printers, not other parallel devices. Xircom plans to add ISDN, DSL, cable modem, and phone-line networking modules soon.

All these devices just plug into one another to form a single unit. In addition to an End Cap Kit ($99 separately) that includes upstream and downstream USB ports and a power supply, the $254 Connection Starter Kit we tested came with a parallel port, two PS/2 ports, and four USB ports. Other starter kits are available.

Our kit installed easily; we plugged in its power supply, attached its USB cable to our Windows 98 PC, and inserted Xircom's driver CD-ROM. Windows detected the PortStation and installed the appropriate drivers. After rebooting, we were able to add a parallel printer, four more USB devices, and a few PS/2 products. The four-port USB hub is ideal for keeping your network connected, while making it easy to plug in a camera, scanner, or printer.

8.2

V   8
P   8
E   9
S   8

Pros: Adds ports as easily as assembling Legos

Cons: A bit pricey; parallel port works only with printers

Ratings

THE NETWORKED HOME'S product scores are weighted averages of 1- to 10-point ratings for: Value (30 percent of total), Performance (30 percent of total), Ease of Use [20 percent of total), and Suitability for Home Network Use (20 percent of total).

KEY:

V = Value

P = Performance

E = Ease of Use

S = Suitability for Home Network Use

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