>USB hubs can be real cheap or expensive. A USB 2 hub is at Sam's wholesale for $20, maybe $30.
>If your USB is version 1 and you have any USB 2 devices, you may want to look into buying a USB 2 card. Much, much faster. For $60 I got a Adapter card with 5 USB 2 ports and I got to keep my existing USB 1 ports as well.

That was indeed what I bumped into - whether to get a USB2 card. I have some USB1.1 and some USB2 capable devices, and 2 home machines, one with with 1.1, and one with USB2 PC hardware (I guess you call the 1.1 vs 2 difference a "hardware" difference, though even that is a little confusing)

Actually the only device where USB2 really makes a very large effect for me is scanning, there it's very noticeable over 1.1 speed.

But this is getting more complicated than I thought. USB is so easy to use with the frontal ports I have, I often just move a device from one machine to the other as needed, without even a thought as to what USB version I'm using.

Now I'm going to have to learn to understand it all a little better. Re-think things, see what I really need where, etc., as to whether to get a hub or card or both. I need a good battleplan before I rush out and buy something.

Lots of info in web searches to help, anyway, and thanks for your reply, which was indeed pertinent.