Addonics ADCBUSB2 CardBus USB 2.0 Adapter

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Review: Addonics ADCBUSB2 CardBus USB 2.0 Adapter

After both USB 2.0 ports on my notebook computer failed, I began shopping for a cheap alternative to having the damaged USB ports repaired. A usb 2.0 CardBus appeared to be the only option available. Among the USB 2.0 CardBus devices I found during my seach was the ADCBUSB2 CardBus USB 2.0 Adapter from Addonics.

This CardBus with its 110/220V AC/DC power adapter and price tag (at the time of this writing) of under $30 put this device at the top of my buying list (full specifications for this device appear at the end of this review). Anyone with USB 2.0 devices that draw a significant amount of power during normal operation will require a CardBus that can provide additional power. This is accomplished by plugging the CardBus into an electrical outlet. From personal experience I have learned the USB keys and some WiFi Adapters will require a USB 2.0 CardBus that can be plugged in or the power limit of the CardBus will be exceeded. Also, a device may behave irratically if the devices power requirements are not met.

Amazon.com sold all of the ADCBUSB2 CardBus USB 2.0 Adapters it had in stock, so I purchased one directly from Addonics. The CardBus arrived shortly after I ordered it and inside the box appeared the following:

CardBus USB 2.0 adapter
A small user guide
Driver CD
110/220 AC/DC adapter

After reading the user guide I plugged the device in. With Windows XP, 98SE, Me, 2000, and Vista there is no need to use the included driver CD. Windows will detect the device and complete the installation process automatically. As indicated in the user guide, I would need to check the Windows Device manager and look for "Univeral Serial Bus controllers" to see if the device was installed properly. There were two entries for "NEC PCI to USB Open Host Controller" and one for "Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller," which, according to the guide, was exactly what should have been listed. That was it. Installation was complete.

Next, I began testing each of my USB devices to see if they functioned normally with my newly installed USB 2.0 CardBus. My optical mouse and gamepad work flawlessly. My SanDisk 4.0 GB "cruzer" USB key did not work well at all unless the Addonics ADCBUSB2 CardBus USB 2.0 was plugged in. Whenever I would transfer larger files to or from my USB key the transfer would fail. Apparently, a USB key draws quite a bit of power from the USB port it is attached to when transfering files. I should mention that I was able to transfer small text documents without the Addonics CardBus being plugged in -- most of these documents were under 5kb. I was also able to browse through the contents of the SanDisk USB key without the Addonics ADCBUSB2 CardBus being plugged in.

Most Wifi adapters and USB devices that supply their own power should work just fine. From my stand point, so far, this USB 2.0 CardBus works as well as the USB 2.0 ports built into my notebook once did.

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System Requirements:

Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98SE/ME
A Type II Cardbus PC Card Slot
Note: "High speed USB 2.0 transfer rate up to 480 Mbps can only be obtained with USB 2.0 driver supported."

Technical Specifications:

2 USB 2.0 ports
USB Connectors: 2 Type A
USB 2.0 Hi-speed compliant, 480 Mbits/sec max.
USB 1.1 compliant, 12 Mbits/sec max.
Transfer Rate: 1.5/12/480 Mbps
USB Specifications: V2.0 and V1.1 Compatible
Maximum power per port: 5V, 500 mA AC/DC power adapter is attached
DC Input: +5V, 1A (jack dimension is 3.5mm) ------ DC5V
Operating Temperature: 5 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius
Storage Temperature: -20 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius
Housing: Plastic
Dimensions (LxWxH): 115x54x13.8 mm.
Weight - 60 grams
1 year warranty

Posted: November 2008