Will the Apple Airport Base Station provide enough power to this drive or will I need a Y-cable to utilize 2 USB ports?
1365265
Not sure. I just plug the WD My Passport Air into the USB port via the cable that comes with the drive, and it works like a charm. I'm really happy with the way it operates (very fast, no fuss, no muss), and the way it looks and feels.
1365266
Well all the Apple Airports only have 1 USB port I think, and they are all USB 2.0. But, this HDD is backwards compatible with USB 2.0. I think you will be fine with using it because it should work. I do not know if it will work on the Airport Express because that may be printer only, but I'm pretty sure you will be fine with the other Stations.
620591
The quick answer is, "Yes."However, this hub is not self-powered; it does not have an AC adaptor. It draws its power from the computer or the device to which it is attached. It has 3 USB ports and an SD-card slot (a very clever and welcome feature), so it can potentially draw the power of 4 devices, which is about the limit for a computer such as the iMac, but it appears to work fine on mine. The warnings expressed by the previous writer are correct.
1741060
I've never had to use additional power on a non retina Pro. You'll reap the benefits of USB 3. This is a tidy enclosure!
335687
It will not power devices. The ports will be for data transfer only. They don't put out enough amps to power devices.
133052
The Apple Superdrive needs more power than the USB spec specifies. USB ports on Apple laptops 'coincidentally' supply higher-than-spec power. Without the higher power (e.g. USB hubs (even powered ones), Windows computers, etc.) This is a stupid business practice to lock their drives to their laptops, nothing more. But since this drive is Mac and Windows compatible, there's nothing to worry about, USB spec power will be enough.
1899940
Does the USB 2.0 port provide enough power for the external HDD? Or should I make sure to use an external HDD that has its own power source?
1858003
im sure it will work, but the thing is if the usb port (not on your mac) does not have external power supply, it will drain power from your mac. it is best to get the one that has external power supply. you might want to get a second opinion from where got your mac. you probably dont need this device just to connect the SuperDrive, you could just connect is straight to it, unless you have other devices you want to connected simultaneously.
2020844
Not sure, depends on your source USB port. To be sure, I would purchase a "powered" USB hub to connect your drives.
378131
I use mine on a Macbook pro. I have 3 USB ports. It does't matter which of the two goes into which port... as long as it's in a USB port. I don't know if it matters, I have a habit of putting in the power one in first.
2070528
No. The Apple Superdrive must be connected directly to the Apple computer to function. The Superdrive can not be used with a USB hub, either.
2134774
I have used this with a 500GB drive originally inside a MBP, and I connect it to the FW port on the same MBP, and so far I have not had any problems. I haven't had any need for additional power.
1733250
This drive will only work if you purchase a USB "Y" cable. These are the most inexpensive SATA drives on the market, I have MANY of them working with my PowerBook and MacBook. Mission critical stuff I keep on the more versatile and durable ("Drop Shock" protected) portable Iomega FireWire/ USB drives which luckily for me came with USB "Y" cables. The Iomega dual interface portables are much more expensive though (but well worth it for me, my data is important).
259042
Do not have that configuration so cannot answer. I, however have had no problems with my Anker hub on my MacBook Air and I have a Western Digital 1 T disk as my backup device. No problems after 4 months.
651373
I bought a few of these passports from Best Buy because they're CHEAP, NOTE: Portable Macs, eg, my MacBook, don't provide enough USB power for these drives. You need to use a USB 2.0 "Y" cable that plugs into 2 USB ports simultaneously, 1 to provide power and the other to provide data. The documentation for these drives state this. Luckily, my company buys the much better portable FW/ USB Iomegas which INCLUDE a USB 2.0 "Y" cable so I didn't have to buy another cable.
481058
didn't try, but worked with 2 usb drives no-powered, means that the hub give enough power, so it should work fine. doesn't charge the ipad, but nothing charges it except direct usb connection.
366046
Yes, you need to use 2 usb ports for the extra power. The supplied usb Y cable has about 5 inches of slack between the plugs. If your laptop only has 1 usb on each side you will have to get an extension.
1213489
One USB port but some functions are limited by power of the device. Ie I could use on my MacBook, but couldn't format. Had to format from my iMac.