arlondiluthel t1_j6iew3s wrote on January 30, 2023 at 3:43 PM

Good grief, why?!? Prolong the life of your devices by unplugging them when not in use. I have 1 USB hub/switch, which has my keyboard, mouse, and headset, which I use on both my personal and work laptops. I only plug in my controllers (an Xbox controller and a flight stick) when I'm going to use them, an external storage drive, and a webcam (again, only plugged in when I'm planning to use it).

ikothsowe OP t1_j6ig3dh wrote on January 30, 2023 at 3:51 PM

I use powered hubs with individually switchable ports. I turn devices off when I don’t use them. The cable ties make it easy to identify the correct switch to press.

arlondiluthel t1_j6io1is wrote on January 30, 2023 at 4:42 PM

Ok, that's better than leaving them connected and receiving power when not in use.

serotoninzero t1_j6lwtec wrote on January 31, 2023 at 6:37 AM

Prove to me that there's less wear on a device by having it unplugged when not in use compared to the amount of times you pull on the cable to unplug it. Both have to be so minimal.

arlondiluthel t1_j6lxayt wrote on January 31, 2023 at 6:42 AM

You didn't even read the rest of the comment thread, did you? OP stated that the USB hubs are switched, so the individual ports can be turned off without having to unplug the device. Which is the best option in this scenario.

serotoninzero t1_j6lxods wrote on January 31, 2023 at 6:47 AM

I read what he wrote, you told him to unplug everything which is what I assume you do as you didn't mention any switchable hubs. Regardless, I just feel the likelihood of a device dying from being plugged in is extremely low. I think ruining a device from unplugging it is also extremely low but maybe more probable than your case.

arlondiluthel t1_j6lz7tf wrote on January 31, 2023 at 7:06 AM

To be fair, my primary computer is a laptop, because I travel a lot for work. I have an external hard drive that I don't take with me when I travel, a webcam that I unplug when I'm not using it, an Xbox controller and a flight stick (which I unplug when not in use). Then, I have a USB KVM switch so I can connect my keyboard, mouse, and headset to both my personal and work computers.