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What are the options to add one or more USB 3.0 port to a laptop? The only way I seen so far are USB 3 expresscard adapters but all of these adapters stick out quite a lot from the laptop and have power/bandwidth limitations.

Update: after some more research I found there are smaller 1 port expresscard adapters that do not stick out of the laptop at all after plugging in. Looks like these are not available in US yet but I'm sure it's coming soon.

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The reason for that is that USB3 sort of needs a lot of power and bandwidth...certainly make sure your next laptop has USB3 built-in. :) – Shinrai Feb 4 '11 at 16:14
There is no way to add one and make it look nice and neat like the factory ports without heavy duty hardware hacking. – Moab Feb 4 '11 at 16:21
For a microsecond, my brain asked itself 'I wonder if you can get a USB adaptor for this', before sanity kicked back in. – Linker3000 Feb 4 '11 at 22:17
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4 Answers

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There are only so many slots available on a laptop and the only one which can to some degree take on the task of providing USB 3 functionality is the ExpressCard slot.

When new technologies surface and we attempt to retrofit that functionality within older form factors there will always be trade offs.

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If you have an empty Mini-PCI-E slot, you could try this: http://www.globalamericaninc.com/1507880.html

It's a Mini-PCI-E card with two USB 3.0 ports.

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And then you route the internal connector...where? You're gonna drill a hole and mount a USB3 port in the chassis of your machine? (Not being sarcastic, I'm really curious what on earth you'd do with this thing) – Shinrai Feb 4 '11 at 16:17
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Looking at the wiring kit, i appears it is not for a laptop application....globalamericaninc.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/… – Moab Feb 4 '11 at 16:18
It's not pretty, I know. I know a few that used kits like those and replaced their USB 2.0 with the 3.0 plug. Hacking is required but it gets the job done if Express Card Slot is not available. – ngen Feb 4 '11 at 16:38
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As @aaron says, the Express Card slot is the best bet This card works well. StarTech USB3

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Assuming you have one usb 3.0 port already, You could use a USB 3.0 hub, plug it into one of the 3.0 ports you have, otherwise disregard this answer.

http://www.amazon.com/SuperSpeed-USB-3-0-7-Port-Hub/dp/B003NE5I9I

there should be a better selection of mini usb 3.0 hubs hitting the market this year, which will make portability easier.

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I think the question was how to add USB3 if you don't have it yet. – Martin Feb 4 '11 at 16:21
@ Martin, I think you are correct, thanks. – Moab Feb 4 '11 at 16:28
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