USB Hub you can attach to the back (or side) of a keyboard

[apastuszak]

Since I use mechanical keyboards and trackballs, I don't really use wireless peripherals, because neither the keyboard, nor the trackball needs to move around the desk.

But I also don't want to snake cables across my desk, if I can avoid it. One of things I liked about Matias keyboards was the extra 3 USB ports included in the keyboard. This allowed me to plug my trackball into my keyboard, and plug my Yubikey into it.

For most keyboards, this really is not an option. I know you may be able to mod a much larger keyboard such as a Model M or Apple AEK II by adding a hub inside. But I was wondering if anyone might have found a small USB hub you could attach to the back of a keyboard to allow similar functionality.

[Muirium]

I think you're trying to generalise this problem at the wrong place. Like you, I started with keyboards with USB hubs, which I found useful enough for attaching mice and thumbdrives all on one plug. But once you're into keyboards, you'll find all your different models have their own distinct ways of cabling. Sure, some keyboards have a neat socket on the back or side, but they differ even between which USB flavour they provide, let alone the exact geometry around that socket you could mount a hub nice and flush against. Keyboards aren't like Apple's laptops, with a predictable port location you can make a general purpose hub for:

Spoiler:

Besides, most of the great keyboards have a permanently attached cable of their own, often a nice big thicc curly one.

The way I approach this problem is with well located ports on, behind and under my desk. I’m a dedicated lap typist: any sizeable length of text, I'll put my keyboard on my lap and crank it out that way in preference to sitting right up at the desk. So I’m particularly into well located ports to plug them into, and shelves to stow things away. Here's the business end of my little desk, much modified:

Spoiler:

Ports are your friend. Put them in the right places (ideally including AT/PS2 ports and whatever other vintages you use) and your workspace will function just as you want it to, without needless mess. At least that's the way I do it. There's plenty more ideas to find in the desktops thread.

[apastuszak]

Right now, I drilled a grommet into my desk right above my desk mat and am running cables through that under my desk to a USB hub. This keeps cables from snaking across my desk. I've been happy with that decision.

I also stapled some sewing elastic under my desk in strategic places to allow me to quickly run cables under my desk and cable manage them.

My problem is, I have PADD (Peripheral Attention Deficit Disorder). I swap out keyboards and trackballs all the time. If I could plug them in to my keyboard, it makes it a lot quicker to swap them out.

I was debating getting a grommet mount USB hub and strategically place that near the keyboard and mouse. The problem with that is, most peripherals don't have detachable cables, so you end up with this big tied up ball of cable on your desk. Which kind of now makes me question plugging stuff liker a trackball into a keyboard...

[fohat]

The Buddha taught that wishing that the world was not the way it is can be a cause of suffering.
Relax, let it go.

[Muirium]

Pretty funky Zen garden you got there, brother…

Behind the scenes, my stuff is no less. But I like to keep it out of sight, underneath and behind, while I rake swirls in my pebbles like a good and healthy obsessive.