I have one of the larger ones (3 usb + Ethernet). I received it as a gift and was originally skeptical of the usefulness of the usb ports vs the size tradeoff,

I have one of the larger ones (3 usb + Ethernet). I received it as a gift and was originally skeptical of the usefulness of the usb ports vs the size tradeoff, but it turns out to be super useful. It stays on my desk with my mouse, keyboard, and printer plugged in, and acts as a pseudo-dock for my laptop. Very nice!