Macbook Pro USB ports

I just came across some information on The Apple Core and Wired blogs that really shed a lot of light into a strange problem I've been having with my Macbook Pro. When I travel, I usually bring along a USB powered 2.5" for backing up my photos. And I've noticed that, surprisingly, it behaved quite erratically when plugged into my Macbook Pro. But I knew it wasn't a drive issue as that drive works fine on my Windows work laptop.

As it turns out, it matters which port the drive or any USB powered device is plugged into. The USB port on the right hand side of the laptop is a fully powered high speed USB port. But the USB port on the left hand side on the other hand is merely a USB hub. I've been plugging the external drive into the left hand port, leaving the right hand port for my mouse (naturally !). Gee it would've been nice if Apple had pointed out this "minor" difference in the two ports.