What Does Usb Micro Data Cable Look Like

A Guide to Computer Ports and Adapters

Today'due south computers and mobile devices are available with a wide assortment of ports, from traditional USB to newfangled USB Blazon-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports. Even if you're familiar with the virtually common connectors, it can still be a challenge to effigy out what wires or adapters you need in lodge to plug your device into a monitor, TV, network or peripheral.

When you're shopping for a new laptop, a 2-in-ane or a hulking desktop PC, you'll also desire to keep ports in listen. If you need to adhere to a particular type of device on the go, you'll benefit from having that connector built-in or, at least, knowing what kind of adapter to pair with your new system. That's why we've assembled a comprehensive listing of ports, forth with the type and toll of adapters you'll need to utilise if you don't have the right connectors on built-in.

iii.5mm Audio Jack

Too Known Equally: Headphone jack Description: The most common audio jack in the globe, the 3.5mm audio jack appears on most computers, tablets and phones, and connects to the majority of the earth's wired headphones and speakers. While some older devices have two audio jacks for mic and headphone, most current models comprise both into the same port. A handful of current phones, including the iPhone seven, omit this jack. Adapters Needed: If your device doesn't take a 3.5mm jack, y'all tin purchase a wired USB headset, attach a wireless Bluetooth audio device or go an adapter. If you accept an iPhone, get a Lightning to 3.5mm cable or Lightning headset. If y'all have a USB Blazon-C-powered device, get a Type-C to iii.5mm adapter or Type-C headphones.

Ethernet

Besides Known As: RJ-45, Gigabit Ethernet, 10/100 Ethernet Description: Found primarily on business laptops and on desktops, this port allows you to connect straight to wired networks. While Wi-Fi continues to improve, having the pick to plug in via Ethernet is actually valuable, particularly when you're in a hotel or other location where the wireless signal is poor. Some spec sheets refer to this port as "Gigabit Ethernet" or "10/100 Ethernet," but all modern laptops and desktops with this port operate at upwardly to 1 Gbps, no matter how they are marketed. Adapters Needed: If y'all don't take an Ethernet port built-in, y'all can purchase a USB-to-Ethernet adapter for $15 to $30, depending on whether you lot are connecting to a USB Type-Cor traditional, USB Type-A port. Yous tin also get Ethernet by connecting to a docking station.

HDMI

Description: This pop port is the most common one for connecting to TVs and also appears on many external monitors and projectors. Depending on your laptop's or desktop'south graphics card, the auto'southward HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) port may exist able to output at upwardly to 4K resolution. However, yous cannot output to dual displays from a single port. HDMI sends audio along with its video, so if your monitor or TV has speakers, y'all'll become audio. If your estimator has HDMI-out and your external brandish has DVI, you can convert from one to the other with an adapter that costs less than $10. While most laptops that have HDMI use the total-size port, at that place are a few superslim devices that employ mini HDMI connectors. These are a bit smaller, and it'due south more difficult to notice adapters for them. Adapters Needed: If yous need to connect to DVI, an HDMI-to-DVI plug costs under $10. For around $25, you can get an adapter that goes from USB Type-C to HDMI, provided that your Type-C supports video. If you want to go from an HDMI port on your reckoner to a DisplayPort on your monitor, yous'll demand a rather-pricey active converter that requires its own ability connexion and that costs over $thirty. Unpowered DisplayPort-to-HDMI cables won't work.

DisplayPort/mini DisplayPort

Description: DisplayPort is the most advanced display-connection standard today, with the power to output to a single monitor at 4K resolution and sixty Hz, or up to iii monitors at full Hard disk (using a hub or dock). Most laptops that have DisplayPort either use the smaller, mini DisplayPort connector or send their DisplayPort signals out of a USB Type-C port. A lot of monitors and nigh TVs don't have DisplayPort connectors, but you can output to an HDMI-capable screen with a wire or adapter that costs under $10. Like HDMI, DisplayPort can output audio on the same cable equally video. Adapters Needed: If you want to output to more than 1 DisplayPort monitor from a single mini DisplayPort on a laptop, you'll need a multi-stream ship (MST) hub, which costs between $seventy and $100 and needs ability. A single USB Type-C-to-DisplayPort or micro DisplayPort-to-full DisplayPort cable costs just over $ten.

DVI

Also Known As: DVI-D, DVI-I, Dual-Link DVI Description: While yous'll never see a laptop with DVI (digital visual interface)-out, virtually every monitor with a full-HD resolution or below has one, and and so do many desktops. Oft, DVI volition exist your best input pick every bit many budget and mainstream displays have only DVI and VGA connectors. Fortunately, you can easily get an adapter to get from your computer's HDMI or DisplayPort to DVI. DVI can output at up to UXGA 1920 10 1200 at 60 Hz, the standard refresh rate, but requires a 2nd connection (aka, dual-link DVI) to power a 2K or 4K monitor. Most mainstream USB docking stations feature at least i DVI-out port. Adapters Needed: You can become an HDMI-to-DVI cablevision for under $10 and a DisplayPort-to-DVI cable for under $xv. Though going from DVI-out to VGA requires a $5 adapter, it'south extremely costly and difficult to catechumen from VGA-out on your computer to DVI-in on the monitor. USB docking stations that output to dual DVI monitors start at nether $100.

microSD menu reader

Also Known As: microSD card slot, microSDHC reader, microSDXC Description: This slot reads tiny microSD memory cards, the kind that smartphones use for external storage. If your laptop or tablet has very limited internal storage and you accept the reader, getting one of these inexpensive cards (under $twenty for 64GB) could really help yous out. You tin can even install Windows 10 apps on a microSD card. Adapters Needed: If y'all don't have a built-in slot, you tin can get a USB-based external microSD reader for nether $x.

SD Menu Reader

Also Known As: three-in-one card reader, 4-in-i bill of fare reader, 5-in-1 card reader, SDHC card reader Clarification: This is a slot that you can utilise to read the memory cards from a digital camera. If you oftentimes transfer pictures from a DSLR or mirrorless camera to your laptop or desktop, having a congenital-in reader is a huge convenience. Adapters Needed: If you don't take a built-in SD menu reader, you can buy ane that connects via USB for nether $10.

USB/USB Type-A

Also Known Equally: USB Type-A, Regular USB Description: USB (universal serial bus) is the most mutual laptop and desktop connector past far. The typical USB port is known as USB Type-A and has a simple, rectangular shape. Depending on the hardware, it can be capable of either USB-2.0 or USB-three.0 speeds. We list more types of USB below. You tin connect a nearly space universe of peripherals to a USB port, from keyboards and mice to printers and Ethernet adapters. Regular USB doesn't take its own video standard, but you can connect to monitors using a universal docking station or adapter with DisplayLink technology within.

USB Blazon-B

Description: Y'all won't observe this foursquare connector on whatsoever figurer, but many hubs, docking stations and printers use information technology as an input port. For these devices, yous'll need a USB Blazon-A–to–Type-B wire, which typically comes with the peripheral.

USB Type-C

Besides Known As: USB-C Clarification: This slim USB port is the connector of the futurity, already available on a number of devices and likely to replace USB Type-A, USB Blazon-B and microUSB on all new systems in the nigh hereafter. Considering it's much thinner than its predecessors, Type-C can fit on extremely svelte laptops similar the MacBook 12-inch and Asus ZenBook 3. Information technology's also reversible, and then y'all never take to worry well-nigh putting your plug in upside down. For improve or worse, USB Blazon-C ports can support a number of different standards, only non all of them offer the aforementioned functionality. Blazon-C can transfer files at either USB 3.1 gen 1 (5 Gbps) or USB three.one gen 2 (10 Gbps) speeds. It can accept USB Power Commitment (USB-PD) so you can accuse your laptop with it. It too sends DisplayPort signals out via its "alt style," and information technology tin fifty-fifty operate as a Thunderbolt port. Manufacturers can signal compatibility with USB iii.1 gen two with an "SS ten" logo or power delivery with a battery logo, but nosotros don't see these marks often. We do frequently see a lightning bolt adjacent to the port, which indicates that information technology doubles equally a Thunderbolt 3 port and can support the highest transfer rates and video out. Adapters Needed: If you have a rectangular USB Blazon-A port and demand to get to a USB Type-C dock or device, you can get a A to C wire for under $x.

USB 2.0

Also Known As: High-speed USB, USB 2 Description: Capable of transferring information at upwards to 480 Mbps, USB two.0 is the near common speed of USB and works finer with the majority of peripherals. A USB 2.0 port tin come in a variety of shapes, including Type-A (rectangular), Type-B (foursquare), mini or micro USB. On laptops and desktops, a USB 2.0 port volition ever exist Type-A, while on tablets and phones, information technology will likely exist micro USB.

USB 3.0

Also Known As: SuperSpeed USB, USB 3 Clarification: Great for external hard drives, SSDs and high-res docking stations, USB 3.0 has a maximum transfer rate of 5 Gbps, more than 10 times that of its predecessor, USB 2.0. Ports for USB 3 are automatically backward-compatible with USB 2.0 cables and devices. USB iii ports on a calculator use a rectangular, blazon-A connector and are usually duplicate from their older counterparts. Sometimes these SuperSpeed ports will have a calorie-free blue color or a tiny "SS" logo side by side to them to betoken their higher transfer charge per unit, but not e'er.

USB 3.ane Gen 1

Also Known Every bit: USB 3.1, SuperSpeed USB Description: USB iii.1 gen 1 is a connectedness protocol that'southward the same 5-Gbps speed every bit USB 3.0, simply information technology works only on USB Type-C ports. It's backward-compatible with USB three.0 and USB 2.0 devices, provided that your cable goes from Type-C to the appropriate connector. USB 3.i devices may support USB Power Delivery, which allows them to receive or send power at up to 100 watts, plenty to charge most laptops. Adapters Needed: A USB iii.1 port has to use a Blazon-C connector, so information technology requires standard Type-C wires.

USB 3.1 Gen 2

Likewise Known As: USB three.1, SuperSpeed+ USB, SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps Description: USB iii.1 Gen two is but like USB 3.ane gen 1, but with double the throughput, transferring information at up to ten Gbps. It'southward backward-compatible with USB Adapters Needed: USB iii.1 Gen 2 requires a Type-C connector, only to get it at full speed, you need to make certain your cable is rated for 10 Gbps. Cables beginning at around $16.

Micro USB

Besides Known As: Micro-B, microUSB Description: This minor port is the charging connector of choice for smartphones and low-power tablets, only y'all probably won't see it on a laptop or desktop. Regular micro USB ports support USB 2.0 speeds (480 Mbps), merely there are a few devices, more often than not external hard drives, that take micro USB 3.0 ports which have some actress pins and offer faster transfer rates. You can still utilize micro USB 2.0 wires and connectors in the micro USB 3.0 ports, yet. Adapters Needed: To connect your laptop to a phone or your low-end tablet to its Ac adapter, you'll need a USB Type-A–to–micro USB cable, which costs effectually $5. Yous can get a Type-C–to–micro USB adapter for under $10.

Mini USB

Too Known As: Mini-B, mini USB Clarification: Much less common than microUSB, the slightly larger mini USB is found on some external hard drives, game controllers (PS3 controllers for case) and other accessories. You won't see mini USB every bit a port on any calculator, tablet or telephone, but you can easily get a wire that goes from Type-A, Type-C or micro USB to mini USB. Adapters Needed: A Blazon-A–to–mini USB cable costs under $v, a Type-C–to–mini is available for under $10 and a micro USB-to-mini USB adapter goes for less than $5.

Thunderbolt 3

Also Known As: Thunderbolt Clarification: The fastest common connection on the market today, Thunderbolt three can transfer data at up to forty Gbps, iv times faster than the fastest USB connection (USB 3.1 gen 2). This high-speed standard can likewise output to up to two 4K monitors at once, because a single port carries dual DisplayPort signals. On several new devices you can use Thunderbolt 3 to connect to an external graphics card, which allows you to play high-end games on an otherwise slim laptop. All Thunderbolt three ports use USB Type-C connections and double as USB Type-C ports, allowing them to connect to an entire universe of USB peripherals and, in nearly cases, to accuse a laptop or tablet. Before Thunderbolt 3, which started appearing in laptops at the stop of 2015, at that place was a Thunderbolt 2 and original Thunderbolt standard, but very few systems used them. With an adapter cablevision, you lot tin connect your Thunderbolt 3 estimator to older Thunderbolt devices. Adapters Needed: Y'all tin get a Thunderbolt three cable for nether $25, but be sure to read the specs before you purchase; not all Thunderbolt cables tin handle the full forty Gbps, with some topping out at 20 Gbps. Thunderbolt 3 docking stations, which let you plug into a multifariousness of monitors and peripherals, get for around $200. You can also use any USB Type-C cable, dock or device with a Thunderbolt 3 port. A Thunderbolt 3-to-Thunderbolt adapter for attaching to legacy Thunderbolt devices is pricey, going for over $100. More than: Thunderbolt iii Explained: Why You Need the World's Fastest Port

VGA

Description: The great grandad of video outputs, VGA (video graphics assortment) dates all the way dorsum to 1987 simply is even so commonplace on many monitors and projectors today. Even so, considering the 15-pin connector is rather chunky, yous won't detect too many electric current-gen laptops or desktops that have VGA-out. It is an analog connection, which could lead to bespeak deposition over longer cables, and it outputs at only up to 1920 x 1200, and so it's the to the lowest degree desirable port. Adapters Needed: You can't convert VGA to whatsoever other brandish standard (DVI, DisplayPort, HDMI), simply yous tin plug any other connector into a VGA monitor with an inexpensive wire or adapter. You tin get DVI-to-VGA, HDMI-to-VGA or DisplayPort-to-VGA converters for under $10.

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The official Geeks Geek, as his weekly column is titled, Avram Piltch has guided the editorial and production of Laptopmag.com since 2007. With his technical knowledge and passion for testing, Avram programmed several of LAPTOP's existent-globe benchmarks, including the LAPTOP Battery Test. He holds a master'due south degree in English from NYU.