Today's computers and mobile devices are available with a wide array of ports, from traditional USB to newfangled USB Type-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports. Even if you're familiar with the most common connectors, it can still be a challenge to figure out what wires or adapters you need in order to plug your devices into a monitor, TV, network or peripheral.
When you're shopping for a new laptop, a 2-in-1 or a hulking desktop PC, you'll also want to keep ports in mind. If you need to attach to a particular type of device on the go, you'll benefit from having that connectors built-in or, at least, Knowing what kind of adapter to pair with your new system. That's why we've assembled a comprehensive list of ports, along with the type and cost of adapters you'll need to use if you don't have the right connectors on built-in.
3.5mm Audio jack
Also Known As : Headphone jack
Description : The most common audio jack in the world, the 3.5 mm audio jack appears on most computers, tablets and phones, and connects to the majority of the world's wired headphones and speakers. While some older devices have two audio jacks for mic and headphone, most current models incorporate both into the same port. A handful or current phones, including the iphone 7, omit this jack. Adapters.
Needed : If your device doesn't have a 3.5mm jack, you can buy a wired USB headset, attach a wireless Bluetooth audio devices or get an adapter. If you have an iphone, get a Lightning to 3.5mm cable or Lightning headset. If you have a USB Type-C powered device, get a Type-C to 3.5mm adapter or Type-C headphones.
Ethernet
Also Known As : Rj-45, Gigabit Ethernet, 10/100 Ethernet Description : Found Primary on buisness laptops and on desktops, this port allows you to connect directly to wired networks. While Wi-Fi continues to improve, having the option to plug in via Ethernet is really 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 up to 1 Gbps, no matter how they are marketed. Adapters Needed : If you don't have an Ethernet port built-in, you can purchase a USB-to-Ethernet adapter for 1,122 to 2,245, depending on whether you are connecting to a USB Type-C or traditional, USB Type-A port. You can also get Ethernet by connecting to a docking station.
HDMI
Description : This popular ports is the most common one for connecting to TVs and also appears on many external monitors and projectors.Depending on your laptop's graphics card, the machine's HDMI (high definition multimedia interface) port may be able to output at up to 4K resolution. However, you cannot output to dual displays from a single port. HDMI sends audio along with its video. so if your monitor or TV has speakers, you'll get sound. If your computer has HDMI-out and your external display has DVI, you can convert from one to the other with an adapter that costs less than 748. while most laptops that have HDMI use the full size port, there are a few Superslim devices that employ mini HDMI connectors. These are a bit smaller,and it's more difficult to find adapters for them. Adapters Needed : If you need to connect to DVI, an HDMI-to-DVI costs under 748. around 1871, you can get an adapter that goes,frim USB Type-C to HDMI, provided that your Type-C supports video. If you want to go from an HDMI port on your computer to a Displays Ports on your monitor, you'll need a rather-pricey active converter that requires its own power connection and that costs over 2246. Unpowered Display port-to-HDMI cables won't work.
Display Port/mini Display Port
Description : Display Port is the most advanced display-connection standard today, with the ability to output to a single monitor at 4K resolution and 60 Hz, or up to three monitors at full HD (using a hub or dock). Most laptops that have Display Port either use the smaller, mini Display port connector or send their Display port signals out of a USB Type-C Port. A lot of monitors and most TVs don't have Display Connectors, but you can output to an HDMI-capable screen with a wire or adapter that costs under 749. Like HDMI, Display Port can output audio on the same cable as video. Adapters Needed : If you want to output to more than one Display monitor from a single mini Display port on a laptop, you'll need a multi-stream transport (MST) hub, which costs between 5,250 and 7,500 and needs power. A single USB Type-C to Display port or micro Display port-to-full Display port cable costs just over 749.
DVI
Also Known As : DVI-D, DVI-I, Dual-Link DVI Description : While you'll never see a laptop with DVI (digital visual interface)-out, almost every monitor with a full-HD resolution or below has one, and so do many desktops. often, DVI will be your best input option as many budget and mainstream displays have only DVI and VGA connectors. Fortunately, you can easily get an adapter to go from your computer's HDMI or DisplayPort to DVI. DVI can output at up to UXGA 1920*1200 at 60 Hz. The standard refresh rate. but requires a second connection (aka, dual-link DVI) to power a 2K or 4K monitor. most mainstream USB docking stations features at least one DVI-out port. Adapters needed: You can get an HDMI-to-DVI cable for under 749 and a Display port-to-DVI cable for under 1,124. through going from DVI-out to VGA requires a 374 adapter. it's extremely costly and difficult to convert from VGA-out on your computer to DVI-in on the monitor. USB docking stations that output to dual DVI monitors start at under 7,496.Micro SD Card Reader
Also Known As : Micro SD crad slot, micro SDHC reader, Micro SDXC
Description : This slot reads tiny Micro SD memory cards,the kind that smartphones use for external storage. If your laptop or tablet has very limited internal storage and you have the reader, getting one of these inexpensive cards (under 1499 for 64 GB) could really help you out. You can even install windows 10 apps on a micro SD card. Adapters Needed : If you don't have a built-in slot, you can get a USB- based external micro SD reader for under 749. SD Card Reader
Also Known As : 3-in-1 card reader, 4-in-1 card reader, SDHC card reader Description : This is a slot that you can use the read the memory cards from a digital camera. If you frequently transfer pictures from a DSLR or mirrorless camera to your laptop or desktop, having a built-in reader is a huge convenience. Adapters Needed : If you don't have a built-in SD card reader, you can buy one that connects via USB for under 749.USB/USB Type-A
Also Known As : USB Type-A, Regular USB Description : USB (Universal Serial Bus) is the most common laptop and desktop connector by 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-3.0 speeds. We list more types of USB below. You ca connect a nearly infinite universe of peripherals to a USB port, from keyboards and mice to printers and Ethernet adapters. Regular USB doesn't have its own video standard, but you can connect to monitors using a universal docking station or adapter with Display Link technology inside.USB Type-B
Description : You won't find this square connector on any computer, but many hubs, docking stations and printers use it as an input port. For these devices, you'll need a USB Type-A-to-Type-B wire, which typically comes with the peripheral.USB Type-C
Also Known As : USB-C
Description : This slip USB ports is the connector of the future, already available on a number of devices and likely to replace USB Type-A, USB Type-B and micro USB on all new systems in the near future. Because it's much thinner than its predecessors, type-C can fit on extremely svelte laptops like the MacBook 12-inch and Asus ZenBook 3. it's also reversible, so you never have to worry about putting your plug in upside down. For better or worse, USB Type-C ports can support a number of different standards, but not all of them offer the same functionality. type-C can transfer files at either USB 3.1 gen 1(5 gbps) or USB 3.1 gen 2 (10 Gbps) Speeds.It can accept USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) so you can charge your laptop with it. it also sends Display port Signals out va its "alt mode," and it can even operate as a Thunderbolt port. Manufactures can indicate compatibility with USB 3.1 gen 2 with an "ss 10" logo or power delivery with a battery logo, but we don't see these marks often. We do frequently see a lightning bolt next to the port, which indicates that it doubles as a Thunderbolt 3 port and can support the highest transfer rates and video out. Adapters Needed : If you have a rectangular USB type-A port and need to go to a USB Type-C dock or device, you can get a A to C wire for under 749.USB 2.0
Also Known As : High-speed USB, USB 2
Description : Capable of transferring data at up to 480 Mbps, USB 2.0 is the most common speed of USB and works effectively with the majority of peripherals. A USB 2.0 port can come in a variety of shapes, including Type-A(rectangular), Type-B(square), mini or micro USB. On laptops and desktops, a USB 2.0 port will always be Type-A, While on tablets and phones, it will likely be micro USB.USB 3.0
Also Known As : Super Speed USB, USB 3
Description : 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 if its predecessor, USB 2.0 ports for USB 3 are automatically backward-compatible with USB 2.0 cables and devices. USB 3 ports on a computer use a rectangular, type-A connector and are usually indistinguishable from their older counterparts. Sometimes these Super Speed Ports will have a light blue color or tiny "SS" logo next to them to indicate their higher transfer rate, but not always.USB 3.1 Gen 1
Also Known As : USB 3.1, Super Speed USB
Description : USB 3.1 gen 1 is a connection protocol that's the same 5-Gbps speed as USB 3.0, but it works only on USB type-C ports. It's backward compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 devices, provided that your cable goes from Type-C to the appropriate connector. USB 3.1 devices may support USB Power Delivery, which allows them to receive or send power at up to 100 watts, enough to charge most laptops. Adapters Needed : A USB 3.1 port has to use a Type-C connector, so it requires standard Type-C wires.USB 3.1 Gen 2
Also Known As : USB 3.1, Super Speed+ USB, Super Speed USB 10 Gbps
Description : USB 3.1 Gen 2 is just like USB 3.1 gen 1, but with double the throughput, transferring data at up to 10 Gbps. It's backward-compatible with USB Adapters Needed : USB 3.1 Gen 2 requires a Type-C connector, but to get it at full speed, you need to make sure your cable is rated for 10 Gbps. Cables Start at around 1,200.
Micro USB
Also Known As : Micro-B, micro USB
Description : This small ports is the charging connector of choice for smartphones and low-power tablets, but you probably won't see it on a laptop or desktop. Regular micro USB ports support USB 2.0 speeds (480 Mbps), but there are few devices, mostly external hard drives, that have micro USB 3.0 ports which have some extra pins and offer faster transfer rates. You can still use micro USB 2.0 wires and connectors in the micro USB 3.0 ports, however. Adapters Needed : to connect your laptop to a phone or your low-end, however. 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 around 375. You can get a Type-C-to-micro USB adapter for under 751.Mini USB
Also Known As : Mini-B, mini USB
Description : Much less common than micro USB, the slightly larger mini USB is found on some external hard drives, game controllers (PS3 controllers for example) and other accessories. You won't see mini USB as a port on any computer, tablet or phone, but you can easily get a wire that goes from Type-A, Type-C or mini USB Adapters Needed : A Type-A-to-mini USB cable costs under 375, a Type-C-to-mini is available for under 751 and a micro USB-to-mini USB adapter goes for less than 375.
Thunderbolt 3
Also Known As : Thunderbolt.
Description : The fastest common connection on the market today, Thunderbolt 3 can transfer data up to 40 Gbps, four times faster than the fastest USB connection (USB 3.1 gen 2). The high-speed standard can also output to go to two 4k monitors at once, because a single port carries dual Display port signals. On several new devices you can use Thunderbolt 3 to connect to an external graphic card. which allows you to play high-end games on an otherwise slip laptop. All Thunderbolt 3 ports use USB type-C connections and double as USB Type-C ports, allowing them to connect yo an entire universe of USB peripherals and, in most cases, to charge a laptop or tablet. Before Thunderbolt 33, which started appearing in laptops at the end of 2015, there was a Thunderbolt 2 and original Thunderbolt standard, but very few systems used them. with an adapter cable, you can connect your Thunderbolt 3 computer to older Thunderbolt devices. Adapters Needed : You can get a Thunderbolt 3 cable for under 1878, but be sure to read the specs before you buy ; not all Thunderbolt cables can handle the full 40 Gbps, with some topping out at 20 Gbps. Thunderbolt 3 docking stations, which let you plug into a variety of monitors and peripherals, go for around 15,031. 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 7,515. More : Thunderbolt 3 explained : Why You Need the world's Fastest Port.
VGA
description : The great granddad of video outputs, VGA (video graphics array) dates all the way back to 1987 but is till commonplace on many monitors and projectors today. However, because the 15-pin connector is rather chunky, you won't find too many current-gen laptops or desktops that have VGA-out. It is an along connection, which could lead to signal degradation over longer cables, and it outputs at only up to 1920*1200, so it's the least desirable port. Adapters Needed : You can't convert VGA to any other display standard (DVI, display port, HDMI), but you can plug any other connector into a VGA monitor with an inexpensive wire or adapter. You can get DVI-to-VGA, HDMI-to-VGA or Display port-to-VGA converters for under 751.
Today We have Learnt about Computer Ports and Adapters. Hope this lesson is helpful for you.
Writer: Mr. Krishan Kumar Saini
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