#Usb type a how to#
#Usb type a portable#

In addition to coming in a variety of shapes and sizes, USB types also have multiple speed standards. It’s similar to USB-C in that it is reversible. It supports speeds similar to USB 3.0. You’ll see it on Apple’s devices, like the iPad and iPhone. Technically, Lightning is not USB, but rather Apple’s proprietary connector type that works similarly to USB. While manufacturers continue to release new products with ports other than USB-C (looking at you, Apple), we aren’t yet able to live in a single-cable society, but we’re getting there we, and we may eventually be freed from the burden of lugging around multiple cords. It can also transfer 40 gigabits of data per second (Gbps), and can be used to deliver 4K video to external monitors. It has the ability to power even the most power-hungry devices, like laptops and TVs. USB-C has the potential to replace all other cables, thanks to its diverse multi-tasking abilities. USB-C can do more than other USB types can, and get it done faster. The port’s 100-watt connection makes it perfectly suited for fast charging and data transfers, even with larger devices. Its form factor is small, oblong, and reversible, so it can be plugged in either way (take that, USB-A). USB-C is what you’ll see on most new devices like smartphones, game controllers, earbud cases, microphones, and laptops. This is the current standard, and it marries power and data delivery with display connectivity.

It’s uncommon to see many products using Mini-USB today, though you can still find them on older electronics like MP3 players or the PlayStation 3 controller.

There are also Type-A and Type-B versions of this connector. It was the standard for charging or transferring data from devices like tablets before Micro-USB was. Mini-USBĪs its name suggests, Mini-USB is a smaller version of USB-B. Some manufacturers still opt for using Micro-USB parts for their devices, as they’re less costly than those for USB-C. It comes in both Type-A Micro and Type-B Micro flavors, and is smaller than USB-A.

#Usb type a portable#

Micro-USB was the standard a while back for certain portable devices, like Android tablets and smartphones because it can transfer data and provide charge. Most of these are USB-B to USB-A cables, though some newer devices have moved on from USB-B to smaller options, like Micro-USB or Mini-USB. Visually, this connector looks almost square. USB-B is pretty much only used on large devices, like scanners or printers. USB-A is still widely used and can be found on devices like computers, gaming consoles, TVs, and all kinds of peripherals. These cables always have USB-A on one end with a different port type on the other, and can be used for device charging and data transfer.

#Usb type a how to#

USB-A, or USB Type A, is the original flat and rectangular connector that no one could ever figure out how to plug in correctly the first time. The most common types are USB-A, Micro-USB, and USB-C, but we’ll briefly discuss all of them. There are multiple types of USB that have popped up over the years, each with a unique design and use case. How to Know if You're Using a Safe USB Cable