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Which
Internet
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Today’s computers and mobile devices are available with a wide array of best-for-you/)
best-for-you/)
ports, from traditional USB to newfangled USB Type-C and Thunderbolt 3

ports. There are lots of different ports available for both desktop and laptop
2
computers, each one with its own roles, different sizes.

Making the
Even if you’re familiar with the most common connectors, it can still be a case for
computers in
challenge to figure out what wires or adapters you need in order to plug your the
classroom
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device into a monitor, TV, network or peripheral. To help you find the right (https://reco…
and-
computer for your business, here are some of the most common types of analysis/making- and-
the-case-for- analysis/ma…
ports and what they do. computers-in- the-case-for-
the- computers-in-
classroom/) the-
classroom/)
 6
Serial ports
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Categories
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Opinions & Analysis 

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Tips & Tricks 

(https://recompute.co.zw/news-
and-insights/tips-and-tricks/)
Serial Port (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_Port): A serial
communication physical interface through which information transfers
in or out one bit at a time. Once very commonly used for connecting an
external modem or mouse to a PC, very few new computers will come
Stay connected
with one unless specifically ordered that way.
PS/2 Connector: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PS/2_connector) Prior
to 2010, the most commonly used connection for keyboards and mice to
a PC compatible computer system. Its name comes from the IBM
Personal System/2 Join our mailing list
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_Personal_System/2) series of
personal computers, which replaced the even older 5-pin DIN E-mail Address 
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIN_connector) connector for an AT
keyboard (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AT_keyboard). Some newer PCs First Name
may have a single combo PS/2 port that is half purple and half green. If
present, these combo ports can accept either a PS/2 keyboard OR Last Name
mouse. In any configuration, these ports carry a small electrical charge
and the PC should be completely powered off before (un)plugging Join
anything from/into them.
Parallel Port (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_Port): Sends
several data signals simultaneously over several parallel channels (as
opposed to the Serial Port). Once the most common interface for
connecting a printer to a computer, these are also now non-existant in a
modern PC.
Game Port (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_port): The traditional
connector for video game input devices on x86
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X86)-based PCs.
All of these ports have been replaced by USB
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usb) (for which we all rejoice!).
NetworkCATEGORY
PRODUCT ports MANUFACTURER 

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Ethernet/RJ45 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RJ45): Most people

consider this their network jack, internet connection or hardline. 10/100
(or Fast Ethernet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_Ethernet), which
replaced 10BASET/2/5 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10BASE2)) is slowly
being replaced by 1000Mbit/s or Gigabit (GbE)
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gigabit_Ethernet) ports. Technically, these
ports are properly known as 8P8C (8 Position 8 Contact.) These ports
are typically used to connect twisted pair
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twisted_pair) (more commonly referred to
as Cat5e (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category_5_cable)) cable (or we
could just say, “Plug in a network cable that gets you onto the internet”).
Modem/RJ11 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RJ11): A physical
interface often used for terminating telephone wires. Once standard
issue with every desktop PC and laptop, new computers will often be
without a modem/RJ-11 port unless specifically ordered that way.

Video ports

VGA Port (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA_port): Acronym

for Video Graphic Array. The most common connection for external
 monitors, but not necessarily the most preferred as it carries an analog
PRODUCT CATEGORY MANUFACTURER 
signal.
S-Video (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-Video): Separate Video (not
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Super Video) carries the video data as two separate
signals, lumen (luminance) and chroma (colour).
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HDMI
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI): High Definition Multimedia Interface
is a compact audio/video interface for transmitting uncompressed
digital data. HDMI (currently at revision 1.4
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI#Version_comparison)) is required
for the complete transmission of audio streams exceeding 5.1 channels.
DVI (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface):
Digital Video Interface is a video interface standard designed to provide
very high visual quality on digital display devices such as flat panel LCD
computer displays and digital projectors. Contrary to popular belief, it is
possible to carry audio over a DVI connection provided both
terminations support audio and they are connected via a 24+1 DVI (or
DVI to HDMI) cable.
Mini-DVI (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini-DVI): This connector is
used on Apple computers as a digital alternative to the Mini-VGA
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini-VGA) connector.
Micro-DVI (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micro-dvi): This port is a
video connection port used by some Apple MacBook Air laptop
computers produced between January-October 2008.

Audio ports

Audio Mini-Jacks Sockets are self-explainable, you can find more

comprehensive description of this interface here
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_jack).
S/PDIF (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S/PDIF):
Or Sony/Phillips Digital Interconnect Format. More commonly referred to
as an optical interface, and uses a TOSlink cable
 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TOSLINK). The digital signal is limited to
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5.1 Dolby Digital and/or DTS streams and cannot carry the additional
audio streams found on Blu-Ray (in other words, 7.1 would be
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downmixed to 5.1 over S/PDIF).

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Firewire ports

Firewire 400MB/s (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FireWire_400): Can

transfer data between devices at 100, 200, or 400 Mbit/s half-duplex
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-duplex) data rates.
Firewire 800Mb/s
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FireWire_800#FireWire_800_.28IEEE_1394b-
2002.29): Can transfer data at a rate of 786.432 Mbit/s full-duplex.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full-duplex)

Power connectors
 C5 / C6
PRODUCT CATEGORY MANUFACTURER 
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_connector#C5_and_C6_connectors):
“Cloverleaf” or “Mickey Mouse” power connectors can be seen on the
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majority of laptop power supplies and portable projectors.
C7 / C8
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(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_connector#C7_and_C8_connectors):
C7 is also sometimes called “Shotgun.” These connectors can be found
on cassette recorders, battery/mains operated radios, some full size AV
equipment, laptop computer power supplies, video game consoles.
C13/C14
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_connector#C13_and_C14_connectors):
C14 is used as an inlet to attach the power cord to the power supply, as
do many monitors, printers and other peripherals. While many older
computers also provide a panel-mounting C13 outlet for powering the
monitor.

USB ports

USB-A (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Serial_Bus#USB-A):
This kind of plug is most frequently seen on cables that are permanently
attached to a device, such as one on a cable that connects a keyboard or
mouse to the computer.
USB-B (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Serial_Bus#USB-B):
Typically plugs into an upstream receptacle on a device that uses a
removable cable, e.g. a printer.
USB-C (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Serial_Bus#USB-B):
The 24-pin double-sided connector is slightly larger than the micro-B
connector, with a USB-C port measuring 8.4 millimetres (0.33 in) by 2.6
 millimetres (0.10 in). Two kinds (genders) of connectors exist, female
PRODUCT CATEGORY MANUFACTURER 
(receptacle) and male (plug). Plugs are found on cables and adapters.
Receptacles are found on devices and adapters.
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Micro-B
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Serial_Bus#Mini_and_Micro):
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Micro plugs have a similar width as the Minis but approximately half the
thickness. These enable integration into thinner portable devices.
Micro-AB (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_On-The-Go): This
receptacle is capable of accepting either a Micro-A plug or a Micro-B
plug

Other ports

eSata
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esata#External_SATA): External Serial Advanced Technology Attachment,
standardised in 2004, provides a variant of SATA meant for external
connectivity. Note that eSATA connectors are keyed differently than
standard SATA, and that NO power is transferred over the eSATA bus or
cables (in other words, you need a separate power source for your
eSATA devices.)
DisplayPort (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Displayport): Is a digital
display interface standard put forth by the Video Electronics Standards
Association (VESA) since 2006. DisplayPort has been embraced by
ATI/AMD and is required to run 3 or more monitors in an Eyefinity
configuration.
MiniDP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Displayport): A miniaturised
version of the standard DisplayPort.
PCMCIA
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCMCIA): Personal Computer Memory Card International Association
(or, more commonly, PC Card (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PC_Card))
was used in a wide range of products (typically for laptops) such as WiFi,
networking and flash memory. Other terms often associated with
PCMCIA are Card Bus and its successor, ExpressCard; however,