Why are there are three types of USB ports.?

Question

I am trying to decide on specs for a new computer. Are there different connectors for each port. Or do you want all three for flexibility

Answer 1

No, the connctors are identical. It's just that the USB specification has changed over the years, and newer USB 2.0 ports are faster- if you plug an old USB 1.1 device into a USB 2.0 port, it just operates at the lower speed. The ports are completely backward-compatible, so there's no advantage to having older ones.

Answer 2

The same reason I need 100 different bits for my ratcheting screwdriver... manufacturers don't like people messing with their stuff and they want to make more money selling adapters and cables. Also, some devices don't have the room for the normal connection, but that really only explains why there are two.
(by the way there are more than 3, I know of at least 5 different types of USB connectors)
Or do you mean 1.x, 2.0(aka high speed), and PlusPower, because 1.x and 2.0 both use the same connectors and I believe PlusPower uses it's own special connector that is somewhat compatible with the most common USB 1 and 2 connector.
To cut it short, most devices use USB 2.0 with the standard "Type A" or "A-type" connection whose end looks like a long rectangle so either that or maybe mix in a PlusPower port or two just in case.

Answer 3

I guess you are wondering about one end of the USB cable.
PC has only one kind of "female" USB port. You will use a cable with one end (male) fitting the USB port, and the other end, also a "male" end would plug into a device, which actually has 4 kinds. The smallest one would go to a "female" USB port of a small device (watch, very small camera, etc..), the second smallest end, usually and popular, would plug to a digital camera, card readers, etc...; the third one will plug to a printer, external hard disk, etc.., and the largest one is the same as the other end; well, some devices are large and simple enough to have a female port that size.
Firewire is not USB port, if I remember correctly.
Hope this is what you are looking for.

Answer 4

All the usb in a new puter will be 2.0. there are USB headers on the board to hook up front usb ports and rear usb pci plates if your motherboard comes with one. Nowadays--the more USB ports you have the better.

Answer 5

your mobo should only have one form factor for the usb they are all the same thats why its universal the cables have difernt ends to fit in diferent devices. if its not the same shape as the usb its something else firewire or something