Different Types of USB Cables Used in Computing Devices Worldwide

Smartphone users mostly see USB cables as charging cables, but computer users see it as data cables. Unlike modern smartphones that mostly employ USB-C ports or the less common Micro USB ports, USB cables are a part of a big and extended family.

USB, also known as Universal Serial Bus, was first developed in the 1990s. It started out as a niche communication port with associated cables but has quickly evolved into the numerous variants that we have today. USB cables can be easily bought online, and almost every Intel product available online has some form of USB support. Even the HDMI cables sold online have USB-to-HDMI converters are available.

Many USB cables look the same, confusing the average consumer. In order to know the differences better, here is a list of all available USB ports:

USB-A Port

These are commonly found on computers, as they are too large to be used on smartphones and hand-held devices. The ports that you see on computers such as laptops and desktops, the ones where you have probably plugged in a hard-drive, a mouse, a keyboard or a data cable, are USB-A ports. They are rectangular in size and are non-reversible connectors. Most converter USB cables sold online convert to USB-A from other types of connectors.

USB-B Ports

They look almost like USB-A ports, but they are square in shape, and the connectors used for the ports are slightly larger in height than USB-A connectors. You will find them in niche devices such as printers, old-model external hard drives, and scanners. They are an old standard and are gradually being replaced by USB-A ports, which is still used in all kinds of computers.

Micro-USB Ports

These are tiny USB ports that first appeared in smartphones of the early 2000s. The ports have a ‘trapezium’ shaped cross-section with tiny connectors in them. They were first used as charging ports, however, they gradually evolved into being able to transfer data at good speeds. While they became standard in smartphones later, they are gradually being phased out in favor of newer USB-C ports.

USB-C Ports

While they were also designed as a niche connector port like USB-B, their small size meant they took up less space than USB-A ports. USB-C is a big step forward in the development and evolution of USB because of their higher speed and ability to connect the USB connectors reversibly. They have the appearance of a rectangle but with oval sides with the pins attached in the center. They usually support USB 2.1 or 3 standards. They are the very first USB ports that can be universally used in both smartphones and computers. Because it is a new standard and there are not many USB-C devices available, manufacturers aren’t adopting it as widely as they should. Nevertheless, most modern computers include at least one USB-C port in addition to your regular USB-A ports for wider compatibility with computer accessories. Some of them like Apple have completely ditched USB-A in favor of USB-C on their newer laptops. USB-C ports take up less space and are the best option for slimmer computers.

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