what port do you use to connect a docking station to a laptop
A Guide to Reckoner Ports and Adapters
Today's computers and mobile devices are available with a broad array of ports, from traditional USB to newfangled USB Blazon-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports. Even if you're familiar with the well-nigh mutual connectors, information technology can nonetheless be a claiming to effigy out what wires or adapters yous demand in order to plug your device into a monitor, TV, network or peripheral.
When you're shopping for a new laptop, a two-in-ane or a hulking desktop PC, y'all'll also want to keep ports in mind. If you demand to attach to a item type of device on the get, you'll benefit from having that connector built-in or, at least, knowing what kind of adapter to pair with your new system. That'southward why we've assembled a comprehensive list of ports, along with the type and toll of adapters you'll need to use if you don't have the correct connectors on born.
Also Known Equally: Headphone jack Description: The near common audio jack in the world, the iii.5mm 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 ii audio jacks for mic and headphone, virtually current models incorporate both into the aforementioned port. A handful of 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 device or get an adapter. If you have an iPhone, get a Lightning to 3.5mm cable (opens in new tab) or Lightning headset (opens in new tab). If you have a USB Type-C-powered device, get a Type-C to 3.5mm adapter (opens in new tab) or Type-C headphones (opens in new tab).
Also Known Every bit: RJ-45, Gigabit Ethernet, 10/100 Ethernet Description: Found primarily on business laptops and on desktops, this port allows yous to connect directly to wired networks. While Wi-Fi continues to improve, having the option to plug in via Ethernet is really valuable, peculiarly when you lot're in a hotel or other location where the wireless bespeak is poor. Some spec sheets refer to this port every bit "Gigabit Ethernet" or "10/100 Ethernet," but all mod laptops and desktops with this port operate at up to ane Gbps, no matter how they are marketed. Adapters Needed: If you don't have an Ethernet port built-in, you lot can purchase a USB-to-Ethernet adapter (opens in new tab) for $fifteen to $30, depending on whether you are connecting to a USB Type-Cor traditional, USB Blazon-A port. You can also get Ethernet by connecting to a docking station.
Description: This popular port is the most common one for connecting to TVs and also appears on many external monitors and projectors. Depending on your laptop's or desktop's graphics bill of fare, the machine'due south HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) port may be able to output at upwards to 4K resolution. However, you cannot output to dual displays from a single port. HDMI sends audio along with its video, then if your monitor or Television receiver has speakers, you'll get audio. If your computer has HDMI-out and your external display has DVI, you tin convert from one to the other with an adapter that costs less than $10. While most laptops that have HDMI use the full-size port, in that location are a few superslim devices that employ mini HDMI connectors. These are a bit smaller, and it's more difficult to detect adapters for them. Adapters Needed: If yous need to connect to DVI, an HDMI-to-DVI plug (opens in new tab) costs under $10. For effectually $25, you lot tin get an adapter that goes from USB Type-C to HDMI (opens in new tab), provided that your Type-C supports video. If yous want to go from an HDMI port on your computer to a DisplayPort on your monitor, you lot'll need a rather-pricey active converter that requires its own power connectedness and that costs over $30. Unpowered DisplayPort-to-HDMI cables won't work.
Description: DisplayPort is the nigh advanced brandish-connection standard today, with the power to output to a single monitor at 4K resolution and sixty Hz, or up to 3 monitors at total HD (using a hub or dock). Virtually laptops that have DisplayPort either use the smaller, mini DisplayPort connector or send their DisplayPort signals out of a USB Type-C port. A lot of monitors and most TVs don't have DisplayPort connectors, but you can output to an HDMI-capable screen with a wire or adapter (opens in new tab) that costs under $ten. Like HDMI, DisplayPort tin can output audio on the aforementioned cable every bit video. Adapters Needed: If y'all want to output to more than one DisplayPort monitor from a single mini DisplayPort on a laptop, you'll need a multi-stream transport (MST) hub (opens in new tab), which costs between $70 and $100 and needs power. A unmarried USB Type-C-to-DisplayPort (opens in new tab) or micro DisplayPort-to-full DisplayPort (opens in new tab) cable costs just over $10.
Besides Known As: DVI-D, DVI-I, Dual-Link DVI Clarification: While you lot'll never run into a laptop with DVI (digital visual interface)-out, almost every monitor with a full-HD resolution or beneath has i, so practise many desktops. Often, DVI will exist your all-time input pick every bit 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 x 1200 at 60 Hz, the standard refresh charge per unit, but requires a second connection (aka, dual-link DVI) to ability a 2K or 4K monitor. Most mainstream USB docking stations characteristic at least one DVI-out port. Adapters Needed: Yous can get an HDMI-to-DVI cable (opens in new tab) for under $10 and a DisplayPort-to-DVI (opens in new tab) cable for nether $fifteen. Though going from DVI-out to VGA (opens in new tab) requires a $5 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 $100.
Also Known As: microSD menu slot, microSDHC reader, microSDXC Description: This slot reads tiny microSD retentiveness cards, the kind that smartphones apply for external storage. If your laptop or tablet has very limited internal storage and yous take the reader, getting one of these cheap cards (under $xx for 64GB) could really aid you out. Yous tin can fifty-fifty install Windows 10 apps on a microSD card. Adapters Needed: If you don't accept a built-in slot, you tin can become a USB-based external microSD reader (opens in new tab) for under $ten.
Likewise Known As: three-in-one card reader, four-in-1 card reader, v-in-1 card reader, SDHC carte du jour reader Description: This is a slot that you can use to read the memory cards from a digital camera. If yous frequently transfer pictures from a DSLR or mirrorless photographic camera to your laptop or desktop, having a built-in reader is a huge convenience. Adapters Needed: If yous don't have a built-in SD card reader, yous can buy one (opens in new tab) that connects via USB for under $10.
Also Known Every bit: USB Blazon-A, Regular USB Description: USB (universal series autobus) is the most mutual laptop and desktop connector by far. The typical USB port is known equally USB Type-A and has a simple, rectangular shape. Depending on the hardware, it can be capable of either USB-two.0 or USB-iii.0 speeds. Nosotros listing more types of USB below. Y'all can 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 DisplayLink technology within.
Description: You won't find this square connector on any computer, but many hubs, docking stations and printers use information technology every bit an input port. For these devices, you'll need a USB Type-A–to–Type-B wire (opens in new tab), which typically comes with the peripheral.
Also Known As: USB-C Clarification: This slim USB port is the connector of the futurity, already available on a number of devices and likely to replace USB Type-A, USB Blazon-B and microUSB on all new systems in the near future. Because it'south much thinner than its predecessors, Type-C can fit on extremely svelte laptops similar the MacBook 12-inch and Asus ZenBook three. Information technology's too reversible, and then yous never have to worry near putting your plug in upside down. For meliorate or worse, USB Type-C ports can support a number of different standards, merely non all of them offer the same functionality. Type-C can transfer files at either USB 3.ane gen 1 (5 Gbps) or USB 3.ane gen 2 (10 Gbps) speeds. It tin accept USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) and so you can charge your laptop with it. It as well sends DisplayPort signals out via its "alt style," and information technology can even operate every bit a Thunderbolt port. Manufacturers can betoken compatibility with USB 3.i gen 2 with an "SS 10" logo or power delivery with a battery logo, just nosotros don't come across these marks ofttimes. Nosotros do frequently see a lightning bolt next to the port, which indicates that it doubles equally a Thunderbolt 3 port and tin support the highest transfer rates and video out. Adapters Needed: If you take 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 (opens in new tab) for under $10.
Also Known Equally: High-speed USB, USB 2 Clarification: Capable of transferring data at up to 480 Mbps, USB 2.0 is the most mutual speed of USB and works effectively with the majority of peripherals. A USB 2.0 port tin come in a diverseness of shapes, including Type-A (rectangular), Type-B (foursquare), mini or micro USB. On laptops and desktops, a USB ii.0 port will ever exist Type-A, while on tablets and phones, it will likely be micro USB.
Also Known As: SuperSpeed USB, USB 3 Description: Nifty for external difficult drives, SSDs and high-res docking stations, USB three.0 has a maximum transfer charge per unit of five Gbps, more than x times that of its predecessor, USB 2.0. Ports for USB 3 are automatically backward-compatible with USB 2.0 cables and devices. USB iii ports on a reckoner use a rectangular, blazon-A connector and are normally indistinguishable from their older counterparts. Sometimes these SuperSpeed ports will have a light bluish colour or a tiny "SS" logo adjacent to them to indicate their higher transfer charge per unit, but not always.
Also Known As: USB three.1, SuperSpeed USB Clarification: USB 3.ane gen 1 is a connection protocol that's the same five-Gbps speed equally USB 3.0, but information technology works only on USB Blazon-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 three.1 devices may back up USB Ability Delivery, which allows them to receive or send power at upwardly to 100 watts, enough to charge most laptops. Adapters Needed: A USB iii.ane port has to employ a Blazon-C connector, then it requires standard Type-C wires (opens in new tab).
Also Known As: USB 3.ane, SuperSpeed+ USB, SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps Description: USB 3.ane Gen two is just like USB 3.1 gen 1, but with double the throughput, transferring data at up to 10 Gbps. It's astern-uniform with USB Adapters Needed: USB 3.1 Gen 2 requires a Type-C connector, just to get it at full speed, you need to make sure your cable is rated for 10 Gbps. Cables first at around $16.
As well Known As: Micro-B, microUSB Clarification: This pocket-size port is the charging connector of pick for smartphones and low-power tablets, just you probably won't see it on a laptop or desktop. Regular micro USB ports support USB 2.0 speeds (480 Mbps), only at that place are a few devices, mostly external hard drives, that have micro USB 3.0 ports which take some extra pins and offer faster transfer rates. Yous can still use micro USB two.0 wires and connectors in the micro USB 3.0 ports, all the same. Adapters Needed: To connect your laptop to a phone or your low-end tablet to its Air-conditioning adapter, you'll need a USB Type-A–to–micro USB (opens in new tab) cable, which costs effectually $5. You tin can go a Type-C–to–micro USB adapter (opens in new tab) for nether $10.
Likewise Known As: Mini-B, mini USB Description: Much less common than microUSB, the slightly larger mini USB is establish on some external hard drives, game controllers (PS3 controllers for case) and other accessories. Y'all won't see mini USB as a port on any computer, tablet or phone, but you can easily get a wire that goes from Blazon-A, Blazon-C or micro USB to mini USB. Adapters Needed: A Type-A–to–mini USB cablevision (opens in new tab) costs under $5, a Type-C–to–mini (opens in new tab) is available for under $10 and a micro USB-to-mini USB adapter goes for less than $5.
Also Known As: Thunderbolt Description: The fastest common connectedness on the market today, Thunderbolt 3 can transfer data at upwardly to 40 Gbps, four times faster than the fastest USB connection (USB 3.ane gen 2). This high-speed standard tin can likewise output to up to two 4K monitors at once, because a single port carries dual DisplayPort signals. On several new devices yous can utilize Thunderbolt 3 to connect to an external graphics card, which allows y'all to play high-end games on an otherwise slim laptop. All Thunderbolt 3 ports use USB Type-C connections and double as USB Blazon-C ports, allowing them to connect to an entire universe of USB peripherals and, in most cases, to charge a laptop or tablet. Before Thunderbolt 3, which started appearing in laptops at the stop of 2015, at that place 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: Y'all can get a Thunderbolt 3 cable (opens in new tab) for under $25, but be sure to read the specs before you buy; non all Thunderbolt cables can handle the full twoscore 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 $200. You tin also use whatsoever USB Type-C cable, dock or device with a Thunderbolt three port. A Thunderbolt 3-to-Thunderbolt adapter for attaching to legacy Thunderbolt devices is pricey, going for over $100. More than: Thunderbolt three Explained: Why You Need the Earth'south Fastest Port
Description: The great granddad of video outputs, VGA (video graphics array) dates all the way back to 1987 just is still commonplace on many monitors and projectors today. However, because the xv-pivot connector is rather mesomorphic, you won't find too many current-gen laptops or desktops that have VGA-out. Information technology is an analog connection, which could atomic number 82 to indicate degradation over longer cables, and it outputs at only up to 1920 ten 1200, and so it'due south the least desirable port. Adapters Needed: Yous tin can't catechumen VGA to any other display standard (DVI, DisplayPort, HDMI), only you tin plug any other connector into a VGA monitor with an inexpensive wire or adapter. You can get DVI-to-VGA (opens in new tab), HDMI-to-VGA (opens in new tab) or DisplayPort-to-VGA (opens in new tab) converters for under $ten.
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Source: https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/port-and-adapter-guide
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