Computer Hardware
USB
Definition
Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an industry standard that establishes specifications for cables, connectors and protocols for connection, communication and power supply between computers, peripherals and other computers.
Why It Matters
USB unified the world of peripherals. Before USB, computers had a confusing array of different ports for keyboards, mice, printers, etc. USB created a single, universal standard that is simple to use and provides power to devices.
Contextual Example
You connect your keyboard, mouse, external hard drive, and charge your phone all using USB ports on your computer.
Common Misunderstandings
- There have been many versions of USB, each increasing in speed (USB 2.0, 3.0, 4).
- The physical connector shape (like USB-A, Micro-USB, and USB-C) is separate from the underlying protocol version. For example, a USB-C port can support different USB versions or even other protocols like Thunderbolt.