Cables
What Are USB Cables?
USB, or universal serial bus cables are a popular cable type that are used to connect computers to other devices, such as phones, cameras, printers, and more.
USB cables are:
- Fast — they can transfer at up to 480 megabits per second (Mbps).
- Capable of carrying power
- “Hot Pluggable” — meaning you can connect and disconnect them without freezing your computer
- Designed with different connector types for different devices, such as USB-A, B, and C
What Are HDMI Cables?
HDMI cables, or high-definition multimedia interface cables, are used to transmit digital audio and video from a source to a display system. Common uses include connecting video from a laptop or cable box to a computer monitor or TV.
HDMI cables:
- Come in six different types that vary in bandwidth and resolution
- Are available in three sizes: standard, mini, and micro
- Are available in both male and female versions
What Is a DisplayPort Cable?
A DisplayPort cable is used to connect a video source to a display device like a television or computer monitor, similar to an HDMI cable.
Display Port cables:
- Have higher bandwidth than HDMI cables
- Are useful when you want to connect multiple monitors to your computer
- Can support audio and other data
What Is a VGA Cable?
A VGA cable, or a video graphics array cable, is used to connect a computer to a display device by transmitting analog video signals from the CPU to the monitor. VGA is a relatively old cable type and is rarely used today.
VGA cables:
- Only transmit video, not audio
- Can be used male-to-male
- Are usually used when HDMI isn’t available
What Are Power Cables?
A power cable is an electrical cable that is used to transmit electrical power. They utilize a combination of electrical conductors concealed by a sheath.
Power cables:
- Are the primary ways in which devices get power
- Plug into a wall socket
- Can usually be universally used
What Are Ethernet Cables?
Ethernet cables are used to physically connect your computer or device to the internet by connecting it to a modem or wifi router.
Ethernet cables:
- Are generally faster and more stable than wireless internet
- Come in six categories with different speeds
- Can be used to connect different devices (patch cables) or same devices (cross-over cables)
