USB, Wi-Fi & Bluetooth DECODED

If you buy a new computer today, it’s sure to have at least one USB connector – but what sort? And if you’re buying a new laptop, what should you look out for? Manufacturers throw around terms such as USB 3.1, Gen2 and USB-C, but the meanings are far from obvious.

First, let’s review our history. The original USB 1 specification was released in 1996, and supported data transfers at up to 12Mbits/sec – which was more than fast enough for an era when dial-up internet connections topped out at 56Kbits/sec. The USB connector could power lightweight devices, supplying 500mA of power at 5V, over a standard cable with a rectangular Type-A plug at one end and a square-ish Type-B connector at the other.

USB quickly became popular, but it was starting to feel sluggish by 2000, as add-ons such as external hard disks and digital cameras grew in number. The design of the connectors was also causing problems: a standard Type-B socket was around 12mm wide and nearly 17mm deep, making it very hard to accommodate into compact or portable devices. Thus USB 2 was born, which introduced a new “High Speed” connection mode running at 480Mbits/sec, along with the mini-USB Type-B connector – a much shorter plug shaped something like