What Does USB Port Mean
USB is a Universal Serial BUS, and it is the most popular port used to connect external devices to the laptop. USB has changed the way computers connect with different devices. USB ports can provide the following functions:
- You can connect peripheral devices with your laptop through the USB ports.
- Through USB ports, you are able to charge multiple devices
- You can also transfer data through these ports.
What Devices Can Be Plugged into the USB Port
Various devices can be connected to the laptop using the USB port:
- Smartphones
- Scanner
- Printer
- Keyboard
- Mouse
Different Types of USB Ports
Following are the various categories of a USB port:
| USB Cable Type | Shape | Devices | USB Ports |
| USB A | Flat and rectangular | Flash drives, keyboards, mice | USB 1.0, USB 2.0, USB 3.0 |
| USB B | Square | Scanners, printers, docking station | USB 2.0, USB 3.0 |
| USB C | Symmetrical oblong | Smartphones, headphones | USB 2.0, USB 3.0 |
| Mini A and B | Advil shaped | Digital cameras | USB 2.0 |
| Micro A and B | Rounded top and flat bottom | Video game controllers | USB 2.0, USB 3.0 |
| Lightning cable | Chip like flat | Apple’s devices | USB 2.0 |
Why Do We Need Additional USB Ports
Nowadays, laptops have a single port that allows you to connect only a single device. You need to have additional USB ports to connect multiple devices. You can connect more USB ports for multiple purposes to eliminate this limitation.
Add More USB Ports to a Laptop
You can use the following devices to add extra USB ports to your laptop:
1: USB Hub
The USB hub can support up to 127 different devices; it converts the one USB port of your computer into multiple ports, Plugs the one end of the USB hub into the laptop, then connects devices with the hub. The USB hub gathers the signals from multiple connected devices and transfers them to the laptop. The USB hub contains different types of ports packed in a shell. The quality of the USB hub varies with the price; the lesser the price, the lower the quality will be.
The USB hub has two different types:
- Powered Hub
- Unpowered Hub
i: Powered Hub
The Powered hubs are self-powered USB hubs; in a powered hub, there is an in-built power supply, which is more costly. If you must connect high-powered devices, buy a powered hub, as it can run more devices. To use a power hub, you need to connect the power hub’s end to the power supply and the other to the laptop.
ii: Unpowered Hub
In an unpowered hub, there is no built-in power supply, and it uses the laptop’s battery as a power source. You can use this hub if you are connecting self-powered devices like a keyboard and mouse. The unpowered hub is cheaper than the powered hub, and you don’t need to find a power outlet to connect it to your laptop.
2: USB Port Multipliers
The USB port multipliers are more likely to be USB power hubs, but they are even cheaper than USB hubs. It supports all the advanced devices to connect. Connect one side of the USB port multiplier with devices to be used and the other side with your laptop:
Why are USB Ports not Working
USB ports can stop working properly due to the dust particles stuck in them, and if there is a hardware failure with your laptop, then USB ports will also not work properly. USB ports can also stop functioning properly if the software is not compatible.
Conclusion
Many laptop manufacturers are reducing the number of ports to make slim laptops. Having only one or two USB ports in the laptop can also become an issue when connecting multiple devices. But the number of USB ports of a laptop can be increased using USB hubs and multipliers.
