USB ports with the lightning symbol on the label indicate a port that’s “Always On”. If the USB port has “SS” (or “SuperSpeed”) on its label, it’s a USB 3.0 port. A USB port with just the USB symbol labeled is typically a USB 2.0 port. The version number specifies how fast USB devices can transfer files. Check for any labels on your ports that are marked as 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 3.0, or 3.1. Manufacturers sometimes label the ports with what USB port type they are. With Type-C ports in place, there’s no need for dedicated video display ports like HDMI and DisplayPort. Type-C devices also support video input and output.

This enables Type-C cables to charge laptop batteries, and not just phones and tablets. The Type-C USB connector, also based on the 3.1 standard, can support up to 100 watts of power. A device where this is relevant is the external hard drive, as a 3.0 port would no longer require a hard drive to have its own power supply included. What this means is that the newer the port, the more energy it can bring to a connected device.

USB 2.0 is capable of delivering up to 500mA of power, while 3.0 can deliver up to 900mA.

USB 3.0 updates this standard and allows for simultaneous sending and receiving.Īnother difference between the different versions is the amount of power they can deliver. USB 2.0 ports are uni-directional, which means that it can only send or receive data, but never both. Here are the current USB port types that are currently in use and their transfer rate: Transfer rate definition: Transfer rate is the maximum rate in which the USB device is able to transfer data from one end to another. The main differences between the various USB versions are its transfer rate and the amount of power they can supply. USB has had multiple iterations since its inception in 1995.

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