Find out more about USB compatibility and the differences between USB versions here. What are the different types of USB connectors?

You'll also want to pay attention to what each cable is made of. Some offer poor designs that can lead to accelerated aging or fraying over time, while others can withstand harsh weather conditions for years on end.With these cables, the type is whichever end of the cable isn’t the standard USB Type-A connector. So, for example, a cable with both a USB Type-A and a Type-C connector is a USB Type-C cable. Ethernet is the most reliable way to connect to the internet. While you can use Wi-Fi for a wire-free experience, ethernet offers better stability, and your browsing experience will be marred by lesser disconnections too. Unfortunately, laptop manufacturers have seemingly given up on the ethernet port in a bid to make sleeker notebooks. But, fret not. If you’re a power user who is vying for a reliable internet connection, follow our recommendation for the best USB to ethernet adapters. Ethernet adapters can be used with both USB-A or USB-C ports. So, whether you have an old Windows laptop or the latest MacBook, there’s an Ethernet adapter for everyone. Apart from servicing your ethernet needs, some adapters come with additional ports or SD card slots as well. That said, here are some USB-A and USB-C to ethernet adapters for your MacBook and Windows computers.

Ensure your office environment has sufficient opportunities for charging USB devices by considering the number and types of ports in the charging station. Our recommended USB charging hub: In most modern technology devices, there will be some form of USB connection available to connect equipment. Despite supposedly being universal, there are different variations of USB types and versions; including what connectors and cables each can use. CMD are a British manufacturing company that provides high-power systems to enhance office and homeworking environments. We provide vast product ranges, including power distribution systems and workstation power charging hubs. Some cables have the same connector at both ends and are named accordingly—for example, a USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable. Interested in USB charging for the office?

If the cable has a Type-A connector at one end (as in the above image), that will usually be the first type. The second will be the shape of connector that will plug into your device. Category 6 cable appeared at the start of the 21st century and remains popular with home networkers. Category 6 runs at up to 250MHz and sometimes used shielding around the bundle of data-carrying wires to reduce interference. Capable of moving up to 1Gbps over 330 feet, or 10Gbps for about half that, Cat 6A upgraded the spec to 500MHz for 330 feet of 1Gbps throughput. (See our primer on Gigabit-speed internet to learn why that 1Gbps threshold is so important.) Although it's not recognized by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), Category 7 cable debuted in 2010 and is aimed at data centers and server rooms where top speed counts. Each cable is double-shielded: around each pair of wires and an overall shield around the entire bundle of wires. This extra isolation is needed because the 600MHz frequency used can push a maximum of 10Gbps over 330 feet. More recently, the introduction of Cat 7A cable increases the speed to 1GHz and throughput to 40Gbps, but tops out at 165 feet. Cat 8 Cable: The new 2GHz speed limit It is important to remember that your laptop may not be able to charge the device, despite having a USB Type C port. MacBooks can, however, other computers might only charge with their own charger. Often referred to as “male”, as they plug into a “female” port, it is important to understand that there are two elements of USB standard to consider; the physical connector shape and the underlying protocol (speed). USB Type A

There is also the USB Type B Mini, primarily found on digital cameras, USB hubs, and external hard drives, and the USB Type B Micro which is used by modern Android phones. USB Type C Fast-forward to the early 1990s and Category 3 cable, which is often called the first modern networking cable, boosted the cable's frequency to 16MHz and Ethernet performance to 10Mbps. By contrast, Category 4 cable pushed this to 20Mhz and roughly 16Mbps but it was used for Token Ring – rather than Ethernet – networks. In this guide, we will explore the different types of USB connectors, ports and cables, and answer the most frequently asked questions on how each works. USB C is not as common as USB Type A and B, despite the additional benefits. Interested in workstation power? You’ll typically find USB Type B ports on larger devices you connect to your computer, such as printers and scanners. You might also have external storage devices or drives that use them.Although USB Type A is still the most used connector, the USB Type C are becoming increasingly more popular. Type C connectors differ in appearance compared to the previous USB types, as they are asymmetrical and have a small and thin appearance. One major difference is that the USB C is reversible; meaning it does not matter which way the connector is facing. Note: If your Mac doesn’t have a built-in Ethernet port and you’re using an adapter, look for a service that contains the name of the adapter manufacturer or the type of adapter. For example, the service might be named [ manufacturer name] USB-C LAN, or just contain the model number of the adapter. Ethernet cables come in many different varieties, all with different specs and designs suited for different use cases. Some are better for having around your home, some better for outdoors, some better for gaming, and some that offer lightning-fast speeds.