We use cookies to improve your online experience. By continuing browsing this website, we assume you agree our use of cookies.
News and Events

What ports does a USB hub have and what are they used for?

Views : 240
Author : PURPLELEC
Update time : 2024-08-02 10:53:38
  If you ask most people to write down all the ports they know, they’ll probably think of USB, HDMI, and maybe Ethernet. But if you search for USB hubs on e-commerce platforms, you’ll see some with 12 ports, 13 ports, or even more!
USB hubs
  What are these ports? What are they all used for?
  1. Power Input Port
  This port, usually labeled “PD-IN” on the outside of the hub, is where you plug your laptop’s charger in to provide pass-through power to both the hub and the connected laptop.
  2. USB-A Port
  USB-A ports are the most common type of USB port, so they’re often called USB ports. This port is used to connect most external devices, such as keyboards, mice, USB flash drives, and so on.
  3. USB-C Port
  USB-C ports can be used for charging, transferring files, and even connecting to external displays. But that’s not always the case. Before buying a USB-C hub or docking station, be sure to read the fine print to understand exactly what the USB-C port does.
  4. HDMI Port
  HDMI is the most commonly used video transmission interface at present. HDMI can transmit digital audio and video signals at the same time, and its anti-interference ability is relatively strong. The resolution you can achieve depends not only on the HDMI type, but also on the specifications of your USB-C hub/dock and laptop.
  5. DisplayPort
  DisplayPort is still quite rare, but its specifications are generally better than HDMI, making it a popular choice for gamers. Like HDMI, DisplayPort also transmits audio and video signals.
  6. SD/microSD Card Slot
  The SD in SD card stands for Secure Digital Memory Card. SD is larger than microSD card. These memory cards are generally used in cameras and sometimes in mobile phones. Currently, Purplelec hubs and docking stations mainly use SD 3.0 and SD 4.0 card slots.
  7. 3.5 mm AUX Port
  This port is also called an audio jack or headphone jack and is used to connect audio devices such as headphones, speakers, and even microphones. It supports audio input and output.
  8. Ethernet port
  Currently, the only option for USB-C hubs in terms of network connectivity is a Gigabit Ethernet port. This gives you a transfer rate of 1 Gbps and a theoretical download speed of 125 MB/s.
  Some hubs support 2.5 Gbps Ethernet, but they are fairly rare.