Computer Port Guide for Laptops

Here, I have compiled a little information that you would need to know about each laptop computer port... This computer port guide is intended to explain ports for the most common peripherals.

computer port guide

Most computer ports can only be used for connecting specific peripherals like a modem port for the modem or a monitor port for the monitor only. Some computer ports will fit a couple of different devices like the printer and scanner. But only one computer port can be used for pretty much anything - and it's the USB port.

USB - Short for Universal Serial Bus.

How each common computer port used in laptop computers looks like:

Port Name	Port Picture	Used to Connect	Description
Serial		Older Mouse, older Digital Camera, older Handheld	9-pin, male
Parallel		Printer, Scanner	25-pin, female
PS/2		Mouse, Keyboard	6-pin, female
Monitor (VGA Port)		Monitor - Flat Panel or Regular	15-pin, female. Attached to a Video card.
Power		Low voltage DC Power Adapter
Phone Modem (RJ-11)		Phone Line	Attached to a 56K Modem card
10/100 Ethernet (RJ-45 NIC)		DSL Modem or Cable Modem or Network	Attached to an Ethernet PCI card (NIC card). Looks like oversized phone jack
TV		TV Converter	4-pin female
USB		Laptop Docking Station, USB Port Replicator, USB Sound Blaster, Printer, Keyboard, Mouse, Digital Camera, Handheld, External CD/DVD/RW Drives, External Battery, External Hard Drive, Anything with USB connector	USB symbol -
Stereo Sound In & Out		Computer Speakers, Microphone, Stereo Headphones	Usually located three together. Attached to a Sound card

How to use a USB computer port

Multiple USB ports can be added to your cheap laptop by connecting a USB Hub with 4 or 7 USB ports - see my page about port replicators.

The USB computer port has become a universal port these days. Today, you can pretty much plug anything into the USB port because most peripherals are supplied with USB connectors. And even when a device is not supplied with the USB connector, you can still buy an adapter to convert your connector to an USB connector.

Also see FireWire Computer Ports.