Attaching Devices Guide
Socket Guide
Socket Guide
The following table shows pictures of PC sockets, gives their names, and their most common uses. If you have problems identifying a socket that’s not listed, please call us on 0131 339 9448 or email contactus@tabardit.co.uk and we can help identify it.
If you plug a device into your PC using the incorrect socket or lead, you may end up damaging both the PC and the device!
Socket
Plug
Description
Power
Where you plug in the power; most desktop computers use the connection shown, but laptops use a wide range of different connectors and separate power supplies.
Socket
Plug
Description
USB A & B
Used amongst other things for printers, scanners, external hard disc drives, memory sticks etc. It comes in several speeds, the faster sockets are usually labeled SS (super speed) or with the speed in megabits or gigabits per second (Mbps or GBps) - the higher the number, the faster the connection. If you have a choice between USB A/B or USB C, go for C if possible.
Socket
Plug
Description
USB C
Used for supplying power to phones, tablets and laptops, as well as high speed connections to external hard disc drives, docking stations, memory sticks etc. Usually much faster than USB A/B and easier to connect as it doesn't have a right way round!
Socket
Plug
Description
Ethernet
Connects the computer to a local area network and/or broadband internet. Not all computers will have this type of connector, but it’s the easiest and best way to connect to the internet if you have a modem or router that supports ethernet.
Socket
Plug
Description
HDMI
The most common way to connect a monitor. A lot of computers (desktops and laptops) will have this type of connector, although some slim laptops now only have USB-C.
Socket
Plug
Description
DisplayPort (DP)
A less common but high quality way to connect a monitor. Some computers (desktops and less commonly laptops) will have this type of connector, although HDMI if more prevalent.
Socket
Plug
Description
VGA
Previously the most common way to connect to a monitor, but largely overtaken by HDMI.
Other types of connector:
Socket
Plug
Description
PS/2
Used to be used for mouse and keyboard – the keyboard socket & connector were often purple/mauve, and the mouse green.
Socket
Plug
Description
Serial or COM port
Older generation machines use these instead of USB sockets to connect to printers and the like. Some connections still use serial ports, such as factory machinery and lab kit.
Socket
Plug
Description
Parallel port
Used to connect printers before USB and network connections took over. Parallel cables are limited in length to about 2 metres – anything longer and you can get signal interference causing problems printing.
Socket
Plug
Description
Firewire
Originally used for connecting digital video cameras and hard disc drives, this device runs around about the speed of USB2 but USB-C has overtaken it. The 6-pin connector is shown – there is also a smaller 4-pin version and adapters to connect the two.
Socket
Plug
Description
Modem/Phone Line
Connects the computer to a phone line to allow dial-up access to the internet and sending and receiving of faxes. Many computers have a modem built-in, but if you have broadband, you might not need to use it – in fact, if you don’t use your modem, it’s safest to disconnect the phone completely.
Socket
Plug
Description
Comparison between modem and ethernet connectors
These two connectors are quite similar, so this picture shows how the ethernet connector is slightly wider. In fact, the phone connector will physically fit into the ethernet socket, but you shouldn’t plug it in.
Socket
Plug
Description
DVI
Largely unused now, this was an update of the VGA connector for monitors and displays which use pure digital signals; some computers will have both VGA and DVI connectors; if you only have the option to use VGA or DVI, choose DVI, otherwise go for HDMI or DisplayPort.