USB, Wi-Fi & Bluetooth DECODED

Three technologies make it a breeze to connect devices together–but the jargon is anything but straight forward. Darien Graham-Smith sets out to demystify the various standards and specifications

If you buy a new computer today, it’s sure to have at least one USB connector – but what sort? And if you’re buying a new laptop, what should you look out for? Manufacturers throw around terms such as USB 3.1, Gen2 and USB-C, but the meanings are far from obvious. First, let’s review our history. The original USB 1 specification was released in 1996, and supported data transfers at up to 12Mbits/sec – which was more than fast enough for an era when dial-up internet connections topped out at 56Kbits/sec. The USB connector could power lightweight devices, supplying 500mA of power at 5V, over a standard cable with a rectangular Type-A plug at one end and a square-ish Type-B connector at the other. USB quickly became popular, but it was starting…

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PC Pro (Digital) - 1 Issue, February 2021

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