(illustrations to be inserted at a later date)
For video connectors please see the article: “A primer on monitors”
Thunderbolt ports are used not just for displaying video but also for devices such as external disk drives. As well as ethernet adapters, including peer-to-peer networks that can transfer data between two computers at higher speeds. External graphics cards are also a way to utilize thunderbolt, this can be used to provide better graphics capabilities to laptops, they would not otherwise be able to use a different graphics card. These ports are often connected to docking stations when connected to laptops. Docking stations come in various types, with a variety of port types included. They can include HDMI ports, network ports, USB ports, headphone jacks, and many more combinations and options.
The newest version of USB is USB C, current thunderbolt ports use the USB C connection standard. This type of port connector has the advantage of having no “right side up” like previous versions of USB. Attaching peripherals is just a matter of plug-and-go. Some examples of USB C devices include headsets, and charging ports currently on some phones such as Samsung, with more phones adopting this in the future. Besides charging these ports can also be used for transferring data to and from phones including non-USB C such as Apple ones with adapters. The USB C standard can be used not only for video but for audio and security cameras as well. Besides data USB C also provides power, so it can be used to charge a laptop faster than before, it can also be used to charge USB C-equipped cell phones.
The older version of the USB port uses the rectangular one-way A plug that can only be connected one way. It is still found in many devices for a wide variety of peripherals. These include printers, keyboards, mice, and other pointing devices, network adapters, and USB hubs that allow even more devices to be connected. Also, there are headsets, webcams, microphones, barcode scanners, and MIDI devices (Musical instrument digital interface). These devices are items like piano-style keyboards or electronic drums. USB A can also be used for charging devices like cellular phones, tablets, wireless headsets, and even battery packs for toys and video game systems.
The eSata connector is used for external storage devices, like SSD drives, older style mechanical hard disk drives, and optical drives. Unlike previously mentioned connectors, it transfers data but does not supply power.
A parallel printer port that is generally not often used anymore but does appear in some POS (point of sale), equipment.
Serial also sometimes referred to as RS-232, is used in POS printers, some types of external equipment such as a GPS, LED and LCD displays such as store checkout displays, and bar code scanners.
The PS2 is a very old connector that was used for keyboards and mice, this standard is item specific so there is one connector for the keyboard as well as a separate one for the mouse. In this standard, the mouse plug was a green colour and the keyboard connector was a light purple.
An RJ45 network connector is used to connect to a network, most times this connection includes access to the internet. This is referred to as a wired connection and is a more reliable and faster connection than Wi-Fi. When this port is not available, mostly seen on laptops, either docking stations or USB adapters can be used.
A telephone connector is referred to as an RJ11 telephone connector, this is the same connector used in the home for telephone use. In computing, it is used for modem communications over telephone lines or sending and receiving faxes
For the sound connectors there are usually multiple connector receptacles, the color codes most often used are pale green for speakers, and pink for microphones. These are normally found in either home or gaming computers. Business computers do not normally have these ports beyond speakers and microphones. Often laptops have only a headphone port.
For desktops that do offer more ports, manufacturers vary in what they offer the following can be available.
Line in, a light blue colour used to connect an audio device to a computer. Most often devices with sound output like CD or DVD players, amplifiers, mixers, and some musical instruments almost all devices having an audio output. It is possible to connect your microphone to the line-in port, but it will be difficult to use, as the line-in is not amplified as much as the pink microphone port.
As mentioned before the pale green coloured port is used for speakers, headphones, or as a line-out. In setups that include multiple other ports for surround sound, this is used for the front speakers of the setup. Not all computers support surround sound the ones that do include the extra ports. The orange is for a center subwoofer or center speaker. Black is for rear speakers so that you can take advantage of media that supports breaking the sound into channels. Grey and or white are for side speakers. Having multiple speakers in surround sound gives the user an immersive experience of “being there”.
There are other types of ports and connectors that are not mentioned in this article. For best results refer to the computer or motherboard manual for your device.