USBportok

USBportok are standardized physical sockets and electrical interfaces used by the Universal Serial Bus (USB) to connect computers and other devices. They enable both data transfer and power delivery between a host controller and USB peripherals, and they are designed for plug-and-play and hot-swapping, so devices can be connected or disconnected without rebooting the system.

The term encompasses a variety of connector types and port configurations. Common connectors include USB Type-A, USB Type-B, micro-USB, and USB-C. Type-A ports are the traditional rectangular connectors found on many computers and hubs, while Type-B ports are typical on printers and certain peripherals. USB-C is a small, reversible connector that supports higher data rates and power levels and is increasingly used on both hosts and devices. USB ports can be host ports (on a computer or hub) or device ports (on peripherals), and many devices use USB-C to serve in either role depending on the system.

USB standards define data transfer speeds and power capabilities. USB 1.1 offered 12 Mbps, USB 2.0 reached 480 Mbps, and USB 3.x introduced speeds up to 5, 10, or more Gbps with USB 3.2. USB4 provides up to about 40 Gbps and supports higher power delivery. Power delivery with USB-C can negotiate up to 100 watts, enabling charging of laptops and other high-demand devices. In practice, USB ports are used for storage, peripherals, charging, and increasingly for docking and display connections through compatible hubs and adapters.