USB confusion

[RussBLib]

I am looking for a new computer. I've decided against Apple because they have eliminated most all of the ports on their computers except for maybe a couple of Thunderbolt 4 ports. The last computer I bought was a 2013 iMac, and the many ports on this computer have changed dramatically since then. My 2013 iMac had about 8 ports on the back. Now on the new models there are maybe 2, and many things are wireless.

There is so much confusion, I get pretty damn frustrated. Years ago, I was on top of the computer world and all the plugs needed. Ever since I retired several years ago, the tech has exploded and I have not kept up.

I cannot find a clear explanation of the difference and uses for all the different USB configurations these days. It's so confusing I have a hard time verbalizing what I think I need.

Look at all these "Universal Serial Bus" ports! Universal my ass!
USB Mini A
USB Micro A
USB Micro B
USB Type C
USB-A
USB-B
USB-C
USB 2.0 Type A
USB 2.0 Type B
USB 2.0 Mini B
USB 2.0 Micro B
USB 3 Micro B
USB 3.0 Micro B
USB 3.0 Type A
USB 3.0 Type B
USB 3.1 Gen 1
USB 3.1 Gen 2
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (used to be called USB 3.0?)
USB 3.2 Gen 2 (used to be called USB 3.1?)
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2
USB 4
USB 4 Version 2
Thunderbolt 1
Thunderbolt 2
Thunderbolt 3
Thunderbolt 4

Which computers seem to have a multitude of ports, older and new? Dell? HP?

Which computers require you to have the most-current hardware? Apple?

Any kind of help - links to info? - would be greatly appreciated. I'm just spinning my wheels and getting nowhere but confused. And paralyzed.

[sinkingfeeling]

1. My older Lenovo lap top doesn't have many USB ports, so I bought a multi-port

gizmo that has 5 extra ones.

[RussBLib]

3. yeah, a bus for the busses

that's a good idea.

I use one on my iMac now with 4 USB plugs leading to one USB cable to the iMac. Could probably find one that claims theirs covers the most USB types or something to that effect.

Thanks.

[Fiendish Thingy]

2. Many USB types are backward compatible

For instance, if you have a USB 2.0 device, it should work on a USB 3.0 port on your computer, only at the slower 2.0 speeds.

I would recommend reconsidering the iMac, as you can buy hubs that plug into the thunderbolt 4 port and expand your ports dramatically both in number and type. They even make hubs that blend seamlessly with the edge of your monitor, wrapping around the bottom edge, so that the hub’s ports are accessible from the front.

[RussBLib]

4. haven't seen anything like that on the Apple site

I agree with your first statement. I have several older USB 2.0 thumb drives which do work with a 3.0 port, they just don't work any faster than they would with a 2.0 port.

I don't think I've seen a hub like that advertised on the Apple site. Any hubs, in fact. Lots of adapters are listed, of course, for a tidy sum. I have gradually come to resent Apple's tendency to put very little "in the box" and make you search and pay for cables and adapters, etc. This iMac is my 5th Apple device, vs about 4 non-Apple devices.

This whole USB 3.1 Gen 1 and USB 3.2 Gen 2 stuff really has my head spinning. If the config of the connector is the same, plugs should be interchangeable, but they are introducing subtle difference in shape of the connector that are making some incompatible without an adapter.

[Fiendish Thingy]

6. Here's what I'm talking about:

https://www.amazon.com/Minisopuru-Adapter-Support-Accessories-Included/dp/B09XV9XGHZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3441HQ0BL4753&keywords=USB%2Bhub%2BiMac&qid=1674849105&sprefix=usb%2Bhub%2Bimac%2Caps%2C192&sr=8-1&th=1


https://www.amazon.com/TWOPAN-Multiport-Adapter-Splitter-Readers/dp/B09CK16SC4/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3441HQ0BL4753&keywords=USB+hub+iMac&qid=1674849105&sprefix=usb+hub+imac%2Caps%2C192&sr=8-3

[RussBLib]

8. Minisopuru (China) and TWOPAN (?)

Certainly not Apple products.

Thanks, though. Interesting products

[Fiendish Thingy]

9. Many other known brands out there

Just wanted to give you some examples of the designs I think are the most useful.

[RussBLib]

11. Thank you nt

[PJMcK]

5. My new MacBook has three ports

There are two USB-C ports and a mini-stereo audio jack. It’s very easy, actually, and the USB-A to USB-C adapter allows me to use my existing peripherals: printer, scanner, MIDI, powered speakers and more.

Wireless is more convenient than cables, in my opinion.

Sorry to hear of your confusion. Give the Macs another look. They last forever. I have a 2012 laptop that works seamlessly. I also have 2004 and 1993 laptops that still work just fine, (they can no longer connect to the internet because the software is out-of-date; I keep them for specific software that is no longer supported but has been crucial for some of my work).

Whatever you decide, good luck!

[MerryHolidays]

7. I will be a bit of contrarian here and say don't get a new Mac

Don't get me wrong. They are very good computers, but they are also very expensive. Several in my family love them, and I used to too, until I price compared.

The other thing I don't like about Macs and Apple in general is that they operate in a closed universe. Everything is specific to them, which makes cables etc more expensive. I guess you can get third-party stuff for them, but nowhere near to the extent you can get for the PCs.

As others have pointed out, getting a port replicator is the way to go for either PCs or Macs.

However, if you are used to the Macs, it may simply be easier to get another one. Costco and BestBuy seem to have the best prices, and just wait for sales to get a good deal.

Best of luck.

[RussBLib]

10. My 2013 iMac still works well

But, of course, now the latest Apple OS is not compatible with my machine. Cannot update Pages, either, as the latest Pages requires a newer OS that I cannot load on the iMac.

I ordered a new MacBook Air M2 from Costco for a good price and received it. Got so frustrated with the skimpy info in the box, AND the online-only Manual was absurdly brief too.

It's as if the user is expected to already be familiar with most of the machine, so why should they bother to publish a full Owner's Manual? And only 2 Thunderbolt 4 ports on the Air. That's it. My USB-C plugs fit the Thunderbolt 4 port, but nothing would happen. No data transfer. Can't recognize the new device. Could not move any data wirelessly from the old iMac although both machines were on my wifi network. No adaptors to Thunderbolt ports. No clue where to get them. My USB hub could not connect to the Air.

I admit I have less patience than I used to, but they just seem to be so cryptic about everything. After trying multiple plugs and searching on the net, I got frustrated and returned it, no questions asked by Costco. Big relief, but now I'm getting deluged by all the different Windows machines configs. Ugh.

[MerryHolidays]

12. What do you use your computer for?

If it is just basic stuff like getting on the internet, checking emails, word processing, streaming movies etc, you REALLY don't need anything fancy at all. In our household, we have Macs, PCs, and Chromebooks. If you are a gamer or into making movies/music or need commercial strength computers, that's a bit different.

I use PCs and Chromebooks, and they suit me just fine. You do have to "maintain" them, but there is excellent freeware out there that will take care of most things for you.

I would get a good amount of memory and a good-sized SSD hard drive if you are going with PCs. You can easily buy port replicators if you need more ports (all the ones you describe).

I can basically get TWO very good PCs for the price of a single Mac. That's why I use PCs for work/home finance etc. The Chromebook is for easy internet surfing etc. The Chromebooks are even cheaper.

The biggest caution I have is that it is a change to go from one type of OS to another. For example, while I am relatively proficient with tech, I find using a Mac very difficult, as I am simply no longer used to it.

I would suggest Costco and Best Buy (which I have increasingly found to be as good or better than Amazon).

It's confusing, but just let us know your needs, and I am sure folks here can give you several recommendations.

[RussBLib]

13. Not a gamer

so I don't need super graphics, nor anything too CPU-intensive.

I'm retired, don't work from home or have a job or hobby like photography might require mega-storage either.

Just simple use really: email, internet, music, blogs, little photo editing, Word processing, some spreadsheets.

I've looked at Chromebooks a few times but never bought one. Maybe it's time.

Thanks for your reply.

[MerryHolidays]

14. Well, for the price of a Mac, you can probably get

2 decent PCs and a Chromebook!

I would be a little careful with the Chromebook. It really operates by saving stuff on the cloud, so the onboard storage is small. It's meant to really be fully connected on the internet.

The other thing is that each of Apple, Microsoft, and Google (through Chrome OS) make it a bit difficult to use the other's software apps/products. For example, Microsoft Word does not work well with a Chromebook. You really have to use free apps like Google Docs (word processing), which, of course, has a bit of a different user interface than Word. It also has nowhere near all the bells and whistles as far as I can tell.

I basically use my Chromebook for surfing, emails, streaming video/music, and some simple business tasks. I use the PC for word processing, which is compatible with my work tech.

Good luck!

[msongs]

15. want to network with 93 per cent of all computer users or be trapped by 7 percent?

apple wants you locked into their system so they are intentionally designed to be incompatible with any other form of computer. if that's your aim go for apple. otherwise use a pc with windows or linux (linux drawback is incompatability with popular software)