18 min read

Ports and Connectors

USB-A and USB-C, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, audio, card slots and wireless connections — what each is for.

What Is a Port?

Wi-Fi connects to a network by radio. Newer standards (Wi-Fi 6, 6E and 7) are faster and cope better with many devices. Bluetooth connects nearby devices: headphones, keyboards, mice, receipt printers. NFC (near-field communication) works only a few centimetres away. It is used for contactless card payments.

Wired vs wireless

$Wired (Ethernet)$	$Wireless (Wi-Fi)$
$Faster and more stable$	$Speed shared between devices and affected by walls$
$Harder for outsiders to intercept$	$Needs strong encryption (WPA3) and a good password$
$Cables to run and tidy$	$No cables; devices can move around$
$Best for servers, desktops, POS terminals$	$Best for laptops, phones and tablets$

Practice

Which connector is used for a wired network connection?

What Is a Port?

Wireless Connections

Wi-Fi connects to a network by radio. Newer standards (Wi-Fi 6, 6E and 7) are faster and cope better with many devices. Bluetooth connects nearby devices: headphones, keyboards, mice, receipt printers. NFC (near-field communication) works only a few centimetres away. It is used for contactless card payments.

Wired vs wireless

$Wired (Ethernet)$	$Wireless (Wi-Fi)$
$Faster and more stable$	$Speed shared between devices and affected by walls$
$Harder for outsiders to intercept$	$Needs strong encryption (WPA3) and a good password$
$Cables to run and tidy$	$No cables; devices can move around$
$Best for servers, desktops, POS terminals$	$Best for laptops, phones and tablets$

Practice

Which connector is used for a wired network connection?