Connectors Found on the Average Laptop are Rarely Used but Could be Very Useful

by Graham Kelly
http://www.trilogicuk.co.uk

Most laptops have 4 or 5 different input and output connectors so that owners can interface it with a number of devices to add added functionality. Yet, most users have little idea of how to identify the connectors or how to connect any extra gadget to the laptop computer. This document assists the average laptop user identify and judge exactly what devices might be connected.

Interconnection with a USB port is just about the versatile method to interface a laptop with an add-on device such as a USB dongle or an external hard disk drive. Many users might be able to recognize the port but may not be aware that USB 1, USB 2 and USB 3 can appear on a laptop. USB 1 being the slowest and USB 3 being the quickest. USB 1 and USB 2 can be identified as a metallic rectangular connector with 4 brass connection pins, however the most recent USB 3 is similar but has 9 connection pins. USB connection is very versatile; USB 1 & 2 cannot be connected with a USB 3 device and in contrast a USB 3 connector cannot connect with a USB 1 or 2 device.

Most yet not all laptop computers have a VGA or HDMI output connector. A VGA connector is identified as a rectangular connector with curved corners having three rows of five pin holes. The HDMI connector is identified as an oblong connector with the two ends triangular shaped and having one row of 9 connectors and another row of 10 connectors. It is slimmer and longer than the VGA connector. The VGA output permits the laptop computer to be connected to a monitor and some models of TV. The HDMI connector enables most of the modern TVs to be attached to the latest laptop computers to give a hires TV picture.

Various designs of audio connectors and arrangements have been used in laptop computers over the years. The simplest connection is by a phono plug offering mono sound or a dual phono plug providing stereo sound. More recently a single stereo jack has been used as well as a microphone input and line input. Sound input and output can easily be recognized as the jack and phono sockets are always viewed as small circular holes or connectors.

For connecting directly to a network or connect with the web nearly all laptop computers have a network or RJ45 connector. It has 8 pins enclosed by a square plastic or metal cover. The cable is held in and released by a springy plastic clip. Several of the older laptop computers use a smaller 4 pin connector meant for a dial-up modem to telephone connection that was previously employed for internet connection.

It is obviously crucial that you identify and are aware of the function of a connector before a plug is inserted. Forcing the wrong variety of plug, or even the correct one upside down will almost certainly damage the connector and probably damage the laptop computer. Special care must be used when inserting a USB plug because it is possible to force it in the wrong way round and damage the inner connector, laptop computer and device.

Graham Kelly has been repairing laptops, notebooks and pc at component level for many years. He is always happy to provide technical guidance and can be contacted at Trilogic's internet site for laptop motherboard repair or memory stick repair.

Article submitted Friday, October 14, 2011 & read 9 times.

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