Where to buy a USB cord

If you ever charge your phone, sync you iPod to music on your computer, or hook up an MP3 player to your computer, chances are that you have used a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cord. These cords are extremely important in everyday life, and the prices vary greatly depending on where you shop. This article will discuss the two main types of USB cords and where you can buy them without breaking your bank.

USB 1.1 and 2.0

USB 1.1 or 2.0 is most likely the type of cord that you have used in the past. While its cable speeds are a bit slower than the next type (discussed in next paragraph), it is in the most common use. This is mainly because most modern computers have native support for USB 1.1 cords and 2.0 cords. To use any other type, you would most likely need to buy an adapter in order for it to function with your existing computer. Prices The prices of these cords are normally a few dollars on eBay. Note that most of the time, these come from Chinese sellers who buy them in huge quantities and then resell. If you would prefer to not receive your USB cord from China/Hone Kong, you may have to pay a few extra euros. (The first picture located below is that of a USB 1.1/2.0 cord)

USB 3.0

This type of USB cord is vastly faster than the USB 1.1 cord or 2.0 cord, since both have a very similar physical appearance. This is used with next generation equipment, such as the fastest external hard drives available on the market. This is, on average, about ten times faster than the 2.0 or 1.1 cord, and has a vastly different appearance. The 1.1 and 2.0 cords usually look like a rectangle on the connector to the computer, while 3.0 has more of a jagged shape. These are usually a bit more expensive than the 1.1 or 2.0 cords, but it is worth it (although if you are ok with slower speeds, 3.0 devices are backward compatible with 1.1 and 2.0 cords), and again, can be bought on eBay for a very cheap price.