Hardware: Cables & Connectors Computer Literacy Unit 1
IDE Integrated Drive Electronics Older type of connector for hard drives, floppy drives, and optical drives.
SATA Serial Advanced Technology Attachment Newer, smaller type of connector for hard drives, floppy drives, and optical drives. Faster than IDE.
IDE vs. SATA
USB Universal Serial Bus Used for many different things – keyboards, mice, flash drives, printers, smart phones, tablets, external hard drives, etc.
PS/2 Personal System 2 Based on old IBM technology. Old type of connector for keyboards and mice.
VGA Video Graphics Adapter Most common type of connector for computer monitors.
HDMI High Definition Multimedia Interface Carries both video and sound signal. Used in newer electronics to connect monitors, TVs, game consoles, laptops, tablets, Blu-Ray players, etc.
DVI Digital Visual Interface Connects computers to high-definition displays – better than VGA for HD.
CAT-5 / Ethernet Connects computers and routers to high-speed networks (like cable or DSL internet connections).