Chargers, Cables, and Plugs Oh My!
- William Heaney
- Aug 13
- 2 min read
Cables are everywhere. We use them to charge our devices, connect them, transfer data, and power up our tech. But with so many cables around, how can you tell which is which and what each one is used for?
Chargers
Phones have chargers. Laptops have chargers. Wireless headphones, mice, and even some smart home devices all need chargers. But not all chargers look the same. Most charging cables are also USB cables, which we’ll talk about next. The most common types you’ll run into include:
Lightning – Used for most Apple devices (except laptops)
Micro USB – Common with older Android devices and small electronics
Mini USB – Often used for cameras like GoPros
USB-C (Type-C) – Used for modern laptops, tablets, phones, and more
In order to find what type of charger your device needs, look at the shape of the plug or the port in the device. This should help you differentiate and determine which charger you need.
USB
The most well known and one of the most important cables is the USB (Universal Serial Bus).
USBs can be cables or handheld flash drives that can store different files and transfer them between devices. USB cables connect devices with one another. This might be charging as described above, or it might be connecting your wired keyboard to your computer. Your wired mouse also uses a USB. The square end (as displayed on the right) connects one device to another, enabling them to exchange data with and get power from.
HDMI
HDMI is short for “High-Definition Multimedia Interface” and it transmits audio and video to another device (Think laptop to TV).
HDMIs are very easy to spot due to their unique appearance. As displayed on the left it has a more complex shape than a USB. In contrast to a USB, HDMIs are identical on each end of the cable. If you think the cable you have is an HDMI, you can check by observing both ends of it.
With this knowledge, you should be able to confidently identify the most common cables and understand what they’re used for. Whether you’re plugging in a keyboard, charging your headphones, or connecting your laptop to the big screen, the right cable makes all the difference.
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