Im confused about ports. What is a USB port? What is Plug and Play?
When you read about a computer’s specifications, you will notice that under the area that covers expansion and ports, terms like USB, PCI, and IEEE 1394 (also called FireWire) are thrown around. These terms refer to the different types of ports the computer offers, and those ports support different types of connections/plugs, which in turn offer different speeds and enhancements. USB, for instance, supports Plug and Play, which basically means all you need to do is plug in your peripheral (printer, scanner, joystick, etc.) and you’re ready to go-no need for configuration. The bottom line when looking at ports: know which kind you’re getting, because your peripherals will need to be compatible with them. Obviously, the more ports you have the better, because it will allow you to plug in more peripherals at once, although you can purchase expansion devices (called hubs) that will give you more spaces to plug things in.
