USB А
The number of USB inputs located on the case of the card reader or hub (see "Type"). The number of USB ports that you will have at your disposal after connecting the device depends on this parameter. "Pure" card readers and combined models, usually, have 1,
2 and even
3 USB inputs, while hubs have
4 or more ports.
USB-C version
The USB connector interface (version) primarily characterizes the speed.
- 2.0. The outdated version 2.0 provides data transfer rates up to 480 Mbps. Found only in USB A ports.
— 3.2 gen1. Previous standard names are 3.1 gen1 and 3.0. This version provides up to 10 times the maximum speed (4.8Gbps) as well as higher power capacity, which allows you to connect power-hungry devices and large splitters.
- 3.2 gen2. Further improvement of the 3.2 gen1 standard (and, as is customary, the previous name more than once renamed 3.1 gen1 and simply 3.1), which made it possible to achieve a maximum speed of 10 Gbps and even higher power for external devices.
However, the final speed depends not so much on the input connector, but on the USB version of the hub (card reader) connection to the PC.
VGA
The presence of a VGA output in the design of the device.
VGA is an analogue interface originally designed for CRT monitors; it supports resolutions up to 1280 by 1024 and does not include audio. Today, this standard is considered obsolete; nevertheless, it is still found both in some monitors and in various specialized video equipment (in particular, projectors). The presence of a VGA output allows you to use the hub as an adapter for connecting a VGA device to a computer or laptop that does not initially have such an output. However, such a need arises infrequently, and hubs with a VGA output are not widely used.
mini-Jack (3.5 mm)
The presence of a classic
3.5 mm Aux line port for audio transmission allows you to connect headphones or a speaker to the device.
Power Delivery
The technology allows you to work at higher voltage, thereby increasing the transmitted power.
USB hubs with Power Dlivery can not only charge smartphones faster, but also power more power-hungry devices, such as laptops.
