Laptop Connection Guide

As prices for a basic laptop computer continue to fall downward more and more people are experiencing computer fever and opting to buy a brand new laptop computer. Novices might wonder about the ports on the side of the laptop. The laptop connections might seem confusing to those who are not familiar with computers. So, lets take a detailed and close up look at those laptop connections. After reading the information you should have a good understanding about basic laptop connections.

Laptop Audio & Video Port Connections

VGA Port - At one time the VGA port was used for adding another display connection. Many older model laptops and some new laptop computers have the 15-pin VGA port. VGA (Video Graphics Array) is on just about all LCD and CRT monitors. You should also find a VGA port on many LCD or HDMI televisions. Use this laptop connection to connect a laptop to a television or a laptop to a monitor.

DVI - This digital connection(Digital Visual Connection) is now the primary way that computer users connect to a LCD monitor. DVI connections offer a much better display image and sound. And much better quality than VGA.

HDMI - HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) carries the best display and sound signal in one cable. This is decidedly the best laptop connection to a larger monitor or a television. That is of course if both have the HDMI connections.

S-Video - Quite a few laptops and desktops have an analog S-video port (Separated Video) to connect a computer to a television. Don't expect any great picture from this connection. If you are thinking about using this laptop connection to a television you might prefer the HDMI connection which is the best for sound and video quality.

Headphone/Microphone - Many new model laptops have a headphone connection and built in microphone. Those who would like to add an external microphone should note that this is where your external microphone is connected. There should be a headphone connection nearby. Don't get these two ports confused. Although the ports look very similar they are not interchangeable. You cannot plug the microphone into the headphone port and expect it to work or plug the headphone into the microphone port and expect it to respond. The ports are usually the red and white connectors.

Ethernet - Look at the laptop connections and you should see a connection port that resembles an over-sized telephone connection. This is the Ethernet connection. Ethernet is a way for computers to communicate over a (LAN) local area network. This port is used to connect the laptop to the network to send and receive messages.