What is the difference between USB 1 and USB 2 cables?

[desertman]

Does it make a difference whether I use a USB 1 or a USB 2 cable to connect a USB 2 hard drive to a USB 2 Mac?

I have many USB devices and even more USB cables. Some cables are old, some newer, and I have always wondered whether it makes any difference what kind of cables I use for what device.

Greetings - desertman

[acme.mail.order]

A USB2 cable *should* have better shielding, and of course they charge more for it. Probably everything you see on the shelf is fine, but avoid the very cheap off-brand cables. I look for heavier cables that aren't too stiff but I don't waste my money on the gold-plated connectors.

[benwiggy]

Does anyone sell USB 1-only cables? USB 2 was introduced in c. 2000, so unless your cables are more than 12 years old, they'll probably be fine.

USB is supposed to be backwards compatible, so USB 1 cables should work fine, in any case. But a simple test of trying out some cables and seeing if the drive gets faster speeds will be conclusive.

(My main gripe with cables is that my equipment is all less than 1m away from my Mac, but cables that are less than 4m long are as rare as hen's teeth!)

[acme.mail.order]

Quote: Originally Posted by benwiggy Does anyone sell USB 1-only cables? USB 2 was introduced in c. 2000, so unless your cables are more than 12 years old, they'll probably be fine.

Keyboard and mouse manufacturers buying kilometers of cable can probably save some cash getting the cheaper spec.

Quote: Originally Posted by benwiggy USB is supposed to be backwards compatible, so USB 1 cables should work fine

Other way round in this case - USB2 cables will work just fine on USB1.1 devices.

Quote: Originally Posted by benwiggy (My main gripe with cables is that my equipment is all less than 1m away from my Mac, but cables that are less than 4m long are as rare as hen's teeth!)

Oh yeah. I can get 1m cables easily, but 30cm?? Have to go to the monster Yodobashi in Shinjuku. For a real challenge, get a FW800 cable just long enough to jumper between two drives. LaCie nicely provides a 1m eSata cable I don't use.......

[trevor]

The only small difference that I'm aware of between USB 1.1 cables and USB 2.0 cables is the termination of the wires. USB 1.1 cable wires are not terminated, whereas USB 2.0 cable wires are terminated 45 ohms to ground. This helps reduce signal reflections.

USB 3.0 cables are much different than USB 1.1 and 2.0 cables, for example they have twice as many wires.

Trevor

[NovaScotian]

Quote: Originally Posted by benwiggy (My main gripe with cables is that my equipment is all less than 1m away from my Mac, but cables that are less than 4m long are as rare as hen's teeth!)

Amen. I'd pay a premium for USB, FireWire and sATA cables that were ~30" long.

[fracai]

Quote: Originally Posted by benwiggy (My main gripe with cables is that my equipment is all less than 1m away from my Mac, but cables that are less than 4m long are as rare as hen's teeth!)

Try MonoPrice. Their cables go down to .5 m.