A Mini USB connection, typically referring to Mini-A or Mini-B types, operates at a maximum speed of 480 Mbps. This speed is characteristic of the USB 2.0 standard, which these connector types support.
The maximum speed of a Mini USB is directly tied to the USB version it implements. According to the provided reference from CDW, both Mini-A and Mini-B USB types support the USB 2.0 standard, which defines the speed limit for data transfer.
Here is a breakdown from the reference:
| USB Type | Version Supported | Maximum Speeds |
|---|---|---|
| Micro-B | 2.0 | 480 Mbps |
| Mini-A | 2.0 | 480 Mbps |
| Mini-B | 2.0 | 480 Mbps |
| Micro-AB | 2.0, 3.0 (3.1) | 480 Mbps, 5 Gbps |
Understanding the Speed
The speed of 480 Mbps, or megabits per second, is also known as "High-Speed USB." While significantly faster than the original USB 1.1 (12 Mbps), it is slower than subsequent standards like USB 3.0 (5 Gbps) or USB 3.1 (10 Gbps).
Where Was Mini USB Used?
Mini USB connectors were a popular choice for many portable electronic devices before the widespread adoption of Micro USB and later USB-C. You would commonly find Mini USB ports on:
- Digital cameras
- MP3 players
- Older external hard drives
- Some early smartphones and tablets
- Gaming controllers (like PS3 controllers)
- GPS devices
The 480 Mbps speed was generally sufficient for transferring photos, music, and smaller data files typical for devices of that era. For comparison, transferring a large video file or backing up an entire drive would take significantly longer with Mini USB compared to modern USB 3.0 or newer connections.
In summary, the speed of a Mini USB is 480 Mbps, as it is built on the USB 2.0 specification.
