USB port types and names
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard for connecting computers and other devices. It's available with many types of ports, and each type has a unique shape. On Mac computers, USB is available with these ports, depending on your Mac model:
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USB-A
Type USB-A ports are commonly called USB, USB 2, or USB 3 ports, depending on the USB specification they support. They aren't reversible, so a USB-A connector plugs into the port only when oriented correctly.
USB-C
Type USB-C ports are available as either standard USB-C ports or Thunderbolt 3 ports that also support USB-C connections. They both look the same, and the connector plugs into the port in either orientation.
Learn more about identifying the ports on your Mac, as well as the adapters and cables you can use to connect older devices to type USB-C ports.
USB specifications
USB specifications are important primarily when you want the most speed and power for your USB device, or your device needs more power or is using too much power. Every USB port supports a particular USB specification, which determines the port's maximum>USB specifications on MacData transferPowerUSB 3.1 Gen 2
Also known as USB 3.2 Gen 2
Up to 10 GbpsUp to 15W at 5VUSB 3.1 Gen 1
Also known as USB 3.2 Gen 1 or USB 3
Up to 5 GbpsUp to 900 mA at 5VUSB 2.0
Up to 480 MbpsUp to 500 mA at 5VUSB 1.1
Up to 12 MbpsUp to 500 mA at 5V
To learn which specification is supported by a type USB-A or type USB-C port on your Mac model:
- Choose Apple menu > About This Mac, click Support, then click Specifications.
- Check the System Information app for more details, including about USB devices connected to USB ports on your Mac. Select USB in the sidebar, then select a USB bus on the right.
Get the best performance from your USB devices
USB specifications all work with each other, but speed and power are limited by the cable or device that uses the earliest specification. For example, if you connect a USB 3 device to USB 2 port, your device is limited to USB 2 speeds, and it can't draw more power from the port than can be delivered over USB 2. In other words, to get the best performance, make sure that the USB port on your Mac and the USB cable to your device meet or exceed the USB specification of the device itself.
If your Mac doesn't recognize a USB device after you plug it into your Mac:
- Check all connections: Unplug the device from your Mac, then plug it back in, and make sure that all cables and adapters are securely connected at both ends. Test with another cable or adapter, if available.
- Plug the device directly into your Mac instead of a USB hub or other device, and if necessary test with a different USB port on your Mac or device.
- Some devices need their own software, such as drivers or firmware. Others work without additional software. Check with the maker of your device, and install all available Apple software updates as well.
- If your device came with an AC power adapter, use it. Some devices can be powered by the USB port on your Mac. Others need more power than your Mac can provide.
- Restart your Mac.
Learn more
- USB 3 devices can create wireless interference that affects Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices. Learn how to resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless interference.
- Mac notebook computers with USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 can charge over that port using a compatible USB-C power adapter and cable.
You can connect other devices to your Microsoft Surface Hub to display content. This topic describes the Guest Mode, Replacement PC Mode, and Video Out functionality available through wired connections, and also lists accessories that you can connect to Surface Hub using Bluetooth.
Note
Surface Hub will use the video input that you select until a new connection is made, the existing connection is disrupted, or the Connect App is closed.
Which method should I choose?
When connecting external devices and displays to a Surface Hub, there are several available options. The method you use will depend upon your scenario and needs.
When you want to: | Use this method: |
---|---|
Mirror the Surface Hub's display on another device. | Video Out |
Present another device's display on the Surface Hub screen and interact with both the device's content and the built-in Surface Hub experience. | Guest Mode |
Power the Surface Hub from an external Windows 10 PC, turning off the embedded computer of the Surface Hub. Cameras, microphones, speakers, and other peripherals, are sent to the external PC, in addition to pen and touch. | Replacement PC Mode |
Guest Mode
Guest Mode uses a wired connection, so people can display content from their devices to the Surface Hub. If the source device is Windows-based, that device can also provide Touchback and Inkback. Surface Hub's internal PC takes video and audio from the connected device and presents them on the Surface Hub. If Surface Hub encounters a High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) signal, the source will be displayed as a black image. To display your content without violating HDCP requirements, use the keypad on the right side of the Surface Hub to directly choose the external source.
Note
When an HDCP source is connected, use the side keypad to change source inputs.
Ports
Use these ports on the Surface Hub for Guest Mode.
Interface | Type | Description | Capabilities |
---|---|---|---|
Display Port 1.1a | Video input | Guest input #1 |
|
HDMI 1.4 | Video input | Guest input #2 |
|
VGA | Video input | Guest input #3 |
|
3.5 mm jack | Audio input | Analog audio input |
|
USB 2.0, type B | USB out | Touchback |
|
Port locations
These are the port connections used for Guest Mode on the 55' and 84' Surface Hubs.
Wired port connections on 55' Surface Hub
Wired port connections on 84' Surface Hub
Port enumeration
When a Surface hub is connected to a guest computer with the wired connect USB port, a number of USB devices are discovered and configured. These peripheral devices are created for Touchback and Inkback. The peripheral devices can be viewed in Device Manager. Device Manager will show duplicate names for some devices.
Human interface devices
HID-compliant consumer control device
HID-compliant pen
HID-compliant pen (duplicate item)
HID-compliant pen (duplicate item)
HID-compliant touch screen
USB Input Device
USB Input Device (duplicate item)
Keyboards
- Standard PS/2 keyboard
Mice and other pointing devices
- HID-compliant mouse
Universal serial bus controllers
Generic USB hub
USB composite device
Guest Mode connectivity
Your choice of video cable will be determined by what is available from your source input. The Surface Hub has three choices of video input: DisplayPort, HDMI, and VGA. See the following chart for available resolutions.
Signal Type | Resolution | Frame rate | HDMI - RGB | DisplayPort | VGA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
PC | 640 x 480 | 59.94/60 | X | X | X |
PC | 720 x 480 | 59.94/60 | X | X | |
PC | 1024 x 768 | 60 | X | X | X |
HDTV | 720p | 59.94/60 | X | X | X |
HDTV | 1080p | 59.94/60 | X | X | X |
Source audio is provided by DisplayPort and HDMI cables. If you must use VGA, Surface Hub has an audio input port that uses a 3.5 mm plug. Surface Hub also uses a USB cable that provides Touchback and Inkback from the Surface Hub to compatible Windows 10 devices. The USB cable can be used with any video input that is already connected with a cable.
Someone using Guest Mode to connect a PC would use one of these options:
DisplayPort -- DisplayPort cable and USB 2.0 cable
HDMI -- HDMI cable and USB 2.0 cable
VGA -- VGA cable, 3.5 mm audio cable, and USB 2.0 cable
If the computer you are using for Guest Mode is not compatible with Touchback and Inkback, then you won't need the USB cable.
Replacement PC Mode
In Replacement PC Mode, the embedded computer of the Surface Hub is turned off and an external PC is connected to the Surface Hub. Connections to replacement PC ports give access to key peripherals on the Surface Hub, including the screen, pen, and touch features. This does mean that your Surface Hub won’t have the benefit of the Windows Team experience, but you will have the flexibility offered by providing and managing your own Windows computer.
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Software requirements
You can run Surface Hub in Replacement PC Mode with 64-bit versions of Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Pro, and Windows 10 Enterprise. You can download the Surface Hub Replacement PC driver package from the Microsoft Download Center. We recommend that you install these drivers on any computer you plan to use as a replacement PC.
Hardware requirements
Surface Hub is compatible with a range of hardware. Choose the processor and memory confirmation for your replacement PC so that it supports the programs you'll be using. Your replacement PC hardware needs to support 64-bit versions of Windows 10.
Graphics adapter
In Replacement PC Mode, Surface Hub supports any graphics adapter that can produce a DisplayPort signal. You'll improve your experience with a graphics adapter that can match Surface Hub's resolution and refresh rate. For example, the best and recommended replacement PC experience on the Surface Hub is with a 120Hz video signal.
55' Surface Hubs - For best experience, use a graphics card capable of 1080p resolution at 120Hz.
84' Surface Hubs - For best experience, use a graphics card capable of outputting four DisplayPort 1.2 streams to produce 2160p at 120Hz (3840 x 2160 at 120Hz vertical refresh). We've verified that this works with the NVIDIA Quadro K2200, NVIDIA Quadro K4200, NVIDIA Quadro M6000, AMD FirePro W5100, AMD FirePro W7100, and AMD FirePro W9100. These are not the only graphics cards - others are available from other vendors.
Check directly with graphics card vendors for the latest drivers.
Graphics vendor | Driver download page |
---|---|
NVIDIA | |
AMD | |
Intel |
Ports
Replacement PC ports on 55' Surface Hub
Description | Type | Interface | Details |
---|---|---|---|
PC video | Video input | DP 1.2 |
|
Internal peripherals | USB output | USB 2.0 type B |
|
USB hub | USB output | USB 2.0 type B |
|
Replacement PC ports on 84' Surface Hub
Description | Type | Interface | Details |
---|---|---|---|
PC video | Video input | DP 1.2 (2x) |
|
Internal peripherals | USB output | USB 2.0 type B |
|
USB hub | USB output | USB 2.0 type B |
|
Replacement PC setup instructions
To use Replacement PC Mode
Download and install the Surface Hub Replacement PC driver package on the replacement PC.
Note
We recommend that you set sleep or hibernation on the replacement PC so the Surface Hub will turn off the display when it isn't being used.
Turn off the Surface Hub using the power switch next to the power cable.
Connect the cables from the Surface Hub's replacement PC ports to the replacement PC. These ports are usually covered by a removable plastic cover.
55' Surface Hub -- connect one DisplayPort cable, and two USB cables.
84' Surface Hub -- connect two DisplayPort cables, and two USB cables.
Toggle the Mode switch to Replacement PC. The Mode switch is next to the Replacement PC ports.
Turn on the Surface Hub using the power switch next to the power cable.
Press the power button on the right side of the Surface Hub.
You can switch the Surface Hub to use the internal PC.
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To switch back to internal PC
Turn off the Surface Hub using the power switch next to the power cable.
Toggle the Mode switch to Internal PC. The Mode switch is next to the Replacement PC ports.
Turn on the Surface Hub using the power switch next to the power cable.
Video Out
The Surface Hub includes a Video Out port for mirroring visual content from the Surface Hub to another display.
Ports
Video Out port on the 55' Surface Hub
Video Out port on the 84' Surface Hub
Description | Type | Interface | Capabilities |
---|---|---|---|
Video Output Mirror | Video Output | Video Output |
|
Cables
Both the 55” and 84” Surface Hub devices have been tested to work with Certified DisplayPort and HDMI cables. While vendors do sell longer cables that may work with the Surface Hub, only those cables that have been certified by testing labs are certain to work with the Hub. For example, DisplayPort cables are certified only up to 3 meters, however many vendors sell cables that are 3 times that length. If a long cable is necessary, we strongly suggest using HDMI. HDMI has many cost-effective solutions for long-haul cables, including the use of repeaters. Nearly every DisplayPort source will automatically switch to HDMI signaling if a HDMI sink is detected.
Bluetooth accessories
You can connect the following accessories to Surface Hub using Bluetooth:
- Mice
- Keyboards
- Headsets
- Speakers
Note
After you connect a Bluetooth headset or speaker, you might need to change the default microphone and speaker settings.