USB 2 backwards-compatible?

M

MarkW19

macrumors 65816

Original poster

• Jun 26, 2003

• #1

Can the USB 2 ports on the G5 accept USB 1/1.1 devices as well?

If not, is there some sort of converter available?

-Mark

 

evildead

macrumors 65816

• Jun 26, 2003

• #2

yes

USB 2.0 is backward commpatable with all USB 1.0 and 1.1 devices. I have a 5 port USB 2.0 card in my Quicksliver at home.... I don't even have any USB 2.0 devices. I just needed the extra ports

 

K

kjwebb

macrumors regular

• Jun 26, 2003

• #3

Backwards compatiple YES!
Slower on USB1.1 devices YES!

Therefore, me hopes Apple will update the keyboard so it's a USB2 hub instead of a USB1.1 hub. Why bother having USB 2 if the keyboard is only usb 1.1?

 

evildead

macrumors 65816

• Jun 26, 2003

• #4

keybord

There is no need for a USB 2.0 keybord or mouse. 12mbs/ps is plenty fast for that kind of use.

however... if youwanted a USB 2.0 hub on the keybord.. that would make sence. Or.. better yet... FireWire

 

patrick0brien

macrumors 68040

• Jun 26, 2003

• #5

Originally posted by kjwebb
Therefore, me hopes Apple will update the keyboard so it's a USB2 hub instead of a USB1.1 hub. Why bother having USB 2 if the keyboard is only usb 1.1?

Click to expand...

These are two separate buses. One little issue with USB is the moment you put a 1.1 device on a USB 2 bus, the whole bus will throttle back to the lowest common denominator - the USB 1.1 speed. Much like what happens when you put a WiFi (802.11b) device on a Wireless G (802.1g, AirPort Extreme) network.

They have probably three busses on these G5's. The 1.1 bus for keyboard and mouse, and 2 USB 2's, thereby solving this issue.

Just make sure the right devices are plugged in to the right ports 😀

 

M

MarkW19

macrumors 65816

Original poster

• Jun 26, 2003

• #6

Originally posted by kjwebb
Backwards compatiple YES!
Slower on USB1.1 devices YES!

Therefore, me hopes Apple will update the keyboard so it's a USB2 hub instead of a USB1.1 hub. Why bother having USB 2 if the keyboard is only usb 1.1?

Click to expand...

OK, so if it's slower, does that mean (when plugged into the USB 2 ports) my USB 1/1.1 digital camera, audio interface and ADSL modem won't perform as fast/well?

 

mnkeybsness

macrumors 68030

• Jun 26, 2003

• #7

Originally posted by MarkW19
OK, so if it's slower, does that mean (when plugged into the USB 2 ports) my USB 1/1.1 digital camera, audio interface and ADSL modem won't perform as fast/well?

Click to expand...

no...what was meant by that is that all of the USB will not perform as well...this can be solved if apple made a separate bus for each port though...which i'm not sure if they did or not.