USB Port looks strange

[stokietom]

Hi guys,

I purchased a brand new Acer Aspire 5750Z laptop a couple of weeks ago. First thing I noticed is how one of the USB Ports looks different than the rest. If you look at it straight on you can see 4 visible holes going across the port whereas the other ports just look smooth.

I have reffered back to the manual and I seem to think it's a USB 3.0 Port but I'm not to sure. The USB port works and functions fine I'm just concerned as to why it looks different than usual.

Any idea why it looks like this?

Thanks

 

[alvine]

usb 3.0 has a blue port

 

[stokietom]

Yeah that's what I thought to. Curious as to why the port looks different than usual.

 

[blazorthon]

It just looks like it's a different design for a USB port. Not all ports look the exact same. So long as a USB plug will go in, stay in, and work, then it shouldn't matter. If it is a USB 3.0 port, keep in mind that USB 3.0 has 8 pins instead of 4 pins like the other versions of USB.

 

[strikker1]

Hi guys,

I purchased a brand new Acer Aspire 5750Z laptop a couple of weeks ago. First thing I noticed is how one of the USB Ports looks different than the rest. If you look at it straight on you can see 4 visible holes going across the port whereas the other ports just look smooth.

I have reffered back to the manual and I seem to think it's a USB 3.0 Port but I'm not to sure. The USB port works and functions fine I'm just concerned as to why it looks different than usual.

http://i.imgur.com/xIQ0Ll.png

Any idea why it looks like this?

Thanks

The picture is a little blury, but I think that I can make out that it is a USB/eSATA combo port, that's why it looks a little different than a regular USB port.

 

[blazorthon]

The picture is a little blury, but I think that I can make out that it is a USB/eSATA combo port, that's why it looks a little different than a regular USB port.

Are you sure? I've seen some USB/eSATA combo ports before and it doesn't really look like many of them, at least not to me. Of course, like you said, it could just be because it is blurry.

 

[stokietom]

Thanks for the replys guys,

It is not an eSATA port.

But what's strange is, the other 2 USB's on my laptop look fine and normal. Is their any explanation for that?

Cheers

 

[stokietom]

I have some better pics:

 

[nbelote]

Strikker1 was right. That is indeed a USB/eSATA port. It might be an odd looking one but that's exactly what it is.

 

[blazorthon]

I'm thinking that the odd shape for the top of the plastic piece is just the extra four pins for USB 3.0. It is probably just a normal 3.0 port. They are not always blue, they are just usually blue.

 

[stokietom]

But I don't see how the size of the port would accomodate an eSATA cable? Wouldn't it need to be wider at the bottom?

 

[thently]

Well I guessed at your sub model but this specs list says 1 USB 3 so I would guess that is it...

Acer AS5750-9422 Notebook comes with these specs: 2nd Generation Intel Core i7-2670QM processor 2.2GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 3.1GHz, Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit), 15.6" HD Widescreen CineCrystal LED Back-Lit Display, Mobile Intel HM65 Express Chipset, 4096MB DDR3 1066MHz Memory, Intel HD Graphics 3000, 500GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive, 8X DVD-SuperMulti Double-Layer Drive, Built-in 1.3MP HD Webcam (1280 x 1024), Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader, Optimized Dolby Advanced Audio v2 audio enhancement, 802.11b/g/n WiFi CERTIFIED, Intel Wireless Display, 1 - USB 3.0 Port, 2 - USB 2.0 Ports, HDMI Port, Multi-gesture Touchpad, 6-cell Li-ion Battery (4400 mAh), up to 4.5-hours of battery life, 5.74 lbs. | 2.6 kg (system unit only), AC Power Adapter, AC Power Cord, Wireless Setup Card, Registration/ Limited Warranty Card, Microsoft Office Starter 2010, McAfee Internet Security Suite Trial (60-day trial)

 

[stokietom]

That isn't my spec.

 

[thently]

Well what is you sub model? Acer AS5750z - ?????

 

[stokietom]

As the OP says its an Acer Aspire 5750Z.

Thanks

 

[blazorthon]

Yeah, it does not look like an eSATA cable would fit into it at all. I'm convinced that it is the USB 3.0 port listed in the specs as Thently (TY) provided for us so that we didn't need to look it up.

I have an eSATA combo port on one of my motherboards and it looks like an eSATA port with the plastic bit and port slightly taller than a regular eSATA port to accommodate a USB plug.

 

[thently]

Yes OP I know but after that is a sub model Like Acer Aspire 5750z - 4988 anyway I figured it out either way it is USB 3 Download the quick start guide the 37 meg PDF on this page

http://support.acer.com/us/en/product/default.aspx?tab=1&modelId=3681

goto page 9

Thent

 

[teh_gerbil]

If it was a USB 3.0 port, it would say SS (USB symbol)

If it was an E-SATA port I would say E-SATA-USB

It would also have 2 VERY distinctive 'wings' making room for the E-SATA 'notches'. As this USB port has no SS markings and no wings, it is therefore a USB port and nothing else.

Source: My own laptop's E-SATA/USB port.

 

[stokietom]

Thanks for the reply. I think I already gathered a while back that it's just a standard USB Port. I'm just a bit concerned as to why it looks different than the other ones on my laptop.

Thanks

 

[teh_gerbil]

I would say, whilst it is the peice of plastic usually used for E-sata in the middle, they may have run low on parts and used that interchangable part, or it was slipped in accidently and made it past quality control.

 

[stokietom]

My brother also has the same laptop though and one of his ports looks exactly the same as mine.

Cheers

 

[Guest]

i got a new laptop, googled to find out what the port is as i have one also. Tried usb and e-sata cables, neither fit! im stumped as to what it could be! anyone got any other ideas?

 

[teh_gerbil]

Google display port.

 

[blazorthon]

Google display port.

It looks nothing like a display port, nor like a mini display port.

 

[auzerx]

If you search 'weird USB port', it brings up this thread. Much debate was had over my Acer 5750Z-4835's mystery port.

I eventually RTFM'd my paper manual, and in the diagram for this side of the laptop, it says, "USB 2.0 / 3.0* port", but reading it carefully seems to indicate it would be blue if we had the proper model with USB 3.0.

Sorry for necro'ing the thread, but I was positively influenced by XKCD.