7
2
I'm shopping for a new laptop and many specs list USB ports as "1 powered USB, 2 USB 2.0". What's the difference? Aren't regular USB ports powered, as in capable of powering an external device?
Update things are getting confused. I have a netbook which lists a "powered" USB port, and being a netbook it could well be that it's the only port capable of powering an external hard disk. But then I have another laptop that lists a powered USB port too, and it's color coded, and the software on the laptopo speaks of an "always on" port that could be used to power a device even when the laptop is off. So it could well be that "powered USB port" could refer to both types.
You are missing an important fact: Usually those specially colored ports provide power even if the notebook is not running. – Robert – 2011-10-12T09:50:43.543
It's completely a matter of BIOS and motherboard settings if they deliver power when computer is not running. On desktop motherboards it's sometimes configurable with jumpers. However, this has nothing to do with USB standard; it's just that motherboard chooses to keep some USB ports active on sleep, while shutting down the rest. – Zds – 2011-10-12T10:09:21.640