What is this? A speaker?
Can someone help me ID this? I don't remember when or why I got it.
MacLady wrote:
Oh? I just looked quick and thought it was USB. There is no Firewire on new Macs? Everything is down to one type of connection I guess, that little plug that could dangerously bend. I hate my keyboard also.. it doesn't bounce and it skips around while I'm typing... so weird.
The icon shown (and the connector shape) is that of FireWire.
Identify the ports on your Mac - Apple Support
Apple is pretty good about always having the protocol logo on the connector, and having the logo on the top of the connector. Some other vendors, not so much.
Apple removed FireWire as a Mac option about a decade ago.
USB-C is a connector spec, and (confusingly) a computer can have several different uses for the same connector. On Mac, USB 3 and USB 4 are present on a USB-C connector, and usually also Thunderbolt, and power delivery.
USB cable morass: https://people.kernel.org/bleung/now-how-many-usb-c-to-usb-c-cables-are-there-usb4-update-september-12
TL;DR: when in doubt, go for a Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 cable with USB-C connectors. They’ll work as USB cables.
Adapters and docks are widely available to convert USB (via USB-C) or Thunderbolt (via USB-C) to other ports as might be required, or to lots of ports. Brydge offers the higher-end Stone II and Stone Pro docks, and there are other dock vendors, and Apple and other vendors offer USB-C to USB-A adapters. Here’s the Apple adapter: USB-C to USB Adapter - Apple
Lots of other keyboards available, wired and wireless. Keyboards cheap. And expensive. Among the more expensive and better-quality vendors is Matias, and Das Keyboard if you prefer mechanical-switch keyboards. There are others.
