TOPIC
This article contains answers to some frequently asked questions concerning Universal Serial Bus (USB) featured on iMac and other Power Macintosh computers. Questions covered in this document include the following:
DISCUSSION
Does the USB keyboard perform the same way the ADB keyboard on other Macintosh and Power Macintosh computers performed? Although it's a USB--rather than an ADB--device and while it uses a USB cable and connects via the USB port, in every other way, it's a keyboard just like any other Macintosh keyboard. Can I use the keyboard or mouse from my earlier Macintosh model with iMac? No. The keyboard and mouse that came with earlier models of Macintosh and Power Macintosh computers were Apple Desktop Bus (or ADB) devices. Modems, printers, and digital cameras were either Apple Serial or LocalTalk devices. Many external hard drives, scanners, and other peripherals were SCSI devices. So does iMac support SCSI, ADB, LocalTalk, and other serial devices that I own? iMac features support for USB, and many peripheral manufacturers are quickly transitioning to this new connection method, offering USB products that provide extremely compelling price/performance capabilities when compared to earlier products. In a very short period of time, the features, performance and simplicity of USB products far exceeds the capabilities of those products that connected to Macintosh computers via SCSI, ADB, and other connection methods. That said, Ethernet adapters will be available that will allow you to connect LocalTalk devices to iMac. And Apple also expects adapters to be available for some serial devices. However, Apple does not expect adapters to become available for SCSI devices, and Apple does not support or recommend the use of any ADB devices on iMac, even though some third-party developers have announced plans to make such adapters or "dongles" available. Does that mean I won't be able to attach the Zip drive I own to iMac? Iomega Corporation offers a USB-based Zip Drive for iMac. Iomega's USB Zip Drive offers all of the advantages of a USB device, including the ability to plug or unplug the Zip drive as it is needed. Can I use the cables I have now? USB cables look slightly different from the cables you own now. Cables for all Macintosh peripheral devices have two identical connectors with five or more contacts. USB cables have new, universal connector cables: one side has a Type A plug and the other has a Type B plug. The Type A plug connects to a host--like your iMac computer--or an upstream hub. The Type B plug connects to the USB device itself. These are the same cables that are used for USB devices for PC Compatible computers and UNIX systems. Other USB FAQ's can be found in the following articles: |
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| Document Information | |
| Product Area: | iMac |
| Category: | USB |
| Sub Category: | General Topics |
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