T530 (and W530) Yellow USB port on the back

[cadillacmike68]

Hi, what type is the yellow USB port on the back of T530 / W530 (and probably T430)? I know it's supposed to be an always powered on port as long as the ThinkPad is plugged in, but what speed range - 2 or 3?

[dr_st]

It's USB 2.0.

[cadillacmike68]

Thanks.

Figures.

Well, at least one can leave a phone connected to it while traveling with the system off and have the phone charge without having to bring a travel charger.

Not that I would leave on a trip without my travel chargers.

[dr_st]

The yellow port also provides higher current, so can charge faster (if the device is willing to accept it).

[cadillacmike68]

Now if they had a port like that on a T500 / 510 then some of the power hungry USB devices would work better on those machines.

Having the port way around the corner in the back makes it necessary to use an USB extension cord if you need to use it as a 2nd USB port for power hungry devices in the T/W530s.

[dr_st]

The 510 does have such a port, but the 500 does not.

[kfzhu1229]

Both the T510 and T520 has that port, and also that port is on a daughter board with the ethernet and optional modem connector as a separate module, which is nice since the yellow plastics of that USB port can snap off.