Techlink

Apple-specific cables are designed to transfer data, images, audio and video signals from one Apple device to another. There are also power cables and chargers that only fit Apple devices and possibly even selected generations of device, so always ensure you check compatibility.

These cables are designed for the specific ports of various generations of iPhone, iPads and Mac laptops. They feature USB, USB-C or Thunderbolt, Lightning or MagSafe connectors.

Audio cables are designed to transfer sound signals from one device to another, whilst some video cables can carry both audio and video data.

Over the decades there have emerged lots of different competing standards for carrying AV data so make sure to check compatibility carefully.

DisplayPort is one of the most popular standards for connecting displays to PCs and laptops. Originating in 2008, since then it has evolved into various revisions, adding support for progressively higher resolutions and refresh rates.

Make sure to check which versions of DisplayPort your devices support so you can choose a compatible cable.

HDMI is one of the most popular standards for connecting displays to PCs and laptops along with consumer electronics such as TVs, projectors, Blu-ray players and receivers. Originating in 2002, since then it has evolved into various revisions, adding support for progressively higher resolutions, refresh rates and audio quality.

These adaptors convert HDMI connections into other types of digital interface such as DisplayPort, DVI and USB.

USB cables transfer data such as text, images, AV signals and power from one device to another. They may either have the same connectors at each end or convert between different types of port. Originating in 1996, since then USB has evolved into various revisions, adding support for progressively higher transfer rates.

These USB 1.1 and 2.0 cables support throughput at up to 12Mbps or 480Mbps respectively using either the large Type-A connector and/or one of the smaller connectors, so make sure you choose a compatible cable.

USB cables transfer data such as text, images, AV signals and power from one device to another. They may either have the same connectors at each end or convert between different types of port. Originating in 1996, since then USB has evolved into various revisions, adding support for progressively higher transfer rates.

These USB 3.0 cables support throughput at up to 5Gbps using either the large Type-A connector and/or one of the smaller connectors, so make sure you choose a compatible cable.