There's Me Thinking All USB Ports Were The Same Size
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
March 22, 2011 5:48pm CST
WRONG!
Technology can be so frustrating at times, don't you agree?
I've been dying to get my two recent Magnum CD purchases onto my iPod (one of the old ones that just plays music so has a basic screen) and the connection from that to my computer tower SHOULD be a breeze as it was with my old Sony machine I had for nearly 10 years..
Not so with this HP Compaq.
Why?
Because the USB connection cowie from the iPod is too f*cking large for the USB slot on my tower. I have a few of these slots and they are all the same size...too sodding small!
I was all there with my Audiograbber software, raring to go and I ripped one of the CDs onto my computer..but I can't transfer any of it to my iPod so I've uninstalled it all! What a waste of my valuable time!
I hate Apple. Why make something that's going to be obsolete in a few years? No doubt I could buy a new cable from Apple with the right connection for my computer but why should I?
Bring back the Sony Walkman I say, they were much easier to operate!
I was all there with my Audiograbber software, raring to go and I ripped one of the CDs onto my computer..but I can't transfer any of it to my iPod so I've uninstalled it all! What a waste of my valuable time!
I hate Apple. Why make something that's going to be obsolete in a few years? No doubt I could buy a new cable from Apple with the right connection for my computer but why should I?
Bring back the Sony Walkman I say, they were much easier to operate!3 people like this
9 responses
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
22 Mar 11
Planned obsolescence, duh. They want you to spend more and more money upgrading things all the time!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
22 Mar 11
I got an email about the iPad 2 today..I've not even got the iPad 1 lol. They do this all the time but I refuse to get on the Merry-Go-Round. When I first bought my iPod all those years ago, not long after the another one came out with a colour screen.
I was mortified but there was no way I was gonna upgrade just for the sake of it. A lot do though as they're obsessed with them.
I was mortified but there was no way I was gonna upgrade just for the sake of it. A lot do though as they're obsessed with them.@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
23 Mar 11
I can't see the point of them and it annoys me that other companies can't get a look-in because Apple wants to be the market leader so keeps bringing out "new" ones. Doesn't mean to say they're the best. In fact, I don't really like the compressed sound of iPods which is why I mentioned Sony Walkmans. At Mum's I have a Sony MinidiscMan and the sound is far more superior than iPods..such a shame the format didn't catch on.
1 person likes this
@voldrox (7191)
• India
24 Mar 11
Hello Janey,
Most of the earlier devices had proprietary USB connection. Even sony had them, but fortunately now many companies are shifting towards using the mini USB connection. There was earlier mini USB but not there is a different version, it's mini USB version 2. Mini USB 1 and 2 are standard connections and hopefully we will one day see the end of proprietary connections.
@voldrox (7191)
• India
25 Mar 11
I have been having the same problems lately and so i had to dig in. The best thing about having standard mini USB connection is that you can get a USB cable with a USB to mini USB connection very easily. You can even use the cable of your memory card reader or mobile phone cable to connect and sync your ipod with your computer. 
Thank you for the best response. 
Thank you for the best response. @Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
24 Mar 11
Thanks for that detailed explanation, at least I understand more about this now.
1 person likes this
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
28 Mar 11
Well that is news to me as I thought that all USB ports were the same also! I do not have an answer for you on this one and am confused by it as I thought it would work too. 
I used to love my Sony Walkman back in the 80's but it was a pain having to carry around a backpack full of cassettes compared to the tiny light weight devices we have now.
I used to love my Sony Walkman back in the 80's but it was a pain having to carry around a backpack full of cassettes compared to the tiny light weight devices we have now.@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
28 Mar 11
I don't like the sound - stereo is the way to go lol.
@webearn99 (1742)
• India
23 Mar 11
Get a USB converter and your job will be done. Keeping up with latest technology is hard and expensive. As for Sony Walkman, It changed the music world without itself changing for decades. Three cheers for that!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
23 Mar 11
This is why I hate Apple (at the moment) lol. In fact, I don't even like the sound on my iPod compared to the old Walkmans, especially my Minidisc Walkman that I still have at Mum's house. There is probably a way of connecting my computer up to my hi-fi but I only have an AUX on my amplifier..USB wasn't popular way back when. Failing that I'd love one of those internet radios..yes, I can get internet radio on my PC but I haven't got it upstairs.
@danitykane (3183)
• Philippines
24 Mar 11
I am also using HP Compaq and yeah usb ports have different sizes. I too used to think that they all usb ports were the same size. I guess it means, we have to spend more money with the newest gadgets and crave for every new tech on store and more money for these technology creators. I sometimes wanted a more simple gadget like that of walkman by Sony. Old School rock.
I guess it means, we have to spend more money with the newest gadgets and crave for every new tech on store and more money for these technology creators. I sometimes wanted a more simple gadget like that of walkman by Sony. Old School rock.@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
24 Mar 11
A guy I lived with many years ago..well, I bought him a bright yellow Sony Walkman that was waterproof! Seriously! He was a postman so it was ideal for him to use on his rounds as he never got electrocuted (unfortunately) lol.
iPods are good but not as good as Sony Walkmans, not by a long way.
As for the USB ports, I'm glad you back me up on them not all being the same size..I really thought I was the only one who thought that.
I wonder if it's limited to the HP Compaqs? Makes you wonder doesn't it?
iPods are good but not as good as Sony Walkmans, not by a long way.
As for the USB ports, I'm glad you back me up on them not all being the same size..I really thought I was the only one who thought that.
I wonder if it's limited to the HP Compaqs? Makes you wonder doesn't it?
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
23 Mar 11
I think you may find they do. The reason I say this is that a cable shown on the Apple website isn't even compatible with my iPod as my particular model is one of the very early iPods. The cable I have was compatible with my old Sony Vaio computer that I bought way back in 2001. My current PC was bought as a replacement in January this year..and the same cable doesn't fit. Trust me!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157691)
• United States
23 Mar 11
I do not whether you want to buy an adapter, or give it up. I think I would buy and adaptor. I know I have seen them around, just have not needed them.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
22 Mar 11
Now you have me confused Janey. I am typing this on my iPod which connects via a standard USB cable although the iPod end is a larger plug than the computer end which is a standard sized USB. You have used the right end havdn't you. I have a couple if iPods and they use the same sized cables fit both macs and windows computers. Confused!!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
23 Mar 11
No, I haven't got the ends mixed up lol. The iPod I have must be about 8 years old..I mean, how long have they been going for as I've got one of the first and the only reason I bought it was it has a 40GB memory on it. Just looked on the back and the year on it is 2004 so I was nearly right, 7 years instead of 8!
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
23 Mar 11
Yeah no two cables fit most equipment, it is a way to get us to keep buying, lol.. But you know there are adapters to accommodate, oops see spend more!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
23 Mar 11
That's the bit I object to. I cannot remember how much my iPod cost but it was a lot therefore it pains me to pay more for something that should be universal anyway.
