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up vote 6 down vote favorite

In my laptop ( Lenovo - y470 ) there are three usb ports and one of those is usb 3.0 others are usb 2.0 . But i don't know which one is what. Is there a way a can figure out which port is 3.0 ?

I use device manager to confirm that i have one usb 3.0 port.

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When i copy data from my External HDD it transfers at 38MB/s from all of the usb ports.

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3  
Is your external HDD a USB 2.0 or 3.0 one? – Journeyman Geek Jan 1 '12 at 14:42

4 Answers

up vote 5 down vote accepted

According the tech specs

Left side: two USB 3.0 ports, external monitor (VGA DB-15, HDMI), ethernet (RJ-45)

Right side: one USB 2.0 port and one eSATA/USB combo port

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up vote 18 down vote

They're BLUE!

I believe USB-3 ports should be colored differently (blue)

The use of blue pantone thermoplastics in USB 3.0 connectors is recommended on systems with a mix of USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports. For certification, the USB-IF does require that the user be able to clearly and easily distinguish between a USB 3.0 and a USB 2.0 port on a system; however, it is left to the system implementer on how to accomplish this.

(my emphasis)

Also, just because your Computer contains a USB 3 controller doesn't mean it necessarily is presented externally

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Yup. Powered ports are yellow, USB3 are blue on lenovos – Journeyman Geek Jan 1 '12 at 14:42
I found blue usb port in my laptop :) Thanks. Would you please care to elaborate Also, just because your Computer contains a USB 3 controller doesn't mean it necessarily is presented externally ? – Rakesh Juyal Jan 1 '12 at 16:13
This means that although the motherboard is capable of processing USB3.0 signal, a physical port might not be installed (usually, it's the case with desktops). – dnbrv Jan 1 '12 at 16:46
2  
@Rakesh: Sometimes a USB controller exists for internal devices (such as a laptop's webcam). – grawity Jan 2 '12 at 8:35
Yep. This is the best answer. They are almost always colored differently. One exception are modern Macs, as one port can support both USB 2.0 and 3.0. – Josiah Oct 3 '12 at 17:24
up vote 2 down vote

I realize that your question goes to Lenovo laptop, but for completeness I'd like to mention that on Dell T3600 the ports labeled with SS and a USB icon are USB 3.0 ports. Ports with just the USB icon are USB 2.0 ports.

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up vote -1 down vote

To my knowledge, there will be a symbol on your usb port ::: http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/nataliecampbell/files/2010/08/USB-SYMBOL.jpg

The port with this symbol is the usb 3.0 port.

Hope, this helps. Have fun with speedy transfer!

Naneen

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this symbol does not mean 3.0 USB, actually it means USB as a whole. plus: for what i have seen, sometimes the connectors on usb 3.0 ports are placed on a blue solid material. putting it simple: if you look at your computer and see a blue color on the port - thats the 3.0. if not, look for any symbol or mark next to the ports. ofc, you can always benchmark them for speed. – D0rf Apr 6 at 10:23
Please do not post things based on "to my knowledge" as answers, if you haven't first verified that they are correct. – Jon Bentley 8 hours ago

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