Can i use USB 2 device on a USB 1 comp?

[custard]

I was thinking of getting an i pod but it uses USB 2 and my old comp only has USB 1, do i need an upgrade or are they compatable, i've heard a lot of conflicting stories.

 

[hjo3]

They should be compatible, but remember that USB 1.x has a max speed of 12 mbps (compared to 2.0's 480 mbps). Uploading 15 gigs of mp3s to your iPod could take, like, 3 hours.

 

[Confused]

Welcome to Anandtech forums! I hope you enjoy your stay here 🙂

USB2 devices will work on USB1.1 systems, however it will only be at USB1.1 speeds. Realistically, you will probably get about 1MB/sec data transfer to your Ipod, at most. That will mean that 1GB of music will take about 17-20 minutes to transfer.

You can buy USB2 PCI cards very cheaply (about $20 or less), and that should be able to get you faster transfers to your Ipod, maybe getting that up to about 10MB/sec, so 1GB will take just a couple of minutes.


Confused

 

[custard]

Right, cheers lads, and thanks for the welcome 🙂

 

[LED]

Just to add...be careful of which USB2.0 devices are purchased as Full Speed USB2.0 is actually USB1.1...Some Info

 

[XBoxLPU]

Just pick up a firewire card, so that you can charge the ipod also

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: LED
Just to add...be careful of which USB2.0 devices are purchased as Full Speed USB2.0 is actually USB1.1...Some Info

Comments on that article:
They are trying to reduce confusion by calling USB 1.1 devices "USB 2.0 full speed"? How's that supposed to improve things?!? USB 1.x was old. USB 2.0 is new and fast. So now they just call it all USB 2.0 - sounds like it's just an open invitation to deceptive advertising.