• The motherboard of the computer has several different types of connections to start with.computer connections image by Michael Shake from Fotolia.com
  
  Computers today offer many different types of connections. Most of these connections are common enough and can easily be identified. Some connections are more unique and are used for specialized connections. As technology continues to grow, so will the amount of new connection types on the PC.
  
  

Older Connections

• The serial cord was common on gamepads and joysticks.serial connector image by Victor B from Fotolia.com
  
  Connection types that are still available on some computers, but are no longer used by current equipment, are parallel and serial ports. Both of these ports were originally used for printers and scanners. Newer technology has allowed these devices to connect in newer, faster and more convenient ways.
  
  

Audio

• Connecting to external speakers is easy with the SPDIF port.plug it image by Kwest from Fotolia.com
  
  Several different types of audio connections can be made to computers today. From the basic SPDIF port, commonly used for headphones and two-channel speakers, to 5.1 and 6.1 surround sound hookups, coaxial digital jacks and optical digital jacks, your computer has several ways of putting out the quality of sound that you are looking for.
  
  

Video

• Typical video cards usually have two types of plugs.video card image by TEA from Fotolia.com
  
  Almost all computers have a monitor out plug. Oftentimes you can also find RCA plugs, S-Video plugs, component video plugs and HDMI plugs, with the right type of video card equipment installed into your system. Some installed video cards will even come with a coaxial cable plug for watching regular TV programs.
  
  

Data Connections

• USB has become one of the most common types of plugs on a PC.usb 5 image by Bosko Martinovic from Fotolia.com
  
  What's left on the computer are PS/2 ports for plugging in mice and keyboards. USB is a very useful type of plug, used for mice and keyboards as well as printers, scanners, external hard drives or optical drives and other useful data-related connections. Firewire is an alternative plug to USB created and primarily used by Macintosh. Most computers come with a network card and/or modem installed, which uses a regular phone line.
  
  

Wireless

• Computers now also come with wireless connections. From wireless network cards to Bluetooth cards, connecting to a computer couldn't be easier. Now computers are accessible even when they aren't in the same room.