I am considering buying an Ipod Mini. I've been reading that it's compatible with USB 2.0 is there a difference from a USB port and a USB 2.0?

Thanks

Your USB port(s) will will either be 1.1 or 2.0

Some PC's, just for added confusion, have the front USB ports as 2.0 enable but the back ones as 1.1 (or it could be vice versa - I can't remember - the point is, they're different).

The difference is the transfer rate.

USB1.1 - 12mbps
USB2.0 - 480mbps

You can tell if your USB ports are 1.1 or 2.0 by going into the hardware properties of your PC. If it your USB ports/hub shows up as "enhanced" then they are USB2.0, otherwise they're USB1.1

The iPod mini will work with USB1.1 but it'll be slow. You can add a USB2.0 card for £10-15 and it's a simple install if you can hold a screwdriver and you are running XP.

Thanks a lot for your help. I have 2 at the front and 2 at the front, so from what you said, I take it that either the front two or the back two will be USB 2.0

Not necessarily. Right click on "My Computer", click on the "Hardware" tab then click on the "Device Manager" button.

Somewhere on the list it returns you should see "Universal Serial Bus Controllers" (thats USB). Click on it to open it up. Make sure somewhere in there it refers to it as USB2.0 or Enhanced USB. If you see either, you have some 2.0 ports.

Older machines may be 1.1 all round. My PC has 2 front and 2 back but all are 1.1. I just added an extra 2.0 card.