Why Do Some Laptops Have Both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports?

[BloodTotal]

I thought that USB 3.0 was backwards comparable with USB 2.0. So if they are, then what's the point of having both 3.0 and 2.0 on your laptop?

A google search for this proved unsuccessful.

[Batou1986]

Because usb 3.0 isn't backwards compatible with everything tho it should be and usb 2.0 hub controllers are cheaper/integrated.
Also usb 3.0 needs drivers before it will work.

[Bo$$]

Price is the main reason drivers etc are small issues

[BloodTotal]

Originally Posted by Batou1986

Because usb 3.0 isn't backwards compatible with everything tho it should be and usb 2.0 hub controllers are cheaper/integrated.
Also usb 3.0 needs drivers before it will work.

I've tried finding what wouldn't work? Also, couldn't you technically use a usb 2.0 hub on a usb 3.0 input? Wouldn't it just allow more usb 2.0s? Unless the drivers don't allow that yet. Because I don't see why it can't physically work?

Originally Posted by Bo$$

Price is the main reason drivers etc are small issues

Tried looking around for usb 3.0 prices, no luck. How expensive could it be?

[Frick]

Originally Posted by BloodTotal

I've tried finding what wouldn't work? Also, couldn't you technically use a usb 2.0 hub on a usb 3.0 input? Wouldn't it just allow more usb 2.0s? Unless the drivers don't allow that yet. Because I don't see why it can't physically work?

Mouse, keyboards, USB memory sticks, sound cards, whatever.. Could be anything really. It is backwards compatible, but sometimes (or pretty often in my experience) it doesn't work, at least not as intended. I think it has something to do with controllers, but tbh I have no idea.

[Fourstaff]

Originally Posted by BloodTotal

Tried looking around for usb 3.0 prices, no luck. How expensive could it be?

Cheap, a few dollars at most. That said, sometimes motherboard real estate in laptops is in short supply (especially those poorly optimised ones) it makes sense to leave them out.