USB

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is the solution for all PC users who want an instant, no-hassle way to connect new hardware like digital joysticks, scanners, digital speakers, digital cameras or a PC telephone to their computer.
USB makes adding peripheral devices extremely easy. With USB-compliant PCs and peripherals, you just plug them in and turn them on. USB makes the whole process automatic. It's like adding instant new capabilities to your PC. You never need to open your PC, and you don't need to worry about add-in cards, DIP switch settings or IRQs.

Another USB feature is "hot-swapping".  You no longer need to shut down and restart your PC to attach or remove a peripheral. Just plug in the new device and the PC automatically detects the peripheral and configures the necessary software.
USB also lets you connect many peripherals at one time. Many USB PCs come with two USB ports. And special USB peripherals -- called USB hubs -- have additional ports that let you "daisy chain" multiple devices together.

Most PCs, including laptops on the market today are fully USB-ready...ready for USB digital cameras, scanners, printers, computer telephony products, digital speakers and digital gaming devices.