What is the difference between FireWire and USB?

FireWire and USB both transfer digital data from one device to another.

FireWire is a slightly faster connection than the current USB 2.0 standard, and thus better-suited for transferring large digital files, such as video files from a digital camcorder or large files from an external hard disk drive.

USB is perfectly acceptable for connecting most other types of peripherals, including printers, mice, digital cameras, iPods, and the like.

Because of the higher cost of FireWire cables and connectors, it is not generally used for general peripherals of this sort.

Michael Miller is a writer and commentator on technology and digital lifestyle topics.