Some connectors on the rear of your computer are color-coded to help you determine where to connect the cables on your computer.
| 1 Security-lock slot | 2 Ethernet connector |
| 3 Padlock loop | 4 Serial connector (available on some models) |
| 5 Audio line-in connector | 6 PCIe card area* |
| 7 Audio line-out connector | 8 Microphone connector |
| 9 USB 2.0 connectors (2) | 10 USB 3.0 connectors (4) |
| 11 Serial connector (available on some models) | 12 PS/2 keyboard connector |
| 13 PS/2 mouse connector | 14 Power-cord connector |
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* A discrete graphics card or a network adapter can be installed in the appropriate Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) card slot. If such a card is installed, use the connectors on the card instead of the corresponding connectors on the computer to optimize the performance.
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Depending on your computer model, the preinstalled cards might vary. One or more graphics cards might be installed to provide the following connectors:
DisplayPort® connector
Digital Visual Interface (DVI) connector
Mini DisplayPort® connector
DisplayPort connector
Use this connector to attach a high-performance monitor, a direct-drive monitor, or other compatible devices.
DVI monitor connector
Use this connector to attach a DVI monitor or other compatible devices.
Mini DisplayPort connector
Use this connector to attach a high-performance monitor, a direct-drive monitor, or other compatible devices. The Mini DisplayPort connector is a miniaturized version of a DisplayPort connector.
1 Security-lock slot
Attach a Kensington-style cable lock to the security-lock slot to secure your computer. For more information, see Attaching a Kensington-style cable lock.
2 Ethernet connector
3 Padlock loop
Attach a padlock to secure your computer. For more information, see Locking the computer cover.
4 11 Serial connector (available on some models)
Connect an external modem, a serial printer, or other devices that use a 9-pin serial connector to the serial connector.
5 Audio line-in connector
The audio line-in connector is used to receive audio signals from an external audio device, such as a stereo system. When you attach an external audio device, a cable connection is established between the audio line-out connector of the device and the audio line-in connector of the computer.
6 PCIe card area
To further improve the computer performance, you can install PCIe cards into this area. Depending on your computer model, the preinstalled cards might vary.
7 Audio line-out connector
The audio line-out connector is used to send audio signals from the computer to external devices, such as headphones.
8 Microphone connector
Use this connector to attach a microphone to your computer when you want to record sound or if you use speech-recognition software.
9 USB 2.0 connector(2)
Use this connector to attach a USB-compatible device, such as a USB keyboard, mouse, storage drive, or printer.
10 USB 3.0 connector(4)
Use this connector to attach a USB-compatible device, such as a USB keyboard, mouse, storage drive, or printer.
12 PS/2 keyboard connector
Use this connector to attach a Personal System/2 (PS/2) keyboard.
13 PS/2 mouse connector
Use this connector to attach a PS/2 mouse, a trackball, or other pointing devices.
14 Power-cord connector
Connect the power cord to your computer for power supply.