Rear view

Some connectors on the rear of your computer are color-coded to help you determine where to connect the cables on your computer.

Note: The computer hardware might look slightly different from the illustration.

Figure 1. Rear connectors

`1` Power cord connector	`2` Audio line-out connector
`3` Microphone connector	`4` Serial connector (available on some models)
`5` PS/2 keyboard connector	`6` USB 2.0 connectors (2)
`7` USB 3.0 connectors (4)	`8` PCIe card area*
`9` Security-lock slot	`10` Key-nest slots
`11` Ethernet connectors (2)	`12` PS/2 mouse connector
`13` Audio line-in connector	`14` PCIe card area*

Note:

* 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.
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 Power cord connector

Connect the power cord to your computer for power supply.

2 Audio line-out connector

The audio line-out connector is used to send audio signals from the computer to external devices, such as headphones.

3 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.

4 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 PS/2 keyboard connector

Use this connector to attach a Personal System/2 (PS/2) keyboard.

6 USB 2.0 connectors (2)

Use this connector to attach a USB-compatible device, such as a USB keyboard, mouse, storage drive, or printer.

7 USB 3.0 connectors (4)

Use this connector to attach a USB-compatible device, such as a USB keyboard, mouse, storage drive, or printer.

8 14 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.

9 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.

10 Key-nest slots

Install the key holder that comes with the computer cover lock key to the key-nest slots.

11 Ethernet connectors (2)

Connect an Ethernet cable for a local area network (LAN).

Note: To operate the computer within Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Class B limits, use a Category 5 Ethernet cable.

12 PS/2 mouse connector

Use this connector to attach a PS/2 mouse, a trackball, or other pointing devices.

13 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.