usb port puzzle

[MalcolmInN]

I have a mystery usb port, on a laptop, of a type that I have not come across before.
Instead of the usual blank plate in one half of the socket (see lower of the two in the pic below) there are 4 holes with pins inside them as well as the usual contact strips in the wide slot.

Any computer guru tell me what this is all about ?
It is clearly labled with the usual usb symbol but is set apart from the normal pair.

[mickster04]

Looks like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESATAp to me?

[ntpntpntp]

Looks like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESATAp to me?

Malcolm's is an eSATA not eSATAp,  but yes it is a hybrid SATA and USB port so can be used for external SATA disk drives etc.

I'm surprised it's not labelled as eSATA next to the port, but should be mentioned in the 'pooter's user guide.

[mickster04]

Quite right. Extra character I didn't spot. Wasn't paying enough attention, sorry for any confusion.

[MalcolmInN]

Thanks, interesting ! Not heard of that before.

No user guide :-( RM Nbook 4400 bought from an ebay 'refurbisher' some time ago. Dropped by swmbo yesterday = cracked screen ! This port was found whilst examining for aux monitor outputs.
Good news is that it has a vga socket, so she is now happy with a big 19" screen instead :-)

>> goes googling eSATA things >>

[ntpntpntp]

Should be able to get the user guide from RM Support?   
The support page google found seems to show two different User Guides - one requires you to register to gain access so I didn't follow that up, but you could?

https://support.rm.com/knowledgelibrary/search?q=4400&pageno=1&taxonomy=dandd&size=50

[MalcolmInN]

Should be able to get the user guide from RM Support? 

Thanks for the reminder, I found that page a long time ago but never got round to reging ! However a revisit now shows a new pdf there that is freely available and Lo! it describes the three ports as

" 1.2.1  Power USB Ports
 When you press Power USB button under off mode, you can charge external USB devices with power cable connected."


No mention of SATA, no worries - I dont have any SATA devices !
This USB button is a button alongside the power-on button such that when the lappy is powered down the Power USB Ports can be enabled for charging ext devices.

So mystery solved and turns out no use to me LOL!

PS Just discovered it has an HDMI port as well, that could have a use.

Thanks for all your promptings guys, I learned something today