Does my computer support USB 1.1 or 2.0?

Universal Serial Bus (USB) version 1.1 was introduced in September, 1998. USB 2.0 was introduced later, but did not become the standard until 2006. All Gateway® desktop computers shipped since November 2002 are USB 2.0 compliant. To verify if your notebook is USB 2.0 compliant, see the specifications for your notebook.

USB version 1.1 provides a dual speed 1.5/12 Mbps connection.
USB version 2.0 adds 480 Mbps as a third speed to the previous speeds offered in version 1.1.

In terms of compatibility, USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 are interchangeable. The USB system runs each device at its optimal speed. However, the speed of the USB controller on the computer determines the overall speed. For instance, if you plug a USB 2.0 device into a computer that is USB 1.1, the USB 2.0 device runs at 12 Mbps and if you plug a USB 1.1 device into a computer that is USB 2.0 compliant, the device runs at the USB 1.1 speed (12 Mbps). However, if you plug a USB 1.1 device and a USB 2.0 device into a computer that is USB 2.0 compliant, each device runs its maximum speed (12 Mbps for the USB 1.1 and 480 Mbps for the USB 2.0)

Computers that do not support USB 2.0 can be upgraded by adding a USB 2.0 compliant add-in card if the rest of the system requirements for the card are met by the computer. Reference the specific requirements of the add-in card.