What is the standard method for connecting a storage device to a motherboard that uses an L-shaped connector?

The standard method for connecting a storage device to a motherboard that uses an L-shaped connector is Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA). SATA connectors are designed with an L-shape to ensure proper orientation during installation, making it easy to connect the cable to the motherboard and the storage device without the risk of connecting it incorrectly.

SATA has largely replaced the older Parallel ATA (PATA) standard due to its advantages in speed and efficiency. While PATA connectors are wider and utilize a different pin configuration, they do not share the L-shaped design, which is a distinctive feature of SATA.

External SATA (eSATA) is another variant of the SATA interface, designed specifically for external devices, but it also does not use the standard L-shaped connector for internal connections. Instead, eSATA cables are designed for external connectivity and feature a different connector.

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is widely used for connecting various peripherals, including external storage devices, but it does not have an L-shaped connector and operates under a different protocol than SATA.

Therefore, SATA is the technology that matches the description of using an L-shaped connector, making it the correct choice.