What USB version provides a maximum transfer rate of 480 Mbps?

The correct answer is USB 2.0, which is known for providing a maximum transfer rate of 480 Mbps (megabits per second). This version of USB was a significant upgrade from the earlier versions, allowing for faster data transfer rates, which became essential as devices required higher throughput for tasks like video streaming and large file transfers.

USB 2.0 introduced a more robust framework for data transmission compared to its predecessors, offering improved performance for a wide range of devices such as printers, external hard drives, and cameras. In contrast, USB 1.0 and 1.1 had maximum transfer rates of only 1.5 Mbps and 12 Mbps, respectively, making them inadequate for modern data transfer needs. USB 3.0 further improved upon USB 2.0 by allowing for transfer rates up to 5 Gbps, but it is important to recognize that the specific speed of 480 Mbps is distinctly attributed to the USB 2.0 standard.