What is a significant advantage of USB devices upon their initial connection?

The significant advantage of USB devices upon their initial connection lies in their ability to be automatically detected and configured by the operating system. This plug-and-play functionality enables users to connect a USB device, such as a mouse, keyboard, or external storage, and have it recognized immediately by the computer without the need for manual setup or installation of drivers. This automatic detection streamlines the user experience, making it more convenient and efficient to connect new hardware.

While immediate usability without installation might seem similar, the core advantage of USB technology is how the operating system identifies it and prepares it for use automatically. Other options touch on valid points, such as data transmission speeds or cable length, but they don't address the primary advantage of USB's user-friendly setup process.