Which type of port allows for hot swapping and is commonly used for connecting external storage devices?

The correct answer is eSATA Port because it is specifically designed for connecting external SATA (Serial ATA) storage devices, such as hard drives and SSDs, and supports hot swapping. Hot swapping allows devices to be connected or disconnected without needing to power down the computer, enhancing convenience and efficiency during data transfer operations. eSATA ports facilitate high-speed data transfer, making them ideal for external storage solutions where performance is essential.

While USB ports do support hot swapping and are widely used for various devices, including storage, the question specifically mentions a port type tailored for external storage compatibility, which makes eSATA the more suitable choice. Thunderbolt ports also permit hot swapping and are used for high-speed connections, but they can be more complex and are not exclusively dedicated to external storage like eSATA is. HDMI ports, on the other hand, are primarily used for video and audio transmission rather than storage connectivity, thus are not relevant in this context.