What is USB Type C?
What is USB Type C?
Leading The Charge - USB Type C
USB, or universal serial bus, is a device that plugs into your computer to
communicate with other devices. There are different types of USB connectors
that work with different port versions that determine the transfer speed of
the USB connector. Many USB ports can be located on desktops, laptops, tablets
and smartphones. USB devices can power an assortment of peripherals such as
keyboards, mice, headphones, hard drives, and more.
These cables also have charging capabilities for a number of portable devices.
While we'll be going over what a USB Type C is, note that there are other USB
types such as micro usb cables and mini usb cables such as, USB Type A and USB
type B, as well as their counterparts, USB Micro-A and USB Micro-B and USB
Mini-A and USB Mini-B.
USB Type C port is the newest USB Type to take over the tech world and, by all accounts, it
is here to stay. You may be asking yourself – what is USB-C, what makes it so
special and exactly how it different from its predecessors? We’re here to
answer all of your questions.
What is USB-C?
USB-C will soon do away with all proprietary power adapters and USB cables in
a call to unify all devices once and for all. It has the ability to transfer
data, provide power, transmit audio and video, and power HDMI devices.
It is the new industry standard connector and, as we’re sure you’ve noticed,
the new norm with many PC manufacturers and software developers. USB-C is
bridging the gap between Apple and everyone else, unlike the Lightning and
MagSafe connectors, which had only limited acceptance beyond Apple products.
USB-C is on the path to making all other USB cables obsolete.
How is it different from my current USB connectors?
Well, first off, you know how there's a 50/50 chance you'll get the plug
orientation correct on the first try, but somehow you get it wrong 90% of the
time? Those days are over. USB-C functions both ways and, an added bonus, both
ends of the cable are the same, allowing for reversible plug orientation. The
USB type C connector and port are similar to the Micro USB, making it small
enough to work within the slightest peripherals as well as charge and syncing.
Secondly, it's fast. We're talking really fast. The default protocol is
10Gbps, which is essentially twice as fast as the previous USB 3.0. Note the
USB 3.1 is still available in the Type A connector at 10Gbps, but the smaller,
thinner USB-C is the new standard on the latest phones and tablets, rendering
the larger standard connector obsolete without an adapter.
USB-C is backwards compatible with USB 3.0, USB 2.0, and older, and cables
with USB-C to Type-A connectors are available to ease the transition into the
new standard as we continue to move towards an exclusive USB-C world.
Version | Introduced | USB Types | Max Transfer Speed |
---|---|---|---|
USB 1.1 | 1998 |
USB-A USB-B |
12 Mbps |
USB 2.0 | 2000 |
USB-A USB-B USB Micro A USB Micro B USB Mini A USB Mini B USB-C |
480 Mbps |
USB 3.2 Gen 1 |
2008 (USB 3.0) 2013 (USB3.1) |
USB-A USB-B USB Micro B USB-C |
5 Gbps |
USB 3.2 Gen 2 | 2013 (USB 3.1) |
USB-A USB-B USB Micro B USB-C |
10 Gbps |
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 | 2017 (USB 3.2) | USB-C | 20 Gbps |
USB 4 Gen 2x2 | 2019 | USB-C | 20 Gbps |
USB 4 Gen 3x2 | 2019 | USB-C | 40 Gbps |
One cable, one port for all
As we mentioned above, USB-C transmits data, provides power, transmits audio
and video, and can even power HDMI devices. Plus, all Thunderbolt 3 cables
will work as USB-C charging cables and vice versa.
Thunderbolt allows for daisy chaining devices and transmitting high-definition
audio and video signals and can move as much as 100 watts of power, enough to
transfer large amounts of data to and from computers. Many laptops are already
using Thunderbolt 3 ports, some with up to four connectors (Apple's MacBook
Pro). USB-C cables are the ultimate cross-platform connector and we're only
just beginning to unlock its potential.
USB standards have come a long way from being introduced back in 1998. While
USB Type C was first shown in 2000, in the past few years it has really gained
traction and has become the standard for the USB 4.
The standards of a USB Type are associated with its connector and speed. The
USB 1.1 only accepted the USB Type A and Type B connector types and had a max
data transfer speed of 12 Mbps. Fast forward to today, USB 4 has a max data
transfer speed of 40 Gbps but USB 4 only accepts a USB Type C connector. With
these kinds of stats, it’s safe to say USB-C is here to stay.
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