usb port c what. Let's look at the example of Promate uniHub-C. What is USB Type-C

Xiaomi launches USB Type-C noise-canceling headphones in Indian market the highest quality sound. What is so interesting about them? Let's consider in more detail.

These wired in-ear headphones were specially launched with the Mi Mix 2 in mind, because the smartphone has a USB Type-C port instead of a 3.5mm audio jack.

According to analytics, 32% of users mobile phones Xiaomi prefers USB Type-C headphones.

The body of the headset is made of titanium, which guarantees resistance to scratches and corrosion. The reproducible frequency range is 20-40,000 Hz with a sensitivity of 113 dB. Thanks to the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) function, the headphones are able to suppress external noise.

The headphones are compatible with most Xiaomi smartphones that have a USB Type-C port:

  • Mi Mix 2,
  • Mi Mix,
  • mi 6,
  • mi 5,
  • mi 5s,
  • Mi 5s Plus,
  • Mi note 2.

However, they are not compatible with Redmi 5X and Redmi Pro.

The headphones are equipped with a micro-mechanical noise reduction module that easily copes with blocking ambient noise. When the mode is turned on, noise with a power of 25 dB is suppressed, with a frequency range from 50 to 2000 Hz.

Mi Noise Canceling USB Type-C Wired Headset is also not compatible with Redmi 4C and Redmi 4S. You will be able to listen to music and active noise canceling will work. But, you will not be able to receive calls or control music using the built-in remote.

The headphone cable is made of environmentally friendly material, which is completely non-toxic. In addition, a digital decoder is installed in the headphones to achieve the best sound.

The cost of the accessory is about $45. In general, for such a price, not bad at all. Good quality assembly, active noise cancellation, remote control and hardware audio decoding function to improve its sound.

Flash-cards (or the so-called flash drives) will not surprise anyone now. They have come a long way to the miniature size devices that many of you probably have. The only thing that can move this market segment forward is the development and support of new standards. Therefore, as soon as we had one of the first flash drives and the USB 3.1 standard, we decided to tell you about it right away.

From the box it is immediately clear that we are dealing with something tiny - the length of the flash card does not exceed one inch. Actually, apart from the flash drive itself, there is nothing in the box: and it would be strange to expect anything else here.


On the one hand, there is the USB Type-A (3.1) standard, familiar to many users, and on the other, the same 3.1, only with a USB Type-C connector, protected by a special overlay.


Just look how tiny it is - for example, in comparison with the same one, the dimensions of which are well known to everyone.



To insert a USB flash drive into the new MacBook (and this is now from Apple), just move the overlay, and then start copying all the necessary data. Even compared to a baby like a MacBook, the flash card looks quite small. Such that it is almost imperceptible.



This accessory will become indispensable for you if you have both a new MacBook and a laptop without USB Type-C support. With its help, transferring data from one device to another will become not only very simple, but also fast - we could see for ourselves.



Information obtained using the BlackMagic Disk Speed ​​Test program indicates that the transfer speeds for USB 3.1 (Type-A) and Type-C are almost the same. It would be strange to see something else - after all, Type-C is essentially a nice "bonus" to the usual USB 3.1.

The first version of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) was introduced in 1995. It was USB that became the most successful interface in the history of computing systems. Tens of billions of devices communicate with each other via USB, so the importance of this data transfer channel can hardly be overestimated. It looks like with the advent of the connector USB Type-C, our understanding of the capabilities and role of the universal bus may change dramatically. Before talking about the prospects, let's see what the new format universal connector offers.

The advantages and disadvantages of the new format interface connector have been discussed on the net for some time. The USB Type-C specification was finally approved at the end of last summer, however, the topic of the universal connector aroused active interest after the recent announcement of the laptop, as well as new version equipped with USB Type-C.

The USB Type-C connector is slightly larger than the usual USB 2.0 Micro-B, but noticeably smaller than the dual USB 3.0 Micro-B, not to mention the classic USB Type-A.


The dimensions of the connector (8.34×2.56 mm) make it possible to use it without much difficulty for devices of any class, including smartphones/tablets with the minimum reasonable case thickness.

Structurally, the connector has an oval shape. Signal and power outputs are placed on a plastic stand in the central part. The USB Type-C contact group includes 24 pins. This is much more than the previous generation of USB connectors. Only 4 pins were allocated for the needs of USB 1.0 / 2.0, and USB 3.0 connectors have 9 pins.

The first obvious benefit of USB Type-C is a symmetrical connector that allows you not to think about which side to connect the plug to the outlet. The age-old problem of devices with USB connectors of any format is now finally solved. In this case, the solution of the problem is achieved not by a banal duplication of all contact groups. It uses a certain logic of automatic negotiation and switching.

Another nice thing is that there are identical connectors on both sides of the interface cable. Therefore, using USB Type-C, you do not need to choose which side of the conductor to connect the master and slave devices.

The outer shell of the connector does not have any holes or cutouts. To fix it in the connector, internal side latches are used. The plug must be securely held in the socket. Backlash, like those that could be observed with USB 3.0 Micro-B, should not be here.

Many people are probably worried about the physical reliability of the new connector. According to the declared characteristics, the mechanical resource of the USB Type-C connector is about 10,000 connections. Exactly the same indicator is typical for USB port 2.0 Micro-B.

Separately, we note that USB Type-C is not a data transfer interface. This is a type of connector that allows different signal and power lines to be connected together. As you can see, the connector is elegant from an engineering point of view, and most importantly, it should be easy to use.

Transfer rate. 10 Gb / s is not for everyone?

One of the advantages of USB Type-C is the ability to use the USB 3.1 interface for data transfer, promising an increase in bandwidth up to 10 Gb / s. However, USB Type-C and USB 3.1 are not equivalent terms and are definitely not synonymous. The USB Type-C format can implement the capabilities of both USB 3.1 and USB 3.0 and even USB 2.0. Support for a particular specification is determined by the integrated controller. Of course, USB Type-C ports are more likely to appear on devices that support high speed data transmission, but this is not a dogma.

Recall that even when implementing USB capabilities 3.1 there may be differences in top speed data transmission. For USB 3.1 Gen 1, this is 5 Gb / s, USB 3.1 Gen 2 - 10 Gb / s. By the way, the presented Apple Macbook and Chromebook Pixel have USB Type-C ports with a bandwidth of 5 Gb / s. Well, a clear example of the fact that the new interface connector is very versatile is the Nokia N1 tablet. It also has a USB Type-C connector but is limited to USB 2.0 with a bandwidth of 480 Mb/s.

The designation "USB 3.1 Gen 1" can be called a kind of marketing ploy. A nominally similar port has the same capabilities as USB 3.0. Moreover, the same controllers can be used for this version of "USB 3.1" as for the implementation of the previous generation bus. On initial stage such a technique will probably be actively used by manufacturers, releasing new devices with USB Type-C that do not need maximum bandwidth. Offering a device with a new type of connector, many will want to present it in a favorable light, declaring the presence of not only a new connector, but also USB 3.1 support, even if conditional.

It is important to understand that the USB Type-C port can nominally be used for maximum performance connections at speeds up to 10 Gb / s, but in order to get this throughput, the connected devices must provide it. The presence of USB Type-C is not an indicator of the real speed capabilities of the port. They should be specified in advance in the specifications of specific products.

Some restrictions also have cables for connecting devices. When using the USB 3.1 interface, for lossless data transfer at speeds up to 10 Gb / s (Gen 2), the cable length with USB Type-C connectors should not exceed 1 meter, for connection at speeds up to 5 Gb / s (Gen 1) - 2 meters.

Energy transfer. 100 W unit

Another important feature that USB Type-C brings is the ability to transfer power up to 100W. This is enough not only for power / charging mobile devices, but also for trouble-free operation of laptops, monitors or, for example, "large" external drives 3.5" format.

When the USB bus was originally developed, power transfer was a secondary function. The USB 1.0 port provided only 0.75W (0.15A, 5V). Enough for the mouse / keyboard, but no more. For USB 2.0, the nominal current was increased to 0.5 A, which made it possible to obtain 2.5 W. This was often enough to power, for example, external hard drives 2.5" format. For USB 3.0, a nominal current of 0.9 A is provided, which, with a constant supply voltage of 5V, already guarantees a power of 4.5 watts. Special reinforced connectors on motherboards Ax or laptops were capable of delivering up to 1.5A to speed up the charging of connected mobile devices, but it's still 7.5W. Against the background of these numbers, the ability to transmit 100 watts looks like something fantastic. However, in order for the USB Type-C port to be filled with the necessary power, support for the specification is required. USB power Delivery 2.0 (USBPD). If there is none, the USB Type-C port will normally be able to deliver 7.5 W (1.5 A, 5 V) or 15 W (3A, 5 V) to the mountain, depending on the configuration.

To streamline the power capabilities of USB PD ports, a system of power profiles has been developed that provides for possible combinations of voltages and currents. Compliance with Profile 1 guarantees the ability to transmit 10W of energy, Profile 2 - 18W, Profile 3 - 36W, Profile 4 - 60W, Profile 5 - 100W. Port matching profile over high level, maintains all previous states in descending order. 5V, 12V and 20V are selected as reference voltages. The use of 5V is necessary for compatibility with the huge fleet of USB peripherals available. 12V is the standard supply voltage for various system components. 20V is proposed taking into account the fact that external 19-20V PSUs are used to charge the batteries of most laptops.

Of course, it's good when the device is equipped with USB Type-C, which supports the maximum energy profile of USB PD. It is this connector that allows you to transfer up to 100 watts of energy. Obviously, ports with similar potential may appear on some powerful laptops, special docking stations or motherboards, where separate phases of the internal power supply will be allocated for USB Type-C needs. The point is that the required power must be somehow generated and brought to the USB Type-C contacts. Yes, and for the transmission of energy of such power, active cables will be required.

It is important to understand here that not any port of the new format will be able to provide the declared power of 100 watts. There is a potential opportunity for this, however, this issue must be resolved by the manufacturer at the level of circuitry. Also, do not have illusions that the above 100 watts can be obtained, say, from a matchbox-sized power supply and now you can power your smartphone with charging from a smartphone. gaming laptop and a 27-inch monitor connected to it. Nevertheless, the law of conservation of energy continues to work, and therefore an external 100 W PSU with a USB Type-C port will still be the same weighty bar as before. In general, the very possibility of transferring energy of such power using a universal compact connector is, of course, a plus. At a minimum, a great opportunity to get rid of the inconsistency of the original power connectors, which laptop manufacturers often sin with.

Another useful USB feature Type-C - the ability to change the direction of energy transfer. If the device circuitry allows, the consumer can, for example, temporarily become a source of charge. Moreover, for the reverse energy exchange, even reconnecting the connectors is not required.

Alternate mode. Not USB single

The USB Type-C port was originally designed as a universal solution. In addition to directly transferring data via USB, it can also be used in Alternate Mode to implement third-party interfaces. This flexibility of USB Type-C was used by the VESA association, introducing the possibility of transmitting a video stream via DisplayPort Alt Mode.

USB Type-C has four Super Speed ​​USB high-speed lines (pairs). If two of them are allocated to the needs of DisplayPort, this is enough to get a picture with a resolution of 4K (3840 × 2160). At the same time, the data transfer speed via USB is not affected. At the peak, this is still the same 10 Gb / s (for USB 3.1 Gen2). Also, the transmission of the video stream does not affect the power capacity of the port in any way. For the needs of DisplayPort, even high-speed 4 lines can be allocated. In this case, modes up to 5K (5120×2880) will be available. In this mode, the USB 2.0 lines remain unused, because USB Type-C will still be able to transfer data in parallel, although at a limited speed.

In alternative mode, the SBU1/SBU2 pins are used to transmit the audio stream, which are converted to AUX+/AUX- channels. For the USB protocol, they are not used, so there are no additional functional losses here either.

When using the DisplayPort interface, the USB Type-C connector can still be connected in either direction. The necessary signal matching is provided initially.

Connecting devices with using HDMI, DVI and even D-Sub (VGA) is also possible, but this will require separate adapters, however, these must be active adapters, since for DisplayPort Alt Mode, Dual-Mode Display Port (DP ++) is not supported.

Alternative USB mode Type-C can be used for more than just DisplayPort. Perhaps soon we will find out that given port learned, for example, to transfer data using PCI Express or Ethernet.

Compatibility. Difficulties of the "transitional" period

When it comes to USB Type-C compatibility with devices equipped with USB ports of the previous generation, it is not possible to connect them directly due to the fundamental differences in the design of the connectors. To do this, you need to use adapters. Their range promises to be very wide. Of course, it's not just about converting USB Type-C to other USB types. Adapters for outputting images to screens with traditional DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI and VGA ports will also be available.

Apple simultaneously with the announcement of the new MacBook offered several options for adapters. A single USB Type-C to USB Type-A is priced at $19.

Given the presence of only one USB Type-C, the owner of a MacBook probably cannot do without a universal, more functional converter. Apple introduced two such adapters. One output has a pass-through USB Type-C, VGA and USB Type-A port, the second option is equipped with HDMI instead of VGA. The cost of these boxes is $79. A 29 W power supply with native USB Type-C cost $49.


Google for new system The Chromebook Pixel offers single USB Type-C to Type-A (plug/female) adapters for $13, and a $40 DisplayPort to HDMI converter. The 60W power supply is priced at $60.

Traditionally, you should not expect humane price tags for additional accessories from equipment manufacturers. Adapter manufacturers are anticipating demand for their new products. Belkin is already ready to ship kilometers of conductors, but their cost cannot be called low either ($20–30). The company also announced, but has not yet unveiled, a USB Type-C to Gigabit Ethernet adapter. The cost has not yet been announced, there is only information that it will be available in early summer. It's funny, but it seems that up to this point, in order to connect to a wired network, you will need to use two adapters at once. It is quite possible that someone will be quicker than Belkin by offering an appropriate adapter earlier.

It will be possible to talk about a noticeable price reduction only after much less well-known companies from the “Celestial Empire” are tightly engaged in accessories with USB Type-C. Considering what prospects are opening up, we believe that they will not be the case.

Devices with USB Type-C. Someone has to be first

Nominally, the tablet became the first device equipped with a USB Type-C port. At least, it was this device that became a harbinger of the fact that the ports of the new format left the developer laboratories and "go to the people."

An interesting device, but, unfortunately, while it is offered in a fairly limited edition. The tablet has a native USB Type-C port, although the USB 2.0 protocol is used for data transfer.

Perhaps the most iconic product that will help boost the popularity of USB Type-C is the recently introduced . The 12-inch laptop is equipped with a single interface connector, so its owners will one way or another become pioneers who will adapt to life with USB Type-C.

On the one hand, Apple obviously supported the development of the new standard; moreover, the company's engineers were directly involved in the development of USB Type-C. On the other hand, updated versions of the Macbook Air and Macbook Pro did not receive this connector. Does this mean that USB Type-C will not be registered in the more “heavy” category of USB Type-C devices in the coming year? Debatable. After all, surely Apple will not be able to resist updating the line of laptops after the autumn announcement of a new mobile platform Intel s Skylake processors. Perhaps that's when the Cupertians will allocate space on the interface panel for USB Type-C.

The situation with tablets and smartphones is even more ambiguous. Will Apple use USB Type-C instead of Lightning for them? The proprietary connector is noticeably inferior in terms of capabilities to the new universal port, but what about the original peripherals that users have accumulated mobile products Apple since 2012? We will find out the answers to these questions with the update or expansion of the iPhone / iPad lines.

Google has unveiled the second generation of stylish Chromebook Pixel laptops. Chrome OS systems are still quite niche solutions, but the quality Google systems captivates, besides this time they are at the forefront of devices offering to join USB Type-C. Laptops are equipped with a pair of appropriate connectors. However, for safety reasons, Chromebook Pixels also have two classic USB 3.0 connectors.

In general, Google representatives are very excited about the capabilities of the new connector, counting on the appearance of Android mobile devices with a USB Type-C connector in the near future. The uncompromising support of the largest platform holder is a powerful argument for other market players.

Motherboard manufacturers are in no hurry to add a USB Type-C port to their devices. Recently, MSI introduced the MSI Z97A GAMING 6, which is equipped with such a connector with a data transfer rate of up to 10Gb/s.

ASUS offers an external USB controller 3.1 with a USB Type-C port, which is installed on any board with a free PCI slot Express (x4).

Peripherals with native USB Type-C are still frankly not enough. Surely, many manufacturers were in no hurry with the announcement, waiting for the appearance of systems with which it will be possible to use products with USB Type-C. In general, this is a typical situation when introducing the next industry standard.

Immediately after the announcement of the Apple MacBook, LaCie introduced a series of portable external hard drives with USB Type-C.


SanDisk already offers a flash drive with two connectors - USB 3.0 Type-A and USB Type-C. A similar product is offered by the lesser-known Microdia.

Surely soon we will see a significant expansion of the range of devices with USB Type-C. The flywheel of change will slowly but surely unwind. The support of "big" companies can influence the situation and speed up this process.

Results

The need for a universal compact connector that could be used to transfer data, video-audio streams and electricity has been long overdue. Given the mutual interest, both from users and equipment manufacturers, there are all prerequisites for USB Type-C to “shoot”.

Compact dimensions, ease and convenience of connection along with wide possibilities promise the connector the prospects to repeat the success of its predecessor. The familiar USB port has been upgraded several times, but it's time for a radical change. 10 Gb / s with the possibility of further scaling, power transmission up to 100 W and a picture with a resolution of up to 5K. Good for a start? Another argument in the piggy bank of USB Type-C is an open standard that does not require licensing fees from manufacturers. There is still a lot of work to be done, but the result is visible ahead, for the sake of which it is worth going this way.

The era of inconvenient connectors has come to an end. Some users no longer recognize the old 30-pin Apple cable, and microUSB is rarely seen even in budget phones. USB Type-C became the standard of 2016, which is used in most of the announced devices. Even Apple decided, following the Macbook 2015, to deprive the new models of the Pro line of the usual USB connector. Does this mean that the company will soon abandon Lightning?

A few years ago, the then new Lightning connector was perceived as an “amazing” replacement for the old and inconvenient counterpart. No more suffering from getting into the charging port, and smaller sizes novelties contributed to the "weight loss" of new iPhone models.

But time goes on, the industry does not stand still, and once a revolutionary connector has become commonplace. And the obsolete microUSB was replaced with a competitive Type-C, which could compete on an equal footing with Lightning in terms of capabilities.

The gradual transition to the new standard was very "painful". Apple users tolerated the change of connectors more calmly, because they are used to rather high prices for cables, unlike Android device owners who are not ready to pay $10-20 for a piece of wire.

But it wasn't just the price that was the problem. The first devices with USB Type-C did not offer anything new, delivering only inconvenience. After all, they did not use high-speed USB 3.1, but regular USB 2.0. This slightly slowed down the spread of the connector. But now there are phones and laptops that use the full potential available.

One of the main advantages of USB Type-C is the ability to simultaneously charge and exchange large amounts of data. With the help of the new connector, voltages up to 100 W can be transmitted, which is about 20 V and 5 A. Such values ​​​​are enough to charge almost any device, be it a tablet or a laptop. So there is a reserve for the future.

It’s not worth talking about ease of use here, symmetry has eliminated the need to constantly check which side is connected. But here it is worth noting that Lightning in terms of structural reliability will be a little better. After all, inside the USB connector, as before, there is a thin contact tab, which is easy to break when foreign particles get in. In this case, the owner will have to repair the USB input. But if Lightning breaks down, even breaking off the plug, you just need to change the cable.

Another disadvantage was the availability of a large number of cheap Chinese USB Type-C cables and the problem of quality control. Such a wire, bought for $1, could damage the battery or even set the device on fire. The problem lies in the voltage passing through the cable, because in the Chinese versions there was often no restriction, which was the cause of the breakdowns of many phones.

But the fate of Lightning no longer seems so rosy. Devices using it have not yet received support fast charging, the data transfer rate is inferior to a competitor, and the versatility of such a connector remains in question. Even Apple computers don't have it. To connect your phone to a new Macbook, you need to purchase adapters.

The Cupertinos have invested a lot of money in the development of Lightning, and he himself brings in good licensing revenues, but it seems that his time is running out. Switching to USB Type-C will allow you to charge all the devices in the house with just one wire.

But don't expect Lightning to die anytime soon. A huge number of accessories are available for it, and the recent ditching of the 3.5mm miniJack has extended its lifespan by several years. After all, the output of headphones using Lightning will bring considerable profit to Apple. And, perhaps, she will refine the characteristics of the connector to equal them with a competitor.

Now USB Type-C is endowed with more capabilities and looks more promising. So on this moment it is he who wins in the fight for the title of "the most technologically advanced connector of 2016".

The rapid development of computer technology affects not only the main components of systems. Opportunities are increasing, including various interfaces. As for the most common connection method peripherals, - USB, - here, in general, we can state a multiple increase in performance in recent years. Bandwidth Universal Serial Bus increases, functionality expands. The connectors used to connect a variety of USB devices are also subject to change. Today, many people hear about USB, what are the advantages and disadvantages of the solution - the topic of this article.

Modern computer connectors

Looking around the case of almost any laptop, you can find a number of different ports located on the sides. Among them, USB is always present, almost always HDMI and some others. Modern models are often equipped with the latest USB Type-C port. What kind of connector this is, many do not know, but it would be worthwhile to familiarize yourself with the capabilities of the port. Presumably, the connector will replace many other solutions in the future and become a truly universal standard. This is facilitated by the technical characteristics of a new way of pairing a computer and peripherals. The USB Type-C port offers users increased data transfer speeds, improved functionality, and a new level of usability. In short, the future of the standard looks very promising.

Many uses for one cable

The creators of USB Type-C used a very simple idea when developing the standard. The user must have a single type of cable, and his computer equipment is equipped with one type of port. Through the use of a unified interface, anything can be connected. For example, using USB cable Type-C, can be connected inherently different devices, represented by hard drives, monitors, audio interfaces, smartphones, tablet PCs. Among other things, it becomes possible to use the connector in question even for charging a laptop.

USB-A

Today, almost all peripheral devices are connected to the PC via the familiar USB-A connector. This port is firmly established in Computer World, has a familiar rectangular shape, and its use has become almost the standard for interfacing flash drives, external keyboards, mice, hard drives, printers and many other devices with PCs and laptops. Such a monopoly is likely to be broken soon - the USB Type-C cable already occupies a worthy place among the solutions used to connect many devices.

Concept change

Various cables are used to connect devices to the now standard USB-A port. The main difference between them is the connector located on the opposite side of the cable connected to the computer. It is almost always a different type of connector. For example, micro-USB is used for smartphones, mini-USB is often used for other gadgets. To connect a printer, you need a USB-B cable, and to connect storage devices, you need a micro-USB-B cable. Such a variety causes some inconvenience and difficulties, because a user who owns several devices always needs to have a whole set of cables at hand. Called to be the same for all devices, i.e. universal cable USB Type-C greatly simplifies this situation.

New format

With the development of the standard, it became possible to establish a single connector design for all devices, as well as the same connector at both ends of the cable. How to understand, picking up a USB Type-C cable, what is it exactly? The solution is a thin oval-shaped connector that is significantly smaller than previous cable and connector formats of this type. In addition, USB 3 Type-C received the most important characteristic, represented by symmetry and reversibility. In general, it is very similar to Apple's Lightning solution - very convenient, because you do not need to spend time manipulating the cable to find the right way to connect.

Future

Probably, today it can be argued that after a certain time, the USB Type-C connector will turn into the only universal port for all peripheral devices. Thus, there will be a replacement for USB-A, B, micro-USB and mini, which make life so difficult for ordinary users today. All cables should be the same and be able to be used for any device. Of course, quick unification will not happen, there are too many workable devices with other than USB Type-With Connectors is used today and will be used for several more years.

At the same time, do not forget: the expansion of new solutions has already begun. Eg, usb flash drive Type-C is no longer a rarity on the shelves computer stores. In addition, the fact that flagship devices from the most famous brands equipped with the port in question are coming out suggests that the described situation, i.e. the displacement of outdated connectors from the market, will come sooner or later. For compatibility with older solutions, for now, you will have to use a USB Type-C adapter.

Compatibility

After reading the above, you can think about what to do with devices already purchased that are equipped with connector types other than USB Type-C. Needless to say, this issue should not cause much concern. A wide variety of adapters have already been developed, produced and sold, allowing you to connect any device with a USB connector, regardless of its type. Adapters like mini-USB - Type-C, micro-USB - Type-C and others are already widespread and perform their functions perfectly. The principle of security used in computer technology for many years, no one is going to violate. If a new laptop or computer has a USB Type-C port, an adapter for other types of connector is a completely applicable and effective solution.

Learn more about connector benefits

Of course, a simple redesign of the connector and port will not be a good reason to encourage the user to upgrade all the peripherals he has, but performance is far from the only advantage of the new solution. The new format supports the latest USB 3.1 protocol, which brings an increase in data transfer speed and greater versatility compared to previous versions, which are used on devices equipped with USB-A.

Speed

More than two decades have passed since the introduction of the first version of the connector. At that time, the maximum data transfer rate was 12 Mb/s. Today it can be argued, considering USBType-C, that this is the fastest interface for connecting peripherals from existing solutions. The USB 3.1 standard is capable of providing a data transfer rate of 10 Gb / s.

Performance

The additional advantages of the standard under consideration, of course, include performance, represented by the ability to provide power transmission up to 100 watts. This indicator is enough to provide energy for almost any laptop, not to mention smartphones, tablets and other gadgets. In addition to energy, the new format supports the transfer of a huge amount of data per unit of time. For example, already today, a video signal in 4K resolution is successfully transmitted via USB Type-C.

Versatility

universal nature latest standard opens up a wide range of practical applications. A lot of useful functions can be provided with a single cable. For example, you can connect equipped USB-C laptop to the monitor with external power supply and charge your laptop battery while watching video content. When storage devices are connected to the display, such as external drive, from a laptop you can access the information stored on the storage medium.

Disadvantages of USB Type-C

This connector is a brilliant new format that no doubt claims to be a ubiquitous solution in the very near future. At the same time, the initial stages of distribution and development, at which the standard is still at the moment, do not provide a complete absence of dangers, as well as some confusion when using the connector.

Cheap accessories

The main problem that a user who decides to join modern trends may face is cheap low-quality accessories and cables. Due to the large amount of power transferred through USB Type-C connectors, using cables of poor quality can damage the paired devices. This factor must be taken into account by users without fail. When buying cables and adapters, you should choose products from reliable, trusted brands.

Confusion in standards

Another frustrating moment that users of USB Type-C today may encounter is due to the fact that the standard in question refers more to the type of connector used than to the specifications of the interface itself. Therefore, it is quite likely that the device connected to the new connector will not work as fast as the owner of the device expected. The first generation uses USB 3.0 technology, providing a maximum speed of 5 Gb / s. The second generation of USB-C supports the 3.1 standard, the data transfer rate through which already reaches 10 Gb / s. Problems with each of the ports arise because they look the same, but in the production of ready-made solutions, brands use different components, even in lines of similar models. In other words, before buying a device with a USB Type-C connector, you need to check the compliance of real specifications port to the required indicators.