The rapid development of computer technology affects not only the basic components of systems. Opportunities are increasing, including various interfaces. As for the most common way to connect peripheral devices - USB - here, in general, we can state a multiple increase in productivity in recent years. The throughput of the universal serial bus is increasing, the functionality is expanding. Changes are made and the connectors used to connect a variety of USB-devices. Today, many have heard of USB Type-C. What is it, what are the advantages and disadvantages of the solution - the topic of this article.
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 necessarily present, almost always HDMI and some others. Modern models are often equipped with the latest USB Type-C port. What kind of connector is this, many do not know, but it would be worth familiarizing 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 the new method of pairing a computer and peripherals. The USB Type-C port offers users increased data exchange speed, improved functionality, as well as a new level of usability. In a word, the future of the standard looks very promising.
Many applications of 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, you can connect anything. For example, using a USB Type-C cable, you can essentially connect different devices represented by hard drives, monitors, audio interfaces, smartphones, and 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 a PC via the familiar USB-A connector. This port has firmly entered the computer world, it has a rectangular shape familiar to everyone, and its use has become almost the standard for connecting flash drives, external keyboards, mice, hard drives, printers and many other devices to PCs and laptops. Such a monopoly is likely to be destroyed soon - the USB Type-C cable already occupies a worthy place among the solutions used to connect multiple devices.
Change concept
Various cables are used to connect devices to the long-established USB-A port. The main difference between the two is the type of connector located on the opposite side of the cable connected to the computer. This 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 the printer, you need a cable with a USB-B connector, and to connect storage devices - micro-USB-B. This variety causes some inconvenience and complexity, because the user who owns several devices, you always need to have at hand a whole set of cables. Designed to be the same for all devices, that is, the universal USB Type-C cable 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 on both ends of the cable. How to understand, picking up a USB Type-C cable, what exactly is it? The solution is a thin connector that has an oval shape and is much smaller in size compared to previous formats of cables and connectors 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 - it’s 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 complicate the lives of ordinary users today. All cables should become the same and have the ability to use for any device. Of course, a quick unification will not happen, too many operable devices with non-USB Type-C connectors are used today and will be used for several more years.
But do not forget: the expansion of new solutions has already begun. For example, a USB Type-C flash drive is no longer uncommon on the shelves of computer stores. In addition, the fact that flagship devices left the most famous brands equipped with the port in question indicates that the described situation, i.e., the displacement of obsolete connectors from the market, will come sooner or later. For compatibility with older solutions, you will have to use a USB Type-C adapter for now.
Compatibility
After reading the above, you can think about what to do with already purchased devices equipped with types of connectors other than USB Type-C. I must say, this issue should not cause much concern. A wide variety of adapters have already been developed, manufactured and sold, allowing you to connect any device with a USB connector, regardless of its type. Adapters such as mini-USB - Type-C, micro-USB - Type-C and others are already widespread and perform their functions perfectly. The principle of ensuring backward compatibility, used in computer technology for many years, no one is going to violate. If you have a USB Type-C port in your new laptop or computer, an adapter for other types of connectors is a perfectly applicable and effective solution.
Learn more about the benefits of the connector.
Of course, a simple revision of the design to which the connector and port have undergone will not be a good reason for prompting 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 most advanced USB 3.1 protocol, which carries an increase in the speed of data exchange and greater versatility compared to previous versions that 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 speed with which data was transmitted was 12 Mb / s. Today, one can argue considering USB Type-C, which 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 this standard, of course, should include the performance represented by the ability to provide power transfer up to 100 watts. This figure is enough to provide energy to 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 time. For example, already today through USB Type-C they successfully transmit video signal in 4K resolution.
Versatility
The universal nature of the latest standard offers a wide range of practical applications. A lot of useful functions can be provided with a single cable. For example, you can connect a laptop equipped with a USB-C to a monitor with external power and charge the laptop battery while watching video content. In the case when storage devices, for example, an external drive, are connected to the display, you can access information stored on the storage medium from a laptop.
Disadvantages of USB Type-C
This connector is a brilliant new format, no doubt claiming the title of 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 ensure the 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 the modern trends may face is cheap low-quality accessories and cables. Due to the large amount of power transferred through the USB Type-C connectors, the use of poor quality cables can damage the paired devices. This factor should 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 unpleasant moment that USB Type-C users may face today is caused by the fact that the standard in question relates 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, which provides an indicator of the maximum speed of 5 Gb / s. The second generation of USB-C supports standard 3.1, the data transfer rate through which reaches 10 Gb / s. Problems with each of the ports arise due to the fact that they look the same, but in the manufacture of ready-made solutions by brands, various components are used even in the lines of similar models. In other words, before buying a device with a USB Type-C connector, you need to check the compliance of the actual technical characteristics of the port with the required indicators.