Over the past years, Apple has been systematically reducing the number of ports in MacBooks. At 13-inch MacBook Pro, released in 2012, had eight of them (including a headphone/microphone input and AC for power), and the thin Air sample of 2015 with an 11" screen already has four. , there are only two left: a 3.5 mm audio jack and universal USB Type-C, which simultaneously serves for charging, data transfer and connecting monitors. Vesti.Hi-tech looked into what the “USB of the future” is and why it is needed.
What is this?
USB Type-C is a new super-fast connector based on the USB 3.1 and 2.0 specifications. It has a lot of advantages over USB “versions” of previous generations. Firstly, the Type C connector is symmetrical, like the Lightning plug in i-devices, which means that users no longer have to guess which side to insert the “flash drive” into the computer - with Type-C this can be done without looking at all. Moreover, such a cable is also double-sided: the same connectors are used on both sides, which allows you to connect it to the device at either end.
Secondly, the dimensions of USB Type-C are very close to Lightning in iPhones and microUSB (more precisely, USB 2.0 Micro-B) in Android smartphones. Compactness (~8.4x2.6 millimeters) allows the connector to be used in devices of any type: from personal computers and ultra-thin laptops to smartphones, tablets and other electronics. Thirdly, USB Type-C is compatible with the USB 3.1 2nd generation standard, which means its data transfer speed can be very high - up to 10 gigabits per second (~1.25 gigabytes per second).
Fourthly, USB Type-C is a universal connector, and this is perhaps its most important quality. The new USB connector can be used for anything: to connect flash drives, monitors, external hard drives and other peripheral devices for charging (compatible with the standard USB Power Delivery 2.0 with a power supply of up to 100 watts), as well as for transmitting video and other multimedia content.
Is USB Type-C the same as USB 3.1?
No. USB Type-C cables and ports can be used for USB 3.1, however, depending on the host controller and devices, they may only be compatible with USB 2.0 or 3.0.
The specifications of the new MacBook say that its Type-C port is compatible with USB 3.1 Gen 1, which means its maximum data transfer speed is limited to 5 Gbps. USB 3.1 Gen 2 has twice the bandwidth at 10 Gbps.
What is USB Power Delivery?
The USB PD standard allows devices to send and receive up to 100 watts of power over a single connection while simultaneously exchanging data. Newest Apple laptop, for example, is capable of outputting 4K video to an external monitor via USB Type-C, while simultaneously charging via the same port. In terms of power, 100W is more than enough to charge high-end laptops. For comparison, USB 2.0 (the most common connector on smartphones and tablets) can carry up to 2.5 watts, while most laptops need 20-65 watts.
Which devices support USB Type-C?
The 12-inch MacBook was the first laptop, but not the first device with USB Type-C. For the first time, support for the newest connector was implemented in . It uses Type-C for charging and data transfer. True, the “Nokiev” implementation of the port is based on outdated USB 2.0, and not USB 3.1 or USB PD.
The drive, clad in a stylish aluminum case, will be available in three versions: with 500 GB, 1 TB and 2 TB of memory
Cable for connecting LaCie hard drive to computer
First motherboard with Type-C from MSI
Soon it will be the turn of smartphones to support USB Type-C. According to Google engineer Adam Rodriguez, his company is "very committed" to the new connector, and we'll see it in Android devices and Chromebooks in the "near future."
What are the disadvantages of USB Type-C?
The main drawback of the new USB connector is that it is not compatible with current ports on PCs and laptops. To create a connection, for example, via microUSB, miniUSB or full-size USB, you will need to buy a special adapter or adapter. They will have to be used during a “transition period” (perhaps a year or two) until the new connector is widespread. But in the future, a laptop, smartphone and tablet (produced by different companies) will be able to be charged with just one wire.
USB-C (Digital AV Multiport Adapter)
In the meantime, if you want to charge newest laptop Apple, connecting a monitor and a LaCie drive to it requires you to spend almost $80 for a reversible USB-C connector with HDMI, USB 3.0, and a power port. For the same amount, you can buy a VGA USB-C adapter in the Apple online store. An adapter that “turns” USB Type-C into a regular USB 3.0 port will cost $19.
Google has also already started selling accessories for the new ports. A Type-C to DisplayPort cable costs almost $40, a Type-C to Type-A cable costs $13.
Another disadvantage of USB Type-C is that it does not detach as easily as the MagSafe magnetic connector familiar to Apple laptop users. Therefore, if someone accidentally touches the wire connected to the new MacBook, he will pull the computer along with him, which is fraught with falling and damage.
Finally, USB Type-C is not as fast as the Thunderbolt 2 interface implemented in models MacBook Air and Pro. Via the “lightning-fast” port, data is transferred at speeds of up to 20 Gbit/s in both directions, while via USB 3.1 1st generation (this is the “version” implemented in the new MacBook) – up to 5 Gbit/s.
Recent changes and improvements in USB technology are expanding the choice of interfaces for users. Initially, the USB Implementers Forum renamed the USB 3.0 interface to USB 3.1 Gen 1. However, the technical characteristics of the interface remained the same. Then the forum introduced USB 3.1 Gen 2 and a new type of physical connector, which was called USB Type C. We decided to shed light on the situation around these standards and connectors.
USB 3.1 technology
Currently, USB 3.1 Gen 1 (formerly USB 3.0) technology is supported as a standard by the latest operating systems MacOS, Linux and Windows. The interface provides a maximum theoretical throughput of 5 Gbps and actual throughput of up to 3.4 Gbps and up to 900 mA of current for devices. Unlike USB 2.0, version 3.1 operates in full duplex mode, in other words, simultaneous sending and receiving of data is possible.
USB 3.1 Gen 2 offers users twice the throughput of Gen 1: 10 Gbps. USB 3.1 Gen 2 is not a standard for Intel or AMD, but may be supported by third-party drivers and controllers. Although Gen 2 received minor protocol changes, it is backwards compatible with Gen 1.
Scope of application of USB 3.1
So, USB 3.1 technology provides the user with significantly increased performance compared to USB 2.0. When using removable drives, faster data transfer will be ensured: large video files and images. USB 3.1 will provide support high resolutions and frame rates for cameras used in machine vision systems on production lines. Accordingly, PTZ cameras used both in video surveillance systems and in video conferencing systems without using a hardware codec can support resolutions of 1080p60 and higher. Undoubtedly, this improves the quality and reduces the cost of video conferencing systems, and also allows users to connect their own devices to Skype and WebEx.
USB 3.1 pinout
Like USB 3.0, USB 3.1 received additional pins to support SuperSpeed. The D+ and D- pins remain the same, including (power) and (ground). To service the SuperSpeed bus, two additional twisted pairs were added, which provide bidirectional SuperSpeed data transmission: StdA_SSRX+ and StdA_SSRX- (receive) and SSTX+ and StdA_SSTX (transmit).
USB Type C
The new type of physical connector brings significant qualitative changes that set it apart from USB 3.1 Gen 1 and Gen 2. Type C supports data transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps (Thunderbolt 3 alternative mode) and current power of up to 100 Watts. Many have already appreciated the shape of the connector: it can be inserted from either side. Both the connector and connector are quite compact and much more durable than alternatives, for example, micro USB. The cables are marked with an electronic chip for correct use and to prevent situations where it is not compatible or transfers too much power to a device that does not support it. Type C is backward compatible with USB 2.0, 3.1 Gen 1 and 3.1 Gen 2.
Type C can both consume and provide power. The same port can be used both to connect a flash drive and to charge a laptop. In addition, charging devices such as smartphones and tablets from Type C is faster.
Alternate Modes
USB Type C can operate in so-called alternative modes, which allow you to transfer not only USB data through the connector and cables. In this case, other physical protocols are used, and with each of them, current transmission with a power of up to 100 Watts is ensured.
Trends around USB-C
The features and advantages of USB Type C will certainly be reflected in the increased presence of the connector in mobile devices oh and laptops. Devices with this type of connector include flash drives, various docking stations, monitors and adapters for legacy interfaces. By 2019, up to two billion different devices are expected to be shipped.
It is impossible to imagine a modern person without electronic devices. Smartphones, tablets, music players and laptops are found in almost every family today. Each of these devices has its own use and therefore each functions in its own unique way. However, there is something that in one form or another unites them all. And this is the presence of USB ports.
One day in 1994, 7 of the world's leading technology companies created new standard connecting computer peripherals. This is how the Universal Serial Bus appeared, which for short is called USB.
Today it is truly a universal standard, and it is difficult to find an electronic device that does not have a USB port of one type or another. But how do you know which cable is suitable for it? This guide will help you determine the type of USB connector and select the appropriate plug.
Almost everything modern computers And electronic devices have some form of USB connection and come complete with the appropriate cables. Does it matter which one is used, and what are all these differences for? This is really important for now, but it may change in the future.
In the mid-1990s. The universal bus became an industry standard, which made it possible to streamline the connection of computer peripherals. It has replaced a number of earlier interfaces and is now the most popular connector type in consumer devices.
However, it is still difficult to understand all the varieties of USB.
If the standard was supposed to be universal, why are there so many of them? different types? Each of them serves a different purpose, mainly ensuring compatibility when new devices with better specifications are released. Below are the most common types of USB connectors.
Most cables and peripherals (such as keyboards, mice, and joysticks) have a Type A connector. Personal computers, laptops and netbooks usually have several ports of this form. Additionally, many other devices and power adapters use them for data transfer and/or charging. The connector has a flat rectangular shape and is the most recognizable and used. The USB Type-A pinout is as follows:
All versions of USB standards retain the same form factor for Type-A, so they are mutually compatible. However, USB 3.0 connectors have 9 pins instead of 4, which are used to provide faster data transfer speeds. They are located so as not to interfere with the operation of pins of previous versions of the standard.
This is an almost square-shaped connector that is mainly used to connect printers, scanners and other devices with their own power to a computer. Sometimes it can be found on external drives. These days, this type of connector is much less common than Type-A connections.
The connection form in version 3.0 of the standard has been changed, so backward compatibility is not supported, although the new type of ports accepts older modifications of plugs. The reason for this is that Type-B USB 3.0 has 9 pins for faster data transfer, while Powered-B has 11 pins, 2 of which provide additional power.
Again, as with Type-A, physical compatibility different versions does not indicate speed or functionality support.
Before attempting to understand the differences between types A and B, it is necessary to understand the concepts of host, receptor, and port.
The slot located on the front or back of the computer case (host) into which one end of the USB cable is inserted is called a port. An electronic device that needs to be charged or into which data needs to be transferred (such as a smartphone or tablet) is called a receptor.
The most popular USB standard is Type A, which can be seen at the end of almost every USB cable inserted into a host slot today. Most often, Type-A ports are equipped desktop computers, game consoles and media players.
Type B connectors are found at the end of a regular USB cable that connects to a peripheral device, such as a smartphone, printer, or hard drive.
The standard simplifies the installation and replacement of equipment by reducing all communications to serial data transmission over twisted pair cables and identification of the connected device. If you add grounding and power here, you get a simple 4-wire cable, inexpensive and easy to manufacture.
The standard defines the way the peripheral interacts with the host. If you are not using USB On the Go (OTG), which allows you to limit the capabilities of the host, a direct connection is made. The USB device is not able to initiate communication, only the host can do this, so even if you have a cable with the appropriate connectors, the connection will not work without it. Additionally, since wires carry both power and data, connecting two hosts without an intermediary device can be disastrous, causing high currents, short circuits, and even fires.
The connector was standard for mobile devices before the advent of micro-USB. As the name suggests, mini-USB is smaller than normal and is still used in some cameras. The connector has 5 pins, of which 1 serves as an identifier for OTG support, allowing mobile devices and other peripherals to act as a host. Pinout USB Mini next:
This is the current connector standard for mobile and portable devices. It has been adopted by almost every manufacturer except Apple. Its physical dimensions are smaller than Mini-USB, but it supports high data transfer rates (up to 480 Mbps) and OTG capabilities. The shape is easily recognizable thanks to the compact 5-pin design.
The Lightning connector is not a USB standard, but rather an Apple proprietary connection for iPad and iPhone. It is similar to micro USB and is compatible with all Apple devices, made after September 2012. Older models use a different and much larger proprietary connector.
It is a reversible connector that promises faster data transfer and more power than previous types. It is increasingly used as a standard for laptops and even some phones and tablets, and has been approved by Apple for Thunderbolt 3.
Type C is a new solution and promises to be everything to everyone. It is smaller, faster and can receive and transmit much more power than previous versions.
Apple shocked the world when it introduced new MacBook with only one USB-C port. This will likely be the start of a trend.
You can read more about USB-C at the end of this article.
Those of you who have a phone or tablet on Android platform, definitely have a micro USB cable too. Even the most die-hard Apple fans can't avoid them, as they are the most common type of connector used for things like external power blocks, speakers, etc.
Owners of many gadgets may find that these cables become plentiful over time, and since they are usually interchangeable, you may never have to buy them separately unless they get lost or fail all at once.
When shopping for a micro-USB cable, it may be tempting to go for the cheapest option, but as is often the case, this is a bad idea. Poor quality wires and plugs can easily break and become useless. Therefore, it is better to save yourself from future problems by purchasing a quality product from a reputable manufacturer, even if it costs a little more.
Another thing worth mentioning is the cable length. Short ones are great for transport, but they often mean you have to sit on the floor next to an outlet while your phone charges. And on the contrary, too long cable may be difficult to carry, will become tangled, and may potentially cause injury.
0.9m is a good length for a charging cable. It allows you to keep your phone while connected to the battery in your bag or pocket, ideal for playing Pokemon Go or simply using your phone while traveling for long periods of time.
If you frequently charge from third-party USB ports to comply with safety precautions or when the device charges slowly, a special cable that prevents data transfer can solve the problem. An alternative is a network adapter.
Another issue that can be problematic is the fact that the connectors on most USB cables (except USB-C) are not interchangeable and often require several attempts to connect. correct connection. Some manufacturers have attempted to fix this. However, not all devices support this feature.
It is a standard that allows portable and mobile devices to act as hosts.
Let's say you have an external drive, a laptop and a smartphone. What do you need to do to copy files from the disk to your phone? The easiest way is to move them from external storage to a laptop, and from it to a smartphone. USB OTG allows you to connect the drive directly to your phone, thereby bypassing the need for an intermediary.
And that is not all! There are many other ways to use OTG. You can connect any device to your smartphone USB device, be it a flash drive, wireless mouse, keyboard, headphones, card readers, game controllers, etc.
In a connected world wired connections between various electronic devices play an important role. The demand for them is so high that tens of millions of USB cables are produced every year around the world.
Technologies are constantly evolving and improving, as are the associated peripheral devices. The same update trend holds true for USB connectors, but with so many versions and types of USB standards, it becomes difficult to keep track of which USB is better suitable for performing certain functions. To do this, it is necessary to understand their basic differences.
Various versions USB, such as 2.0 and 3.0, are concerned with the functionality and speed of the USB cable, and their type (such as A or B) mainly refers to the physical design of the connectors and ports.
The USB 1.1 standard (1998) is designed for a throughput of 12 Mbps, a voltage of 2.5 V and a current of 500 mA.
USB 2.0 (2000) is distinguished by the “HI-SPEED” marking on the USB logo. Provides speeds of 480 Mbps at a voltage of 2.5 V and a current of 1.8 A.
Adopted in 2008, USB 3.0 supports 5 Gbps at 5 V and 1.8 A.
USB 3.1, available since 2015, provides speeds of 10 Gbps at 20 V and 5 A.
The latter standard provides higher throughput and is for the most part backward compatible with more earlier versions. Standard-A connectors are identical to previous versions of Type-A, but are usually colored blue to distinguish them. They are fully backwards compatible, but increased speeds are only available if all components are USB 3 compatible. Standard-B and micro versions have additional pins for increased bandwidth and are not compatible with USB 3. previous versions. Older USB Type-B and Micro-B cables and connectors can be used with USB 3.0 ports, but will not improve speed.
The name made headlines in tech magazines around the world when Apple released the 12” Macbook. This is the first laptop to include a Type-C design.
From a physical point of view, the connector is similar to the existing USB Micro-B variant. Its dimensions are 8.4 x 2.6 mm. Thanks to its small form factor, it can easily fit into even the smallest peripherals used today. One of the many advantages of Type-C over other existing solutions is that it allows connections in reverse orientation, meaning the plug will always be inserted correctly on the first try! The connector is designed in such a way that you don't have to worry about it being upside down.
Type-C supports the USB 3.1 standard and provides a maximum speed of 10 Gbps. It also has a significantly higher power output of up to 100W at 20V and 5A. Since laptops typically consume 40-70W, this means Type C easily covers their power requirements. Another functionality offered by USB Type-C is bidirectional power. In other words, you can not only charge your smartphone through a laptop, but also vice versa.
Type-C has received rave reviews from users around the world and has appeared in the popular Chromebook Pixel and Nexus 6P smartphones, as well as the Nokia N1 tablet.
We can confidently say that in the coming years all electronic devices will be equipped with ports of this type. This will make working with them easy and convenient. All you need is a single Type-C cable, which will eventually eliminate the tangled tangle of wires in your desk drawer.
Although the specifications were first published in 2014, the technology only really took off in 2016. Today, it has become a viable replacement not only for older USB standards, but also for others such as Thunderbolt and DisplayPort. The new Type-C audio solution is also a potential replacement for the 3.5mm headset jack. Type C is closely intertwined with other new standards: USB 3.1 provides more bandwidth and USB Power Delivery - better power delivery.
USB Type-C is a new tiny connector that's barely the size of a microUSB. It supports various new standards such as USB 3.1 and USB PD.
The usual connector that everyone is familiar with is Type-A. Even after the transition from USB 1.0 to 2.0 and further to modern devices, it remained the same. The connector is just as chunky as before and only connects when oriented correctly (which obviously never works the first time). But as devices got smaller and thinner, massive ports simply weren't suitable anymore. This led to many other forms of USB connectors such as Mini and Micro.
This inconvenient array of connectors of various shapes for devices of all sizes is finally becoming a thing of the past. Type C is the new standard of very small size. It is about a third of the old USB Type-A. This is a single standard that all devices must use, so to connect an external drive to a laptop or charge a smartphone from a charger, you only need one cable. This tiny connector is small enough to fit into an ultra-thin smartphone, but powerful enough to connect all your peripherals. The cable itself has identical Type C connectors on both ends.
Type-C has many advantages. The orientation of the connector doesn't matter, so you no longer have to flip the plug over and over again trying to find the right position. This is a single form of USB connector that everyone should accept, so for various devices no need to have a large number of different USB cables with different plugs. And there won’t be many different ports taking up scarce space on increasingly thin gadgets.
Moreover, Type C connectors can also support multiple protocols using "alternate modes" which allow you to have adapters capable of outputting HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort or other types of connections from that single connection. A good example This is the Apple Multiport Adapter, which allows you to connect HDMI, VGA, USB Type-A and Type-C. Thus, the many connectors on regular laptops can be reduced to one type of port.
The USB PD specification is also closely intertwined with Type-C. Currently USB connection 2.0 provides up to 2.5 W of power. This is only enough to charge your phone or tablet. The specification, supported by the USB-C standard, provides power supply of up to 100 W. This connection is bidirectional, so the device can both charge and charge through it. In this case, data transmission can occur simultaneously. The port allows you to charge even a laptop, which usually requires up to 60 W.
Apple's MacBook and Google's Chromebook Pixel use USB-C for charging, eliminating all proprietary power cables. At the same time, it becomes possible to charge laptops from portable batteries, which are usually used to charge smartphones and other electronics. And if you connect the laptop to an external display powered from the mains, then its battery will be charged.
However, please remember that the presence of a Type C connector does not automatically USB support P.D. Therefore, before purchasing devices and cables, you need to make sure that they are compatible with both standards.
USB 3.1 is the latest universal serial bus standard with theoretical throughput 10 Gbps, which is double more speed data transfer Thunderbolt first generation and USB 3.0.
But Type-C is not the same as USB 3.1. This is just the shape of the connector, and the technology behind it can be based on standards 2.0 or 3.0. For example, the Nokia N1 tablet uses USB Type C version 2.0. However, these technologies are closely related. When purchasing, you just need to pay attention to the details and make sure that the device or cable you are purchasing supports the USB 3.1 standard.
The physical Type C connector, unlike the basic standard, is not backward compatible. You can't plug older USB devices into today's tiny Type-C port, and you can't plug a USB-C plug into a larger, older port. But this does not mean that you will have to get rid of all the old peripherals. USB 3.1 is still compatible with previous versions, so you only need a physical USB-C adapter. And you can already connect old devices directly to it.
In the near future, many computers will have both Type-C USB connectors and larger Type-A connectors, like the Chromebook Pixel. This way, users will be able to gradually migrate from older devices by connecting new ones to USB Type-C. But even if the computer is manufactured with only Type C ports, adapters and hubs will fill this gap.
Type-C is a worthy upgrade. Although this port has already appeared in laptops and some smartphones, only they this technology not limited. Over time, all types of devices will be equipped with it. One day, the standard could even replace the Lightning connector used in iPhones and iPads. Apple's port doesn't have many advantages over USB Type-C, other than the fact that the technology is patented and the company can charge a licensing fee.
Basics advantage of the USB Type-C interface– no dependence on the position of the plug to connect the device to charge it or connect it to a computer for data transfer, similar to the Lightning interface in Apple iPhone. In other words, the cable can be inserted in either direction.
Let's take a closer look at all the benefits of the relatively new USB 3.1 standard and look at the devices already using this technology. Probably everyone would like to know what exactly the new USB standard can bring to the established USB ports of mobile devices and laptops, as well as which devices already have USB Type-C connectors?
To begin with, it is important to understand the difference in the designation of USB Type-C and USB 3.1, in fact there is none, but the numerical designation of USB 3.1 only indicates the data transfer speed, and, in turn, the name USB Type-C directly implies the type of connector for connecting devices . Let's look at the difference in interface speed between the old USB 3.0 standard and the new USB 3.1.
Many people are now asking the question: “What devices with USB interface Are Type-Cs on sale now? If you keep up with new products, you probably know that the first device with USB Type-C was the 12-inch MacBook, which was the only interface, which caused a lot of ridicule for the laptop in the online community. Smartphones from Google - Nexus 6P and 5X are also equipped with USB 3.1. In general, the trend is that more and more manufacturers are integrating USB port new standard.
Google Pixel C The symmetry of the USB Type-C connector makes it incredibly convenient, because you no longer have to struggle to insert the plug into the socket in hard-to-reach places. More recently, only the Lightning connector offered a similar advantage Apple, which was used in iPad devices and iPhone, but now this idea has been implemented in the ubiquitous USB standard.
And finally, USB 3.1 has another important advantage over the USB 3.0 standard: the maximum transmitted power has been increased to 100 W. Thus, in the future of using USB 3.1, it is possible to eliminate the need for an additional power source and connect various peripherals, including monitors or speakers, with one cable, and a current of 5 A will reduce the charging time of mobile devices.
In 2015 it was shown a new version MacBook Air. At the presentation, Tim Cook, the head of Apple, as usual, talked about the new functions and capabilities of the device. There was one detail in it that interested not only Apple adherents. As you might have guessed, we were talking about a completely new USB Type-C connector.
USB Type-C is an evolutionary development of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) format, which you have probably heard of and which is perhaps the most widespread technology in the field of mobile and peripheral devices.
This is precisely evolution, not revolution, although some individual moments can be called revolutionary. Thus, USB Type-C allows you to transfer not only files, but even video!
I would like to immediately talk about the designations USB Type-C and USB 3.1. They don't mean the same thing, although they go hand in hand: USB Type-C is a USB specification, USB 3.1 is essentially a numerical designation that refers to data transfer speed. Roughly speaking, USB Type-C works on USB 3.1 technology. By the way, the data transfer speed is very high - over 1200 MB/s versus 500 MB/s for USB 3.0!
Compare USB Type-C and USB Type-A:
And here is a comparison of USB Type-C and microUSB (one of the most popular formats used in the mobile industry):
As was written above, in data transfer speed. But this is not the only advantage of this technology. Thus, USB 3.1 has a higher maximum power, which means that soon it will be possible to connect additional devices such as speakers without an additional power source. Just imagine - you took the speakers out into the wild and connected them with via USB Type-C and listen to music!
Another huge plus is the current strength is as much as 5A. This allows you to charge your smartphone, tablet or any other device much faster. The main thing is that this device supports fast charging technology.
Finally, the plug can now be inserted in either direction - it is symmetrical. Until recently, such pleasure was available only for iPhone and iPad, and now for all other devices that use USB Type-C technology.
Many. These include laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Probably in the future the transition to USB Type-C devices will Android based will speed up significantly because Google company advised manufacturers to use exactly this interface in their future new products.
Google laptop:
