USB Type-C - what is it? Connector type, cable

Rapid development of computer technologies affects not only the main components of systems. The capabilities, including various interfaces, are increasing. As for the most common way of connecting peripherals, - USB, - here in general, we can state a multiple increase in performance in recent years. The throughput of the universal serial bus increases, the functionality expands. Changes are also made to the connectors used to connect a variety of USB devices. Today, many are hearing the USB Type-C. What is it, what are the advantages and disadvantages of the solution - the topic of this article.

Connectors of a modern computer

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

Multiple uses of one cable

The creators of USB Type-C used a very simple idea when developing the standard. The user should have a single type of cable, and his computer equipment is equipped with one type of port. By using a unified interface, you can connect anything you like. For example, using a USB Type-C cable, you can connect essentially different devices, represented by hard disks, 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

To date, almost all peripheral devices are connected to the PC through the usual USB-A connector. This port has firmly entered the computer world, has a rectangular shape familiar to everyone, and its application has become almost the standard for interfacing with PCs and laptops of flash drives, external keyboards, mice, hard drives, printers and many other devices. Such a monopoly is likely to soon be destroyed - the USB Type-C cable already takes a worthy place among the solutions used to connect multiple devices.

Changing the concept

To connect devices to the USB-A port, which has become standard for a long time, different cables are used. The main difference between them is the type of connector located on the opposite side of the cable connected to the computer. This is almost always another type of connector. For example, smartphones use micro-USB, for other gadgets often use mini-USB. To connect the printer, you need a cable with a USB-B connector, and to connect storage devices - micro-USB-B. This diversity causes some inconvenience and complexity, because a user who owns several devices, always need to have at hand a whole set of cables. Called to be one for all devices, i.e. the universal USB Type-C cable simplifies this situation many times.

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 the USB Type-C cable, what is it exactly? The solution is a thin connector, having an oval shape and considerably smaller in size in comparison with 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's 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, it is already possible today to say that after a certain time, the USB Type-C connector will become the only universal port for all peripheral devices. In this way, USB-A, B, micro-USB and mini will be replaced, which complicates the lives of ordinary users to this day. All cables must be the same and have the ability to use for any device. Of course, there will not be a quick unification, too many workable devices with different types of USB Type-C connectors are used today and will be operated for several more years.

At the same time, do not forget: the expansion of new solutions has already begun. For example, a USB flash drive Type-C is not uncommon on the shelves of computer stores. In addition, the fact of the flagship devices coming from the most well-known brands equipped with the port in question, suggests that the described situation, that is, the expulsion of obsolete connectors from the market will come sooner or later. For compatibility with older solutions, you'll still need to use a USB Type-C adapter.

Compatibility

After reading the above, you can think about what to do with the devices already purchased, equipped with the types of connectors, other than USB Type-C. I must say, this issue should not cause much concern. Already developed, manufactured and sold a variety of adapters, 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 widely distributed and perform their functions perfectly. The principle of backward compatibility, used in computer technology for many years, no one is going to violate. If you have a USB Type-C port in a new laptop or computer, an adapter for other connector types is an applicable and effective solution.

More about the advantages of the connector

Undoubtedly, a simple revision of the design to which the connector and port were subjected will not be a weighty reason for prompting the user to upgrade all of his peripherals, but execution is not the only advantage of the new solution. The new format supports the most modern protocol USB 3.1, which carries an increase in the speed of data exchange and greater versatility in comparison with previous versions, which are used on devices equipped with USB-A.

Speed

Since the presentation of the first version of the connector, more than two decades have passed. At that time, the maximum speed with which data was transmitted was 12 MB / s. To date, one can argue by examining USB Type-C, that this is the fastest interface for connecting peripherals from existing solutions. The USB 3.1 standard is capable of providing a data rate of 10 Gb / s.

Performance

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

Versatility

The universal nature of the newest standard opens up a wide range of practical applications. A mass of useful functions can be provided with a single cable. For example, you can connect a USB-C equipped laptop to a monitor with external power and charge the laptop battery while viewing video content. In the case when storage devices are connected to the display, for example, an external disk, you can access the information stored on the storage media from the laptop.

Disadvantages of USB Type-C

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

Cheap accessories

The main problem with which a user who decides to join modern trends may be a low-quality accessories and cables. Due to the large amount of energy transmitted through the USB Type-C connectors, the use of cables of inadequate quality can damage the interfaced devices. This factor must be taken into account by users without fail. When buying cables and adapters, you should choose the products of reliable proven brands.

Confusion in standards

Another unpleasant moment that users of USB Type-C can face today is caused by the factor 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 possible that the device connected to the new connector will not work as fast as the device owner expected. The first generation uses USB 3.0 technology, which provides a maximum speed of 5 Gb / s. The second generation of USB-C supports the standard 3.1, 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 the lines of similar models. In other words, before buying a device with a USB Type-C connector, it is necessary to check the compliance of the actual technical characteristics of the port with the required parameters.