Everything about USB-C in a clear and concise manner

We encounter USB connectors every day on our laptops, computers, smartphones and countless other devices. That's why even the slightest change in the design hugely affects everyone.

In that respect, the introduction of the USB 3.1 Gen2 standard with the USB Type-C connector is a full-blown revolution. It is a replacement for the widely used but outdated USB 2.0 and 3.0 connectors. What are the benefits of the next generation of USB?

Benefits of the USB-C Connector and the new USB 3.1 Gen2 and USB 3.2

Double-sided Connector

Finally, you can comfortably connect your USB! The USB Type-C connector will always plug in properly on your first attempt. The double-sided design is a very practical innovation. However, it is not backwards compatible with USB 2.0 and 3.0 connectors. It is, therefore, necessary to solve this problem using cables and adapters.

Universal connectivity of the USB-C connector

Universal Use

In addition to the simple plugging in of basic accessories, the USB Type-C connector can transfer video signals from HDMI, VGA, or DisplayPort using additional adapters.

USB-C has the ability to power devices at both ends

Bi-Directional Power Flow

If you have a USB-C connector with a USB 3.1 Gen2 interface, you can power a variety of devices, laptops and monitors, due to the fact that it supports the transmission of a stronger power supply (20V, 5A instead of 5V and 0.9A). In addition, a single cable can be used to connect you not only to your data but also to a power source.

The data transfer speed of the new USB 3.1 Gen2 reaches up to 10Gbps

The already high-speed USB 3.2 is still exceeded by USB 3.1 Gen2

The USB 3.1 Gen2 delivers an incredible theoretical data transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, which means that 10GB of data can be transferred within 8 seconds. In October 2017, the official specifications for an improved USB 3.2 were released. The greatest advantage is its increased throughput of up to 20Gbps. The USB 3.2 requires a new USB controller and a high-quality USB-C cable.

Uncompromising performance and speed up to a surreal 40Gbps

The Modern Thunderbolt 3

The Thunderbolt 3 was created several years ago as a result of cooperation between Intel and Apple. Although it communicates via the USB-C connector, it is not fully compatible with the USB 3.1 standard. Coupled with the right cable, Thunderbolt 3 can reach a throughput of up to 40Gb/s and is therefore 4 times faster than USB 3.1 Gen2. This enables it to be used not only for super fast data transfer but also for graphics output of up to 4K at 60Hz, or for powering laptops.

What Does USB-C Mean?The Difference Between the Standard and the Connector

USB-C is a double-sided new-generation connector which will gradually come to replace the larger and the currently more widely used USB-A type. However, a USB connector is not the same thing as a USB standard. Most importantly, the USB standard guarantees the data transfer speed and the ability to power connected devices. At present, we encounter older USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 standards as well as the more modern USB 3.1 Gen1, USB 3.1 Gen2, and Thunderbolt 3.

The USB-C connector is being massively promoted by the most prominent players on the world market, with Apple in the lead. In the new MacBook Pro, the only available port is a USB-C connector in combination with the modern Thunderbolt 3 standard. Apple is not the only notable supporter of USB-C, with other manufacturers such as Dell and HP also joining. Becuase every inch matters in the world of modern notebooks, the significantly smaller USB-C connector is the ideal choice when it comes to saving valuable space.