At the beginning of your journey USB port was designed to combine all other interfaces into one, its unchanged logo even hinted at this, but time goes by and the universal port itself has grown to many poorly compatible versions, which has brought even more chaos into the relationship of certain gadgets. And finally, He appeared on the horizon. The great and terrible USB Type C. Knowledgeable people greeted him with almost applause, and ordinary users just shrugged their shoulders. You can meet this indifference even today, they say, yes, symmetrical, yes, it’s easier to connect, so what? In fact, the difference is huge, and if you are still wondering which is better - Type C or microUSB, you are here.
Type C is more practical
This compact port has declared itself as a new network standard and its appearance is quite consistent with such a high status. A symmetrical, 24-pin port can now be found on flagship and mid-range smartphones. price segments, laptops, docking stations, routers and a huge number of other equipment. It does not take up much space on the case and, yes, it is more convenient to connect it. And now you don’t have to carry with you a certain number of blocks from different equipment.
Backward compatibility is also important. The Type-C port allows you to use any technology from the most ancient to the most modern without any special restrictions.
A couple of years ago, the issue of finding adapters and compatible flash drives was acute, but today there are a dime a dozen of them on the market.
Data transfer rate - up to 10 Gb / s
In this regard, Type C is a big stepping stone for the future, because it offers users data transfer rates of up to 10 Gb / s. Modern smartphones this, of course, is not necessary, but in the future it may well come in handy.
Here, by the way, we must immediately put an end to the confusion. The first Type C installed on a smartphone (by the way, it was Nokia N1) only supported the 2.0 protocol, while later devices could have both 3.0 and 3.1 with the corresponding data transfer rates. This limitation is imposed by the manufacturer with an eye to modern realities and will continue to increase.
Charging - up to 100W of power
Fast charging is already rampant across the planet. They are being developed different manufacturers and they work according to different principles, but the essence is the same - to increase power and thus reduce the charging time of the gadget. If you read our previous text, you noticed that in modern technologies fast charging figures do not even come close to the specified. However, in the future, this transcendental, at first glance, power will be used. This technology you may have seen on the Web under the name USB Power Delivery. It is what many see as the future standard for fast charging.
Moreover, the Type C port can not only charge, but also charge other devices, which obviously will not fail to be used by third-party manufacturers in their developments.
Alternate Modes
If up to this point we have been talking exclusively about proprietary developments, now it's time to look at related technologies. Type C will also allow you to connect to monitors with DisplayPort, MHL and HDMI.
Thunderbolt 3 cannot be ignored, which guarantees data and video transfer at high speeds. Through this interface, you can daisy-chain up to 6 peripheral devices (for example, monitors). It's hard to imagine a situation where this is really necessary.
Sound transmission - audiophile quality
If we evaluated all the above modes in the context of a reserve for the future, then this is what even ordinary users are already facing today. We are talking about the massive replacement of the audio jack with a Type C port. Separated ports, in this case, have only one (but very serious) advantage: you can use headphones even when the smartphone is charging. But on all other points, the analog jack is inferior to the digital USB-C. In the latter case, the sound quality will be higher, noise reduction and echo cancellation will be better implemented. Equally significant is the ability to transfer part of the tasks (and related equipment) to the headset, which will also help to avoid unnecessary noise and expand the capabilities of the headset in terms of control. The other side of the coin is that headphones will obviously become more expensive than modern simple “whistles” or, in other words, “whistles” will simply die out as a species.
And in the future, according to the developers, more cool things are waiting for us. For example, the ability to monitor body temperature during sports using headphones.
Docking stations
It was the versatility of the USB Type C port that made it possible to use docking stations for smartphones. Connecting to the dock makes it possible to get almost a full-fledged desktop PC from a smartphone. Not a gaming, of course, level, but it will definitely pull on a multimedia one, the benefit of power mobile processors enough for that. There are currently two devices on the market with this functionality. These are the HP Elite x3, which we did a great review of, and the Samsung Galaxy S8, S8+ and Note8 models with their DeX Station. Given the speed with which Type C is spreading, I would like to hope that analogues will appear from other manufacturers.
As we see, a miniature Type-C port is not only charging, as many people think, but also a sea of other possibilities. It is for the versatility of USB-C that they appreciate it. But the sea of \u200b\u200bthese undeniable advantages crosses out one fat minus. The capabilities of the port will always be limited by the host device and it is not possible to externally recognize these limitations. That is, Type C always looks the same, and to find out exactly what it will “be able to” on a particular device, you will have to look for detailed specifications. Moreover, the difficulties here will be not only with the presence / absence of alternative modes, but also with the speeds involved. Moreover, the compatibility of two devices can be “killed” by using the wrong cable. Such a sickly game of attentiveness turns out. The only thing that pleases, these restrictions the further, the more they will be leveled with the development of technology.
Is it really time for one unified connector to charge any device? More recently, such an assumption could be ridiculed. But even Apple is slowly giving up, and the MacBook with its USB Type-C is the first confirmation of this.
It is still far from nirvana, first you need to finish the periphery. First things first: before talking about the problems of the new port, you need to remember what kind of "beast" it is.
One ring One connector to rule them all
The idea of the USB Type-C connector is to replace all the others, whether it's charging, an HDMI port, or a regular socket for a USB flash drive. No more "I have the cord on the other side" or "I can only connect one monitor." I found the port, inserted the device, everything worked. Idyll.
Oh well. In practice, this "freedom" has created a lot of confusion. It is not enough to make a universal connector - it needs at least universal cable.
The fact is that the USB Type-C port has 24 pins, through which a breakthrough of signals of different protocols pass. That's what can be put into this universal connector.
- USB 2.0
The first devices equipped with a USB Type-C port actually worked in USB 2.0 mode and transferred data at a speed of 480 Mbps. Tablets and smartphones using this protocol are still found (hello, Nokia N1).
- USB 3.1 gen 1 (3.0, SuperSpeed USB)
It flies at speeds up to 5Gbps and is backwards compatible with USB 1.x and USB 2.0. Most likely, the blue port in your computer works with this protocol. MacBook is no exception.
- USB 3.1 gen2
The upgraded version of USB 3.0 is also backwards compatible. The data transfer rate has increased to 10 Gb / s, and the power to 100 watts. Almost like Thunderbolt!
- Alternate Mode (AM)
The Type-C connector can accommodate other non-USB protocols. For example, Thunderbolt, HDMI, MHL or DisplayPort. But not all peripherals understand this Alternate Mode.
- Power Delivery (PD)
The most delicious thing is charging via USB Type-C. Power Delivery supports 5 standard power profiles - up to 5V/2A, up to 12V/1.5A, up to 12V/3A, up to 12-20/3A and up to 12-20V/4.75-5A. Compliance with any profile is determined automatically.
- Audio Accessory Mode
Yes, analog audio can also be sent through the USB Type-C ports.
The hardest part is finding the right wire.
Ok, everything is clear with the port, it remains to buy a cable. But beginners usually face three problems:
1. Old protocol in a new connector
"New" USB Type-C cable for 150 rubles from Aliexpress? Beware, an ancient USB 2.0 may be hiding inside. It's not even about the reputation of Chinese entrepreneurs, many well-known brands are ready to sell a Type-C cable with an old protocol inside at a bargain price.
2. A bunch of specifications
Yes, everything is signed in the title. But how to understand the average person who does not care about all these new specifications? Which picks up the wire according to the shape of the connector? No way. He just understood the difference between USB 2.0 and 3.0 wires.
Yes, and outputting an image via USB Type-C is not an easy undertaking. In addition to Display Port and HDMI, there are three more generations of Thunderbolt that can also connect monitors. It is not enough to find a suitable cable - the device must clearly understand that it is connected to it through Alternate Mode.
3. Will it charge?
It will be if the name contains "charge" or "PD". But there is a catch here too: a cable that supports charging via USB Type-C must meet the required profile and be certified. What is fraught with? At best, slow charging, at worst - by igniting the device.
Why you can not insert the first cable that comes across
Because everything can be messed up. Here are three reasons:
1. Low speed data transmission
Of course, to connect to an external hard drive or smartphone, almost any wire with the right connectors will do. But you should make sure that it works with the right protocol (for example, with USB 3.0), otherwise the data transfer speed will drop.
2. Bad picture or its absence
If the cable will connect the MacBook and the monitor, make sure that the wire transmits the signal at the correct frequency. Don't forget that Thunderbolt 3 doesn't work with previous generations.
3. 100 W current is no joke
With PD cables, it's a bit more complicated. The power threshold was raised - which means you need to be more careful, because in the event of a cable marriage, sad consequences are possible. Not so long ago, a man’s laptop and a couple of other devices burned down. Of course, this is an isolated case, and it is unlikely that your MacBook will burn down. But over time, the battery or power controller may suffer.
So, if you need a wire to charge your laptop, forget about nonames for two hundred square meters.
But for smartphones with USB 2.0 adapters, not everything is so scary. You can buy any USB Type-C - USB 2.0 cable and quietly charge your phone.
What to do?
Of course, USB Type-C is the future. There are more and more devices with new connectors and the time will soon pass when you took the first wire that came across without thinking.
Labels must be glued on USB Type-C cables. Seriously, how else to distinguish deshmansky, for external hard, from expensive, which can be used to charge any device?
The best option is to use original wires. Well, if you really buy, then only cool USB 3.1 with Power Delivery support. These cost $1,500 and up. With connectors from Alternate Mode, the situation is simpler, but the price tag is about the same.
Lately, surprising people is even easier than it seems. When they showed us the USB Type-C connector, everyone just gasped, because it's so cool, now you can even charge your device at night the first time. But is it worth it? Maybe USB Type-C is not as good as it seems? Maybe he doesn't need it at all? Yes maybe…
Lately, surprising people is even easier than it seems. When they showed us the USB Type-C connector, everyone just gasped, because it's so cool, now you can even charge your device at night the first time. But is it worth it? Maybe USB Type-C is not as good as it seems? Maybe he doesn't need it at all?
Yes, it can be good to be able to charge your smartphone when you are drunk. Or maybe it's just another marketing ploy of big companies so that you once again buy yourself a new tablet or smartphone? In this article, we have described five reasons why you do not need USB Type-C now.
1. USB Type-C does not mean "fast charging"
One of the most common myths about this connector is that it will charge your devices faster. This is not true. This is just a new version of the connector. Type-C is the same as previous standards, fast charging has nothing to do with it. Despite the fact that it supports the USB 3.1 standard, which brings a number of improvements, you should not think that this will be the case on all smartphones.
OnePlus 2 is the most striking example of this. It has a USB Type-C connector, but USB standard 2.0, which does not give it any advantages, except for the "universal" cable, over older smartphones. In addition, there is not yet a single smartphone that supports the new type of connector and fast battery charging mode.
2. There will not be a huge data transfer rate either
The second myth is the assumption that with it you will be able to transfer data at the speed of light, compared to older solutions. Here, too, everything depends on such industry standards as USB 2.0, 3.0, 3.1. It is from these standards that the data transfer rate depends, but not from the shape of the cable.
3. You will have to keep it as the “apple of an eye”
If you are going to go somewhere on vacation and forgot the MicroUSB cable at home, then there is nothing to worry about, because you can charge your smartphone with a charger from a tablet, or even use someone else’s cable to charge, because this standard distributed throughout the world.
But the owners of the same OnePlus 2 will still have to endure who knows how long and carry the cable all the time in their pocket or backpack. After all, if the battery of your smartphone “dies”, then there will simply be nowhere to charge it. That is why, devices with such connectors need to be bought at least a year later, when a sufficient number of smartphones / tablets with this type of charger are already on the market. So do not chase the desire to get into the connector even at night, because to this you will have another significant problem that I described above.
4. The cable is rare and expensive
If you suddenly lose your cable, then you will have a hard time. First, in short time it is almost impossible to find it. Secondly, if you find it, then its value is much higher than you think. And all because now the demand for this product is minimal.
5. Old accessories will become useless
Surely, you, like me, have a huge box of various trinkets and accessories for your smartphone. After buying the main device with a USB Type-C connector, all of them will become useless in an instant. Since the "old" Type-A connectors are physically incompatible with the new type of cable. Of course, special adapters will help you, but think about it, is it worth it?
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 a laptop, as well as a new version equipped with USB Type-C.
Design. Convenient connection
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 the USB 2.0 Micro-B port.
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 it for data transfer. USB interface 3.1, promising an increase in throughput 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 data transfer rates, 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 and good example 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. At the initial stage, manufacturers will probably actively use this technique, releasing new USB Type-C devices 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 nominally the USB Type-C port can be used for maximum performance connections at speeds up to 10 Gb / s, but in order to get such throughput, it must be provided by the connected devices. Availability 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 of 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 USB Power Delivery 2.0 (USB PD) specification is required. 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. A port corresponding to a higher level profile maintains all the states of the previous ones downstream. 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 the needs of USB Type-C. 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 feature of USB Type-C is 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 using HDMI, DVI and even D-Sub (VGA) is also possible, but this will require separate adapters, however, these must be active adapters, since Dual-Mode Display Port (DP ++) is not supported for DisplayPort Alt Mode .
USB Type-C Alternate Mode 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 at the same time as the announcement new MacBook offered several alternatives. 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, equipment manufacturers should not be expected to have humane price tags for additional accessories. 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 USB development Type-C. With another - updated versions 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, Apple will certainly not be able to resist updating the line of laptops after the autumn announcement of a new Intel mobile platform with 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 have been accumulated by users of Apple mobile products 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 3.1 controller with a USB Type-C port that can be 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.
Recently, more and more buyers prefer smartphones on Android based with support for a new power port - USB Type-C. The microUSB port is currently in 1st place in terms of use by manufacturers electronic devices, the second place belongs to USB-C.
USB-C not only allows you to charge your smartphone faster, it can be inserted in either direction, which is very convenient.
This topic raises many questions regarding the safety and efficiency of using the next generation port, so this article contains answers to frequently asked questions regarding USB Type-C.
We've been using microUSB for a long time. This allowed many to avoid having to buy additional chargers and cables for different gadgets (as long as all gadgets used this port).
When packaging devices with a USB-C port, we take into account the fact that it allows you to connect to any computer. USB-C can completely replace microUSB, miniUSB and rectangular USB port which is used in laptops and computers.
Not everyone knows that the new port is more versatile than other analogues that exist today. USB-C demonstrates faster data transfer between devices and charging speed. Using a modified port is a step forward. Considering that the world is already producing great amount gadgets with different types of USB, this port will slowly but surely win the attention of users.
Will the battery charge faster with USB Type-C?
The answer is unequivocal - yes! Let's figure out how it works. USB-C has significantly more power and speed than other cables used for smartphones and tablets. For example, Google's Pixel C tablet has this cable and is equipped with a 15W charger that charges much faster than USB 3.0 charging. The Pixel 2 Chromebook from the same manufacturer is equipped with a 60W charger, using which for 15 minutes will provide 2 hours of productive work. MicroUSB is not able to provide such impressive performance.
In the case of smartphones Nexus example 6P and Nexus 5X charging speed using port 3.0 and USB-C differs slightly (within 5-10 minutes). Therefore, there is no big difference in this case. When it comes to laptops and tablets, things get much more interesting.
What are the cables with USB-C
To make your workflow as productive as possible, most tablets and laptops that come with USB-C come with a couple of cables. One has a USB-C port on both ends, while the other has a USB-C port on one end and a rectangular USB-A port on the other end. You get the ability to connect to any device, as well as the fastest charging and data transfer speeds using USB-C cables at both ends.
Why haven't all gadget manufacturers switched to USB-C yet?
It is known that the release of smartphones and tablets is planned in advance. Therefore, not all manufacturers managed to switch to the new port format. Manufacturers had to choose between two options, either keep the old port, or sink into overproduction and lose money in the process. For example, a giant such as Samsung, which has already invested significant resources in the installation of microUSB in helmets virtual reality Gear VR, it did not make sense to change their minds in favor of a new generation port, losing a fabulous investment.
How to make sure you buy a secure cable?
First of all, you need to give preference to the cables of the manufacturer of your gadget, if one does not come with it. These cables are designed to work specifically with your device, so you can avoid risks. Even here, however, errors are possible. For example, Apple in February of this year recalled cables for the USB-C port of some devices. Unlike many other manufacturers, the company admitted its mistake and allowed customers to replace defective parts. 
In case you do not want to buy a cable from the manufacturer of your device, make sure that another supplier provides a quality product.
Or maybe USB-C is just a whim?
In contrast to this, I would like to say that the port is a standard that has already been adopted by Apple, Google, LG, HTC, as well as dozens of other companies in the world. This means that all users of electronic devices will switch to USB-C.