• What are the advantages of the USB type c connector? What is usb type c: advantages and disadvantages

    We are on the verge of significant changes - the classic and familiar USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports are being replaced by a new, backwards compatible type of connector. Despite external convenience, symmetry and visual simplicity, list USB capabilities Type-C is not only impressive, but at the same time it is fraught with many unobvious difficulties for the user.

    First USB standard appeared in 1994 to solve the key problems of that time: unification of connectors for PC equipment peripherals combined with high data transfer rates. Since 2001, the USB 2.0 connector (as well as its various variations) has become a universal connection standard for any peripheral. The key to USB's fifteen years of success is its simplicity, because there are only four pins inside that provide the connected device with power and communication.

    What was an advantage in the 2000s has become a bottleneck for modern devices - USB ports can no longer cope with the volume of information growing almost exponentially, users appreciate the advantages of symmetrical (and fast!) mobile reversible connectors (such as Apple Lightning), cables in which you can insert on both sides, and the speed wireless transmission data is very close to the speed of a cable connection.

    USB 3.0 only highlighted the existing problem by mechanically increasing the number of additional pins to five, which increased the maximum throughput from 480 MBit/s to 5 Gbit/s, and the maximum current increased from 500 mA to 900 mA. The new connector also received its own distinctive marking - socket blue. USB connectors 3.0 requires 9 pins to operate.

    Let's figure out how much the USB Type-C / USB-C / USB C connector differs from its predecessors, what prospects and difficulties the transition to new type connector and what types of cables it can replace in the near future.

    The confusion starts with the name: “USB Type-C”, “USB-C” and “USB C” are different names for the same connector, which can work with different protocols. Bye common name not settled, we'll stick with the USB Type-C name - although the general trend points to the growing popularity of the shorter USB-C variant.

    The diagram of backward-compatible USB Type-C protocols allows you to understand what functions the new connector can take on - there were unexpectedly many of them, which is good news. The most important thing about this diagram is that each subsequent level is backward compatible with the levels below it.

    The fastest protocol for the new connector is Thunderbolt 3. The Thunderbolt hardware interface was developed by Intel in collaboration with Apple. Herself trademark Thunderbolt was previously owned by Apple, but was later transferred Intel. USB Type-C connectors working with this protocol are installed in new

    But the USB Type-C port in the previous one is “a step lower”, allowing you to connect peripherals compatible only with the USB 3.1 gen 1 standard, but not with Thunderbolt 3.

    This good example, which clearly demonstrates in practice why, despite the same USB Type-C connector, Thunderbolt 3 peripherals cannot be connected to the Macbook 12, however, any accessories and peripherals for the Macbook 12 will work with the new Macbook Pro 2016.

    Let's take a closer look at what other types of signals USB Type-C can transmit through itself.

    First of all, this is classic USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 - this is relevant for mobile devices with a new connector (for example, the first tablet with USB Type-C Nokia N1), which supported signals and power only for USB 2.0. The most modern mobile devices (for example l) support USB connection 3.0.

    What does this mean in practice? When purchasing a cable for a mobile device with USB Type-C, pay attention to the speed and compatibility of the connectors on both gadgets. Good choice For a modern Windows laptop with USB 3.0, there will be a cable that will ensure operation via USB Type-C using the USB 2.0 and 3.0 protocols.

    If your mobile device, such as an Android smartphone, has Micro-USB port(or its modification Micro-USB B), operating under the USB 2.0 protocol, can be limited to a cable, or. The maximum data transfer speed will be limited to 480 Mbps.

    The next standard is USB 3.1 gen 1 - allowing you to connect hard drives, network adapters and docking stations. It is backward compatible with SuperSpeed ​​USB 3.0, Hi-Speed ​​USB 2.0, and even the original USB 1.x.

    USB 3.1 gen 2 protocol – similar to the previous one, but doubles throughput USB peripherals up to 10 Gbps. Only the newest USB-C devices support it.



    USB 3.1 and USB Type-C connections support both external drives, For example .

    Examples of accessories that provide compatible high-speed network connection via USB Type-C:
    And .

    Audio Accessory Mode is a specification for use with analog audio, allowing the USB Type-C port to compete with the analog 3.5mm jack in the future.

    Connection mode Alternate Mode - includes all other non-USB protocols: DisplayPort, MHL, HDMI and Thunderbolt (which was previously connected via the DP connector). The main problem here is that not every device supports the Alternate Mode protocol, which is very confusing for buyers.

    For video devices, not only branded adapters with USB Type-C from Apple are available: and adapter, but also options from other manufacturers, for example.

    But there are also advantages - transmitting a video stream via a USB Type-C port does not in any way affect its energy capabilities, because as many as four high-speed lines can be allocated for the needs of DisplayPort. In this case, it is possible to transmit images in resolutions up to 5120×2880.

    The symmetry of the contact pads made it possible to make the port reversible, and depending on the connected device, different quantity connections.

    The first USB 1.0 port provided only 0.75 W (0.15 A, 5 V) of power. For USB 2.0, the current was increased to 0.5 A, which made it possible to receive 2.5 Watts from it to power, for example, external hard drives 2.5" format Not surprisingly, connecting more power-intensive drives sometimes required several ports at once.

    For USB 3.0, a current of 0.9 A is provided, which, with a supply voltage of 5 V, guarantees a power of 4.5 W. Compared to these numbers, the 100W transmission capability is truly impressive!

    To ensure the transfer of such an amount of energy, the supply voltage can increase to 20 Volts. Contacts Secondary Bus and USB Power Delivery Communication are for selection desired mode work between connected gadgets - after all, if the device is not capable of accepting 100W of energy, it will simply burn out! Thanks to the preliminary data exchange, compatible devices switch to an advanced operating mode with expanded power options.

    There are five such profiles in total: “profile 1” guarantees the ability to transmit 10 W of energy, the second – 18 W, the third – 36 W, the fourth – 60 W, and the fifth – a whole hundred!

    The PD (Power Delivery) function requires a separate cable, e.g.

    The prospects for USB Type-C or USB-C are very bright. Apart from Apple USB ports Type-C is beginning to be equipped with both productive desktops (motherboards) and mobile devices. So far the leading place is occupied by USB protocol 3.1 in both of its variations (and mobile devices are just getting close to USB 3.0 speeds).

    It won’t be long before we can finally switch to a universal type of USB-C cables from USB-C (such cables are available now) to connect other peripherals. It's especially nice that accessories purchased today will continue to work thanks to backwards compatibility mode. Important note - USB Type-C is an open standard that does not require licensing fees from manufacturers.

    Risks and difficulties lie only when connecting new peripherals (requiring the fastest protocols, such as Thunderbolt different versions) to older versions of devices with USB Type-C running at USB 3.1 speeds - in best case scenario they will be able to continue operating at reduced speed.

    When purchasing accessories and USB Type-C cables, be sure to consider what speeds your device should (and can) operate at - if USB 2.0-3.1 speeds are suitable for mobile devices and gadgets, then for transmitting video signals or data from high-capacity hard drives it can be important Thunderbolt 3 compatible.

    For your convenience, we have collected them in a separate section of the catalog.

    U USB port Type-C has at least one undeniable and obvious advantage over the micro USB port - the connector can be inserted into it from either side (like Lightning). But USB Type-C also has disadvantages, we will talk about them today.

    1. USB Type-C does not support fast charging

    Currently, no smartphone with a USB Type-C cable is compatible with technologies that support fast charging (e.g. Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0). Perhaps it will appear in the future, but definitely not on those smartphones that have already been released.

    2. USB Type-C does not guarantee high data transfer speeds


    USB Type-C is only a connector form factor, not a data exchange standard. The USB Type-C cable itself can fit different standards- USB 2.0, 3.0 and 3.1. Even if the cable supports USB 3.1, the data transfer speed through it will be limited by the port of the smartphone or computer. In theory, data can be transferred via USB 3.1 at speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second, but in reality such speeds will most likely be unattainable even under ideal conditions.

    3. USB Type-C is not widely used

    Surely you have often asked your friends for a charger or cable to charge your dead smartphone. In the case of USB Type-C, this will not work - it’s unlikely that anyone will have such a cable. Ask micro cable Any passerby can have USB. They may refuse, but almost everyone has it..

    4. USB Type-C is expensive

    The worst thing is if the cable gets lost or becomes unusable - a micro USB cable is very cheap in computer stores, and not all of them have USB Type-C retail outlets, and you will have to pay a lot more money for it. In addition, there is no guarantee that the new cable will be of the same quality as the one that came with the smartphone; there is a high risk of running into a fake.

    5. USB Type-C does not support common accessories

    If you have already purchased various accessories for your smartphone, such as portable chargers, OTG adapters, flash drives, speakers, etc., be prepared that they will be incompatible with USB Type-C. Finding accessories that support this standard is currently quite difficult.

    All this does not mean that the USB Type-C standard is bad, it’s just that its time has not come yet. In addition, many compatibility issues can be resolved by purchasing USB adapter Type-C -> micro USB.

    At the beginning of its journey, the USB port was intended to unite all other interfaces into one, this was even hinted at by its constant logo, but time goes by itself. universal port has grown into many poorly compatible versions, which 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 he was greeted with almost applause, and ordinary users They just shrugged their shoulders. You can still encounter this indifference today: they say, yes, it’s symmetrical, yes, it’s easier to connect, so what? In fact, the difference is huge and if you still wondering, which is better - Type C or microUSB, here you go.

    Type C is more practical

    This compact port has announced itself as a new network standard and its appearance is consistent with this high status. A symmetrical, 24-pin port can today be found on smartphones in the flagship and mid-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. And now you don’t have to carry around a certain number of blocks from different equipment with you.
    Backward compatibility is also important. The Type-C port allows you to use any technology from the most ancient to the ultra-modern without any special restrictions.
    A couple of years ago, there was an urgent issue of finding adapters and compatible flash drives, but today they are a dime a dozen on the market.

    Data transfer speed - up to 10 Gb/s

    In this regard, Type C is a great foundation for the future, because it offers users data transfer speeds 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) supported only the 2.0 protocol, while later devices could have both 3.0 and 3.1 with 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 100 W power

    Fast charging is already sweeping the planet. They are being developed different manufacturers and they work according to different principles, but the essence is the same - increase power and thus reduce the charging time of the gadget. If you read our previous text, you noticed that in modern technologies fast chargers The numbers don't even come close to what's listed. However, in the future, this seemingly sky-high power will also be used. This technology You may have come across it on the Internet under the name USB Power Delivery. This 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 third-party manufacturers will obviously not fail to use in their developments.

    Alternate Modes

    If up to this point we were 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.
    You can’t ignore Thunderbolt 3, which guarantees data and video transfer to high speeds. Through of this interface you can daisy-chain up to 6 peripheral devices (such as monitors). It’s really hard to imagine a situation where this is really necessary.

    Sound transmission - audiophile quality

    If we assessed all the above modes in the context of a reserve for the future, then this is something that even ordinary users are faced with today. We're talking about mass replacement audio jack port Type C. For separated ports, in in this case, only one (but very serious) advantage: you can use the headphones even when the smartphone is charging. But in all other respects, 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 some tasks (and related equipment) to the headset, which will also help avoid unnecessary noise and expand the headset’s control capabilities. Reverse side medals - headphones will clearly 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, cooler things await us. For example, the ability to monitor body temperature while playing sports using headphones.

    Docking stations

    It is the versatility of the USB Type C port that made the use of docking stations for smartphones possible. Connecting to a dock makes it possible to turn your smartphone into an almost full-fledged desktop PC. Not at the gaming level, of course, but definitely at the multimedia level, thanks to the power mobile processors this is more than enough. On at the moment There are two devices on the market that offer this functionality. This is the HP Elite x3, which we reviewed extensively, and the Samsung Galaxy S8, S8+ and Note8 models with their DeX Station. Considering the speed with which Type C is spreading, I would like to hope that other manufacturers will have analogues.

    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 value it. But the sea of ​​these undeniable advantages crosses out one fat minus. The capabilities of the port will always be limited by the carrier device and it is impossible to recognize these limitations externally. That is, Type C always looks the same, and to find out what exactly it will be able to do 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. This is a pretty good game of attentiveness. The only good thing is that these limitations will gradually be leveled out with the development of technology.

    Before talking about the advantages of USB Type-C, you need to understand the difference between the USB Type-A and Type-B versions. Typically, versions (A, B, C) differ in the speed and functionality of the USB cable, and the USB Type port (1.1, 2.0, 3.0) has to do with the shape and interconnections of the ports and connectors.

    USB Type-A

    The most common and recognizable type of port of all existing ones. Most devices (mice, keyboards, flash drives, cameras) are equipped with USB Type-A, which was created back in the 90s. The main advantage of this port is reliability. He can stand it large number connections and not break in the process. It provides protection against incorrect connection, so you won’t be able to stick it in reverse side. However, for portable devices large USB Type-A is not suitable, as a result, smaller modifications were created.P

    Different versions of USB, including USB 1.1, USB 2.0, USB 3.0 have the same USB Type-A design. This means that a USB 3.0 device can be plugged into a USB 2.0 port and vice versa.

    Also note that there are smaller Type-A plugs and connectors, including Mini Type-A and Micro Type-A. But there are very few devices that support this standard.

    USB Type-B

    Typically, the Type B connector is the other end of a standard USB cable that connects to a gadget (such as a printer, smartphone, or external hard drive).

    Since devices vary in shape and size, the Type B connector and its corresponding port also come in different designs. Until now, there have been five popular USB Type-B designs.

    Original standard (Type-B): This design was first used in the USB 1.1 model, and after — in USB 2.0. Mainly used to connect large peripheral devices such as printers or scanners to a computer.

    Mini-USB (or Mini-B USB): Used in digital cameras, smartphones and old portable storage devices. This design is now considered obsolete.

    Micro-USB (or Micro-B USB): Slightly smaller than Mini-USB, the port is currently considered the most popular USB port design for smartphones and tablets.

    Type-B USB 3.0: Designed for devices requiring high performance — NAS, stationary hard drives. The connector is heavily modified and cannot be connected to USB 2.0. You don’t often see such cords on sale either.

    Micro-USB 3.0 (or Micro-B USB 3.0): Mainly used for portable storage devices. It differs from other ports in the blue color of one of the connectors.

    Proprietary USB port

    Not all devices use the standard USB cables mentioned above. Moreover, some of them use a proprietary design protected by patents. The most famous examples of the use of such cables are the iPhone and iPad.

    USB Type-C

    Physically, the Type-C port and connector are approximately the same size as the Micro-B USB mentioned above. But the dimensions of the Type-C connector are smaller than the previous version: 8.4 mm by 2.6 mm. This means that it is small enough to work for even the smallest gadgets.

    Unlike previous versions USB, the new connector is very easy to connect - it is symmetrical. Now you don’t need to think about which side to insert it in, or figure out where the top is and where the bottom is.

    Since 2015, Type-C USB supports USB 3.1 with maximum speed 10 Gbit and higher voltage — 20V (100W) and 5A. Considering that 15-inch laptops operate at up to 60W, this means that in the future we will be able to charge laptops in the same way as tablets and tablets. smartphones — using small USB port. In fact, the 12-inch Macbook was the first laptop to receive only one connector — USB Type-C. With its help, the user can not only connect peripheral devices, but also charge the laptop itself.

    The USB Type-C port has enough advantages: through a single connector you can connect a monitor or TV, transfer information, interact with peripheral devices and charge the battery. The USB Type-C socket itself can be placed on the side panel quite slim body smartphone.

    USB Type-C can replace a whole “zoo” of connectors. This interface can be used to connect external drives, printers, monitors.

    It will take a few more years, but Type-C will definitely become as popular as the current Type-A. Moreover, it will simplify interaction with devices significantly. Just one tiny cable will work on any device, charging it and transferring data.

    Is the time really coming for one unified connector for charging any device? More recently, such an assumption could have been laughed at. But even Apple is slowly giving in, and the MacBook with its USB Type-C is the first confirmation of this.

    Nirvana is still far away; first we 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 everything else, be it charging, an HDMI port or a regular slot for a flash drive. No more “my cord is on the other side” or “I can only connect one monitor.” I found the port, inserted the device, everything worked. Idyll.

    Well, well. In practice, this “freedom” has created great confusion. It's not enough to do universal connector- it requires at least universal cable.

    The fact is that the USB Type-C port has 24 contacts through which signals of different protocols pass. That's what you can connect to this universal connector.

    • USB 2.0

    The first devices equipped with a USB Type-C port actually worked in USB mode 2.0 and transmitted data at a speed of 480 Mbit/s. Tablets and smartphones using this protocol are still found (hello, Nokia N1).

    • USB 3.1 gen 1 (3.0, SuperSpeed ​​USB)

    Flies at speeds up to 5 Gbps, backwards compatible with USB 1.x and USB 2.0. Most likely, the blue port on your computer works with this protocol. MacBook is no exception.

    • USB 3.1 gen 2

    The upgraded version of USB 3.0 is also backwards compatible. Data transfer speed has increased to 10 Gbit/s, and power to 100 W. 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 best part is charging via USB Type-C. Power Delivery supports 5 standard profiles for power supply - 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 USB Type-C ports.

    The hardest part is finding the right wire

    Ok, everything is clear with the port, all that remains is 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? Be careful, there might be an ancient USB 2.0 hiding inside. It’s not even a matter of the reputation of Chinese entrepreneurs; many well-known brands are ready to sell a Type-C cable with the old protocol inside at a bargain price.

    2. A bunch of specifications
    Yes, everything is written in the title. But how to figure it out to an ordinary person, who doesn't care about all these new specifications? Which one selects the wire according to the shape of the connector? No way. He just realized the difference between USB 2.0 and 3.0 wires.

    And outputting images via USB Type-C is not the easiest undertaking. Besides Display Port and HDMI, there are three more generations of Thunderbolt, which can also be used to connect monitors. It’s not enough to find a suitable cable - the device must clearly understand that it is connected to it via Alternate Mode.

    3. Will it charge?
    It will if the name contains “charge” or “PD”. But there is a catch here: a cable that supports charging via USB Type-C must meet the required profile and be certified. What are the consequences? At best, slow charging, at worst, fire of the device.

    Why you can’t insert the first cable you come across

    Because you can ruin everything. Here are three reasons:

    1. Low speed data transmission
    Of course, for connecting to an external hard drive or smartphone, almost any wire with the necessary connectors will do. But it's worth making sure it works with the required protocol(for example, with USB 3.0), otherwise the data transfer speed will drop.

    2. Bad picture or lack thereof
    If the cable will connect the MacBook and the monitor, make sure that the wire transmits the signal required frequency. Don't forget that Thunderbolt 3 does not work with previous generations.

    3. 100 W current is no joke
    PD cables are a little more complicated. The power threshold has been raised, which means you need to be more careful, because if the cable is defective, dire consequences are possible. Not 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 out. But over time, the battery or power controller may suffer.
    So, if you need a wire to charge your laptop, forget about the nonames for two hundred square meters.

    But for smartphones with USB 2.0 adapters, it’s not so bad. You can buy any USB Type-C to USB 2.0 cable and quietly charge your phone.

    What to do?

    Of course, for USB Type-C is the future. There are more and more devices with new connectors and soon the time will pass when you took the first wire you came across without thinking.

    USB Type-C cables need to be labeled. Seriously, how else can you tell the difference between a cheap external hard drive and an expensive one that can charge any device?

    Most best option- use original wires. Well, if you really buy, then only cool USB 3.1 with Power Delivery support. These cost from 1500 rubles and above. With connectors from Alternate Mode the situation is simpler, but the price tag is about the same.

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