The Universal Serial Bus (USB), the standard for linking devices, phones, printers, scanners, and other peripherals, has been around for almost 25 years. There have been many developments over the last quarter century.
The communications standard went from USB 1.0 to USB 2, to USB 3, and now to 4. Each version is faster than the last. Mechanically the same rectangular Type-A connector has remained the same for most of the years without being updated. But, that’s changing with USB Type C.
Let’s discuss the USB-C connector. What are the latest changes?
Types Of USB Connectors
You are probably familiar with USB Type-A connectors. This is the original rectangular USB connector. It has been plugged into almost all computers in the last 20 years.
These connectors might look symmetrical but would only fit into a plug one way. This made it difficult to connect them, especially if you tried to plug something into the back of your laptop where you couldn’t see what was happening.
Many of the older cables had a USB Type B connector. It was the rectangular connector that plugged into scanners, printers, external hard drives, etc.
As smartphones and digital cameras became smaller, the Type B connector stopped working and the USB Micro- and USB Mini connectors were made to fit much more space.
But they were still difficult to attach. They were only compatible in one direction. Their smaller size made the task even more difficult.
That is all changed by the USB type C connections. It’s reversible so that it fits no matter which way you turn, so you always get it right.
USB-C’s Benefits
Although it may sound simple, the reversible USB-C design has many advantages. The reversible design makes it easier to connect and practically eliminates the chance of damaging either the cable or the port it’s being plugged into.
But there are many more benefits. As with previous versions, strong support for all types and brands of USB C devices is provided. It doesn’t matter if you are using Windows, a Mac or an iPad, an Android tablet, or a laptop or desktop. The USB Type C connector is universally compatible.
This means that you can charge all your devices with fewer chargers. It’s also much more convenient. It also makes it less wasteful.
USB-C also supports high bandwidth applications like high-resolution displays and high-speed external storage. This is possible thanks to Apple’s Thunderbolt 3 specification.
USB-C offers several benefits over the older versions. It supports both power delivery (PD), and data transfer. The USB-C standard can deliver up to 100W of power, so you can fast-charge all your devices and computers with the USB-C connector. PD, an intelligent system, also asks your smartphone, laptop, or monitor for the voltage and power they require. It then delivers this voltage and power in a safe, reliable, and quick manner.
Use Of The USB Type C Plug
Many modern phones, tablets, laptops, and tablets use USB-C. But it’s important to make sure that there is a USB-C connector on your computer.
Check your power requirements to ensure power delivery. PD can deliver up to 100W which will be sufficient for most laptops. A USB-C fast charger can be used to charge one or more devices.
Another benefit of USBC is that it can be added to your system whenever you want, just like you would new hardware. You can still use your HDMI connection for your monitor. Many adapter hubs can connect your legacy devices. They also charge your smartphone or laptop until it’s time to move on.
