Type s connector. USB Type-C Speed ​​Test: How Slow Your Laptop's Speed ​​Port Can Be

Almost two years ago I migrated to USB Type-C and am still not blind. I'll tell you the whole truth.

The market is not ready

In 2015, Apple presented to the public the first laptop with a progressive USB Type-C interface on board. I would have fainted with joy, but there was only one connector. But for everything at once, including charging a laptop. Only the lazy would not criticize the aluminum gadget for this port, although I personally found myself among such people. I didn’t scold it, but I was afraid that there would be problems with active use of the device.

I was afraid and still decided to buy. I really liked the device, in fact. Naturally, I bought it right away with an adapter - the most simple apple USB-C/USB. Thus began my new life at the crossroads of generations, when the standard had already been launched to the masses, but the market was not yet ready for it.

Almost two years after the release of the MacBook 12, the market was still not ready for USB Type-C. At a minimum, this impression may be due to the public reaction to the use of the same ports in the new MacBook Pro. But often this is the opinion of theorists. In practice, everything is somewhat more prosaic. In this article I will share my experience of using a laptop with USB Type-C - the pros, cons and whether you should be afraid of the new standard.

USB Type-C is universal, but also not quite ready for the market

The functionality of the new standard is impressive and many good articles have been written about it, including. Briefly and simply, the connector is more compact than its predecessor, can be inserted on either side, supports data transfer (up to 10 Gbit/s or up to 40 Gbit/s if we are talking about Thunderbolt 3), video (up to 5K), audio and power up to 100 W inclusive.

Cool? Not that word!

The only difficulty is that when everything is mixed at once, overlaps, problems and incompatibility issues occur. The simplest example is MacBook 12 and MacBook Pro 2016, which seem to have the same connectors, but in fact they are different: classic USB Type-C and Thunderbolt 3, respectively. The latter is more progressive and is backwards compatible, but not in everything. Available with the first generation of USB-C chipset from Texas Instruments (TPS65982). And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

There are several standards for USB Type-C cables that support different speeds data transmission (from 480 Mbit/s to 10 Gbit/s), different power supply voltages or no power lines at all, with video transmission function (via built-in DisplayPort or alternative Alternate Mode) and without it. All schemes and standards are clearly spelled out, but only underground Chinese factories don’t care about them, because price is a priority. As a result, you can use a cheap cable.

What do we end up with? There is only one connector, it supports many standards, it can do almost everything, but there is also back side medals in the form of a lot of confusion among cables and peripherals. The wires are the same, but the capabilities are different. The connector is the same, but it is not a fact that it can do everything stated in the standard specifications. By the way, the new MacBook Pro really does have Thunderbolt 3 ports, but it doesn’t solve compatibility problems yet.

These are the realities of the transition period in which we find ourselves through the efforts of Apple. On the other hand, if it weren’t for the heavy tarpaulin boot with the logo of a bitten apple, from time to time kicking the market in the sirloin places, who knows how long the dominance would have been observed optical drives in laptops and how quickly Wi-Fi would spread.

Let's take a better look at working in USB Type-C in the real world and on a real device - is the devil really as scary as he is painted to be?

Two years of life with USB Type-C

Each story is strictly individual, including mine. On the other hand, there are always some general aspects of operating devices. I will try to focus attention on them so that you can try on the described experience to your personal situation.

The first thing that raised concerns was whether the laptop had enough charge to restore it. backup copy Time Machine With external hard drive? When I purchased the device, in my region only a simple branded adapter was available, as in the photo above, that is, you can either connect power or an external drive. I was afraid in vain. 250 GB of “personal workspace” quickly settled on new car, using up only 30% of the battery charge in the process. The big plus was that the external hard drive supports USB 3.0, like the adapter, so the data was copied to a very high speeds(more than 40-50 MB/s).

I recommend not saving on USB adapters Type-C and take branded, proven models so as not to run into the low-speed option (480 Mbit/s). And when it comes to powering a laptop, then the choice is only among TOP brands or Apple branded adapters. This is not the moment when you can save money and when you need to save money, since not only the functionality of the I/O port is at stake, but also the health of the gadget.

Having settled on a laptop and having worked for a couple of weeks, I somehow didn’t notice any particular need for the old ones USB ports, even when I needed to transfer photos from a memory card (which I do quite often on duty) or connect some equipment. I even reflashed my favorite camera (Sony A7r) via USB Type-C and a proprietary adapter - the process went without a hitch. The only difference was the need to connect this same adapter, which is a matter of seconds.

That is, there were no problems associated with the fact that the port hole in the laptop is mechanically not directly compatible with 99% of devices on the market. The need to use an adapter did not bother me at all and still does not bother me.

The first rough edges began when I needed to travel frequently on business trips. To have something to do on the road besides writing articles, I usually record movies and TV series on a tablet or smartphone. The difficulty turned out to be that there is only one port and I also have a single adapter. I didn’t buy the more expensive branded one, it was crushed by a toad. Thus, to record video from an external hard drive to an iPad and iPhone, you first had to copy the content to the laptop’s own drive and then transfer it to the mobile Apple gadget. Extra action and extra time. Not critical, but still annoying.

At first I solved the problem cheaply Chinese USB Type-C hub, what is it about. It has nothing to do with power supply, so I wouldn’t burn the laptop even if I wanted to. The only ambush - low speed data transfer was limited by USB 2.0 (up to 30 MB/s), but the adapter supported three connected devices at once. True, the card reader built into it died the next day of use. However, 20 GB of video was easily transferred from an external drive through this miracle of Chinese engineering, and then I recorded similar portions of content several more times.

After some time, I solved the problem radically by ordering a high-quality and very compact USB hub Satechi Type-C Pass Through USB Hub. By the way, there are many analogues - they all cost about the same. Moreover, there are similar hubs, but also with HDMI output. In general, this miniature thing solved the problem of powering a laptop when a couple of USB accessories are connected, plus it contains SD and MicroSD card readers. Unlike the Chinese hub, the memory card slots still work. There is only one catch - the aluminum adapter heats up noticeably, but there were no difficulties with this. I worked plugged into a laptop for 5-6 hours - everything was ok.

Also, from Type-C accessories, I purchased a flash drive with two ports at once - it’s convenient to transfer some content from the MacBook to a device with old USB ports.

As you can see, there are rough edges, but even with only one USB Type-C port, no critical situations arose. But there are also advantages. For example, the fact that I can . In addition, the included power supply, but also iPhone, iPad and any other USB device. You only need the simplest Apple adapter.

Got and external battery with USB Type-C, capable of charging the MacBook 12 even when it is actively working, which increased the autonomy of the device by another 3-4 hours.

More USB Type-C, even more to jump into a brighter future

When new MacBook Pro models were announced and people began to actively scold Apple for abandoning a bunch of different holes in favor of USB Type-C, all this hype only made me smile. There are no real difficulties in switching to a new standard, there are only extra costs for adapters, but compared to the price of the laptops themselves, this is a trifle.

Complaints that pros will have to carry adapters with them are unfounded. Real pros They understand that in a year or two, when they need to change their monstrous laptop, the problem will no longer exist - the peripherals will catch up to the new standard. Those pros who decided to switch to new device Now, they don’t worry either. Because guys (and girls) already carry around a bunch of adapters for all occasions in life. That's why they're pros. Adding a couple more threes is not a problem. But any connector can be implemented on any side of the laptop, if we are talking about older MacBook Pro models.

The industry is on the verge of another change. In the coming years, prepare to throw away all your USB and HDMI cables. They will be replaced by the USB Type-C interface. New format looks brilliant on paper, but real life There are still a lot of questions for him. The main one is when to switch to it? Now let's figure it all out.

Why is USB Type-C the future?

The situation is obvious. The point is the versatility of the format, which is always a plus. What can now regular USB? Only transfer data. Separate interfaces (HDMI, VGA, DVI) are required to connect the monitor and charge the laptop, which is inconvenient.

Type-C allows you to do everything at once. In addition to transferring files at speeds of up to 10 GB/s, the interface can broadcast images in 5K quality (5120x2880 pixels), power devices with a consumption of up to 100 W and a voltage of up to 20 V. And all this - at the same time. In addition, the connector itself is small (8.4 x 2.6 mm) and double-sided. Trying to blindly connect a flash drive or charge a smartphone in the dark when the microUSB doesn’t want to fit into the connector will become a thing of the past.

Where did it all start?

The trend was set by Apple, a company that many now criticize for its inability to surprise, or to do it in a very strange way: by introducing innovations that turn into headaches for customers.

In 2015, the Cupertines presented new Macbook. The model was clearly planned to replace Macbook Air, which are already quite boring and outdated. Their TFT matrix screens look especially bad, while other products sport Retina displays. So, in the new Macbook, in addition to the 3.5 mm headphone jack, there was only one output - USB Type-C. Autumn 2016 Apple of the Year showed new generations Macbook Pro, which already have four similar ports and no other interfaces (only the mini-jack was retained).

Other manufacturers are also catching up: laptops with USB Type-C are produced by HP, ASUS, Dell, MSI. But these companies went more safe method. Along with USB Type-C, their devices also have the usual USB 3.0, HDMI, and an SD card slot. Apple cuts without waiting for peritonitis.

Wait, but Apple introduced Lightning a couple of years ago...

Yes, but this interface is only used on iPhone and iPad. And we are almost sure that the company will completely switch to USB Type-C in smartphones and tablets in a couple of years.

Devices from other manufacturers ( Google Nexus 5X and Pixel, ASUS Zenfone 3) have already received a new standard. So we have a chance to live until that bright day when any mobile phone, laptop or other gadget can be charged via one cable.

But Apple can't bury Lightning so quickly. When the company announced with the release of the iPhone 5 that the bulky 30-pin connector was a thing of the past, the forums were bursting with user indignation: what to do with purchased docking stations and acoustic systems? Gradually everyone came to terms and switched to a compact interface. But if, five years later, people are again told about a change in format, Apple won’t seem to care enough. In addition, Lightning is their own standard, and it is especially difficult to abandon the native one. It will probably be unified with USB Type-C, as happened with Thunderbolt 3.

What exactly is the problem with USB Type-C?

The problem is not so much in the connector as in the periphery. There are only a few monitors with this interface, and they are not cheap. The same thing with flash drives, hard drives, batteries - they are there, but the choice is very limited.

It is unlikely that many people can completely upgrade their equipment at one time - this will amount to a very decent figure. This means that a Type-C adapter is required. And this is precisely the main problem.

Firstly, you need to buy Type-C adapters, and original adapters, especially from Apple, cost an indecent amount. Get out a calculator: USB-C/Lightning (for connecting to an iPhone/iPad) - 1,590 rubles; USB-C/HDMI, USB-C, USB 3.0 - 4090 rubles; adapter from USB Type-C to regular USB - 799 rubles. You won’t be able to insert a flash drive from a camera into your laptop either - again, get money for an adapter (Sandisk USB Type-C the adapter costs, for example, about 1800 rubles). The minimum required set of additional devices will cost 6-7 thousand rubles. True, you can find a real combine that will immediately have USB 3.0, a LAN output, HDMI, and a slot for a memory card.

So while USB Type-C does not make life easier, it only adds problems. For example, photographers cannot quickly transfer pictures from their camera to their laptop. If at work you are asked to write something onto a flash drive, then either carry an adapter with you at all times, or buy a drive with two interfaces (fortunately, there are such), or say apologetically, “I’m here at the peak of progress: only USB- C".

But USB Type-C will inevitably become widespread. It won’t be possible to stubbornly stick to USB 3.0: for another couple of years, manufacturers will definitely release solutions with familiar connectors, but gradually people will be forced to switch to the new standard. Fortunately, it will be cheaper to do this later than it is now.

So should we switch to USB Type-C or what?

The transition to USB Type-C depends on the specifics of how you work with devices. For example, if a laptop is used as a highly mobile gadget, data is transferred between devices via Wi-Fi, and the only wire you connect to it is the charger, then you will not have any problems with the new interface.

In extreme cases, you will need to buy one adapter, which has a connector for the usual USB and HDMI. An Apple smartphone, for example, can be connected via USB to this adapter rather than buying a Lighting/USB-C adapter.

But if you need to use many ports at the same time: HDMI, SD card slot, 2-3 USB, you will have to get rid of it. But it is unlikely that a large number of users connect so much to their laptop at one time. In addition, the Macbook Pro, for example, has four connectors at once. By connecting the laptop to the TV, putting it on charge and connecting the flash drive to the triple adapter (for 4090 rubles), you will have three more free ports at your disposal.

Are there cheap adapters for USB Type-C?

Craftsmen from China tirelessly invent cheaper and more universal adapters. But you need to be careful when buying them. Budget options can burn the device when connected by supplying too much current. Adapters from well-known manufacturers are equipped with reliable protection, which will prevent the destruction of a smartphone or laptop.

It is better to avoid suspiciously cheap options. Moshi, HyperDrive, Choetech, SanDisk - you can pay attention to the products of these companies. But 100% quality and reliability will be ensured only by branded adapters from manufacturers, and not from third-party brands. By the way, interesting thing produces Griffin - a magnetic charging cable, as in the now old Macbooks. If you touch it, the laptop will not crash to the floor - the cable will simply disconnect, and a small tail with USB Type-C will remain in the laptop.

We draw conclusions:

The future belongs to USB Type-C - that's for sure. I would like to believe that the interface will become widespread soon. But if required frequent connection different devices (flash drives, power banks, monitors, network cables), then don't rush. First, find adapters that suit you completely and estimate their cost, as well as how many adapters you will have to carry with you all the time.

New standards are constantly replacing old ones. And now the time has come for a truly significant transition, because the introduction of a new format for the most common port - USB - has begun. Let's find out what the newly-minted Type-C will bring to us.

In fact, the format itself was approved quite a long time ago. At one time we were even on our website. But the path of the standard is final user devices quite difficult. Things like ports should be included in production at a fairly early level, so it is logical that only now the first real gadgets with the discussed port have begun to appear.

The first more or less large commercial device with USB Type-C on board was a tablet. Although it was announced back in November last year, it only went on sale in China. And just the other day, two of the largest IT giants announced their new laptops, which are also equipped with the new USB standard. This is the new one from Apple and the new one from Google. And if in the Chromebook there are two new ports, which are accompanied by two “old” USB, then in the MacBook it is the only one, except for the combined 3.5 mm jack.

The release of devices with a new port standard by such large companies means that the market for peripherals, for which any ports are conceived, will receive a strong push. Even though both of the aforementioned laptops will be very niche devices.

So what can you do with the new USB standard? First, let's clarify the hardware. The new connector is called Type-C. It is small, thin and symmetrical. A kind of golden mean between microUSB (aka Micro-B USB) and Lightning. Its physical dimensions will be 8.4 mm by 2.6 mm.

But at the same time, there is also a new USB 3.1 standard (this is not the same as a connector), which is supported by the new Type-C connector. There has been a big step forward in specifications. Compared to USB 3.0, the data transfer speed has doubled, from 5 Gbit/s to 10 Gbit/s. At the same time, the ability to transmit power has also increased. Using the 3.1 standard, you can transmit a current of 5 A at a voltage of 20 V. With the help of simple calculations, this is transformed into 100 W of power. By comparison, USB 3.0 was capable of delivering 1.8 A at 5 V (9 W). In addition, USB 3.1 can transmit current not only from the host to the recipient, but do it in both directions, if necessary.

Now let's return to the question of what the new USB standard can give us. As you can see from the specifications, it is now truly ready to take on absolutely all the functions that can be taken on. When humanity came up with connectors and plugs, at about the same moment the dream should have been born that there would be only one connector and one plug in the world, for absolutely any purpose. And now this dream is beginning to take shape.

Using the USB 3.1 standard, you can transfer data, connect external displays, connect audio devices, transfer charge - i.e. the new standard has the potential to truly replace all currently existing ports.

Although the new 12″ MacBook does this somewhat aggressively, it clearly shows that one port is enough. Or rather, everyone will probably eventually understand that one port is probably not enough (we need to somehow distinguish the second generation MacBook from the first, after all), but one type of port is enough. What’s especially pleasing is that now the charging will be universal. This means that all laptops can be charged with exactly the same cable as a smartphone. No more proprietary plugs that will cost as much as a full laptop if you lose them. Besides charging blocks will become smaller, neater and, again, will fit any device.

The big problem with the new standard is the lack of direct backward compatibility with old devices. But everything is not as bad as many people think. It is possible to have cables with Type-C at one end and “old” ones USB Type-A on another. Naturally, in this case, all the 3.1 buns will be unavailable, and will be limited by the smaller standard in the chain, but everything will work and this positive point. There are already adapters. The one from Apple, for example, costs $79, but this does not mean that everything will be so bad and the Chinese will not quickly catch up.

It is unlikely that all manufacturers will now decide to completely abandon the old ports, but the sooner we switch to new ones, the better. Ask Apple users if they regret switching to Lightning? I'm sure not, although it was painful for many. By the way, it’s very interesting what port will be in new iPads and iPhone, Lightning or USB-C?

As a result, we have a standard that has every chance of completely killing all competitors. It is quite possible that in the very near future we will only need one thin cable to do absolutely everything with absolutely any device. And that is great.

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Rapid development computer technology affects not only the main components of systems. The possibilities are increasing, including various interfaces. As for the most common method of connecting peripheral devices - USB - here, in general, we can state a multiple increase in productivity in recent years. The throughput of the universal serial bus increases and functionality expands. The connectors used to connect various USB devices are also undergoing changes. Today, many people hear about USB, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of the solution is the topic of this article.

Modern computer connectors

Looking around the body of almost any laptop, you can find a number of different ports located on the sides. Among them there is always USB, almost always HDMI and some others. Modern models often equipped the newest port USB Type-C. Many people don’t know what kind of connector this is, but it would be worthwhile to familiarize yourself with the capabilities of the port. Presumably, the connector will replace many other solutions in the future and become truly universal standard. This is facilitated by the technical characteristics of the new method of pairing a computer and peripherals. The USB Type-C port offers users faster data transfer speeds, improved functionality, and new level ease of use. In short, the future of the standard looks very promising.

Multiple uses for one cable

The creators of USB Type-C used very simple idea. The user must 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 want. For example, using USB cable Type-C, can be connected inherently different devices, presented hard drives, monitors, audio interfaces, smartphones, tablet PCs. Among other things, it becomes possible to use the connector in question even to charge a laptop.

USB-A

Today, almost all peripheral devices are connected to a PC via the usual USB-A connector. This port is firmly established in Computer World, has a rectangular shape that is familiar to everyone, and its use has become almost a standard for pairing flash drives, external keyboards, mice, hard drives, printers and many other devices with PCs and laptops. This monopoly is likely to be broken soon - the USB Type-C cable already takes its rightful place among the solutions used to connect many devices.

Change of concept

To connect devices to what has long been a standard USB-A port Various cables are used. The main difference between them is the connector located on the opposite side of the cable connected to the computer. This is almost always a different type of connector. For example, micro-USB is used for smartphones, while mini-USB is often used for other gadgets. To connect the printer, you will need a USB-B cable, and to connect storage devices, you will need a micro-USB-B cable. This variety causes some inconvenience and difficulty, because a user who owns several devices always needs to have a whole set of cables at hand. Designed to be uniform for all devices, i.e., the universal USB Type-C cable greatly simplifies this situation.

New format

With the development of the standard, it became possible to install a single connector design for all devices, as well as the same connector at both ends of the cable. How can you tell when you pick up a USB Type-C cable that this is it? The solution is a thin connector, oval in shape and significantly smaller in size compared to previous cable and connector formats of this type. In addition, USB 3 Type-C received the most important characteristic represented by symmetry and reversibility. Overall very similar to the Lightning solution from Apple- very convenient, because you don’t need to waste time manipulating the cable to find the right way to connect.

Future

Probably today we can say that after a certain time, the USB Type-C connector will turn into the only universal port for all peripheral devices. Thus, USB-A, B, micro-USB and mini, which complicate life so much, will be replaced ordinary users to date. All cables should become the same and be able to be used for any device. Of course, quick unification will not happen; there are too many functional devices other than USB Type-With connectors is in use today and will continue to be in use for several years to come.

At the same time, we should not forget: the expansion of new solutions has already begun. Eg, USB flash drive Type-C is no longer uncommon on the shelves of computer stores. In addition, the fact that flagship devices are released from the most famous brands, equipped with the port in question, indicates that the described situation, i.e., the displacement of outdated connectors from the market will occur sooner or later. For compatibility with older solutions, you will have to use a USB Type-C adapter for now.

Compatibility

After reading the above, you can think about what to do with already purchased devices equipped with connector types other than USB Type-C. It must be said that this issue should not cause much concern. A wide variety of adapters have already been developed, produced and sold, 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 widespread and perform their functions perfectly. The security principle applied in computer technology for many years now, no one is going to break it. If a new laptop or computer has a USB Type-C port, an adapter for other types of connector is a completely applicable and effective solution.

Learn more about the benefits of the connector

Of course, a simple revision of the design of the connector and port will not be a compelling reason to encourage the user to upgrade all of his existing peripherals, but performance is far from the only advantage of the new solution. The new format supports the most modern USB protocol 3.1, which brings an increase in data exchange speed and greater versatility compared to previous versions, which are used on devices equipped with USB-A.

Speed

More than two decades have passed since the presentation of the first version of the connector. At that time, the maximum speed at which data was transferred was 12 Mb/s. Today we can say, considering USBType-C, that this is the fastest interface for connecting peripheral devices from existing solutions. The USB 3.1 standard is capable of providing a data transfer rate of 10 Gb/s.

Performance

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

Versatility

Universal nature latest standard a wide range opens practical applications. Mass useful functions can be provided with a single cable. For example, you can connect a USB-C-equipped laptop to an externally powered monitor and charge the laptop's battery while watching video content. When storage devices are connected to the display, e.g. external drive, from a laptop you can access information stored on the media.

Disadvantages of USB Type-C

This connector is a brilliant new format that is sure to become a ubiquitous solution in the very near future. At the same time, the initial stages of distribution and development, at which this moment is still standard, do not provide complete absence dangers, as well as some confusion when using the connector.

Cheap accessories

The main problem that a user who decides to join modern trends may encounter is cheap, low-quality accessories and cables. In view of large quantity energy transmitted through USB Type-C connectors, using cables of insufficient quality may damage the paired devices. This factor must be taken into account by users without fail. When purchasing cables and adapters, you should choose products from reliable, trusted brands.

Confusion about standards

Another unpleasant moment that you may encounter USB users Type-C today is caused by the fact that the standard in question relates more to the type of connector used, rather than to the specifications of the interface itself. Therefore, it is quite likely that a device connected to a new connector will not work as fast as the owner of the device expected. The first generation uses USB 3.0 technology, providing maximum speed 5 Gb/s. The second generation of USB-C supports the 3.1 standard, the data transfer speed through which reaches 10 Gb/s. Problems with each of the ports arise due to the fact that they look the same, but when producing ready-made solutions, brands use various components even in lines of similar models. In other words, before purchasing a device with a USB Type-C connector, you need to check whether it matches the actual technical characteristics port to the required parameters.