USB-C explained: How to get the most from it (and why it keeps getting better)

USB-C explained: How to get the most from it (and why it keeps getting better)

    At the office, home or school, USB-C has arrived. We’ve got tips on how to take

advantage of those new ports, along with a peek at the future of data transfer and video.
    You’ve probably noticed something strange about many of the latest phones, tablets and

laptops at your company: The familiar rectangular Type-A USB ports are gone, replaced by

smaller oblong connectors. USB-C has taken over at work, at home and at school.
    While many iPhone and iPad models stick with Apple’s proprietary Lightning connector,

USB-C is now part and parcel of most laptops, phones and tablets made today. Even the

latest MacBooks and Chromebooks are part of the movement to USB-C.
    What is USB-C?
    USB Type-C, usually referred to as just USB-C, is a relatively new connector for

delivering data and power to and from computing devices. Because the USB-C plug is

symmetrical, it can be inserted either way, eliminating the frustrations of earlier USB

ports and putting it on a par with Apple’s reversible Lightning plug.
    This alone makes it a hit for me, but USB-C is closely linked to several powerful new

technologies, including Thunderbolt and USB Power Delivery, that can change how we think

about our gear and working in the office, on the road or at home.
    Most USB-C ports are built on the second-generation USB 3.1 data-transfer standard,

which can theoretically deliver data at speeds of up to 10Gbps — twice as fast as USB 3.0

and first-gen USB 3.1, which both top out at 5Gbps. The key is to get devices that say

“USB 3.1 Rev 2,” “USB 3.1 Gen 2,” “SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps,” or “SuperSpeed+” to get

support for the faster spec.
    Confusing matters more, the current USB 3.2 standard is mostly a restatement of USB 3.1

specs. For instance, USB 3.2 Gen 1 and 2 are the same as USB 3.1 Gen 1 and 2. The new spec

that’s actually noteworthy is USB 3.2 Gen 2X2, which has a pair of 10Gbps lanes of data

traffic available for a total of 20Gbps. So far, however, it hasn’t caught on with device

manufacturers, so it’s hard to find it on any devices in the wild. That might change in

the coming year as new controller chips come out.
    To make sure the data gets through at higher speeds, always get

high-quality cables. They will often have the SuperSpeed

logo and a “10” on them to show they’re capable of moving 10Gbps. The good news is that

there’s a good chance that this spaghetti bowl of cable standards could disappear with the

next rev of the USB spec with a universal USB cable. More on that later.
    Speed, power, and video delivery
    A big bonus is that on many laptops and desktops, the USB-C specification also supports

Intel’s Thunderbolt 3 data-transfer technology. A USB-C port equipped with Thunderbolt 3

can push data speeds to a theoretical limit of 40Gbps. To show how far we’ve come, that’s

four times faster than USB 3.1 and more than 3,000 times faster than the original USB 1

spec of 12Mbps.
    With increased data-transfer speeds comes the ability to push video over the same

connection. USB-C’s Alternate Mode (or “Alt Mode” for short) for video enables adapters

to output video from that same USB-C port to HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA and other types of

video connectors on displays, TVs and projectors. It pays huge dividends for the

ultramobile among us by allowing many recent phones and tablets, such as the Samsung Galaxy

Tab S7+ and Note and Tab 6 systems, to directly plug into a monitor at home or a projector

in the office.
    What’s more, USB-C supports the USB Power Delivery (USB PD) specification. A USB 2.0

port can deliver just 2.5 watts of power, about enough to charge a phone, slowly. USB 3.1

ups this figure to about 15 watts. But USB PD can deliver up to 100 watts of power, more

than six times what USB 3.1 can. This opens up the potential for laptop-powered projectors

based on USB-C, but today it is mostly used for high-power chargers and external battery packs.
    Next up: USB4
    With USB-C accepted as the de facto connector today, the next step is USB4. It can move

up to 40Gbps, provide at least 15 watts of power for accessories, and support two 4K

displays or a single 8K display. To its credit, USB4 will continue with the small oblong

connector that USB-C brought to the party and will work with existing devices, including

USB 2.0 ones. (You will need the right adapter for devices without a USB-C port, though.)
    Behind the scenes, USB4 uses the Thunderbolt 4 spec. It sets up bidirectional lanes of

data that should help things like videoconferencing, which require two-way data flow to

prevent congestion and jams. In addition to extra security to prevent a hack attack,

Thunderbolt 4 will be compatible with Thunderbolt 3 devices, like docking stations and

External Graphics Processing Units (eGPUs). It includes dynamic data flow that is adjusted

to suit the devices, so older devices won’t slow down newer ones.
    On the downside, you’ll need a Thunderbolt 4 cable to make it work, but there’s a

potential bonus: all Thunderbolt 4 cables will be able to be used on anything from USB 2

(with adapter) through USB4 systems. This will make it as close to a universal data cable

as exists today. They’ll be available in 2-meter lengths (about 6? feet), more than twice

the standard 0.8-meter length of current USB-C cables. The key to look for when shopping is

that they will have the iconic Thunderbolt lightning icon and a 4 on the plug.
    The USB4/Thunderbolt 4 spec is built into Intel’s 11th-generation Tiger Lake

processors, although the company and others will have standalone USB4 controller chips. The

first computers with Thunderbolt 4 ports might appear in late 2020 and devices that plug

into them early the next year.
    Making USB-C work for you
    In the here and now, you’ll need to make some changes and buy some accessories to take

full advantage of USB-C. This guide can help ease the transition by showing what you can do

with USB-C and what you’ll need to make it work.
    Be careful, because not all USB-C devices support all of the latest USB-C specs. For

instance, just about every USB-C flash drive supports the earlier USB 3.1 Rev 1 protocol,

some tablets and phones don’t support Alt Mode video, and we are in the early days of USB

Power Delivery, with few devices going beyond 40 or 60 watts. In other words, read the spec

sheet carefully so you know what you’re getting before you buy.
    These tools, tips and DIY projects can help make the transition to a USB-C world

easier.
    Make a USB-C travel kit
    The good news is that USB-C ports can be used with most older USB 2, 3.0 and 3.1

accessories. The bad news is that you’ll need the right

adapters and cables, and so far, I

haven’t seen a complete kit available. I’ve made my own USB-C survival kit that has six

key cables and adapters inside an old zippered case.
    Find the right power adapter and cable for your Mac notebook，
    Learn which power adapter, cable, and plug works with your Mac notebook computer.
    Power adapters for Mac notebooks are available in 29W, 30W, 45W, 60W, 61W, 85W, 87W,

and 96W varieties. You should use the appropriate wattage power adapter for your Mac

notebook. You can use a compatible higher wattage power adapter without issue, but it

won't make your computer charge faster or operate differently. If you use a power

adapter that is lower in wattage than the adapter that came with your Mac, it won't

provide enough power to your computer.
    Mac notebooks that charge via USB-C come with an Apple USB-C Power Adapter with

detachable AC plug (or duckhead), and a USB-C Charge Cable. 
    Mac notebooks that charge via MagSafe come with an AC adapter with MagSafe connector

and detachable AC plug, and an AC cable.
    Make sure you're using the correct USB-C charge cable and

bluetooth glasses
    For the best charging experience, you should use the USB-C charge cable that comes with

your Mac notebook. If you use a higher wattage USB-C cable, your Mac will still charge

normally. USB-C cables rated for 29W or 30W will work with any USB-C power adapter, but

won't provide enough power when connected to a power adapter that is more than 61W,

such as the 96W USB-C Power Adapter.
    You can verify that you're using the correct version of the Apple USB-C Charge

Cable with your Mac notebook and its USB-C AC Adapter. The cable's serial number is

printed on its external housing, next to the words Designed by Apple in California.

Assembled in China. 
    If the first three characters of the serial number are C4M or FL4, the cable is for use

with an Apple USB-C Power Adapter up to 61W.
    If the first three characters of the serial number are DLC, CTC, FTL, or G0J, the cable

is for use with an Apple USB-C Power Adapter up to 100W.
    If the cable says Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in China but has no serial

number, you might be eligible for a replacement USB-C charge cable.