USB-C: WHY SOME DEVICES ARE 5GBPS AND OTHERS ARE 10GBPS

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It is not just a design quirk but something that is deliberately included in order to change performance depending on the needs of the users. Those that have so many micro-USB accessories will appreciate the opportunity to keep things in one place as envisaged with the release of a USB Type-C laptop. The same broad principles apply if the device is a phone or tablet. Through these add-ons it is possible to enhance connectivity as well as the range of features that the user can enjoy.

What you get from the USB connection

The most recent innovation has been the Type-C port. It is noted for having a smaller size than the first USB Type-A which many people will probably be familiar with without even being able to pronounce its technical name.

The USB 3.1 specification comes with a number of advantages including speed and reversibility. In fact this has addressed the frustrations of many users who were not happy that they had to insert a USB plug upside down in order to use it. The other benefits include the ability to carry up to 100 watts of power. This is six times what we used to anticipate with the USB 3.0.

The port can deliver up to 10Gbps. This is double what you would expect from a standard USB 3.0 device. Although the average user many not actually want or need all these specifications; it is reassuring to know that they exist because eventually there will be a situation where they can come in handy.

The Apple 12-inch MacBook started the trend of using the USB-C Port and it seems that the practice caught on. For example you can now get it on the Lenovo Yoga 900 as well as the Dell Latitude 12 7000. Within the tablet class, the facility is available on the Asus ZenPad S8 as well as the Pixel C from Google. Both the Google Nexus 5X and 6P smartphones have the facility.

Now comes the challenge. Over the years as you use your PC, you may have collected a number of cables, mini-USB hubs, micro-USB devices, adapters and chargers which are useful to you in your day-to-day life. Unfortunately the USB-C port may not be able to access them which means that you are back to square one on the issue of compatibility. That is why the manufacturers have now come up with some USB-C accessories which incorporate adjusting adapters.

The notable ones on the market today include the Belkin USB-A to USB-C Charge Cable. By using this you will be able to charge the devices as well as sync a range of files that incorporate music, photos and other types of data. It is a wonderful system for linking your laptop to the main PC. The 10 Gbps transfer rates work like a dream in this case. You get a speed that is up to 20 times faster than what you would have received with the USB 2.0 which runs at about 480Mbps. The rate even beats the usually reliable FireWire 800 which is about 12 times slower than the new accessory. Only the USB 3.0 (5Gbps) tries to really compete but it is still limited to 50% of the highest performance rate.