USB Type-C: Rethinking USB
You may have heard about the new USB connector and cable called USB-C. It will eventually become an industry standard and replace the current USB 3 ports we are very familiar with. Some laptops, such as the 2015 Macbook and the 2015 Google Chromebook Pixel, already support the USB-C.
What are the advantages?
For one, the port looks very different. It has an oval shape rather than the rectangular form of USB 3. For those who somehow manage to plug in your flash drive the wrong way every time, USB-C is reversible! Secondly, it's twice as fast as USB 3, which is very helpful if you are constantly transferring files using external drives. Maybe the biggest update is that USB-C is a multi-purpose port – it supports DisplayPort, HDMI, power, USB, and VGA. That means with this one cable you can charge your laptop, connect to a second monitor, or even transfer files. This is huge for people who are forced to carry many cables with them.
What are the disadvantages?
You will need to buy new cables for the new port; if you still want to be backwards compatible with the old USB 3 ports, you will need an adapter. This will be annoying at first, but once you start seeing the capabilities of USB-C, you won't want to go back.
Whether or not you like the new USB-C port, you will be seeing much more of it in the months and years to come. Technology keeps moving and that means we often need to learn to adjust to that constant movement. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact Igniting Business!
