The new Apple MacBook is Awesome, but its USB-C connector is a big mystery!
The USB-C is the new industrial standard connector and cable used to power the new MacBook. It was developed by the group of companies that has developed, shepherded and certified the USB standard, i.e. by the USB implementers Forum. It counts over mostly 700 compaines in its membership, including Apple, Microsoft, Samsung, Dell, HP, intel. This is important as it is more likely to be accepted by majority of the PC manufacturers.
Similar to Micro USB?
~ The USB-C connector looks more like a micro USB connector at the first glance, but it is slightly thicker to adjust its best features, Like Lightning and MagSafe, it has no up or down orientation. The cables also have same connector on both the ends, so we won't ever have to figure it out which end to plug in, unlike the older USB cables which we're using since 20 years.
It's the USB 3.1
~ Theoretically, the USB 3.1 is twice as fast as the USB 3.0. It's fully compatible electrically with with USB 3.0, though obviously it won't plug in physically without an adapter. It's about as fast as the original specifications for the Thunderbolt (10Gbps).
The Adapters?
~ The MacBook doesn't come with any adapters, except from the charger and single USB-C cable. Other Adapters will be available separately. Apple's USB-C to USB 3.0 adapter will cost about $19, but there is another one that will give the most utility is the expensive $79 USB-C AV Multiport Adapter, which gives you the old connector, USB-C pass through for charging and even an HDMI port. Since USB-C is now an industry standard connector, cheaper adapters are assured to be available.
What else does it support?
~The USB-C connector in the new MacBook supports DisplayPort, Power, HDMI, USB, and even VGA. USB-C to Ethernet is a no brainer, but you may have to change an older USB to Ethernet adapter to your USB-C adapter for the time being.
USB-C Fixing an age-old problem!
~ The universal frustration over a number of attempts to connect USB devices to the computers has been a staple of nerd humor and lampooned in various ways until Intel finally found a way to take the joke quantum.
~ USB-C promises to solve this problem with a universal connector which is also capable of giving twice the theoreitical speed of USB 3.0 and can even provide far more power. Apple is therefore paring up USB-C to eliminate the power connector on the MacBook.
USB-C Additional Characteristics.
~ Mechanical specifications (preliminary) :
- Receptacle opening : ~8.3mm x ~2.5mm
- Durability: 10,000 cycles
- Improved RFI and EMI mitigation features
- Power delivering capacity: 3A for standard cables and 5A for connectors
~ Function capabilities:
- USB 2.0: LS/FS/HS
- USB 3.1: Gen1 (5Gbps)/ Gen2 (10Gbps)
- Enhanced power delivery options
- Extended 5V current ranges plus USB PD
- Docking support
- Option for USB PD-based interface configuration