What is USB-C good for?

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Feek
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What is USB-C good for?

Post by Feek »

My old thinkpad has 4 USB-A ports (typical usage: 1 for boot usb stick, 1 for mouse, 1 for wired keyboard, 1 for data transfers via another usb stick).

I had to buy a new Lenovo which only has 2 USB-A ports and 1 USB-C.
I honestly have no idea what to use the USB-C for or what adapter to buy so I can use it somehow.

What is your experience with USB-C?

Last edited by Flash on Mon Dec 30, 2024 5:08 am, edited 1 time in total.
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dimkr
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Re: What is USB-C good for?

Post by dimkr »

You can charge and dock a laptop using a single cable. The monitor I have at my home office has a built-in charger, a built-in speaker, USB ports, an audio jack and an Ethernet port. When I connect a laptop to this monitor using a type C cable, my laptop recognizes the monitor, switches to a fast wired network, recognizes the keyboard and mouse, changes the default audio output and gets charged (charging is quick and stops when battery is full). It's an inexpensive monitor, these features are common these days, and AFAIK it's USB 3.2 and not Thunderbolt or anything special.

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bigpup
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Re: What is USB-C good for?

Post by bigpup »

USB-C connection does one very good thing to me.

There is no specific way it has to be aligned to plug into it.

A USB-C connection is just plug it in.
Do not need to determine if it goes this way or that way.

The USB-C port is most likely USB 3.0 or higher data speed capable.

They do have USB-A to USB-C adapters to make a USB-A male plug into a USB-C male plug. Actually if you plug one into a USB-C port it is now a USB-A port.
It has a USB-A female port end and a USB-C male plug.
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Re: What is USB-C good for?

Post by bigpup »

In a few years everything will be USB-C

Starting to see some USB flash drive sticks with USB-C plug ends.

Some ear buds I got are USB-C charging port on the storage base.

Got a new Bluetooth wireless headphone that is also using a USB-C charging port.

My Cell phone is USB-C port.

I love you just plug it in and no need to figure out if it plugs in this way or that way.

The things you do not tell us, are usually the clue to fixing the problem.
When I was a kid, I wanted to be older.
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Re: What is USB-C good for?

Post by Chelsea80 »

@Feek

If it's any help this is what ChatGPT says:

Benefit of using USB-C

USB-C offers a range of benefits, making it the preferred connection standard for many devices today.

Here are the key advantages:

1. Universal Compatibility

Universal Standard: USB-C is designed to be a universal connector for all types of devices—smartphones, laptops, tablets, monitors, gaming consoles, and more. It can replace many older connectors like USB-A, USB-B, micro-USB, and even HDMI or DisplayPort in some cases.

Reversible Design: Unlike older USB connectors (such as USB-A), USB-C is reversible, meaning it can be inserted either way, eliminating the frustration of figuring out the correct orientation.

2. Higher Data Transfer Speeds

USB 3.1/3.2 and Thunderbolt Support: USB-C supports high-speed data transfer standards, including USB 3.1 (up to 10 Gbps), USB 3.2 (up to 20 Gbps), and Thunderbolt 3/4 (up to 40 Gbps). This makes it ideal for transferring large files quickly or for use with high-performance devices like external SSDs or 4K monitors.

3. Increased Power Delivery

Fast Charging: USB-C supports USB Power Delivery (PD), enabling faster charging. It can deliver up to 100W of power, making it suitable for charging not just phones and tablets, but also laptops, monitors, and other high-power devices.

Bidirectional Power: Power can flow both ways through a USB-C connection. This means, for example, a device could charge another device (e.g., a phone charging a smartwatch) if needed.

4. Versatility

Single Cable for Multiple Purposes: USB-C can be used for data transfer, power delivery, and video output (e.g., connecting to an external monitor, TV, or projector). This reduces cable clutter and simplifies setups, especially with devices that support DisplayPort Alt Mode or HDMI Alt Mode over USB-C.

Audio and Video: USB-C can also carry audio and video signals, making it a potential replacement for HDMI, especially for connecting laptops to displays, streaming devices, or docking stations.

5. Smaller Form Factor

Compact and Sleek: The USB-C connector is smaller and more compact than older USB connectors, making it ideal for thin and lightweight devices like ultrabooks, tablets, and smartphones, without sacrificing durability or functionality.

6. Future-Proofing

Broad Adoption: USB-C is rapidly becoming the industry standard for charging and data transfer, meaning that adopting USB-C now ensures better compatibility with newer devices and upcoming technologies.

Widely Supported: Most modern smartphones, laptops, and other electronic devices now use USB-C, making it a highly versatile and future-proof option.

7. Improved Durability

Sturdier than Previous Connectors: USB-C connectors are generally more robust and durable than older connectors, with a lifespan of around 10,000 insertions. This means they can handle regular plugging and unplugging with less wear and tear.

8. Reduced Cable Clutter

Since USB-C is capable of handling multiple functions (charging, data, video), it can replace multiple cables and ports, helping reduce cable clutter on desks or in bags.

9. Industry-Wide Support

Standardization: Many devices across different industries now support USB-C, making it easier for users to adopt a common, widely accepted standard. This also leads to a reduction in the number of proprietary connectors and cables that you have to keep track of.

In summary, USB-C is an all-in-one, versatile, and future-ready connection standard that simplifies device connections, speeds up data transfer, improves charging, and reduces the need for multiple cables and connectors.

Chelsea80

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some1
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Re: What is USB-C good for?

Post by some1 »

Since Saterday - in the EU - new smallish hardware - is required to be chargable through a usb-C connector :

https://www.euronews.com/next/2024/12/2 ... into-force

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Re: What is USB-C good for?

Post by Feek »

Thank you all for the useful information and especially for sharing your own experiences with USB-C. :thumbup:

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Re: What is USB-C good for?

Post by dancytron »

The power delivery is much more sophisticated.

There is a chip (or maybe just a resister) that tells a power supply how much voltage a device wants and then it gives that voltage.

I have one of those car jumping little batteries that also has a USB C power thing. I was able to buy a little adapter with the chip (resister?) that will make it give out 20 volts and plug into my lenovo laptop. There are little adapters to spoof the power supplies to power all kinds of stuff.

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Re: What is USB-C good for?

Post by p310don »

I recently purchased a new PC with two real USB ports and a bunch of USB-C ports. So I purchased a couple of USB-C to USB hubs. They work great. The USB-C bandwidth makes the hubs work a full speed, and I have a whole bunch of USB ports now.

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Re: What is USB-C good for?

Post by mikewalsh »

Yah. We bought a wee two-way "walkie-talkie" kit - just a pair of small handsets, half the size of a pack of playing cards, and half the thickness - around 18 months ago from Amazon.

I spend a fair bit of time in my room when I'm not attending to Mama. If she wants me for anything, it's a darned sight easier for her to call me on this than it is for her to have to keep shouting.

These, too, have USB-C charger ports. And, in line with @some1 's observation about the recent EU charger directive, I have for long enough used a "universal" USB charger on multiple items around the house. Most smaller items have for long enough standardised on a 5V/1A charging requirement. I bought this thing several years ago from our local Pound Shop, for just GBP £1.00.

It has a USB-A socket at the base of the charger, so you can use any suitable USB lead to charge whatever you need......you're not stuck with a specific connector on a permanent lead. I may need a selection of leads, it's true, but I no longer need a selection of different chargers sitting around & taking up drawer space. The leads tend to be required anyway, but I've had many of these for a long time. :)

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For such a cheap item, it's been the most reliable & easy to use charger I've ever had. And I concur with @bigpup 's assessment; being able to just plug USB-C in without needing to look all the time DOES make 'em a lot simpler to use.

Swings & roundabouts. There's plus & minus points to most things, but with USB-C the plus points seem to outweigh the minus points by a large margin..... :thumbup:

Mike. ;)

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