The new version of USB-C becomes even more powerful: instead of higher data transfer speed, will allow you to power devices up to 240 Watts, a notable leap forward from the 100 Watts possible today.
He decided it Usb-If (la sigla sta per Usb Implementers Forum), the association of producers that defines the standards, but what changes for consumers? Which cables will need to be changed? What will the consequences be on the market?
In short:
- The Usb-If association presented the update to the standard Usb-C
- The new version it can power appliances up to 240 Watts
- Sara useful for ultra-powerful laptops for gaming or for adapters to connect multiple devices
- The new cables will have a different color, but they will keep it same plug
- I old cables they will have clear indications that they withstand power supplies up to 100 Watts
- The devices of the future (display large, ultra-powerful and even portable desktop computer) will only be compatible with the new power cables
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We are used to thinking of USB cables in terms of data transfer rate. In particular for the USB-C standard, that is the one with the symmetrical plug that does not have a “top” and a “low” and has the same type of connection on both sides. There is also a lot of confusion, because some USB-C cables transfer more or less data than other cables, or they also transfer the video signal (not all of them do), or they are only used for the power supply, and the working group of the companies in the industry that deals with setting standards have decided to simplify things a bit. And to add a new feature.
Usb-If agreed for a new USB-C 2.1 cable which allows you to power peripherals up to 240 Watts, in line with the new USB-Pd (Power Delivery) standard. The power has therefore more than doubled. The new cables will be marked with the Epr (Extended Power Range) brand, they will be the only ones compatible with specific power supplies capable of reaching the power of 240 Watts, divided into 5 Amps at 50 Volts. They will replace the 100 Watt cables, which are currently not distinguishable from the others.
In the future, standard USB-C cables will also remain capable of supporting up to 60 Watts (3 Amps at 20 Volts), which will be called Standard Power Range (Spr).
Exceeding the current limit of 100 Watts with the first cables that will arrive towards the end of this year will allow us to power a new generation of devices: from laptops for gamers to dock in which to connect multiple peripherals (printers, monitors, mouse and keyboard and more), or laser printers and 3d printers, up to large monitors. For example, i monitor Dell come l’UltraSharp 4K 32-inch devices have a maximum consumption of 230 Watts, the same as the 17 “HP Omen laptop designed for gaming. A 240 Watt power is also enough to power Apple’s new 24” iMac with M1 processor.
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Four standards and a lot of confusion
As mentioned, there is quite a bit of confusion regarding Usb-C cables, the standard that was supposed to unify and simplify all connections, because in reality they are “active” cables, equipped with very small chips in the pins that allow you to have very different performances: the cheapest ones are often not able to transmit data or energy, and this detracts from clarity.
Today there are 4 standards regarding Usb-C cables. The first is the one that regulates the way in which data is sent: the 3.2 standard and the newer 4 handle just that. But I’m competing with the format created by Intel, called Thunderbolt: it is a different technology that is integrated with chips inside the cable plugs. Again: there is the Usb-Pd standard, which defines the way in which the cable and the power supply “talk” to each other and decide how much current can be sent from the power supply through the cable to the final device. And then there is the standard defined by Usb-If, the manufacturers’ forum, which instead establishes the maximum electrical capacity of the cable.
A nice confusion that according to some analysts is undermining the USB-C as a single standard. An example is given by the transmission of video and audio signals: not all USB-C cables support it and its implementation also increases the costs of devices such as monitors and televisions, to the point that the HDMI socket, which had to be replaced by USB-C, is instead remaining the most widespread not only on projectors and televisions but also on monitors.
According to rumors, the same Apple is said to be working on laptops that integrate it again, after a decade of only offering the combination of USB-C ports with integrated Thunderbolt – if it actually happens, it’ll be a blow to USB-C standards.
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