“USB Type-C, or USB-C for short… promises to solve a variety of problems all at once,” Roger Fingas reports for AppleInsider. “Its definining trait is actually a smaller, rounded port accepting reversible connections. This should not only remove the clumsiness of USB but allow faster data transfers on ever-thinner devices, with Apple’s new 12-inch MacBook being a leading example.”
“This includes running 4K or quad-HD displays, due also in part to increased power throughput. Indeed USB-C can theoretically handle up to 100 W in either direction, which is why the new MacBook doesn’t even need a MagSafe charging port,” Fingas reports. “Thunderbolt encapsulates DisplayPort, dedicating two 20 Mbps lanes towards displays. USB-C supports something called the “DisplayPort Alternate Mode,” which allows native DisplayPort signals to be carried over one, two, or four lanes as needed, with the tradeoff that using all four lanes will reduce USB 3.1 functions to the 2.0 level, and that USB-C can’t handle Dual-Mode Display Port, and hence passive (as opposed to active) DisplayPort adapters.”
‘The takeaway is that a computer like the MacBook can use USB-C as its sole connection standard. Even full-scale desktops may eventually be lined exclusively with USB-C ports, jettisoning dedicated HDMI, DVI, and Ethernet ports as long as needed adapters are available,” Fingas reports. “What’s interesting to consider is whether USB-C might replace Lightning, the Apple format used exclusively for iOS devices. Fundamentally Lightning is based on USB 2.0, and doesn’t offer much of a difference beyond a compact, reversible head — something USB-C could easily replace… Apple might also just choose to upgrade Lightning with USB 3.0/3.1 compatibility. But in the Mac world USB-C seems destined to spread, and it might not be surprising to see more Macs in the near future without Thunderbolt.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Asking iOS device users to go through another transition with adapters and different cords so relatively soon* after the move to Lightning seems like a big ask, but, as always with Apple, nothing is out of the realm of possibility.
*Lightning was introduced on September 12, 2012 with iPhone 5, iPod Touch (5th gen.), and iPod Nano (7th gen.)
Related articles:
Apple granted a second major patent for a reversible USB connector (USB Type-C) – March 17, 2015
Ports? We don’t need no stinkin’ ports! Why Apple’s MacBook will be a hit – March 16, 2015
Gruber: Apple invented USB-C reversible-plug connector – March 14, 2015
Is this the end for Apple’s MagSafe? If so, does it matter? – March 12, 2015
The new one-port Apple MacBook? No problem for those living in 2015 – March 12, 2015
AnandTech hands on Apple’s new 12-inch MacBook: ‘By far the most portable Mac Apple has ever created’ – March 12, 2015
Apple’s revolutionary new 12-inch MacBook heralds world without wires and cables – March 11, 2015
PC Mag hands on Apple’s all-new 12-Inch MacBook: ‘You’ll want to carry it with you everywhere’ – March 10, 2015
Hands-on with Apple’s One-port wonder, the amazing MacBook with 12-inch Retina display – March 9, 2015
Apple unveils all-new MacBook, the thinnest and lightest Mac ever made – March 9, 2015
Apple Macintosh owns 45% of PC market profits – April 16, 2013
This is all good and well, but the whole point is not to have to carry around and use adapters. That is what desktop computers are for. And they should have put two USB-C ports, one on each side.
Totally agree, would have meant adapting (pun intended) to this new concept all the easier and smoother.
Yea, but the new MacBook is targeted to those (not me) who rarely if ever use those ports on the road.
Having said that, I would have liked to have seen a port on the other side, either another USB-C or a MagSafe port.
It’s not about ports. It’s about charging convenience. Taking away magsafe, but allowing you to power it from left or right. If you’re on the left edge of a table, you use the right side for power as its safer, reducing the risk of the machine dropping. Even if you NEVER use a port, having that extra power adapter is a GREAT idea, especially for a laptop as portable as this one.
Having one USB-C port is just Apple making a statement that the future doesn’t need physical ports.
I LOVE my MagSafe port, I would hate to loose it.
Unless they go inductive, there will always be a charging port.
There is no good reason that Apple hasn’t added inductive charging across their product lines. And while I know that solar charging wouldn’t equal a cord, not having a solar charger to slow discharge or be able to emergency charge a phone or laptop is also inexcusable.
No one is saying anything about the other guys because no one cares about them.
If Apple started using inductive charging everyone would be screaming about how inefficient it is.
“It’s a waste of electricity”
http://pocketnow.com/2012/09/25/wireless-charging-is-stupid
“Asking iOS device users to go through another transition with adapters and different cords so relatively soon* after the move to Lightning seems like a big ask”
Not really.
USB-C seems destined as a Mac connector, not a mobile connector (no need to drive displays or 100w recharging). Macs, of all flavors, have a 3 – 5 year economic life. Everything you have plugged into your Mac(s) would be at least 3 yo (time for replacement?). Worst case is you have to buy a couple adapters.
As an upgrade from Lightening (if Apple were to do that) we won’t see USB-C for another year, making Lightening a 4 year old technology. I don’t know anybody with 3 yo cables, let alone 4 yo.
For mobile its most likely Apple will upgrade Lightening to USB 3.1 before abandoning the form factor.
Either way, as a potential irritant, this is a big non-issue.
I bet we see the next generation of iOS devices to have USB-C connectors.
Too Big for iPhones.
If USB-C gives me a faster charging time, Bring It.
Ethernet over USB sounds like pure crap. As do many other interfaces such as DP 1.3, PCI Express expansion chassis, and pretty much any high-speed network adapter.
Why not just provide a PCI Express Gen 3 expansion port? Which would not be pure crap…
I welcomed the Lightning move. I only used the port to charge the phone, no accessories. I would welcome a change to iOS cables every year if they want, bring it on. As long as my iPhone and iPad use the same cable during the same product cycle, I’m all good.
But Mac cables are different. People actually use the ports on a Mac for more than just charging. Anyone with a MacBook for work purposes likely has the thing docked into much larger screens.
I bought multiple expensive Thunderbolt displays thinking that was the future, and not even an adapter will help me on that with USB-C. Glad I didn’t jump on Thunderbolt for hard drives (not that I use hard drives anymore in 2015 anyway) or anything else.
I don’t know about you, but most people’s BUYING cycles don’t coincide with what you call PRODUCT cycles.
In that case people will need several sets of adapter cables for the same functionality.
What about a whatever to thunderbolt cable for every (#=m) device, and a full complement of thunderbolt to whatever (#=mn) adapters (giving m + n different adapters, rather than m * n).
A few years ago the E.U. wanted Apple to move to a standard connector. Maybe this is a step in that direction.
I thought Apple publicly said lightning would last 10 years.
Still I would welcome a move to USB-C across the board.