USB C - 4 things an IT manager needs to know
USB type-C has arrived! But why should you care? If you're like most technology leaders, you haven't needed to think about the latest USB type, as you haven't got many (if any) devices in service that actually use it. There's always plenty to be getting on with, so why add one more thing to the list?
After all, equipment manufacturers have always insisted on inventing their own ports or choosing less prevalent standards such as thunderbolt, firewire or a few different USB sizes. That's not to mention video ports, including VGA, HDMI, micro HDMI, DVI, Apple's Display Port or literally thousands of power adaptors. What can you do, right?
As transfer speeds, bandwidth and power requirements increase, we've seen manufacturers experimenting with hideous micro USB 3 or eSATA connectors, while Apple went ahead and created yet another standard; Lightning.
Well, it's time to get up-to-speed, because all that's about to change. If you hadn't noticed, Apple appear to have finally given up on their proprietary ports with the new Macbook, opting for a single USB C port, whilst Google launched their latest Chromebook with USB C. They've also told us to expect to see the new standard in "a lot of Chromebooks and Android phones in the near future". Many other manufacturers, including Dell, Asus and Lenovo are of course rumoured to be working on devices. Here's what you need to know:
1. Size & Shape
The most annoying thing about the outgoing crop of USB types (some of which have been with us for 20 years) is that they needed to be the right way up. USB C is not only smaller, but it'll work whatever way up you like, making attaching USB's exactly 50% less annoying. They are also smaller (a similar size to current micro-USBs), so they're appropriate for many more devices like phones or wearable tech.
2. Compatibility & Data
Most devices bearing USB C ports will use the USB 3.1 standard, which accommodates 10 Gbps. That means that you can theoretically move 1250 MB of data per second - which is a lot. Almost all devices will be backwards compatible, so as long as you have an adaptor, everything should still work.
3. More Power!
USB C is capable of delivering 100 watts/20 volts/5 amps - that's enough power for a laptop, let alone a phone or tablet. This is great news for IT managers, as it means no proprietary chargers, more standard equipment and less safety/compliance testing (not to mention less power bricks under desks. But there's more! USB C is equipped to handle power in both directions, so as well as a host device powering peripherals, including screens, printers and more the same port can be used to power or charge the host device.
4. Sound & Video
As well as native VGA and HDMI support, USB C can currently support 4k resolutions and high quality sound by using it's "Display Port Alt Mode".
So in all, it's fast, small and versatile. Standardising ports will certainly cut out a number of hardware issues, reduce help desk calls, minimise the cupboards full of equipment that every IT department accumulates, and most of all make for happier users. If you're purchasing equipment - from phones to docking stations, laptops to thin clients, now is probably the time to get ahead of the game.
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