New USB plug coming: Good news, bad news

[Brink]

A new USB plug is coming and the impact is a bit of a mixed bag. The good news is that the new USB plug will be reversible so you won't have to fiddle around with it like you do today. The bad news is that the new USB won't be compatible with existing connectors.

Cue up the extra ports and time to phase out existing hardware.

According to the USB 3.0 Promoter Group, an organization that proposes standards and thinks about things like USB ports, work on USB 3.1 has begun. This new USB Type-C connector will "enable thinner and sleeker product designs, enhance usability and provide a growth path for performance enhancements for future versions of USB."

Read more at: New USB plug coming: Good news, bad news | ZDNet

 

[whs]

This time I was faster than you, lol.

http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/314007-new-usb-plug-coming.html

 

[Brink]

LOL, missed that one.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Reminds me of ...

Cue up the extra ports and time to phase out existing hardware.
...
This new USB Type-C connector will "enable thinner and sleeker product designs, enhance usability and provide a growth path for performance enhancements for future versions of USB."

Sound more like they are hoping it will "provide a growth path for manufacturer's profits".

Pointless changes and intangible or nebulous benefits.
Reminds me of something else ... W8.

Here's my suggestion to the working group, fix USB 3 so that it actually delivers the performance that is claimed for it.

In my experience:

• USB 2.0 (effective throughput up to 35 MB/s) I see about 27 MB/s (~77%)
• USB 3.0 (effective throughput up to 400 MB/s) I see about 80 MB/s (~20%)

What's the bet that this new "improved" USB will deliver even worse "bang for your buck"?

 

[GeneO]

Well I wouldn't be so cynical yet. Technology has to move on, and every once in awhile, that requires breaking compatibility. Otherwise no progress would ever be made.

Reversibility is really nice and if it needs a new connector/cable for scalable charging I am all for that. Will probably be only one cable, this one, for all USB 3.1. That would be a huge improvement. And there will be adaptors for the transition after all...

 

[whs]

lehnerus probably has a point. A lot of those new inventions are made to make the old stuff obsolete - thus we have to dish out new money. And it is not only a few cables. You will need a whole new external disk infrastructure. I have about 20 external disks and enclosures (for 6 PCs) and over time those will all see the bin. If it really buys us something, then it may be OK. But it will cost.

 

[erica647]

Go thunderbolt 2! O.O

 

[GeneO]

lehnerus probably has a point. A lot of those new inventions are made to make the old stuff obsolete - thus we have to dish out new money. And it is not only a few cables. You will need a whole new external disk infrastructure. I have about 20 external disks and enclosures (for 6 PCs) and over time those will all see the bin. If it really buys us something, then it may be OK. But it will cost.

Adapters. I am also sure that new PCs or laptops will have both these new sockets and legacy ones as well. I will lay my money on it not being a big deal.

 

[FuturDreamz]

I'd like to see a mockup of the proposed design before I decide if i like it or not.

 

[Layback Bear]

I like new things when they are needed and work as advertised.
I believe these new ports and cables are intended to save space in new designed portables. At this time the advertised speed is questionable at best.

 

[JerometheGiraff]

Copying Apple design, how original.