Apple introduced the new MacBook, a laptop notable for its thinness, its gold coloring, and most surprisingly, the absence of all but one solitary port. It’s called USB Type-C, and it’s going to transform gadgets as we know them.
Envisioning a future of laptops with just one input—aside from the headphone jack. But, How do I charge it? Where does my SD card go? Why can’t I hook my computer up to more than two things at once?
The answer in USB Type-C (or USB-C for short).
A USB-C plug is about the same size as a micro-USB (8.4mm by 2.6mm), but it’s reversible. Like Apple’s Lightning connector, upside down and right-side up are one and the same.
It’s like a USB on steroids. First off, charging: USB-C can deliver bi-directional power. It can be used to charge a host device, or it can allow the host device to charge a peripheral. It can handle large loads too, delivering up to 20V at 5A (100W). That’s more than enough to charge up a notebook, or multiple mobile devices simultaneously.
USB-C is also faster than our current USB-B standard. Data transfers can run at rates up to 10 Gbps, but it’s backwards compatible with older USB standards, as long as you have an adapter. Right now, our fastest USB Type B devices transfer data at half that speed.
It’s still only one port. If you want to plug other things into your computer , you’ll need an adapter, and Apple has a number of options already available: USB-C to USB ($19), USB-C to HDMI, and USB to VGA (both $79). DisplayPort, gigabit Ethernet, SD card adapters, and other connector standards should arrive soon, both from Apple and from third parties.
