What is USB-C and Why Should You Care?

​Laptops are getting thinner and thinner, which is all well and good, but with Acer’s latest Swift 7 coming in at just 9.98 mm thick, how are manufacturers finding space for I/O ports?
 
That’s where the USB-C comes in.
 
Here’s the lowdown on this latest version of USB and why it just may be your new best friend.

What is USB-C?
USB-C is set to become the industry-standard USB connector for both power and data. While the older USB has been in use in many computer and mobile phone devices for quite some time (currently estimated at around 700 companies), PC manufacturers have now jumped on board, making this new USB connector the new USB standard.
 
What’s the difference between Micro USB and USB-C?
While these two versions of USB look very similar to the untrained eye, there are some critical differences. The USB-C is slightly thicker than the Micro alternative and this it what allows it to accommodate important features like Thunderbolt 3 and HDMI video. In addition, USB-C doesn’t  ​have an up or down orientation, so you can connect it any way up and leave your days of fiddling around trying the fit the cable into the slot firmly behind you.
 
What can you use USB-C for?
In addition to supporting simultaneous power and video streams, which essentially means you can use it to connect to DisplayPort, MHL, or HDMI devices, it’s even rumored that USB-C will soon be updated to include audio signaling, which may mean the headphone jack will soon be a thing of the past.
 
So, is USB-C a must-have?
USB-C should, by no means, be top of your priorities when you’re making a purchase. If you’re weighing up an ultrathin laptop, chances are it will be a standard feature.
 
USB-C is becoming increasingly common on desktops, and the sheer power and potential of this offering means that it is highly likely to become the new standard in the future. In fact, experts anticipate it will one day completely replace all USB types on computers and mobile devices.