Topmusicanswers
- Are all USB Type C cables the same?
- How many types of USB-C cables are there?
- Are there different types of USB-C connectors?
- How do I know what USB-C cable I have?
Are all USB Type C cables the same?
No, not all USB-C cables are equal. USB-C stands for the shape and type of connector, which is the same for all USB-C cables but not all cables support the same kind of protocols and transfer speeds. To use a Thunderbolt 3 product from Akitio, a Thunderbolt 3 cable is required.
How many types of USB-C cables are there?
tl;dr: There are 6, it's unfortunately very confusing to the end user. Classic USB from the 1.1, 2.0, to 3.0 generations using USB-A and USB-B connectors have a really nice property in that cables were directional and plugs and receptacles were physically distinct to specify a different capability.
Are there different types of USB-C connectors?
A USB-C cable can be limited to either USB 3.1, 3.0, or 2.0 speeds. Some USB-C cables are USB 3.1 Gen 2 cables. This means they can transfer an HD movie in about five seconds, around 10 gigabits per second. But, you can also have a USB-C cable that is as slow as the ancient USB 2.0 spec.
How do I know what USB-C cable I have?
These connectors do have some physical differences that allow you to tell them apart. USB Type-C has an oblong-shaped plug and is slightly bigger than Micro-USB. It can be inserted either side up. Micro-USB can only be plugged in one way and has two hooks at the bottom to hold the cable in place.
