RAIDON

Interesting facts about the new USB 3.1 standard
The USB interface has been the standard for PC hardware and the new USB 3.1 standard entails several improvements. Not only the data transfer rates are much faster but also the charging of smart devices. And finally, the reversible-plug connector is introduced to USB as well.

Compared to USB 3.0 the transfer rates are doubled, thus the USB 3.1 interface achieves speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s which makes the interface fast enough to even max out current SSDs.

Another novelty, the reversible-plug USB Type-C connector, can be plugged into an appropriate USB Type-C connector. Without worrying about its directions, it will fit either way. USB Type-C is able to connect monitors via its USB interface. At the same time, data can flow further using the very same USB port. Theoretically, the transfer rates should suffice to connect 5K monitors which are not yet widely-used.

On top of that the new Type-C connector allows the use of Power Delivery (PD). A feature which provides the possibility to charge devices using up to 100 Watt. Supposably, even notebooks could be charged via USB. In the near future it might even be possible for the new Type-C interface to become the new standard for smartphones, tablets and other smart devices because of the connector's small size.

The already well-established USB 3.0 interfaces Type-A and Micro-B will still be preserved for the future, though, and will also have transfer rates of up to 10 Gbit/s. Whether Type-C is completely going to replace the old-established USB interfaces is yet to be awaited. In the meanwhile, the compatibility between the old USB types and the new Type-C is ensured by already available USB adapters or a PCI-E expansion card. This way the new USB type remains compatible with older PCs or notebooks, even without having Type-C ports.