What does “This port is for data transfer only” mean in relation to USB-C graphics output?
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According to the technical specifications for the Asus ZenBook Flip 14 UX461UN, and the manual, they all say this about the USB-C 3.1 port:
This port is for data transfer only.
General question: What are they trying to say it won't do?
Specific question: This laptop comes with a dedicated graphics card capable of 4K, and I'm looking to get a type of pseudo-docking station via USB-C, which would provide 4K Video/Audio and USB for HIDs. Is this possible, or is the dedicated graphics card not connected to USB-C in that way?
usb nvidia-graphics-card
asked Nov 26 at 0:58
tudor
5431518
add a comment |
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
According to the technical specifications for the Asus ZenBook Flip 14 UX461UN, and the manual, they all say this about the USB-C 3.1 port:
This port is for data transfer only.
General question: What are they trying to say it won't do?
Specific question: This laptop comes with a dedicated graphics card capable of 4K, and I'm looking to get a type of pseudo-docking station via USB-C, which would provide 4K Video/Audio and USB for HIDs. Is this possible, or is the dedicated graphics card not connected to USB-C in that way?
usb nvidia-graphics-card
asked Nov 26 at 0:58
tudor
5431518
add a comment |
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
According to the technical specifications for the Asus ZenBook Flip 14 UX461UN, and the manual, they all say this about the USB-C 3.1 port:
This port is for data transfer only.
General question: What are they trying to say it won't do?
Specific question: This laptop comes with a dedicated graphics card capable of 4K, and I'm looking to get a type of pseudo-docking station via USB-C, which would provide 4K Video/Audio and USB for HIDs. Is this possible, or is the dedicated graphics card not connected to USB-C in that way?
usb nvidia-graphics-card
asked Nov 26 at 0:58
tudor
5431518
According to the technical specifications for the Asus ZenBook Flip 14 UX461UN, and the manual, they all say this about the USB-C 3.1 port:
This port is for data transfer only.
General question: What are they trying to say it won't do?
Specific question: This laptop comes with a dedicated graphics card capable of 4K, and I'm looking to get a type of pseudo-docking station via USB-C, which would provide 4K Video/Audio and USB for HIDs. Is this possible, or is the dedicated graphics card not connected to USB-C in that way?
usb nvidia-graphics-card
usb nvidia-graphics-card
asked Nov 26 at 0:58
tudor
5431518
asked Nov 26 at 0:58
tudor
5431518
edited Nov 29 at 1:17
asked Nov 26 at 0:58
tudor
5431518
asked Nov 26 at 0:58
tudor
5431518
asked Nov 26 at 0:58
tudor
5431518
5431518
add a comment |
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
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oldest
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up vote
2
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Based on the statement, "This port is for data transfer only." I highly suspect that the USB-C port is not using USB Alternate Modes. USB Alternate Mode is what is used to carry DisplayPort or Thunderbolt signals over USB-C. There would also be a physical internal connections to these chipsets to allow the transferring of that data. That port is most likely only connected to the USB controller. Therefore, you could not use it to connect an external monitor.
answered Nov 29 at 1:34
Keltari
50k18115167
Ah, I see. USB-C can carry HDMI and/or DisplayPort, so what they mean is they've only connected it to the USB hub, just like their other USB3.1 ports. So the connector is just a connection advantage and not a functional one. They may as well have provided 3 type-A ports as it really doesn't do anything more.
– tudor
Nov 29 at 1:45
@tudor you are correct
– Keltari
Nov 29 at 1:52
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
There’s no such thing as a USB 3.1 data-only port that is compliant with all
the standards.
However, some manufacturers use cheaper USB ports, by only implementing some of
these standards.
One of the most common omissions is that of power charging, since data transfer
alone needs less power than does charging.
One can see this more clearly by examining USB Type-C cables, which
by definition should offer up to 10Gbps data rates and 100 watts of power.
However, many cheap USB cables designed for data transfer can only supply
about 10Wh of power, insufficient for many devices such as the Apple MacBook or
Google Chromebook Pixel 2 that charge at 29Wh.
USB 3.0 ports can only be used for data transfer. Users of USB 3.0 devices
devices can purchase adapters allowing them to use the newer USB 3.1 Gen 1,
but again, for data transfer only.
My opinion is that the specifications of the Asus ZenBook mean just that:
The USB 3.1 port is only a frontal adapter to older (and cheaper) USB 3.0
hardware.
A full implementation of the USB 3.1 standard means the USB port can do a lot of things: Data transfer, video and charging. The Thunderbolt 3 specification piggybacks on USB 3.1 ports, meaning that manufacturers like Apple can make computers with USB 3.1 ports that are also Thunderbolt ports.
"USB 3.1 Gen 1 (data transfer only)" means therefore the USB 3.1 protocol,
but at half the speed and without video, charging, or Thunderbolt capabilities.
As most USB 3.X devices can negotiate capabilities with the port or the cable,
most USB 3.1 devices using data transfer will still function,
but at lower levels of performance.
answered Nov 29 at 9:52
harrymc
250k11258555
"USB 3.0 ports can only be used for data transfer." I think you mean USB-A. The Lenovo Yoga 730 advertises "2 x USB 3.0 Type-C (Thunderbolt 3, 1 x power delivery)" for example. lenovo.com/au/en/laptops/yoga/yoga-700-series/Yoga-730-13-/p/… So the port features appear to be entirely related to the port type (and implementation) rather than the USB protocol version as in @Keltari's answer.
– tudor
Dec 1 at 21:55
USB-C was created at the same time as USB 3.1, so I think that "USB 3.0 Type-C" is a misnomer for "USB 3.1 Type-C". There seem to be all sorts of hybrids around, probably dating from times that standards were proposed but not yet finalized, thrown to the market by manufacturers jumping the gun to be the first. The Asus seems to have one of these hybrids: A USB 3.1 that is more like USB 3.0 underneath. Your link above seems to be another, an almost-USB 3.1 from before the standard was published.
– harrymc
Dec 1 at 22:16
Yes, they were created at the same time but they don't appear to be linked. Wikipedia, for example, lists alternate modes under USB-C and not USB3.1. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB-C#Alternate_Mode Conversely, the specification for USB3.1 doesn't require a USB-C port (e.g. "Type-A USB3.1 port" appears alot in the wild) so they appear to be independent specifications which can be mixed and matched. Do you have a reference that says the USB3.1 specification requires a USB-C port?
– tudor
Dec 1 at 22:25
I don't think that one requires the other, except in the eyes of the marketing department. It makes marketing sense to label a port as the up and coming USB 3.1, even if it's not really, especially since you will never know the difference except for those missing capabilities. USB-C is also a useful addition to the hype. As they both came out at the same time, both became a marketing necessity. Marketing demands may drive hardware development, although we would have liked it otherwise.
– harrymc
Dec 2 at 8:08
If one doesn't require the other then there's no link between USBx.y Gen z and (port type) USB-x, so it's true that USB3.0 can only be used for data transfer because the statement would be true of all USB versions. It's the port type that dictates the modes available and not the protocol version. What's not true is that "USB 3.0 port can only be used for data transfer" because, from the way I read it and from the specifications I've seen, any manufacturer could implement Thunderbolt, HDMI, and/or power charging on a USB-C port and then use the version 3.0 protocol for data transfer.
– tudor
Dec 2 at 22:57
|
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
Based on the statement, "This port is for data transfer only." I highly suspect that the USB-C port is not using USB Alternate Modes. USB Alternate Mode is what is used to carry DisplayPort or Thunderbolt signals over USB-C. There would also be a physical internal connections to these chipsets to allow the transferring of that data. That port is most likely only connected to the USB controller. Therefore, you could not use it to connect an external monitor.
answered Nov 29 at 1:34
Keltari
50k18115167
Ah, I see. USB-C can carry HDMI and/or DisplayPort, so what they mean is they've only connected it to the USB hub, just like their other USB3.1 ports. So the connector is just a connection advantage and not a functional one. They may as well have provided 3 type-A ports as it really doesn't do anything more.
– tudor
Nov 29 at 1:45
@tudor you are correct
– Keltari
Nov 29 at 1:52
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
Based on the statement, "This port is for data transfer only." I highly suspect that the USB-C port is not using USB Alternate Modes. USB Alternate Mode is what is used to carry DisplayPort or Thunderbolt signals over USB-C. There would also be a physical internal connections to these chipsets to allow the transferring of that data. That port is most likely only connected to the USB controller. Therefore, you could not use it to connect an external monitor.
answered Nov 29 at 1:34
Keltari
50k18115167
Ah, I see. USB-C can carry HDMI and/or DisplayPort, so what they mean is they've only connected it to the USB hub, just like their other USB3.1 ports. So the connector is just a connection advantage and not a functional one. They may as well have provided 3 type-A ports as it really doesn't do anything more.
– tudor
Nov 29 at 1:45
@tudor you are correct
– Keltari
Nov 29 at 1:52
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
Based on the statement, "This port is for data transfer only." I highly suspect that the USB-C port is not using USB Alternate Modes. USB Alternate Mode is what is used to carry DisplayPort or Thunderbolt signals over USB-C. There would also be a physical internal connections to these chipsets to allow the transferring of that data. That port is most likely only connected to the USB controller. Therefore, you could not use it to connect an external monitor.
answered Nov 29 at 1:34
Keltari
50k18115167
Based on the statement, "This port is for data transfer only." I highly suspect that the USB-C port is not using USB Alternate Modes. USB Alternate Mode is what is used to carry DisplayPort or Thunderbolt signals over USB-C. There would also be a physical internal connections to these chipsets to allow the transferring of that data. That port is most likely only connected to the USB controller. Therefore, you could not use it to connect an external monitor.
answered Nov 29 at 1:34
Keltari
50k18115167
answered Nov 29 at 1:34
Keltari
50k18115167
answered Nov 29 at 1:34
Keltari
50k18115167
answered Nov 29 at 1:34
Keltari
50k18115167
50k18115167
Ah, I see. USB-C can carry HDMI and/or DisplayPort, so what they mean is they've only connected it to the USB hub, just like their other USB3.1 ports. So the connector is just a connection advantage and not a functional one. They may as well have provided 3 type-A ports as it really doesn't do anything more.
– tudor
Nov 29 at 1:45
@tudor you are correct
– Keltari
Nov 29 at 1:52
add a comment |
Ah, I see. USB-C can carry HDMI and/or DisplayPort, so what they mean is they've only connected it to the USB hub, just like their other USB3.1 ports. So the connector is just a connection advantage and not a functional one. They may as well have provided 3 type-A ports as it really doesn't do anything more.
– tudor
Nov 29 at 1:45
@tudor you are correct
– Keltari
Nov 29 at 1:52
Ah, I see. USB-C can carry HDMI and/or DisplayPort, so what they mean is they've only connected it to the USB hub, just like their other USB3.1 ports. So the connector is just a connection advantage and not a functional one. They may as well have provided 3 type-A ports as it really doesn't do anything more.
– tudor
Nov 29 at 1:45
Ah, I see. USB-C can carry HDMI and/or DisplayPort, so what they mean is they've only connected it to the USB hub, just like their other USB3.1 ports. So the connector is just a connection advantage and not a functional one. They may as well have provided 3 type-A ports as it really doesn't do anything more.
– tudor
Nov 29 at 1:45
@tudor you are correct
– Keltari
Nov 29 at 1:52
@tudor you are correct
– Keltari
Nov 29 at 1:52
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
There’s no such thing as a USB 3.1 data-only port that is compliant with all
the standards.
However, some manufacturers use cheaper USB ports, by only implementing some of
these standards.
One of the most common omissions is that of power charging, since data transfer
alone needs less power than does charging.
One can see this more clearly by examining USB Type-C cables, which
by definition should offer up to 10Gbps data rates and 100 watts of power.
However, many cheap USB cables designed for data transfer can only supply
about 10Wh of power, insufficient for many devices such as the Apple MacBook or
Google Chromebook Pixel 2 that charge at 29Wh.
USB 3.0 ports can only be used for data transfer. Users of USB 3.0 devices
devices can purchase adapters allowing them to use the newer USB 3.1 Gen 1,
but again, for data transfer only.
My opinion is that the specifications of the Asus ZenBook mean just that:
The USB 3.1 port is only a frontal adapter to older (and cheaper) USB 3.0
hardware.
A full implementation of the USB 3.1 standard means the USB port can do a lot of things: Data transfer, video and charging. The Thunderbolt 3 specification piggybacks on USB 3.1 ports, meaning that manufacturers like Apple can make computers with USB 3.1 ports that are also Thunderbolt ports.
"USB 3.1 Gen 1 (data transfer only)" means therefore the USB 3.1 protocol,
but at half the speed and without video, charging, or Thunderbolt capabilities.
As most USB 3.X devices can negotiate capabilities with the port or the cable,
most USB 3.1 devices using data transfer will still function,
but at lower levels of performance.
answered Nov 29 at 9:52
harrymc
250k11258555
"USB 3.0 ports can only be used for data transfer." I think you mean USB-A. The Lenovo Yoga 730 advertises "2 x USB 3.0 Type-C (Thunderbolt 3, 1 x power delivery)" for example. lenovo.com/au/en/laptops/yoga/yoga-700-series/Yoga-730-13-/p/… So the port features appear to be entirely related to the port type (and implementation) rather than the USB protocol version as in @Keltari's answer.
– tudor
Dec 1 at 21:55
USB-C was created at the same time as USB 3.1, so I think that "USB 3.0 Type-C" is a misnomer for "USB 3.1 Type-C". There seem to be all sorts of hybrids around, probably dating from times that standards were proposed but not yet finalized, thrown to the market by manufacturers jumping the gun to be the first. The Asus seems to have one of these hybrids: A USB 3.1 that is more like USB 3.0 underneath. Your link above seems to be another, an almost-USB 3.1 from before the standard was published.
– harrymc
Dec 1 at 22:16
Yes, they were created at the same time but they don't appear to be linked. Wikipedia, for example, lists alternate modes under USB-C and not USB3.1. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB-C#Alternate_Mode Conversely, the specification for USB3.1 doesn't require a USB-C port (e.g. "Type-A USB3.1 port" appears alot in the wild) so they appear to be independent specifications which can be mixed and matched. Do you have a reference that says the USB3.1 specification requires a USB-C port?
– tudor
Dec 1 at 22:25
I don't think that one requires the other, except in the eyes of the marketing department. It makes marketing sense to label a port as the up and coming USB 3.1, even if it's not really, especially since you will never know the difference except for those missing capabilities. USB-C is also a useful addition to the hype. As they both came out at the same time, both became a marketing necessity. Marketing demands may drive hardware development, although we would have liked it otherwise.
– harrymc
Dec 2 at 8:08
If one doesn't require the other then there's no link between USBx.y Gen z and (port type) USB-x, so it's true that USB3.0 can only be used for data transfer because the statement would be true of all USB versions. It's the port type that dictates the modes available and not the protocol version. What's not true is that "USB 3.0 port can only be used for data transfer" because, from the way I read it and from the specifications I've seen, any manufacturer could implement Thunderbolt, HDMI, and/or power charging on a USB-C port and then use the version 3.0 protocol for data transfer.
– tudor
Dec 2 at 22:57
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
0
down vote
There’s no such thing as a USB 3.1 data-only port that is compliant with all
the standards.
However, some manufacturers use cheaper USB ports, by only implementing some of
these standards.
One of the most common omissions is that of power charging, since data transfer
alone needs less power than does charging.
One can see this more clearly by examining USB Type-C cables, which
by definition should offer up to 10Gbps data rates and 100 watts of power.
However, many cheap USB cables designed for data transfer can only supply
about 10Wh of power, insufficient for many devices such as the Apple MacBook or
Google Chromebook Pixel 2 that charge at 29Wh.
USB 3.0 ports can only be used for data transfer. Users of USB 3.0 devices
devices can purchase adapters allowing them to use the newer USB 3.1 Gen 1,
but again, for data transfer only.
My opinion is that the specifications of the Asus ZenBook mean just that:
The USB 3.1 port is only a frontal adapter to older (and cheaper) USB 3.0
hardware.
A full implementation of the USB 3.1 standard means the USB port can do a lot of things: Data transfer, video and charging. The Thunderbolt 3 specification piggybacks on USB 3.1 ports, meaning that manufacturers like Apple can make computers with USB 3.1 ports that are also Thunderbolt ports.
"USB 3.1 Gen 1 (data transfer only)" means therefore the USB 3.1 protocol,
but at half the speed and without video, charging, or Thunderbolt capabilities.
As most USB 3.X devices can negotiate capabilities with the port or the cable,
most USB 3.1 devices using data transfer will still function,
but at lower levels of performance.
answered Nov 29 at 9:52
harrymc
250k11258555
"USB 3.0 ports can only be used for data transfer." I think you mean USB-A. The Lenovo Yoga 730 advertises "2 x USB 3.0 Type-C (Thunderbolt 3, 1 x power delivery)" for example. lenovo.com/au/en/laptops/yoga/yoga-700-series/Yoga-730-13-/p/… So the port features appear to be entirely related to the port type (and implementation) rather than the USB protocol version as in @Keltari's answer.
– tudor
Dec 1 at 21:55
USB-C was created at the same time as USB 3.1, so I think that "USB 3.0 Type-C" is a misnomer for "USB 3.1 Type-C". There seem to be all sorts of hybrids around, probably dating from times that standards were proposed but not yet finalized, thrown to the market by manufacturers jumping the gun to be the first. The Asus seems to have one of these hybrids: A USB 3.1 that is more like USB 3.0 underneath. Your link above seems to be another, an almost-USB 3.1 from before the standard was published.
– harrymc
Dec 1 at 22:16
Yes, they were created at the same time but they don't appear to be linked. Wikipedia, for example, lists alternate modes under USB-C and not USB3.1. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB-C#Alternate_Mode Conversely, the specification for USB3.1 doesn't require a USB-C port (e.g. "Type-A USB3.1 port" appears alot in the wild) so they appear to be independent specifications which can be mixed and matched. Do you have a reference that says the USB3.1 specification requires a USB-C port?
– tudor
Dec 1 at 22:25
I don't think that one requires the other, except in the eyes of the marketing department. It makes marketing sense to label a port as the up and coming USB 3.1, even if it's not really, especially since you will never know the difference except for those missing capabilities. USB-C is also a useful addition to the hype. As they both came out at the same time, both became a marketing necessity. Marketing demands may drive hardware development, although we would have liked it otherwise.
– harrymc
Dec 2 at 8:08
If one doesn't require the other then there's no link between USBx.y Gen z and (port type) USB-x, so it's true that USB3.0 can only be used for data transfer because the statement would be true of all USB versions. It's the port type that dictates the modes available and not the protocol version. What's not true is that "USB 3.0 port can only be used for data transfer" because, from the way I read it and from the specifications I've seen, any manufacturer could implement Thunderbolt, HDMI, and/or power charging on a USB-C port and then use the version 3.0 protocol for data transfer.
– tudor
Dec 2 at 22:57
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
There’s no such thing as a USB 3.1 data-only port that is compliant with all
the standards.
However, some manufacturers use cheaper USB ports, by only implementing some of
these standards.
One of the most common omissions is that of power charging, since data transfer
alone needs less power than does charging.
One can see this more clearly by examining USB Type-C cables, which
by definition should offer up to 10Gbps data rates and 100 watts of power.
However, many cheap USB cables designed for data transfer can only supply
about 10Wh of power, insufficient for many devices such as the Apple MacBook or
Google Chromebook Pixel 2 that charge at 29Wh.
USB 3.0 ports can only be used for data transfer. Users of USB 3.0 devices
devices can purchase adapters allowing them to use the newer USB 3.1 Gen 1,
but again, for data transfer only.
My opinion is that the specifications of the Asus ZenBook mean just that:
The USB 3.1 port is only a frontal adapter to older (and cheaper) USB 3.0
hardware.
A full implementation of the USB 3.1 standard means the USB port can do a lot of things: Data transfer, video and charging. The Thunderbolt 3 specification piggybacks on USB 3.1 ports, meaning that manufacturers like Apple can make computers with USB 3.1 ports that are also Thunderbolt ports.
"USB 3.1 Gen 1 (data transfer only)" means therefore the USB 3.1 protocol,
but at half the speed and without video, charging, or Thunderbolt capabilities.
As most USB 3.X devices can negotiate capabilities with the port or the cable,
most USB 3.1 devices using data transfer will still function,
but at lower levels of performance.
answered Nov 29 at 9:52
harrymc
250k11258555
There’s no such thing as a USB 3.1 data-only port that is compliant with all
the standards.
However, some manufacturers use cheaper USB ports, by only implementing some of
these standards.
One of the most common omissions is that of power charging, since data transfer
alone needs less power than does charging.
One can see this more clearly by examining USB Type-C cables, which
by definition should offer up to 10Gbps data rates and 100 watts of power.
However, many cheap USB cables designed for data transfer can only supply
about 10Wh of power, insufficient for many devices such as the Apple MacBook or
Google Chromebook Pixel 2 that charge at 29Wh.
USB 3.0 ports can only be used for data transfer. Users of USB 3.0 devices
devices can purchase adapters allowing them to use the newer USB 3.1 Gen 1,
but again, for data transfer only.
My opinion is that the specifications of the Asus ZenBook mean just that:
The USB 3.1 port is only a frontal adapter to older (and cheaper) USB 3.0
hardware.
A full implementation of the USB 3.1 standard means the USB port can do a lot of things: Data transfer, video and charging. The Thunderbolt 3 specification piggybacks on USB 3.1 ports, meaning that manufacturers like Apple can make computers with USB 3.1 ports that are also Thunderbolt ports.
"USB 3.1 Gen 1 (data transfer only)" means therefore the USB 3.1 protocol,
but at half the speed and without video, charging, or Thunderbolt capabilities.
As most USB 3.X devices can negotiate capabilities with the port or the cable,
most USB 3.1 devices using data transfer will still function,
but at lower levels of performance.
answered Nov 29 at 9:52
harrymc
250k11258555
answered Nov 29 at 9:52
harrymc
250k11258555
answered Nov 29 at 9:52
harrymc
250k11258555
answered Nov 29 at 9:52
harrymc
250k11258555
250k11258555
"USB 3.0 ports can only be used for data transfer." I think you mean USB-A. The Lenovo Yoga 730 advertises "2 x USB 3.0 Type-C (Thunderbolt 3, 1 x power delivery)" for example. lenovo.com/au/en/laptops/yoga/yoga-700-series/Yoga-730-13-/p/… So the port features appear to be entirely related to the port type (and implementation) rather than the USB protocol version as in @Keltari's answer.
– tudor
Dec 1 at 21:55
USB-C was created at the same time as USB 3.1, so I think that "USB 3.0 Type-C" is a misnomer for "USB 3.1 Type-C". There seem to be all sorts of hybrids around, probably dating from times that standards were proposed but not yet finalized, thrown to the market by manufacturers jumping the gun to be the first. The Asus seems to have one of these hybrids: A USB 3.1 that is more like USB 3.0 underneath. Your link above seems to be another, an almost-USB 3.1 from before the standard was published.
– harrymc
Dec 1 at 22:16
Yes, they were created at the same time but they don't appear to be linked. Wikipedia, for example, lists alternate modes under USB-C and not USB3.1. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB-C#Alternate_Mode Conversely, the specification for USB3.1 doesn't require a USB-C port (e.g. "Type-A USB3.1 port" appears alot in the wild) so they appear to be independent specifications which can be mixed and matched. Do you have a reference that says the USB3.1 specification requires a USB-C port?
– tudor
Dec 1 at 22:25
I don't think that one requires the other, except in the eyes of the marketing department. It makes marketing sense to label a port as the up and coming USB 3.1, even if it's not really, especially since you will never know the difference except for those missing capabilities. USB-C is also a useful addition to the hype. As they both came out at the same time, both became a marketing necessity. Marketing demands may drive hardware development, although we would have liked it otherwise.
– harrymc
Dec 2 at 8:08
If one doesn't require the other then there's no link between USBx.y Gen z and (port type) USB-x, so it's true that USB3.0 can only be used for data transfer because the statement would be true of all USB versions. It's the port type that dictates the modes available and not the protocol version. What's not true is that "USB 3.0 port can only be used for data transfer" because, from the way I read it and from the specifications I've seen, any manufacturer could implement Thunderbolt, HDMI, and/or power charging on a USB-C port and then use the version 3.0 protocol for data transfer.
– tudor
Dec 2 at 22:57
|
show 1 more comment
"USB 3.0 ports can only be used for data transfer." I think you mean USB-A. The Lenovo Yoga 730 advertises "2 x USB 3.0 Type-C (Thunderbolt 3, 1 x power delivery)" for example. lenovo.com/au/en/laptops/yoga/yoga-700-series/Yoga-730-13-/p/… So the port features appear to be entirely related to the port type (and implementation) rather than the USB protocol version as in @Keltari's answer.
– tudor
Dec 1 at 21:55
USB-C was created at the same time as USB 3.1, so I think that "USB 3.0 Type-C" is a misnomer for "USB 3.1 Type-C". There seem to be all sorts of hybrids around, probably dating from times that standards were proposed but not yet finalized, thrown to the market by manufacturers jumping the gun to be the first. The Asus seems to have one of these hybrids: A USB 3.1 that is more like USB 3.0 underneath. Your link above seems to be another, an almost-USB 3.1 from before the standard was published.
– harrymc
Dec 1 at 22:16
Yes, they were created at the same time but they don't appear to be linked. Wikipedia, for example, lists alternate modes under USB-C and not USB3.1. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB-C#Alternate_Mode Conversely, the specification for USB3.1 doesn't require a USB-C port (e.g. "Type-A USB3.1 port" appears alot in the wild) so they appear to be independent specifications which can be mixed and matched. Do you have a reference that says the USB3.1 specification requires a USB-C port?
– tudor
Dec 1 at 22:25
I don't think that one requires the other, except in the eyes of the marketing department. It makes marketing sense to label a port as the up and coming USB 3.1, even if it's not really, especially since you will never know the difference except for those missing capabilities. USB-C is also a useful addition to the hype. As they both came out at the same time, both became a marketing necessity. Marketing demands may drive hardware development, although we would have liked it otherwise.
– harrymc
Dec 2 at 8:08
If one doesn't require the other then there's no link between USBx.y Gen z and (port type) USB-x, so it's true that USB3.0 can only be used for data transfer because the statement would be true of all USB versions. It's the port type that dictates the modes available and not the protocol version. What's not true is that "USB 3.0 port can only be used for data transfer" because, from the way I read it and from the specifications I've seen, any manufacturer could implement Thunderbolt, HDMI, and/or power charging on a USB-C port and then use the version 3.0 protocol for data transfer.
– tudor
Dec 2 at 22:57
"USB 3.0 ports can only be used for data transfer." I think you mean USB-A. The Lenovo Yoga 730 advertises "2 x USB 3.0 Type-C (Thunderbolt 3, 1 x power delivery)" for example. lenovo.com/au/en/laptops/yoga/yoga-700-series/Yoga-730-13-/p/… So the port features appear to be entirely related to the port type (and implementation) rather than the USB protocol version as in @Keltari's answer.
– tudor
Dec 1 at 21:55
"USB 3.0 ports can only be used for data transfer." I think you mean USB-A. The Lenovo Yoga 730 advertises "2 x USB 3.0 Type-C (Thunderbolt 3, 1 x power delivery)" for example. lenovo.com/au/en/laptops/yoga/yoga-700-series/Yoga-730-13-/p/… So the port features appear to be entirely related to the port type (and implementation) rather than the USB protocol version as in @Keltari's answer.
– tudor
Dec 1 at 21:55
USB-C was created at the same time as USB 3.1, so I think that "USB 3.0 Type-C" is a misnomer for "USB 3.1 Type-C". There seem to be all sorts of hybrids around, probably dating from times that standards were proposed but not yet finalized, thrown to the market by manufacturers jumping the gun to be the first. The Asus seems to have one of these hybrids: A USB 3.1 that is more like USB 3.0 underneath. Your link above seems to be another, an almost-USB 3.1 from before the standard was published.
– harrymc
Dec 1 at 22:16
USB-C was created at the same time as USB 3.1, so I think that "USB 3.0 Type-C" is a misnomer for "USB 3.1 Type-C". There seem to be all sorts of hybrids around, probably dating from times that standards were proposed but not yet finalized, thrown to the market by manufacturers jumping the gun to be the first. The Asus seems to have one of these hybrids: A USB 3.1 that is more like USB 3.0 underneath. Your link above seems to be another, an almost-USB 3.1 from before the standard was published.
– harrymc
Dec 1 at 22:16
Yes, they were created at the same time but they don't appear to be linked. Wikipedia, for example, lists alternate modes under USB-C and not USB3.1. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB-C#Alternate_Mode Conversely, the specification for USB3.1 doesn't require a USB-C port (e.g. "Type-A USB3.1 port" appears alot in the wild) so they appear to be independent specifications which can be mixed and matched. Do you have a reference that says the USB3.1 specification requires a USB-C port?
– tudor
Dec 1 at 22:25
Yes, they were created at the same time but they don't appear to be linked. Wikipedia, for example, lists alternate modes under USB-C and not USB3.1. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB-C#Alternate_Mode Conversely, the specification for USB3.1 doesn't require a USB-C port (e.g. "Type-A USB3.1 port" appears alot in the wild) so they appear to be independent specifications which can be mixed and matched. Do you have a reference that says the USB3.1 specification requires a USB-C port?
– tudor
Dec 1 at 22:25
I don't think that one requires the other, except in the eyes of the marketing department. It makes marketing sense to label a port as the up and coming USB 3.1, even if it's not really, especially since you will never know the difference except for those missing capabilities. USB-C is also a useful addition to the hype. As they both came out at the same time, both became a marketing necessity. Marketing demands may drive hardware development, although we would have liked it otherwise.
– harrymc
Dec 2 at 8:08
I don't think that one requires the other, except in the eyes of the marketing department. It makes marketing sense to label a port as the up and coming USB 3.1, even if it's not really, especially since you will never know the difference except for those missing capabilities. USB-C is also a useful addition to the hype. As they both came out at the same time, both became a marketing necessity. Marketing demands may drive hardware development, although we would have liked it otherwise.
– harrymc
Dec 2 at 8:08
If one doesn't require the other then there's no link between USBx.y Gen z and (port type) USB-x, so it's true that USB3.0 can only be used for data transfer because the statement would be true of all USB versions. It's the port type that dictates the modes available and not the protocol version. What's not true is that "USB 3.0 port can only be used for data transfer" because, from the way I read it and from the specifications I've seen, any manufacturer could implement Thunderbolt, HDMI, and/or power charging on a USB-C port and then use the version 3.0 protocol for data transfer.
– tudor
Dec 2 at 22:57
If one doesn't require the other then there's no link between USBx.y Gen z and (port type) USB-x, so it's true that USB3.0 can only be used for data transfer because the statement would be true of all USB versions. It's the port type that dictates the modes available and not the protocol version. What's not true is that "USB 3.0 port can only be used for data transfer" because, from the way I read it and from the specifications I've seen, any manufacturer could implement Thunderbolt, HDMI, and/or power charging on a USB-C port and then use the version 3.0 protocol for data transfer.
– tudor
Dec 2 at 22:57
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