Arthur Posted June 15, 2013 Posted June 15, 2013 With USB 3.5 being able to supply upto 100 watts of power, it won't be long until we see external 3.5" HDDs without any mains adapters and monitors that can charge laptops. I would also like to see laptop manufacturers standardize on USB for charging (as they have done for smartphones), although without the EU forcing the matter I don't think we will see this happen. Sources: Geek.com / Tech Power Up For the last couple of years USB 3.0 has been left in the shade by the speed offered through the Thunderbolt interface. Whereas USB 3.0 is 5Gbps, Thunderbolt doubles that to 10Gbps, and even quadruples it to 20Gbps over optical cabling. Even though Thunderbolt has a major speed advantage, it hasn’t exactly become commonplace since its introduction in 2011. And now USB is fighting back with the introduction of USB 3.5, which equals Thunderbolt’s standard 10Gbps transfer speeds. The new spec is being viewed as a stop gap solution on the way to USB 4.0. Both the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) and Intel are thought to be working on the spec, with Taiwan’s ASMedia expected to be the first company to offer a USB 3.5 host controller early next year. That should mean we see motherboards and interface cards supporting the faster standard appearing around the same time. One of the reasons USB has remained so popular is its backwards compatibility. That will remain the case for USB 3.5, so manufacturers of devices that can take advantage of the faster transfer speeds, e.g. external hard drives, will surely embrace it quickly while retaining USB 3.0 compatibility. Even if you won’t be making the upgrade to the 3.5 spec, USB 3.0 is also being improved upon. An updated SuperSpeed spec sees the total maximum power output of each cable increased from today's 10 watts up to 100 watts. That basically means you could power most laptops over a single USB 3.0 connection, as well as a whole host of other USB-connected devices.
XiJ Posted June 15, 2013 Posted June 15, 2013 100w over USB? I do like the idea of monitors powering laptops though (or small systems). Can we standardise on Apples MagSafe connector - just thinking on how many DC-in jacks I find broken in schools.
synaesthesia Posted June 15, 2013 Posted June 15, 2013 I hope you mean "the power connector that Apple stole" rather than "Apple's Magsafe"? Quite looking forward to 3.5 though, always fond of backwards compatibility with USB and would love to be able to see USB chargeable laptops!
seawolf Posted June 15, 2013 Posted June 15, 2013 I hope you mean "the power connector that Apple stole" rather than "Apple's Magsafe"? Sorry, I couldn't let that one go. By "steal" you mean like Henry Ford "stealing" the idea for a mass produced car from the guy who invented the wheel? Because I don't remember seeing anything like MagSafe on any electronic device before Apple introduced it their laptops and I used to work for Sanmina-SCI, one of the largest electronics contract manufacturers in the world at the time. Any basis for this other than a two pronged magnetic power plug on a Japanese kettle, which is the only use of a magnetic plug of any kind I can even remotely find reference to? On the other hand, that charge and sync connector on the Microsoft Surface looks a lot like a MagSafe connector. I won't hold it against them though, it's a great design for a charger.
synaesthesia Posted June 15, 2013 Posted June 15, 2013 @seawolf - Apple admitted it, like they often do (Yes, from Sanyo - or was it Seiko, can't remember) Don't mind me, I love having a dig at people like Apple for very good reason (see one of my blog posts for a reasoned account why)
mac_shinobi Posted June 15, 2013 Posted June 15, 2013 @(see one of my blog posts for a reasoned account why) [mention=10169]synaesthesia Linky to the blog post ?
synaesthesia Posted June 15, 2013 Posted June 15, 2013 (edited) Apple. Love or loathe... - Blogs - EduGeek.net Don't take it the wrong way of course - there's no denying it's a good charging system! Not faultless, but as someone who spends quite a lot of time soldering bloody power connectors back onto motherboards, appreciated! ** edit, sorry rather deviating from this thread ** Just realised too after skimming that blog post how much the bit about unified hardware should be applying to the "next gen" consoles too! Edited June 15, 2013 by synaesthesia
mac_shinobi Posted June 15, 2013 Posted June 15, 2013 Apple. Love or loathe... - Blogs - EduGeek.net Don't take it the wrong way of course - there's no denying it's a good charging system! Not faultless, but as someone who spends quite a lot of time soldering bloody power connectors back onto motherboards, appreciated! ** edit, sorry rather deviating from this thread ** Just realised too after skimming that blog post how much the bit about unified hardware should be applying to the "next gen" consoles too! Link doesnt appear to be working
XiJ Posted June 15, 2013 Posted June 15, 2013 Oh what did I start?! I forgot apple don't invent or innovate anything Seriously, the MagSafe style connected would make a difference to my schools - I wonder how much apple would charge for a license?!!
synaesthesia Posted June 15, 2013 Posted June 15, 2013 Well, if they do the USB thing it'd negate many of the problems. USB leads are replaceable and cheap
Arthur Posted August 2, 2013 Author Posted August 2, 2013 USB 3.5 is now called USB 3.1... www.engadget.com/2013/08/01/usb-alliance-finalizes-10gbps-specification-as-usb-3-1/
mac_shinobi Posted August 2, 2013 Posted August 2, 2013 USB 3.5 is now called USB 3.1... www.engadget.com/2013/08/01/usb-alliance-finalizes-10gbps-specification-as-usb-3-1/ Finally. iPhone 7 or the one after the next S model will be great
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