USB Reversable Cable Images Emerge

Lucas123 writes: "A presentation released today by Intel revealed images of the USB 3.1 Type-C cable and connectors, which is symmetrical and will no longer require a user to correctly orient the plug. Initially, the USB 3.1 Type-C specification will support up to 10Gbps data transfer speeds. The Type-C connectors resemble those of Apple's Thunderbolt cabling in that they are much smaller than today's USB SuperSpeed connectors. The receptacle opening is 8.3mm x 2.5mm.The first iteration will have a 5 volt power transfer rate, but it is expected to deliver up to 100 watts for higher power applications in the future."

100 watts?!

[Vainglorious Coward]

At 5 volts, 100 Watts is a current of 20 amps. That's a lot of current for such small connections.

Exactly!

[Anonymous Coward]

The "I wouldn't design it that way" crowd rarely sound experienced or responsible. USB connectors, especially the full-size ones, have remarkably few problems:

1). The contacts are difficult to damage. Much more difficult than the old D-shell connectors. The D-shell did a pretty good job but if something got inside the D-shell, the pins themselves had almost no strength;
2). I always thought that a connector with no retainers was a clear negative. However I managed to overlook the power plug! Accidental disconnection of a USB device is pretty rare. When it does happen though, you reconnect and carry on. On a plug with fasteners, the fasteners are a hassle even with good thumbscrews. And it raises the possibility that if enough force is applied, the mechanical failure is going to be bad. Better to have an unfastened plug pop out well before then;
3). No custom cables. Yay!
4). No real limits on the number of USB ports. Not a connector issue of course.
5). So the major issue is, the plug can be reversed or accidentally plugged in to an e-SATA port. The latter is rare because e-SATA isn't standard on many machines. So if the plug don't fit, reverse it!

I will say that mini-USB seems to have more problems. Many connections are too tight and a cheapo connector shell can come apart.

Re:Who the fuck wrote this piece of shit?

[freeze128]

Not to mention.... Where is this 100W going to come from? Do you think that the PC makers build PCs with power supplies in them with that much extra capacity just in case someone plus in a USB hair dryer? Well, they don't.

Re:Quick tip - USB logo is always on the top

[dacut]

So when you plug in a cable, the logo on the top is always correct. When it is a sideways plug, you are on your own. :)

I have a few cables which violate this spec (despite the USB spec being quite clear on this point). I'm not sure if it's a manufacturing error (cable assemblies sent to the molding process upside-down) or the manufacturer just being egotistical ("We want our logo to be visible to the user"). Western Digital, I'm looking at you...

I really ought to toss them (along with my collection of USB 1.1 cables and hubs).