Learn about the improvements provided by the new usb 3.1 connector

The USB 3.1 interface is already with us, however many people are not yet aware of the advances that this new standard represents compared to the previous USB 3.0, so we have prepared this article to present all the improvements.

First of all backward compatibility

Despite the arrival of USB 3.1, there are still many devices that still work with USB 3.0 and even 2.0 and it will be a long time until we see a USB 3.1 connector in everything. Therefore, it would be a mistake if the new USB 3.1 ports of our computers could not accommodate gadgets with older connectors. Those responsible for the USB interface are aware of this and therefore the USB 3.1 ports of our computers will be perfectly compatible with devices that have a USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 connector, nothing to reproach in this regard.

Higher speed and better energy management

USB 3.1 cable

The arrival of USB 3.0 on the market represented a significant increase in bandwidth compared to the previous USB 2.0, thus reaching maximum theoretical transfer rates of 5 Gbps (640 MB / s), a figure absolutely higher than that offered USB 2.0 but it was still not the highest on the market.

Intel's Thunderbolt interface debuted in 2011 with a transfer rate of 10 Gbps, double that of USB 3.0, which also doubled to 20 Gbps in its second release called "Falcon Ridge." In case there is not enough, Thunderbolt allows you to transfer both data and video in addition to being able to chain devices being a connector with more versatility although its adoption has been much less.

Testing Asus USB 3.1 Enclosure

USB 3.1 equals the maximum theoretical transfer rate of 10 Gbps that the first version of Thunderbolt had, it is still far from "Falcon Ridge" but in reality there are very few devices capable of taking advantage of such a transfer rate so in practice both will offer very similar and sufficient performance.

Not everything is speed and USB 3.1 knows this very well (well, it's actually its creators who know it) so power management has also been greatly improved. The new interface requires less energy than its predecessor for its operation, energy efficiency is becoming very important in these times, and it is also capable of delivering more power to connected devices.

A few days ago we analyzed the Asus USB 3.1 Enclosure with great performance

USB 3.1 is capable of delivering up to 100W of electrical power thanks to its 5 amps and maximum 20 volts, a huge advance compared to the 4.5W that USB 3.0 is capable of delivering. This opens the possibility of feeding monitors and other gadgets without connecting them to the electrical network.

You just stare at the connector to put it right

Reversible USB 3.1 Type-C connector

What is the initial ritual when connecting a USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 cable to the computer port? First of all, take the cable and look at the connector to orient it correctly. Right? Well this is over, at least partially.

With USB 3.1 we have two different types of connectors, one called USB 3.1 Type-A that is visually identical to previous versions, if they put it in front of you and they do not say anything for sure that you confuse it with USB 3.0.

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The other is USB 3.1 Type-C and it has the particularity that it is completely symmetrical so that it can be connected to the corresponding port with any orientation, it is finished looking at the connector to put it well. You may be thinking that there must be some downside… well yes, before we said that USB 3.1 is retrocompatibe. Remember? Well this only happens with the USB 3.1 Type-A specification, The USB 3.1 Type-C connector is physically different and therefore your computer port is also different so it will not work for previous versions.