USB4 is upgrading to 80Gbps, because apparently 40Gbps was just too darn slow
In 1996, seven of the biggest names in personal computing came together to create a new interface standard for computers to replace the array of different ports on the back of desktops. The tech was called a universal serial bus, and 20 years on, we’re still trying to plug it in the right way on the first try. As the standard has aged, it’s been updated, adding new features and allowing for greater data transfer rates. Thelast major updatecame in 2019 when the USB Implementers Forum announced USB4, doubling the top speed of data transfers. Now, the USB-IF has announced version 2.0 of the standard.
You won’t be able to get your hands on the 80Gbps transfer speeds until at least November, according to theannouncementfrom the USB Promoter Group, so in the meantime, you’ll have to sate yourself with the pittance that is 40Gbps. Along with the new bandwidth, expect updates to USB’s data tunneling capabilities to make the best use of all that data.
So who’s the target for this new standard that can stream The Lord of the Rings Extended Edition in less than 30 seconds? People who useUSB-C hubs. A laptop or Chromebook with a USB4 v2.0 hub will be able to handle displaying to external monitors while hooked up to an external graphics card or transferring data from an external hard drive (thanks PCIe tunneling!).
The new standard will continue to use the USB-C connector, which means if you’ve already got a USB4-compliant cable, you can expectup to80Gbps on USB4 v2.0 ports when they arrive. If you want to be on the cutting edge, look for the new active USB cables that will mitigate bandwidth loss as the cable length increases.
All that raises the point that the USB-C ecosystem is becoming a bit of a mess, and you’ll have to pay extra attention to what you’re buying. There are many USB-C cables out there that do a bunch of different things. Some only supply power, others only support USB 2.0, and others are made for the Thunderbolt standard. There’s a lot of diversity out there, and you can’t rely on the manufacturers to make it easy for you.
Things get red hot for Magenta
Carriers get the upper hand
Strong alternatives to aging competitors
Generative AI, now poolside
Navigate through galaxies of customization with Samsung’s One UI Home
Project Moohan? More like Project Moolah
