The new 12-inch MacBook that Apple has recently introduced is the first of Apple's Mac computers to feature the USB Type-C port, and is one of the first computers that comes with the new technology that will be rolled out to new PCs and Macs over the next few years.
Computers previously featured the USB Type-A port, which serves as the connecting port for devices such as keyboards, mice and storage devices. There is also the USB Type-B port, also called MicroUSB, which is often seen among digital cameras and Android devices.
USB Type-C is a new technology that is looking to usher in easier to use and faster data cables, with such cables looking to transfer data at top speeds of 10 GB per second. However, Apple revealed that the USB-C ports on the new MacBook will only have transfer speeds of up to 5GB per second.
The USB-C ports is also much thinner compared to the old USB ports at about a third of the size of USB-A ports, which allowed the new MacBook to be thinner by 24% compared to the previous 11-inch version. The new MacBook only has one USB-C port on its left side, accompanied by a headphone jack located on the computer's right side.
USB-C ports are also more versatile than its predecessors. For the new MacBook, the USB-C port supports DisplayPort, power, data, VGA and HDMI. This means that users will be using the port for charging devices, transferring files and displaying video output, along with all the other functions.
Similar to the Lightning cables of Apple, USB-C ports and cables are never upside down and can be inserted whichever side is up. This has been one of the most frustrating characteristics of USB-A ports and many will likely be glad to see this gone.
USB-C ports are also bidirectional, which means that power can be sent through the port and its cable either way. This also means that, while mobile devices can be charged by plugging them into laptops, laptops can now also be charged by plugging it into a wall using the USB-C port, or even by connecting it to another device.
The bad news is that, while USB-C is backward compatible with all the older USB cables, users will be required to purchase an adapter, which would be an additional expense.
Apple is selling a USB-C to HDMI adapter and a USB-C to VGA adapter for the price of $79 each.
