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I love USB 3.0, but the problem is the (now) fat connector. Lightning would be a much nicer physical interface. Aside from the connector, there are no slim USB

by magoon 13y ago

I love USB 3.0, but the problem is the (now) fat connector. Lightning would be a much nicer physical interface. Aside from the connector, there are no slim USB 3.0-capable flash drives a la Cruzer Fit.

taspeotis 13y ago
I wasn't aware the connector changed dimensions, just that some pins were moved around [1]. Care to explain? [1] http://images.techtree.com.s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/ttimages/story/110144_usb-3.jpg http://images.techtree.com.s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/t...
- Casseres 13y ago
  I think magoon is talking about the Micro B connection [0]. [0] http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71sFrK-H7ZL._SL1500_.jpg http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71sFrK-H7ZL._SL1500_.j...
  - Someone 13y ago
    USB 3 is an example of using market power to force adoption of a new protocol. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_3.0#Implementation_differences_compared_to_USB_2.0 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_3.0#Implementation_differen...: "The USB 3.0 specification is similar to USB 2.0 but with many improvements and an alternative implementation. Earlier USB concepts like endpoints and four transfer types (bulk, control, isochronous and interrupt) are preserved but the protocol and electrical interface are different. The specification defines a physically separate channel to carry USB 3.0 traffic." That's what lead to those Frankenstein connectors, glueing the existing USB 2.0 connector to a new part that is used for 3.0 traffic. To see that in all its glory, look at a drawing instead of a photograph: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USB_3.0_Micro_B_plug.PNG http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USB_3.0_Micro_B_plug....). IIRC, two pure 3.0 devices cannot negotiate a connection's properties without the 2.0 part, but after that, they don't use it anymore. USB 3 truly is a new interface borrowing terminology from 2.0. This, on the other hand, seems just a speed bump. As the commenter on the AnandTech article states, that may mean it gets adopted sooner.
- masklinn 13y ago
  I think he means the connector is pretty big compared to other interfaces such as Thunderbolt. The thunderbolt connector is 7.4mm x 4.5mm, the USB A plug is 12mm x 4.5mm, so the USB A plug is ~60% wider than a thunderbolt male connector. edit: Casseres's suggestion that the issue is the new (fatter) USB3 micro B is also interesting, and may match the (now) part better than mine.
- gambiting 13y ago
  Additional 5 pins were added - and while they do fit within a standard USB A plug, they do not fit within a Micro USB or USB B plugs - so they had to be made bigger.
- deleted 13y ago
  [deleted]

by magoon 13y ago

taspeotis 13y ago

I wasn't aware the connector changed dimensions, just that some pins were moved around [1]. Care to explain? [1] http://images.techtree.com.s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/ttimages/story/110144_usb-3.jpg http://images.techtree.com.s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/t...

Casseres 13y ago
I think magoon is talking about the Micro B connection [0]. [0] http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71sFrK-H7ZL._SL1500_.jpg http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71sFrK-H7ZL._SL1500_.j...
- Someone 13y ago
  USB 3 is an example of using market power to force adoption of a new protocol. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_3.0#Implementation_differences_compared_to_USB_2.0 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_3.0#Implementation_differen...: "The USB 3.0 specification is similar to USB 2.0 but with many improvements and an alternative implementation. Earlier USB concepts like endpoints and four transfer types (bulk, control, isochronous and interrupt) are preserved but the protocol and electrical interface are different. The specification defines a physically separate channel to carry USB 3.0 traffic." That's what lead to those Frankenstein connectors, glueing the existing USB 2.0 connector to a new part that is used for 3.0 traffic. To see that in all its glory, look at a drawing instead of a photograph: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USB_3.0_Micro_B_plug.PNG http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USB_3.0_Micro_B_plug....). IIRC, two pure 3.0 devices cannot negotiate a connection's properties without the 2.0 part, but after that, they don't use it anymore. USB 3 truly is a new interface borrowing terminology from 2.0. This, on the other hand, seems just a speed bump. As the commenter on the AnandTech article states, that may mean it gets adopted sooner.
masklinn 13y ago
I think he means the connector is pretty big compared to other interfaces such as Thunderbolt. The thunderbolt connector is 7.4mm x 4.5mm, the USB A plug is 12mm x 4.5mm, so the USB A plug is ~60% wider than a thunderbolt male connector. edit: Casseres's suggestion that the issue is the new (fatter) USB3 micro B is also interesting, and may match the (now) part better than mine.
gambiting 13y ago
Additional 5 pins were added - and while they do fit within a standard USB A plug, they do not fit within a Micro USB or USB B plugs - so they had to be made bigger.
deleted 13y ago
[deleted]