Confusion over the MacBook's USB-C port


Andrew Cunningham for Ars Technica:

USB 3.0 has retroactively been renamed "USB 3.1 Gen 1," and it retains a theoretical transfer rate of 5.0 Gbps. The USB-IF has confirmed to us that "USB 3.1 Type 1" uses the same controllers as USB 3.0, so we can expect to see some early Broadwell-based Type C systems like the Retina MacBook come with "USB 3.1" even though they're using what we have heretofore known as "USB 3.0" controllers.

I was a little confused why Apple described the new MacBook's port by the connector type, USB-C, and not the spec name. This may be why. It would seem that the new MacBook uses the new connector, but for practical purposes is essentially the same as USB 3.0. Not nearly as exciting as many, including myself, assumed from what I learned at CES.

Now, the Type C connector allows for the mega port to handle all I/O, including power. So, there is an advantage if that's what you're looking for, however, that choice doesn't bring any additional throughput speeds.

For the faster 10 Mb/sec speeds, you'll need the newer USB 3.1 gen 2. And sure enough, if you look at Apple's website, it lists the USB port as USB 3.1 gen 1 at 5 Mb/sec.