就好像USB-IF（USB 实施者论坛(USB Implementers Forum)）正在主动试图让世界混淆USB标准及其与设备的兼容性。
如果您仔细听过人们谈论USB（通用串行总线(Universal Serial Bus)）或在网上做过一些研究，您可能听说过或阅读过USB 3.1 gen 1、USB 3.1 gen 2 和USB Type-C等术语。
但是您知道USB 3.0和USB Type-C是两个截然不同的东西吗？在本指南中，我们将解释它们之间的区别并回答您应该使用哪种USB类型以及为什么。
USB 3.0 与 USB Type-C
USB 3.0和USB Type-C的根本区别在于USB 3.0是(USB 3.0)USB电缆的标准，而USB Type-C是 USB 连接器的几种类型之一(types of USB connectors)。
(Have)将USB(USB)电缆插入USB适配器时，您是否因为放置方式错误而不得不换边？好吧，使用USB Type-C，这不再是问题，因为它是可逆的。识别USB(USB) -C 电缆相对容易，因为它们具有独特的外观——它们比USB Type-A更细且呈卵圆形。
相反，USB 3.0是一种 USB 标准，它决定了您可以通过连接器实现的数据传输速度(data transfer speed you’ll be able to achieve with your connector)。USB 3.0 是对先前USB 2.0(USB 2.0)标准的升级，传输数据的速度比USB 2.0快 10 倍。
因此，并非所有 USB-C 电缆都一定支持USB 3，并且并非所有USB 3电缆都使用 USB-C 连接器。尽管这两个术语不同，但它们可以一起工作。
让我们多谈谈USB 3.0和USB Type-C，看看它们为何不同，以及它们如何协同工作。
什么是 USB 3.0？
USB 3.0以及USB 3.0系列是一个标准，它告诉您关于(USB 3.0)USB连接器的一件事：它的速度。在过去几年中， USB 3.0标准进行了多次升级。
USB 3.0 的继任者
USB 3.0、USB 3.1 Gen 1和USB 3.2 Gen 1×1都是相同的产品。它们提供高达 5Gbps 的传输速度。
它们的后继产品包括USB 3.1 Gen 2和USB 3.2 Gen 2×1，它们还是相同的产品，提供高达 10Gbps 的更高传输速率，与Cat6a 以太网(Cat6a Ethernet)电缆一样快。
最快的标准是 USB 3.2 Gen 2×2，它使用两个通道，以高达 20Gbps 的速度传输数据。USB 4.0 指日可待，但仍处于起步阶段，尚不可用。
我的 USB 数据线是 USB 3.0 还是 USB 2.0？
USB 3.0有 9 个引脚，而较旧的USB 2.0连接器有 4 个。在大多数情况下，USB 3.0连接器将有蓝色塑料和USB符号前的字母“SS”（ SuperSpeed的缩写）。(SuperSpeed)
大多数现代计算机都支持USB 3.0 ，但如果您的 PC 已经老化，您可能需要在购买新的USB设备之前仔细检查您是否有USB 3.0端口。(USB 3.0)
如果您要购买新的USB连接器或设备，请仔细检查规格。如果包装上说您要购买的是USB 3.2 Type-C连接器，那并不是完整的信息。USB 3.2 Gen 2×1和 2×2的传输速率不同，因此最好检查一下您购买的是什么。
什么是 USB Type-C？
USB Type-C或简称USB -C 是(USB)USB电缆上不同形状的插头，与连接器的传输速度无关。
USB Type-C连接器已经存在了一段时间，并且可以在现代Android设备、耳机和游戏机上找到。它们的大小与您在移动设备上看到的微型USB连接器几乎相同。
USB Type-C如何更好？
这是有趣的部分：USB-C连接器是双向的。这意味着您不仅可以使用USB-C电缆为外围设备充电，还可以在需要时使用外围设备为主机设备充电。
USB-C的可逆性将结束经典的USB颠倒笑话，但这还不是全部。您还可以将USB-C电缆的任一端插入计算机以连接外围设备，前提是该设备还具有USB-C端口。
USB Type-C在与(USB Type-C)USB PD（即USB Power Delivery ）结合使用时还支持更高的功率输出。凭借 100 瓦的功率输出，您可以使用USB -C PD 电缆作为带USB连接的笔记本电脑的充电器。在某些时候，您的笔记本电脑上的 AC 端口可能会被通用替代品所取代。
USB-C连接器也可以替代HDMI电缆。USB 3.1 Type-C 电缆可以处理视频输出，因为它可以添加DisplayPort或HDMI视频信号。因此，您可以使用USB-C线缆将设备连接到更大的屏幕(connect your devices to a bigger screen)，而无需使用 HDMI。
您的 USB-C 端口还兼作 Thunderbolt(Thunderbolt)端口（我们将在下一节讨论Thunderbolt），这意味着您可以使用高性能外围设备来改善您的体验。
USB Type-C 会取代以前的类型(Type-C Replace Previous Types)吗？
简短的回答是，是的，USB-C最终将取代以前的类型。
目前，USB-A是最常见的USB连接器类型。您可以在最常用的设备上找到它们，包括闪存驱动器和有线键盘。不太流行的USB B 型(USB Type-B)连接器是您在外部硬盘驱动器、扫描仪和打印机上看到的那些方形插头。
USB-C 连接器最终将取代两者。事实上，苹果(Apple)只在其最新款 MacBook上增加了(MacBooks)USB Type-C端口。但是，您不必担心拥有大量过时的设备，至少在一段时间内是这样。向后(Backward)兼容性将确保您能够在可预见的未来使用 A 型端口和连接器。
什么是迅雷？
英特尔(Intel)和苹果(Apple)合作开发了一种新的硬件标准，用于将外围设备与计算机连接起来，并于 2011 年以Thunderbolt品牌推出。
到目前为止 ， Thunderbolt已经推出了三种标准。
最初的Thunderbolt可以以 10Gbps 的速度传输数据——与USB 3.1相匹配的传输速率。以下Thunderbolt标准Thunderbolt 2.0配备了DisplayPort 1.2，这意味着它可以将视频流式传输到 4K 屏幕。最新版本Thunderbolt 3提供 40Gbps 的带宽。这是USB 3.2 Gen 2×2速度的 2 倍。
尽管Thunderbolt提供了更好的性能，但由于其高昂的价格，它并没有看到太多的吸引力。
如果您的设备（如现代Mac）提供Thunderbolt兼容性，并且您不介意在配备 Thunderbolt 的(Thunderbolt-equipped)配件上多花点钱，您应该考虑购买Thunderbolt配件以获得一流的性能。
如果您家里有外围设备并想检查它是否配备了Thunderbolt，请检查连接器插头端口附近的Thunderbolt图标：(Thunderbolt)
USB 行话简化
USB 3和USB-C是不同的东西，它们提供不同的好处并且不能直接(directly )比较。
您无需担心USB 3或USB type C 会导致您的设备之一使用旧标准或类型无用。您无需担心很快 升级您的USB Type-A 或USB Type-B 连接器。(USB)
但是，您应该在下次购买时选择具有较新标准和类型的电缆，以确保您的设备和电缆具有最佳性能和长期相关性。
USB 3 vs. USB-C: What Is the Difference?
It’s almost as if USB-IF (USB Implementers Forum) is proaсtively trying to confuse the wоrld about USB standards and their compatibility with devices.
If you’ve listened closely to people talk about USB (Universal Serial Bus) or done some research online, you’ve probably heard or read the terms USB 3.1 gen 1, USB 3.1 gen 2, and USB Type-C.
But did you know that USB 3.0 and USB Type-C are two very different things? In this guide, we explain the difference between them and answer which USB type you should use and why.
USB 3.0 vs. USB Type-C
The fundamental difference between USB 3.0 and USB Type-C is that USB 3.0 is a standard for USB cables, while USB Type-C is one of the several types of USB connectors.
Have you had to switch sides when inserting a USB cable into a USB adapter because you put it in the wrong way? Well, with USB Type-C, that’s no longer a problem because it’s reversible. It’s relatively easy to identify USB-C cables because they have a distinctive look—they’re ovular and thinner than USB Type-A.
On the contrary, USB 3.0 is a USB standard and determines the data transfer speed you’ll be able to achieve with your connector. USB 3.0 is an upgrade to the previous USB 2.0 standard and can transfer data 10x faster than USB 2.0.
So, all USB-C cables may not necessarily support USB 3, and not all USB 3 cables use the USB-C connector. Even though both terms are different, they can work together.
Let’s talk a little more about USB 3.0 and USB Type-C to see why they’re different and how they work together.
What is USB 3.0?
USB 3.0, along with the USB 3.0 family, is a standard that tells you one thing about a USB connector: its speed. There have been several upgrades to the USB 3.0 standard over the past few years.
Successors of USB 3.0
USB 3.0, USB 3.1 Gen 1, and USB 3.2 Gen 1×1 are all the same products. They offer transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps.
Their successors include USB 3.1 Gen 2 and USB 3.2 Gen 2×1, which again are the same products and offer a higher transfer rate of up to 10Gbps—that’s as fast as a Cat6a Ethernet cable.
The fastest standard is USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, which uses two lanes, and transfers data at a speed of up to 20Gbps. USB 4.0 is around the corner, but it’s still in its infancy and isn’t readily available.
Is My USB Cable USB 3.0 or USB 2.0?
USB 3.0 has nine pins vs. four on older USB 2.0 connectors. In most cases, a USB 3.0 connector will have blue-colored plastic and the letters “SS” (short for SuperSpeed) before the USB symbol.
Most modern computers support USB 3.0, but if your PC has aged, you might want to double-check that you have a USB 3.0 port before buying new USB devices.
If you’re buying a new USB connector or device, check the specifications carefully. If the pack says you’re buying a USB 3.2 Type-C connector, that’s not the complete information. The transfer rates for USB 3.2 Gen 2×1 and 2×2 are different, so it’s best to check what you’re buying.
What Is USB Type-C?
USB Type-C, or simply USB-C, is a differently-shaped plug on USB cables and has nothing to do with your connector’s transfer speed.
USB Type-C connectors have been around for a while now and are found on modern Android devices, headphones, and gaming consoles. They’re pretty much the same size as a micro USB connector that you see on mobile devices.
How is USB Type-C Better?
Here’s the interesting part: USB-C connectors are bi-directional. This means that not only can you charge a peripheral device with USB-C cables, but you can also charge your host device using a peripheral when needed.
USB-C’s reversibility will put an end to the classic USB upside-down jokes, but that’s not all. You’ll also be able to plug either end of a USB-C cable into the computer to connect your peripherals, provided the device also has a USB-C port.
USB Type-C also supports higher power output when combined with USB PD (i.e., USB Power Delivery). With 100 watts of power output, you can use a USB-C PD cable as a charger for your laptop with a USB connection. At some point, the AC port on your laptops will likely be replaced with a universal alternative.
USB-C connectors can also replace HDMI cables. A USB 3.1 Type-C cable can handle video output because it can add a DisplayPort or HDMI video signal. So you can use your USB-C cable to connect your devices to a bigger screen without needing your HDMI.
Your USB-C ports also double as Thunderbolt ports (we discuss Thunderbolt in the next section), which means you can use high-performance peripherals to improve your experience.
Will USB Type-C Replace Previous Types?
The short answer is that, yes, USB-C will replace previous types eventually.
Currently, USB-A is the most common type of USB connector. You’ll find them on the most commonly used devices, including flash drives and wired keyboards. The less-popular USB Type-B connectors are those square plugs you see on external hard drives, scanners, and printers.
USB-C connectors will eventually replace both. In fact, Apple has only added USB Type-C ports to its latest MacBooks. However, you don’t need to worry about having a ton of obsolete devices though, not at least for some time. Backward compatibility will ensure that you’re able to use Type-A ports and connectors for the foreseeable future.
What is Thunderbolt?
Intel and Apple collaborated to develop a new hardware standard for connecting peripherals with computers and launched it in 2011 under the brand name Thunderbolt.
Three standards of Thunderbolt have been introduced so far.
The original Thunderbolt could transfer data at 10Gbps—a transfer rate that matches USB 3.1. The following Thunderbolt standard, Thunderbolt 2.0, came equipped with DisplayPort 1.2, which meant it could stream videos to a 4K screen. The latest version, Thunderbolt 3, offers a bandwidth of 40Gbps. That’s 2x the speed of USB 3.2 Gen 2×2.
Even though Thunderbolt offered better performance, it didn’t see a lot of traction because of its high price.
If your device (like a modern Mac) offers Thunderbolt compatibility and you don’t mind splurging a little extra on Thunderbolt-equipped accessories, you should consider investing in a Thunderbolt accessory for top-notch performance.
If you’ve got a peripheral sitting at home and want to check if it’s equipped with Thunderbolt, check for the Thunderbolt icon near the port of the connector’s plug:
USB Jargon Simplified
USB 3 and USB-C are different things that offer different benefits and aren’t directly comparable.
You don’t need to worry about USB 3 or USB type C rendering one of your devices with an older standard or type useless. You don’t need to worry about upgrading your USB Type-A or USB Type-B connectors anytime soon.
However, you should opt for a cable with a newer standard and type when you make your next purchase to ensure optimum performance and the long-term relevance of your devices and cables.
