USB-C Flash Drives
About USB-C Flash Drives
USB Type-C Cables, Adaptors & Connectors
Whether you want to transfer large data files, charge your device or listen to music, you could be doing all this and more through a USB Type-C connector.
This connection type has been adopted by a wealth of manufacturers for an even wider number of devices. It has become an indispensable part of the day-to-day workflow, whether for use in class or at home, in the office or on the move.
USB Type-C flash drives make moving important data, documents, photos and video files simple and efficient. And with a wide choice of sizes available, you’ll easily find the perfect USB device to suit your needs. They are also a cost-effective alternative to burning data onto CDs or Blu-ray discs, and can often be a cheaper option compared to portable hard drives.
At MyMemory, we stock all the leading brands and suppliers, including Integral, Sandisk, Kingston, and Lexar. They typically begin at 16GB or 32GB. You might find that our 128GB range is the best option to rival your portable hard drive needs.
What is USB Type-C and how does it work?
USB Type-C is not a new USB standard in the same vein as USB 1.1, USB 2.0 or USB 3.1, which improved on transfer speeds. The Type-C is a physical evolution unifying the design elements at both ends of the cable.
This allows for upside-down insertion and bi-directional power direction, which means power can be transferred from host-to-peripheral, as well as from peripheral-to-host. So, not only will your laptop be able to charge your phone, your phone will be able to charge your laptop.
For these reasons, USB Type-C ports are being incorporated into more and more devices and will soon become the industry standard.
How is USB Type-C different from Type-A and Type-B?
USB Type-A, Type-B, and Type-C refer to the physical designs of the USB ports and connectors. Type-A and Type-B are the terms used to describe the different ends of a USB cable.
USB Type-A is the most common standard used to connect cables to host ports in devices such as computers, game consoles and media devices. The USB Type-B standard can be found at the other end of the cable which plugs into a peripheral device, such as a smartphone, an external hard drive, or a keyboard.
Type-C is different as the standard can be found at both ends of the connector (cable). Although all devices will have these ports soon, this is currently not the case and adapters (or dongles) are being sold to help connect peripheral devices to their hosts, e.g. an iPhone to a new MacBook.
How would I recognise a USB Type-C port and connector?
The USB Type-C connector is smaller than the large, ubiquitous USB Type-A, measuring 8.4 x 2.66mm. Both port and connector are roughly the same size as those attributed to the micro-USB.
Is USB Type-C backward-compatible?
The physical connector and port are not backwards-compatible with older USB devices. However, the 3.1 USB standard is still compatible with older versions of USB with a Type-A-to-Type-C adapter. You may need to use additional power adapters to connect the ports and cables with older USB devices.
Will USB Type-C connect with my device?
As the USB Type-C can provide up to 100 watts of power at 20 volts, it is compatible with larger devices that previously couldn’t be charged via USB, such as laptops and monitors, as well as smaller devices like smartphones and tablets. For devices that don’t support USB Type-C, a series of adapters are available to ensure easy connection.
Why is USB Type-C better than previous USB standards?
USB Type-C has many advantages over other connectors. These include:
- Size: half the width and a third the height of a standard USB connector, the USB Type-C is only marginally bigger than micro-USB connectors and Apple Lightning.
- Flexibility: with an adapter, you’ll be able to connect incompatible devices to Type-C ports, even if they don’t use USB technology.
- Reversibility: Unlike older cables, USB Type-C is reversible, so it will function no matter which side you plug in.
- Speed: The ports can transfer data with upwards of 10GB per second. It also charges faster and can charge.
