What is USB 3.0? Differences and innovations
In this practical tip, we explain what USB 3.0 is. We will show you what you generally need for USB interfaces and deal with the differences between USB 3.0 and USB 2.0.
Universal Serial Bus - Use of USB interfaces
In line with its versatile application options, there is a USB interface on almost every computer or computer-like device.
- With these interfaces it is possible to connect other devices to your computer.
- No matter whether external hard drive, smartphone, mouse or printer, you can connect all peripheral devices to your device via USB.
- USB 2.0 has long been the standard for USB interfaces.
- In the meantime, however, the newer version 3.0 is on the advance.
- USB 3.0 offers several advantages over 2.0. You can find out more about this in the second section.
USB 3.0 - differences and innovations compared to USB 2.0
USB 3.0, also called SuperSpeed-USB, is the faster variant compared to USB 2.0.
- With USB 3.0 you can transfer data around ten times faster than with USB 2.0. In numbers, it looks like this: USB 2.0 has a transfer rate of up to 60 MB / s. On the other hand, USB 3.0 has up to 600 MB / s.
- However, a peripheral device such as an external hard drive that supports USB 3.0 will not bring you a faster transfer rate on your computer if your computer does not also have USB 3.0 interfaces. In this case, the hard disk offers the same transfer rate as a comparable USB 2.0 device.
- What seems disappointing at first glance is also a big advantage of USB 3.0. The switch to USB 3.0 can also be slow for you, because USB 3.0 is downward compatible.
- The new USB 3.0 standard can also boast of the power supply. With the new connection, devices such as smartphones in charge state can not only draw 80% more energy than with USB 2.0. SuperSpeed-USB also offers various energy modes, so that the significantly more powerful interface ultimately consumes even less power.
