iPhone 15 is coming next month, and multiple rumors suggest Apple will finally switch from its proprietary Lightning connector to…

  • Name is Optional@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    So far, nothing I’ve ever owned has had a C connector, I have two computers with c ports, but nothing to plug in to them. Also, does the thunderbolt look like the USBc? If you plug in a thunderbolt device into a USBc, does it work or burn out the port?

    Edit: why did this get only 18 downvotes?

    • Crow@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      That’s actually impressive you’ve managed to stay in the past so long.

      • fryday@lemmy.nz
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        1 year ago

        What devices do you have that connect over usb-c aside from a phone? As far as I’ve seen, it’s still not common for keyboards, mice, webcams, controllers, monitors, printers, or external drives (though I’d admit drives are becoming more common, particularly for ssds). I’m honestly curious, because I feel like I’m missing out.

        • edent
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          1 year ago

          All my gadgets use USB-C. Bluetooth headphones, eReader, laptop, printer, power bank, 360 camera, they all charge via USB-C.

          Hell, even my neck cooler runs off it.

          • fryday@lemmy.nz
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            1 year ago

            Ah, for charging, sure. The comment I was replying to seemed like they were talking about interacting/interfacing via usb-c with their desktop, not just charging, which is certainly becoming more common.

            • edent
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              1 year ago

              To be clear - they also work with data transfer (well, except the power bank and neck cooler).

              I copy ebooks to my reader over USB, transfer photos off my camera, and print photos - all via USB-C.

    • kbrot@kbin.social
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      1 year ago

      Just about everything except truly basement-tier China tech sitting in warehouses has C now so you’ll soon be glad to have the ports.

      USB C is a form factor (pretty little reversible oval cable). Thunderbolt is a protocol and yes it uses USB C for the form factor. Other protocols on USB C cabling include 2.0 (ancient speed, used for charging only these days), 3.1 (old speed) 3.2 (slightly old but also not, it’s weird, and most common nowadays), DisplayPort (lovely modern video standard), and USB4 (which is newest and fast, but not quite as fast as TB). Decent rule of thumb is USB4 will always be one step behind Thunderbolt in speed (currently ~80gbps vs 40gbps in USB4). The cable will work at the fastest speed permitted by both devices. If they both have TB, then TB speed and power. If only one is TB, it’ll go at USB speed over yes the same cable because…

      Lastly, any proper spec cable will negotiate the best, safest power transfer between chargers and devices. So just don’t buy complete junk, read a couple reviews, you’ll almost certainly be fine.

      • TimeSquirrel@kbin.social
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        1 year ago

        2.0 (ancient speed, used for charging only these days)

        And for uploading the firmware into nearly every small device you have that has a microcontroller with some flash memory on it. They still use TTL serial, so a USB 2.0 to TTL serial adapter is often used. It’s also still widely in use for, again, programming of things like commercial/industrial fire/burglar alarm panels.

        Often, things we consider “old” in the consumer space go on to live for decades just fine in the industrial/commercial space.

    • SpeedLimit55@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Type C is the connector which can either be power only, power and data, power data and video, or thunderbolt which is basically faster power data and video. You can’t really burn out the port with the wrong device or charger, it either won’t charge, charge slowly, or not work.

      • Name is Optional@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Thanks for answering. Is a old computer with thunderbolt 2 port able to connect thunderbolt 3 & 4 monitors or storage devices? I’m tempted to get an old thunderbolt 2 card for my computer, but don’t know if it’s really a useable port in 2023

        • SpeedLimit55@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Thunderbolt 2 can support a single 4K monitor and they still make TB2 external storage devices. Apple makes a bidirectional adapter that will allow some 3&4 devices to work with a 2 port but every device is different and most will not be officially supported. Link to adapter is https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEL2AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter

          I would not add a TB2 card to an older machine though. Just find an adapter that works with the fastest port on that machine. There are plenty of devices that work well with usb3.