


USB-C devices can draw significantly more power, so if you use a USB-A port to charge a USB-C device, then a non-compliant cable can draw more power than the port is designed to handle. Those were designed with a maximum current draw as part of the spec. That latter problem is specific to older MacBooks, with a USB-A port.
Usb C Adapter Book Full Transfer Speeds
Some also use SS and a 10 to indicate 10GBps, instead of SS+, like the one above.For that reason, it’s best to use the third method: look for the USB generation label, and make sure it’s USB 3.1 Gen 2, which supports 10Gbps (in contrast with USB 3.1 which is limited to 5Gbps). Just to complicate matters, you may also see USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 (with no generation suffix): these are older labels for USB 3.1 Gen 1 and Gen 2. However, not all cables use the full logo, and may not distinguish between the older SS and newer SS+ labels. Amazon Basics are another brand which adhere to the standards, and are significantly cheaper.Second, look for the SuperSpeed+ (SS+) logo. Apple is an obvious one, but buying a trustworthy brand doesn’t necessarily mean paying Apple prices for your cables. So, how do you ensure you’re buying a cable which is safe, supports data, and offers the full transfer speeds on offer? There are three methods you can use.The first, and simplest, approach is to stick to reputable brands you can trust to adhere to the standards. A compliant cable has a resistor to limit the current draw.But the data and speed problems apply equally to MacBooks with USB-C ports.
Oh, and active cables are an exception to the rule, and don’t support USB 3, so should only be used for Thunderbolt devices. But if you want to go longer distances, you’ll want an active cable.The keywords to look for here are ‘Thunderbolt 3,’ ‘Active’ and ’40Gbps.’ These cables are significantly more expensive than passive cables, so keep cable runs short if you can. A decent-quality 0.5-metre cable will support the maximum 40Gbps. If you want to use the cable with Thunderbolt accessories, you’ll want to make sure it is compatible.The wiring is the same, so you don’t necessarily need a Thunderbolt-specific cable, but with standard cable the speed will drop off over longer distances. This uses the same physical connectors as USB-C cables, but is a different – and faster – protocol. This includes the charge cables Apple supplies inside product boxes.There is, though, one last complication: Thunderbolt.
