Japanese peripherals manufacturer Elecom has made a significant leap in USB technology, becoming the first company to receive certification for USB4 2.0 cables. This new standard promises to revolutionize data transfer and power delivery capabilities for a wide range of devices.
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| Certification of USB4 20 cables highlights Elecom's innovation in USB technology |
Doubling the Speed, Boosting the Power
The USB4 2.0 specification brings two major improvements over its predecessor:
- Blazing Fast Data Transfer : With speeds up to 80Gbps, USB4 2.0 doubles the maximum throughput of the current USB4 standard (40Gbps).
- Massive Power Delivery : The new cables can deliver up to 240W of power, a substantial increase that could potentially charge even high-performance laptops.
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| The new USB4 20 cables promise double the speed and increased power delivery capabilities |
Two Variants for Different Needs
Elecom is introducing two types of USB4 2.0 cables:
- A standard version offering 80Gbps data transfer and 60W power delivery
- A high-power version maintaining 80Gbps speeds but capable of delivering up to 240W (48V/5A)
Enhanced Display Support
USB4 2.0 cables will support DisplayPort passthrough, enabling video output at resolutions up to 8K at 60Hz (7680 x 4320 pixels).
Availability and Future Adoption
- Elecom plans to launch these cables in mid-December, initially in Japan.
- Wider availability and adoption by other manufacturers remain unclear.
- The USB-IF (USB Implementers Forum) is expected to officially launch the USB4 2.0 standard in December 2024.
Challenges for Widespread Implementation
While the cables are arriving soon, adoption of USB4 2.0 ports by hardware manufacturers may take longer:
- No currently available motherboards offer native support for USB4 2.0.
- Full implementation requires PCI-Express 5.0 x4 bus connections, necessitating next-generation hardware.
Microsoft Preparing for the Future
Microsoft has already begun testing USB4 2.0 support in Windows 11 Insider Preview builds, paving the way for future compatibility.
Backward Compatibility
USB4 2.0 maintains backward compatibility with previous USB versions, including USB4 Version 1.0, USB 3.2, USB 2.0, and Thunderbolt 3.
As the first certified USB4 2.0 cables hit the market, we're witnessing the dawn of a new era in connectivity. While it may take some time for devices to fully support this standard, the promise of lightning-fast data transfers and powerful charging capabilities is an exciting glimpse into the future of consumer technology.