/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55689319/surfaceconnectorusbc.0.jpg)
Microsoft is creating a Surface USB-C dongle for existing devices, but the software giant also appears to be preparing a USB-C Surface connector for its future laptops and tablets. In a patent filing, spotted by MSPoweruser, Microsoft reveals it’s working on a version of its Surface connector port that will work with existing USB-C devices.
The patent, filed by Surface designer Jan Raken, describes a solution that will maintain Microsoft’s magnetic connector for power, while keeping the port on the device USB-C. Unfortunately, Microsoft’s patent does say the connector will only support USB 2.0 speeds. This could render the port a little useless, especially as most USB-C implementations use USB 3.0 or USB 3.1 capabilities. However, Microsoft may have managed to implement USB 3 speeds on the Surface device port itself, and simply restrict the Surface connector to USB 2.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8844149/20170713_094902375_iOS.jpg)
Either way, most Surface users will be hoping Microsoft can combine Thunderbolt into its USB-C plans for the future. Microsoft’s Surface connector does provide the convenience of the MagSafe-like magnet connection that Apple dropped from its new MacBook Pro lineup, but transfer speeds will be a keen area of interest for future Surface devices.
Microsoft’s Surface chief, Panos Panay, explained to The Verge earlier this year that the company is taking a careful approach to USB-C for Surface. “The last thing I want is to take away the port they need today and tomorrow and the next day, to achieve a technology milestone where I then put a barrier in front of my customers,” says Panay. “A dongle or an adaptor or a cable that didn’t work because it was Thunderbolt or wasn’t Thunderbolt or I bought the wrong peripheral or I tried to charge it with my phone charger but it wasn’t enough to charge my device all day. Those are those moments.”
Loading comments...