Apple dragged its laptop customers into the USB-C future kicking and screaming back in 2016 and most have adjusted to life with USB-C hubs and USB-C accessories by now. But for those with lots of older USB devices who don't want to live the dongle life, many new laptops still launch with traditional USB Type-A ports.
However, if a new leak from oft-reliable leaker @_rogame is accurate support for these legacy traditional USB ports may expire as Intel moves to USB 4.0 (Via TechRadar).
- Best laptops 2020
- USB-C Cable Types: Everything You Need to Know
- Best back-to-school laptop deals 2020: Save at Apple, Best Buy and more
The internal documents in question allegedly come from Intel and detail the USB 4.0 host controller with support for USB 4 and USB 3.2 specifications, but it is notably silent on support for USB 2.0 or USB 1.1, which are the specifications typically associated with USB Type-A ports.
This doesn't necessarily preclude laptop makers from building them into future laptops, but it certainly reduces the likelihood of them choosing to do so without some backward compatibility.
[Intel USB4]Intel Processor USB Controller> Device ID 0x9A1B, 0x9A1D, 0x9A13> Power Delivery 3.0, > USB Type-C> USB 40Gbps (USB4) pic.twitter.com/tCWOyxnEtHAugust 10, 2020
This shouldn't come as a shock to users; while Apple has endured quite a bit of heat for being early with its move to all USB Type-C ports on its laptops, that was almost five years ago now and the writing has been on the wall.
As the number of devices that depend on USB Type-A has dwindled, there should be less of a fuss this time around, after all, no one will argue that USB Type-C is not the superior cable and port with its reversible configuration and a wealth of new advancements coming with USB 4.0.
These documents highlighted some of the benefits, including Power Deliver 3.0 for charging devices rapidly and 40Gbps transfer speeds. These are the kind of features that should help users avoid shedding a tear for the loss of USB Type-A.
