First Wave of USB Type C Storage Devices Hitting the Market

Written by DH Kass 1
March 31, 2015

Here comes the expected flood of USB Type-C peripherals, including storage devices, supporting what ultimately will become the new standard.

Two weeks ago, Apple (AAPL) rolled out a new, 12-inch, ultra-light, ultra-thin Macbook with a host of new features, perhaps most notably the unit’s next generation USB Type C sole data port.

A few days later, Google (GOOG) unwrapped the first Chromebooks to support the USB-C data port with two new high-end, Web-centric Chromebook Pixel notebooks.

It’s only a matter of time until a slew of USB Type C-equipped PCs show up. But until then, here comes the first wave of peripherals, including storage devices, supporting what ultimately will become the new standard.

ComputerWorld has compiled a short list of peripherals and storage devices new to the market supporting the USB Type C data port. Here’s the lowdown right now:

Ahead of storage big shots Samsung, Seagate (STX), Toshiba and Western Digital (WDC), LaCie, a French external hard drive maker, is offering a Porsche Design mobile drive intended to work with the new 12-inch Macbook. The units will come with a traditional Type-A USB 3.0 port just in case but are meant for the Type C connector. Shipment is slated for next quarter in 500GB, 1TB and 2B configurations.

Emtec is offering the Duo USB-C 16GB, 32GB and 64GB flash thumb drives with both Type-C and Type-A connectors. The flash drives also will work with the USB Type-C enabled Nokia N1 tablet and Google’s new Chromebook Pixel. The Duo is expected to ship in the second quarter.

SanDisk is offering a 32GB flash drive with both USB Type-A and Type-C ports that works with PCs and Macs. The drive is slated to ship in the second half of the year.

USB-C enables reversible plug orientation, which means the cable ends can be transposed and there’s no upside or downside to the plug. And, because it delivers more power, faster, it can accommodate monitor and external hard drives. In addition, it’s bi-directional, so not only can users’ use their notebook to charge their smartphone, their charged smartphone also can recharge their notebook.

Ultimately, users can dispense with their collection of proprietary power adapters and USB cables in favor of a single Type-C USB.

In time, solution providers may find opportunities in helping businesses to rid themselves of older cables, chargers and such, in favor of aftermarket adapters that work with the new USB-C port.