Knowing what to expect is not easy when you find yourself in front of a PC's USB-C port. The universal connector is capable of many miracles: fast data transfer, high-speed charging, support for multiple displays, Thunderbolt compatibility... But you still need to find not only the right PC equipped with the right card, but also the cable strong enough to support all these features.
USB-C ports that simply work
Microsoft admits the problem, which is not really its responsibility in the end since the standard is managed by the USB Forums; but ultimately, it is the publisher and Windows 11 that users are calling to account. Microsoft found that 27% of PCs with USB4 ports displayed notifications of limited functions: slow charging or data transfer, no external display, etc.
USB4 is the latest generation of the USB standard that works exclusively on USB-C connectors and can reach speeds of up to 80 Gbps (120 Gbps for displays). It allows for the simultaneous transmission of data, power up to 240W, DisplayPort signals for displays, and PCIe for peripherals such as external GPUs, all through a single cable.
To solve the USB-C conundrum, Microsoft has strengthened its Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP). The idea is to establish mandatory minimum requirements for USB-C ports on PCs running Windows 11.
Manufacturers meeting the WHCP criteria will be required to integrate USB-C ports capable of charging the computer's battery, transferring data, and displaying on an external screen via DisplayPort Alt-Mode. And this is regardless of the speed of the machine's USB-C ports.
WHCP PCs that support 40Gbps USB ports will add full compatibility with USB4 and Thunderbolt 3 devices. They will also provide at least 15W of power (7.5W for tablets), and will provide external display up to two 4K monitors at 60Hz.
All of this is well and good, and above all useful. But you'll still have to be patient because PC manufacturers won't achieve WHCP compliance for "the next few years," Microsoft warns.
Source: Microsoft
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