Can USB-C Be Used for Display?

The answer is yes! USB-C can be used to connect your computer to an external display. This can be really useful if you want to extend your desktop or if you need to give a presentation and don’t have an HDMI port on your laptop.

Does USB-C allow video output?

Do You Need USB-C?

When buying a PC, more and more people are thinking about whether or not it has a USB-C port. If you buy an ultrathin laptop, it will almost certainly have at least one USB-C port, putting you right into the ecosystem. If you prefer desktops, you’ll find the ports there, too. There will be at least one on the I/O panel on the side of the motherboard, and there may be more on high-end and gaming desktops. Some desktops and PC cases that you buy separately also have one on the front panel. (Desktop DIYers should know, though, that a USB-C port on the front or top of a PC case requires a USB-C header connector on the motherboard, which only newer motherboards have.)

Even if you don’t need USB-C right now, you probably will in the future. We’re just getting started with what USB-C can do, but one thing is certain: The next generation of cross-platform connectors is quickly replacing the old guard, just as the original USB standard replaced Apple Desktop Bus (ADB), FireWire, parallel, PS/2, SCSI, and serial ports on Macs and PCs. USB-C really does have just one port for everything.

How can you tell if your device has a USB-C port?

The best way to tell if your device has a USB-C port is to consult the manual or look up your model online. Additionally, if you have a USB-C cable handy, you can try plugging it into each of the ports on your device until you find a snug fit. Once you’ve located the USB-C port, it’s a good idea to label it so you can easily find it next time you need to use it.

Whether you’re looking for a way to connect your computer to an external display or want the benefits of a wired internet connection, USB-C is definitely worth considering! With its reversible connector and ever-growing list of compatible devices.

How can you tell if your device has a USB-C port

What are some of the best devices that use USB-C?

Some of the best devices that use USB-C include laptops, smartphones, and external hard drives. Laptops that use USB-C can take advantage of the fact that they can be used to connect to an external display. Additionally, USB-C can be used to charge some laptops – which can come in handy if you’re running low on battery power. Finally, many external hard drives now come with a USB-C port – making it easy to transfer files between your computer and the drive.

So, if you’re looking for a way to connect your laptop to an external display or want the benefits of a wired internet connection, USB-C is definitely worth considering! With its reversible connector and ever-growing list of compatible devices, it’s the perfect choice for anyone who wants an easy way to connect their devices.

Is Thunderbolt the Same as USB-C?

Thunderbolt, which is now in its fourth generation, is a protocol that a USB-C port can support. It may be the most useful one. Thunderbolt 4 adds support for speeds of up to 40Gbps, lower power consumption, and the ability to move up to 100 watts of power over the interface.

With a USB-C port that supports Thunderbolt, you only need one cable to power and transfer a lot of data (up to and including video data for two 60Hz 4K displays) to and from a complex device like a computer. This is something that many laptop manufacturers have jumped on quickly. Some models of Apple’s MacBook Pro have four Thunderbolt connectors, which is the most we’ve seen so far. This gives you more expansion options than you ever had with earlier USB versions.

Now, just like with DisplayPort over USB-C, not all USB-C ports support Thunderbolt. To be sure, look at the specs or documentation for a device to find out about Thunderbolt. Some devices have more than one USB-C port, but only a few of them support the Thunderbolt standard.

Can You Go From USB-C to DisplayPort?

You might think of your old USB Type-A port as just a data port for connecting drives or other devices like mice. But USB-C ports, depending on how they are set up, can do much more. When it’s made this way, one of USB-C’s features is that it can send enough power to charge the host device, like a laptop or a phone. In fact, many light laptops with USB-C ports use them as the only way to connect an AC adapter instead of a traditional barrel-style connector.

Since USB-C can send both video signals and power at the same time, you might be able to connect and power a native DisplayPort, MHL, HDMI device, or almost anything else, as long as you have the right adapter and cables. (For more on adapters, see below.) Even though audio can be sent over the USB-C interface, the 3.5mm headphone jack has not been replaced on computers as much as it has on phones and tablets.

Check the specs of any PC you want to buy, because not all USB-C ports are the same. So far, everyone we’ve seen works with USB-C to send data and power to devices that are connected (without necessarily charging the host device). But while the USB-C standard lets you connect DisplayPort and/or HDMI displays with an adapter (using the DisplayPort-over-USB protocol), not every PC maker has connected the ports to every system’s graphics hardware. Some USB-C ports on a system may be able to connect to a video-out port, while others may not be able to or none may be able to. And some devices, like Macs, add extra layers of security or other requirements to connect USB-C peripherals. Starting with macOS 13 Ventura, the user will have to approve the connection before the accessory can talk. It’s important to look at the details.

Is there such a thing as a USB-C hub?

Electrically, USB-C is the same as older USB 3.0 ports. But because of the shape of the newer port, you will need adapters or cables with the right plugs to connect anything that isn’t shaped like a USB-C oval.

Sometimes these come with a new laptop, but sometimes you’ll have to buy them separately. Apple, for example, sells a variety of USB cables and adapters that let you connect USB-C to other technologies like Lightning or Ethernet. You can also find these for PCs if you look at online stores. Some even support older or more obscure protocols, so you can be sure that a device from years ago will still work with hardware from today. For example, it’s easy to find adapters that go from USB-C to DVI, but we’ve also seen some that split into two RS-232 serial connections.

The good news is that if you buy a couple of standard USB-C cables, they will work with any USB-C device, no matter what generation it is. But keep in mind that this doesn’t apply to Thunderbolt. Even though Thunderbolt 3 and 4 use USB-C connectors, you’ll need a Thunderbolt-specific cable to make sure everything works and at full speed. Both ends of this cable will have a USB-C connector with a lightning symbol. It will also cost a lot more than a regular USB-C. Again, our Thunderbolt 4 introduction has more information about cable problems.

The Best USB and USB-C Hubs

If you have a lot of devices to connect and not enough ports, or if you’re working with Thunderbolt and need extra bandwidth for an external display or other devices, then you’ll want to look at a USB hub. These can be as simple as a box with more USB-C ports on it, or they can come with features like card readers, Ethernet jacks, and wireless charging.

Some of the best USB-C hubs we’ve tested recently include:

The Anker PowerExpand Elite 13-in-two Thunderbolt Dock has a lot of ports, can charge a laptop over Thunderbolt, and can output two displays simultaneously. It’s pricey, but it’s the best all-in-one Thunderbolt dock we’ve tested.
The HyperDrive Slimhub is more affordable and can also daisy-chain other devices over Thunderbolt, but it can’t charge a laptop and can output to only one display at a time.
The Anker PowerExpand+ is a great option. If you need extra USB ports, there are seven USB-A ports (including one that can charge devices at up to 15 watts) and three USB-C ports.

Please note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I receive a commission if you make a purchase. Affiliate relationships do not influence my recommendations or the content I provide, as noted on my Disclosure page. I only recommend products that I believe will be of value to my readers and subscribers. Thank you for your support! USB-C is the latest and greatest connector technology, but it can be confusing to know what it is and how you can use it. This quick guide will tell you

Conclusion

So far, we’ve seen that USB-C can be used for charging and data transfer, but what about using it for display? Can you use a USB-C cable to connect your computer to an external monitor? The answer is yes, you can use a USB-C cable to connect your computer to an external monitor. In fact, many new laptops are coming equipped with both a USB-C port and an HDMI port so that you can easily connect to an external display. If you have a laptop or desktop with a USB-C port and want to connect it to an external monitor, all you need is a compatible cable.