USB-C vs USB-B: I have 3 or 4 card readers, only one is USB-C. What would happen if I plugged one of the other readers into the C slot?

Bohica Loc: SE Coast of NC

I have 3 or 4 card readers, only one is USB-C. What would happen if I plugged one of the other readers into the C slot?

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

I believe it would just load slower. I have an assortment of usb slots on my tower. I just stick stuff in whats ever available, never had a problem.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Not exactly sure to what you are referring.
B and C connectors are not the same, ergo, not compatible without an adapter.
I have a Micro-B (female) to C (male) adapter, it works well.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

Longshadow wrote:

Not exactly sure to what you are referring.
B and C connectors are not the same, ergo, not compatible without an adapter.

He prob. assumed we would know he was using an adapter, but nowadays you better be pretty specific... Just ask my wife... I am looking at 2 adapters on my desk right now... USB male to USB-C female and USB female to USB-C male. I just sent a hard drive back because it was for windows and WHY should I have to buy another cable or adapter and reformat... The WRONG one I asked for was sent.. All these cable end changes can be a bit confusing and expensive... 175 RT to Best Buy because amazon Christmas help can't get it right...

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

MrBob wrote:

He prob. assumed we would know he was using an ada... (show quote)

Yea... I have multiple cables and multiple adapters. They keep changing things and I keep stuff that works fine.
I just need some adapters for some things.

Then there is the other problem, cable function. I have a couple of cables that are charge only, no data wires. I'm going to mark the connectors on them with a dot of red nail polish.......
So glad I have a USB Cable Tester!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Bohica wrote:

I have 3 or 4 card readers, only one is USB-C. What would happen if I plugged one of the other readers into the C slot?

As note earlier, the male-end is physically different between B and C, the male-end that connects into your source device, such as phone, camera, card-reader, etc. The female end, where the cable connects to the computer, is the same. A 'B' cable will work in a C-slot, just a whole lot slower.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

CHG_CANON wrote:

As note earlier, the male-end is physically different between B and C, the male-end that connects into your source device, such as phone, camera, card-reader, etc. The female end, where the cable connects to the computer, is the same. A 'B' cable will work in a C-slot, just a whole lot slower.

"B CABLE" as in different cable characteristics, not to be confused with a "B" connector, correct?
Last I knew you can't plug a B connector into a C slot.
"Cables" I don't worry about, as long as they have FOUR wires in them, gotta match connectors though.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Longshadow wrote:

"B CABLE" as in different cable characteristics, not to be confused with a "B" connector, correct?
Last I knew you can't plug a B connector into a C slot.
"Cables" I don't worry about, as long as they have FOUR wires in them, gotta match connectors though.

I believe computers aka the 'receiver' of the connection are identified by version numbers, as in USB 1.x, USB 2.x and the current USB 3.x. The cables are labeled A / B / C based on the 'plug' format, the end of the cable that plugs into the source device, such as phones, cameras, adapters, etc. Again, one would expect a 3.x 'slot' to handle any A / B / C cable, except maybe differences in data transfer speeds, or the ability to charge the device via the USB connection.

Our OP asked about potential issues. Speed should be the only issue. I can't find -- nor recite -- some type of compatibility table that enumerates every combination and an accurate expected result.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

CHG_CANON wrote:

I believe computers i aka the 'receiver' of the c... (show quote)

Yup, cables in numbers, connectors in letters.
And I would never look for such a table, I just use the cables. Data gets transferred.
I have a million of them.
(Figuratively speaking for those readers who can't figure that out and take me literally.)

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

CHG_CANON wrote:

I believe computers i aka the 'receiver' of the c... (show quote)

We could start an AI group that could be dedicated to dealing with suggested INTERESTING subjects like constructing tables you mentioned... Wouldn't you want to be a fly on the wall in that think tank... what interesting conversation...?

User ID

Longshadow wrote:

............... I have a couple of cables that are charge only, no data wires. I'm going to mark the connectors on them with a dot of red nail polish.......

I use a few primary colors of nail polish.

(Download)

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

User ID wrote:

I use a few primary colors of nail polish.

Exactly what I do to the charge only cables. I dot them because I only have 2 or 3, but I have many data cables.
I don't dot the cameras though.

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

CHG_CANON wrote:

As note earlier, the male-end is physically different between B and C, the male-end that connects into your source device, such as phone, camera, card-reader, etc. The female end, where the cable connects to the computer, is the same. A 'B' cable will work in a C-slot, just a whole lot slower.

I know that USB C is faster, but I don’t understand why. Both connected through wire, why is one faster than the other? Thank you

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Bohica wrote:

I have 3 or 4 card readers, only one is USB-C. What would happen if I plugged one of the other readers into the C slot?

You would vaporize into thin air! Try it sometime, lots of fun.

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

davidrb wrote:

You would vaporize into thin air! Try it sometime, lots of fun.

Beam me up, Scotty!