According to a new report, Apple is considering implementing the USB 3.0 standard in Macs, in addition to the highly touted but underused Thunderbolt which appeared in new Mac models this year (VR-Zone via MacRumors). The report indicates that Apple is apparently still in the consideration stage and has not yet set a timescale for the implementation of USB 3.0, if indeed it actually happens, into their devices. The report makes note of the fact that Apple has been looking at USB 3.0 host controllers priced at $2-$3 each versus Thunderbolt controllers at $10-$15.
Obviously Apple has been pushing the Thunderbolt connection standard as the replacement for USB 2 connectivity. Unfortunately, the expense associated with this new standard (Apple is selling a 2 meter Thunderbolt cable for $49 on the online Apple Store), is quite possibly resulting in a lower uptake with consumers than would be desirable. This, combined with a lack of third party Thunderbolt peripherals, doesn’t make it an attractive proposition at the moment. That’s not to say it isn’t going to become exponentially more popular as the months pass, in fact, it will likely be the gold standard of consumer data transfer for quite some time.
If Apple were to add USB 3 to their devices, then it would be a big advantage for consumers. Given that Macs currently ship with multiple USB 2 ports at the moment, it would seem like a relatively straightforward exercise to migrate the ports to the new standard, especially given that they are backwards compatible.
The real advantage may come with USB 3 or Thunderbolt enabled iOS devices, since that seems to be what many users utilize their USB connection for. However, the ability for users to sync their devices over a Wi-Fi network would seem to negate that need, so it’s a tricky one to call. Personally, I’d love to see USB 3 in Macs but without detailed information on the veracity of the report, it’s difficult to know how likely this is.
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