this post was submitted on 22 Aug 2023
19 points (70.2% liked)

Linux

48074 readers
1413 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
 

So I'm struggling to understand all the different types of usb standards like 2.0, 3.1, 3.2, 4.0, etc. I am interested in only USB c to USB c. I've read about higher data transfer speeds? I'm confused by what that actually means. Is that like transferring files from your laptop to an external drive? Basically sending files between devices in the network? I've read you can get 8k video resolution? I have no need for that.I just don't quite know what is best for me.

I have a dell xps 13 9310 laptop and the only two ports on the laptop are usb c. I've had major connectivity issues after the years of wear and tear. I just had a shop replace one port, so the major plan is to get a docking station with pass through charging capabilities.

But for now, I feel so foolish I don't even know what standard or protocol cables I need. Since all of the fancy features like video display don't appeal to me and I never do file transfers via usb, does that mean all I need is simple usb 2.0 cables for power delivery? Do the newer 3 series standards provide more power and or helpful features? What is the best sort of cable to link my main device, my laptop, to a docking station? I need to start there to reduce wear and tear on the new usb c ports on my laptop.

Any pointers would be great, thanks I RUN LINUX BTW SO THATS WHY I POSTED HERE lol

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] borzthewolf 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Thanks a lot! So to be clear, the cable that links my laptop to a dock isn't as important as I'm thinking it may be? Or are you saying I'd be best off investing in a nice thunderbolt 4?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It is only important when you want to connect displays to the dock, if that is not your use case, any travel dock for 40 bucks will do :)

[–] borzthewolf 2 points 1 year ago

Man I get stingy and always have to go for the nicer products, even if I dont need them lol I've been eyeing thinkpad, dell, anker, and pluggable docks mostly. There's a brand called wavlink too that has great deals but can seem to find much info on them