Finalized USB 3.0 tests just months away, consumer devices set for next year

We've heard the details and watched the bits fly in person, and now representatives from Agilent Technologies Inc. are saying that test specifications for the SuperSpeediest standard ever will be fully ratified by the end of June. Sure, you probably don't care much about the internal workings of the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF for those fond of acronyms), but without tests manufacturers can't certify their devices, and with no certification that 500MBps external USB HDD of your dreams will never come to market. However, if all goes to plan and those standards fall in place before the dog days of summer begin, USB-IF members expect consumer devices should hit shelves in 2010. Better start saving.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 10th 2009 9:07AM]

Can it be?

First. (Just a formality.)

Finally all 2.0 toting devices will be rendered insufficient.

[Information Central Posted Mar 11th 2009 8:08AM]

They were insufficient from day 1, being handily beaten by FireWire 400.

USB is for keyboards, mice, and modems. Intel doesn't want you to remember that. They've pushed it where it doesn't belong and doesn't function all that well, simply to avoid admitting that FireWire was and still is the best option.

They would have been way better off creating and pushing a competent eSATA port, meaning one that SUPPLIES POWER.

The continued flogging of tired old USB is just sad at this point.

[Taai Posted Mar 10th 2009 9:08AM]

Great! I can't wait.

[Eternity Posted Mar 10th 2009 9:12AM]

Too bad apple Isn't going to support it until 2012. It would be wise for people to skip out on that new iMac. USB 2.0 is so sluggish after you are used to eSata.

[AMiSHPiRACY Posted Mar 10th 2009 9:18AM]

I'm not scheduled to update my home system until 2012. score!

[Ignacio Posted Mar 10th 2009 10:39AM]

It doesn't matter, there is a FireWire 800 port on that machine.

[looselycoupled Posted Mar 10th 2009 9:18PM]

FW800

[Information Central Posted Mar 11th 2009 8:13AM]

And yet they were in such a hurry to delete FireWire from the MacBook.

Not that USB 3 will offer a substitute, since the millions of video cameras and musical-instrument and audio interfaces that require FireWire STILL WON'T WORK.

[DustinM Posted Mar 10th 2009 9:17AM]

USB 3 + Windows 7 + SATA 3 = First new computer for me since 2003!

Now I'll just have to figure out how to pay for the darn thing...

[2late2die Posted Mar 10th 2009 9:48AM]

I'd seriously consider replacing that Windows 7 with a Linux build. Not bashing MS here, just saying. In a year's time Linux distros will be even more user friendly, and many already are. I think even for non-hardcore techies Linux is finally becoming a real alternative. (I'm not counting linux netbooks)

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 10th 2009 10:04AM]

Not to mention Core i7

[grovberg Posted Mar 10th 2009 10:57AM]

" In a year's time Linux distros will be even more user friendly, and many already are."

*Giggle.* If you keep saying it, maybe one day it will be true. Linux has been "almost ready" for closing in on a decade.


" that 500Mbps external USB HDD of your dreams"

Shouldn't that be the 5000Mbps USB HD of my dreams? 500Mbps wouldn't be much of a speed bump.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 10th 2009 5:51PM]

Lets not forget LTE.

[shhac Posted Mar 11th 2009 10:24AM]

"Shouldn't that be the 5000Mbps USB HD of my dreams? 500Mbps wouldn't be much of a speed bump."
I was thinking that. USB 2.0 is 480 Mbit/s, so 500 would not be a noticeable change. USB 3.0 should be 5.0 Gbit/s (i.e. 5000 Mbit/s)

[216 Posted Mar 10th 2009 9:39AM]

jfsaaksfj speed now

[theweeklymancast dave Posted Mar 10th 2009 9:40AM]

I'm excited....I"ll have my latest computer upgrade right before my senior year!

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 10th 2009 9:45AM]

Great, now Skynet will be able to load itself onto all of are devices at an even faster speed! Just make sure Sarah Connor stays away from that new USB hub...

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 10th 2009 9:48AM]

Now all we need is a new SATA standard...

[Ignatius Posted Mar 10th 2009 9:55AM]

They just demonstrated the 6Gbps connection, what more do you want?

[Information Central Posted Mar 11th 2009 8:20AM]

How about a port that supplies POWER?

eSATA is a pathetic failure for lacking power, especially considering its relatively recent origin. WTF?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 10th 2009 1:15PM]

Wow...can't wait to go from 480 MBps to 500 MBps. I'd pay 99 cents for that, but no more

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 10th 2009 2:34PM]

You mean 480Mb/s not MB/s. Divide that number by 8 (8bits=1byte). Then get excited for 500MB/s in USB3.0

I PITY THE FOOL WHO DOESN'T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BITS AND BYTES

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 10th 2009 4:44PM]

Everyone pointing out commenters' errors with MBps and Mbps are correct, but the point is the error in the original Engadget post. It says 500Mbps, but USB2.0 is 480Mbps and USB 3.0 promises to be 5Gbps. Thats not 500Mbps but 5,000Mbps.

[TimStevens Posted Mar 10th 2009 4:46PM]

Indeed, and it's been fixed.

[Information Central Posted Mar 11th 2009 8:18AM]

Yeah, because we all know that USB performance approaches its BS marketing claims.

That's why FireWire 400 routinely kicks ass over USB 2's 480 Mbps.

USB 3's throughput will be even more laughable in comparison to its claims.

[Hackettman Posted Mar 10th 2009 11:10AM]

Now I begin saving to update my external drives......

[MikeTV Posted Mar 10th 2009 12:17PM]

Drobo v3 with USB 3.0?

[darok3k Posted Mar 10th 2009 12:19PM]

cant wait for usb 3.0!!

[Wwhat Posted Mar 10th 2009 4:58PM]

More so than WUSB?

[KO Posted Mar 10th 2009 1:38PM]

But 90% of everything that gets sold will actually be 'USB 3.0 Full Speed' which will still be 12mbps.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 10th 2009 1:48PM]

epic fail. USB 3.0 is 4.8Gbs, not 500Mbs. That would only be a 30mbs improvement. who would want that?

[Stereotype Posted Mar 10th 2009 2:19PM]

Am I the only one that thinks that the logo (if that's what it is) is really old fashioned looking?

[glennS Posted Mar 10th 2009 2:42PM]

I was wondering that myself. It is just an engadget mock-up, or is that the real logo? It looks like a US Post Office air-mail logo.

[Wwhat Posted Mar 10th 2009 5:01PM]

One day the red-white-and-blue will become popular again, if you know what I mean.

[Garth Bock Posted Mar 10th 2009 3:27PM]

500 mbps ? I thought the promise was much higher. 2.0 does 480mbps theoretical so all we get is a better device charger ?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 10th 2009 3:42PM]

MBs do not eqal Mbs.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 10th 2009 3:43PM]

*Equal

[FNG Posted Mar 10th 2009 3:45PM]

"We've heard the details and watched the bits fly in person, and now representatives from Agilent Technologies Inc. are saying that test specifications for the SuperSpeediest standard ever will be fully ratified by the end of June."

do you guys ever proof read before you post?

[gerrrg Posted Mar 10th 2009 4:17PM]

That's 5 Gbps.

[looselycoupled Posted Mar 10th 2009 9:22PM]

Yeah, 600MB/sec is the spec but we all know it'll end up running at 30MB/sec on a good day... ;)