I am still confused about the data transfer modes supported by my Air M1's USB ports.
Which ones of these do the ports support when peripherals are directly attached to them (or if they support faster USB protocols):
USB 3.2 Gen1x2 (10 Gbps)
USB 3.2 Gen2x1 (10 Gbps)
USB4 Gen2x1 (10Gbps)
I am going to buy an external, non-Thunderbolt SSD but I don't want to buy a drive that's faster than what my laptop supports.
Thank you
Here are the official specifications as provided by Apple on this page:
https://support.apple.com/kb/SP825?locale=en_US
Charging and Expansion
Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports with support for:
Charging
DisplayPort
Thunderbolt 3 (up to 40Gb/s)
USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s)
USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10Gb/s)
Here are the official specifications as provided by Apple on this page:
https://support.apple.com/kb/SP825?locale=en_US
Charging and Expansion
Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports with support for:
Charging
DisplayPort
Thunderbolt 3 (up to 40Gb/s)
USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s)
USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10Gb/s)
Based on your answer, I assume this is the more specific answer to my particular question:
USB 3.2 Gen1x2 (10 Gbps) ❌ (it doesn't support USB 3.2 in dual-lane)
USB 3.2 Gen2x1 (10 Gbps) ✔️
USB4 Gen2x1 (10Gbps) ✔️✔️ (it even supports up to 40 Gbps)
Thank you
The powers that be at the USB Consortium have basically made a total
mess out of USB specs and a ball of confusion that you need a score card
handy to find out what is what,
And the to top it off, and to the whole ball of confusion with USB-C
and not explicitly telling the world that it os only a connector
specification.
Macbook Air M1 USB Data Transfer Mode Support
