USB 3.0: What You Need To Know

USB 3.0 cables will be as thick as an ethernet cable? That doesn't sound very appealing at all.

Appealing? the extra width is for the extra wires for bi-directional, else it won't be that thick. No offense but for a faster and better features, what's there to be appealed for... i wonder...

Thick cables means it won't be as flexible.

My only problem would be the cost of these cables..... As it is, USB cables are overpriced :S

he new standard is physically and functionally backwards compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1, and can support devices complying with older specifications. Plug in your old device and it also can work (at the older speed). But if plug a USB 3.0 device into a USB 2.0 interface, it will ran at a slower speed.

Since USB 3.0 is downward compatible, why are manufacturers adding USB 2.0 inputs to their USB 3.0 equiped computers ? It just makes no sens !
USB 3.0 input can read any other USB input !

Motherboard manufacturers being cheap. I think Intel having devised their own standard (light/copper peak) have not included a USB 3.0 controller in their latest chipsets. This leaves it up to the motherboard manufacturers to add a 3rd party USB 3.0 Controller onto the motherboard. The intel chipset will still have USB 2.0 controller in it, so they connect that up and the ports for the 3rd party controller. Probably a controller for more ports costs more than one for just a few hence only finding a couple of ports. Not sure of the situation with the latest AM3+ AMD chipsets and whether or not those incorporate USB 3.0 controllers.

Firewire to my knowledge has some rather large security issues due to DMA. Just google Adam Boileau. Haven't heard of it getting fixed at all. Also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_1394_interface#Security_issues.

They do speed tests on External hard drives equipped with USB 3?
3 Refer a USB 3.0 HDD.

I see a few cooments in here I'm confused about?
1. DarkCobra said USB 3.0 is 3GB transfer? Searches tell me USB 3.0 promises a theoretical maximum rate of 5Gbps. If DarkCobra is right Big with 3 GB (using a big B meaning Bytes) over the stated 5 Giga bits per second that would be sweet however incorrect in both cases.
2. DarkCobra said, Light Peak Technology" (fiber optic connection wires) will more than likely replace 3.0. Huh, interesting but Dark, can you tell me how practical fiber would be to a home user? Since fiber optices cable core is made of glass and can break fairly easy i do not think this would ever replace twisted pair cable for attaching devices for the basic home user. In a corporate where wire stationary hard drives yes but for my passport never!
3. JudaZ, lol, if FireWire is better why is Apple going from Firewire to USB 3.0? 1 reason not only is USB 3.0 faster, firewire can not provide power to devices like my WD passport the needs power to run supplied through the USB, So you have fun with your left behing firewire.

I'm curious about e-sata. faster then USB 2.0 but then USB 3.0 came out and is faster than e-sata. Is e-sata going to advance or though great new tech it's in the past already?