14 DAY TRIAL // The USB Type-C connector may be set to cause problems, since it's incompatible with current USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports. But it's bi-directional, not to mention faster, so it will definitely get adopted by all motherboard makers, just like gadget creators.
Micro-Star International has essentially kicked off the process by integrating USB Type-C ports into the design of the Z97A Gaming 6 motherboard.
The performance standard is actually USB 3.1 and allows for 10 Gbps transfers, but Type-C is the new shape of the connector.
The port is smaller than normal USB but larger than micro-USB and doesn't need to be inserted with a specific side up. Instead, it will plug easily. No longer will you have to twist it around.
It might sound trivial to talk about it like it's some insurmountable chore, but it's not just about convenience. Just trying to push the USB 3.0 or 2.0 port the wrong way in can add up over time, causing the interface to physically wear down.
In addition to USB 3.1 Type-C, the MSI Z97A Gaming 6 motherboard boasts an M.2 slot, SATA Express (SATA 12 Gbps), Killer Gigabit Ethernet, Audio Boost audio, ground-layer isolation, and an 8-phase CPU VRM, plus three PCI Express 3.0 slots (x16, x8/x4/x4 when all three are populated) and four memory slots.
When sales start (this month probably), the price will be of around $160 / €135.