New USB-C logos make picking USB cables, chargers less confusing

Post by [deleted] » Mon, Oct 04, 2021, 11:07 AM UTC

lozenge wrote: post #76

qwerty456127 wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> most people will have to guess, and will get the more expensive one “just in case” Good. The more full-features and the less underfeatured USB cables are bought and found around - the better for everyone. I don't buy/grab a USB cable "for the drive" I expect it to do the job every time I happen to need a USB cable. In fact I'd like a single ultimate USB-n-All logo to exist which would mean the cable is fully and re…

A 2m cable with 100W charging (the highest currently, but not for long) and video using Thunderbolt 3 is £70 inc sales tax, it's also stiffer and heavier than other cables. How many of those do you plan to just have lying around for convenience? My XPS 15 already takes more power than that so has its own charger with a physical USB C connector (but also accepts standard USB C chargers with lower wattage). The next ve…

Post by dmurray » Mon, Oct 04, 2021, 11:09 AM UTC

drstewart wrote: post #105

0x_rs wrote: post #70

This is all too confusing to me. Why isn't there a mandatory (or reference) specification string that combines all the necessary, useful information in one neat package instead of countless repetitive and easily misunderstood logos? Something like (just a basic, messy example) USB-C/ / / / / /etc. I had to buy some cables recently and really couldn't pick one nor distinguish particular features at glance, and the ite…

What's confusing about "USB C to Lightning Cable MFI Certified iPhone Cable Fast iPhone Charger Cable 20W PD 3/6/10FT Type C Charging & Syncing Data Compatible iPhone 12 Pro Max Mini 11 X XR XS 8 P iPad iPod （White)"?

Post by thermin » Mon, Oct 04, 2021, 11:11 AM UTC

mjevans wrote: post #4

Finally, a clear logo showing if a cable supports 240W. The USB 40Gbps logo is fine too. Now can we also get some logos for the other speeds: 20Gbps, 10Gbps, 5Gbps, 0.4Gbps (480Mbit). Also the other (PD 2.0+) power levels: 100W, 65W, 45W, 27W, 15W. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_hardware#USB_Power_Deliver...

Post by [deleted] » Mon, Oct 04, 2021, 11:13 AM UTC

Ginden wrote: post #56

jacquesm wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's the other way around. USB-C tries to be too many things at once and this leads to confusion. They should have either mandated that it only handles the top end of the spec at the physical level and gracefully degrades if that isn't available on either end (so at least the cable would be standard), or use physically different plugs to avoid accidental frying of equipment and things just plain not working. If the p…

> use physically different plugs to avoid accidental frying of equipment and things just plain not working. Frying equipment is not possible with properly implemented USB devices and cable - because PD requires active negotiation.

Post by chrisseaton » Mon, Oct 04, 2021, 11:21 AM UTC

dijit wrote: post #63

CameronNemo wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Honestly apple does not need those specific logos . They just need to label their cables in the first place. They could use their own trademark(s). They are big enough that tons of people trust them and will take an apple with 100W and 40G written on it at face value. Then tons of people who don't trust Apple will scrutinize their offerings heavily.

Apple only sell 1 USB-C cable officially though, and it's listed as being charge-only- I know we all see Apple cables around, but at least they only have 1 and if it differs its marked; for example they also sell a "Thunderbolt" cable, but it's marked. https://www.apple.com/ae/shop/product/MLL82ZM/A/usb-c-charge... https://www.apple.com/ae/shop/product/MQ4H2ZM/A/thunderbolt-...