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

pcworld.com

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

#171

Post by dec0dedab0de »

pdpi wrote: post #158
foxfluff wrote: post #147

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It got pretty simple for a while when old serial & parallel ports were phased out in favor of USB. Also VGA worked for a very long time even after DVI and HDMI appeared on the scene. (I never had as much trouble with connecting displays as I do today)

DVI was something special, though. The fun of DVI-A vs DVI-D vs DVI-I, then single vs double link.

Especially since it was an HDMI video signal anyway. I never understood why it even existed

Edit: Ahh I didn't realize DVI was first, that makes more sense. I just remembered getting a DVI motherboard, and an HDMI TV around the same time.

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

#172

Post by nikau »

IshKebab wrote: post #62
nikau wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not at all - its likely they wanted to reduce support calls from people who try and charge the laptop using mobile phone and other inappropriate chargers. I use dell, Lenovo, & apple PD chargers interchangeably without issues.

You can charge a laptop with a mobile phone charger. It just charges really really slowly (or probably not at all if you're actually using it).

Generally it has to be usb-pd and 45W or more in my experience.

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

#174

Post by y4mi »

KptMarchewa wrote: post #131
y4mi wrote: post #125

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've never seen a laptop that didn't label the thunderbolt capable ports, are you sure that wasn't just you not paying attention? Or do you honestly expect all ports to be thunderbolt capable? If so, you'd have to expect a massive increase in price for that

Does not seem to be that expensive. https://frame.work/

I'm speechless and stand corrected. $9 is incredibly cheap.

> The default card, supporting USB4, 20V/5A charging, and DisplayPort Alt Mode for connecting monitors, all on either side of the notebook.

I'm really looking forward to them finally getting more keyboard layouts, only reason why i havent bought one yet

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

#175

Post by RealStickman_ »

gumby wrote: post #51
hakfoo wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Isn't charging also complicated by some fast-charge protocols? I know the phone accessory companies are always saying things like "Supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 23.45 with Sprinkles" in addition to "18 watts". I think the cables might more or less be the same, but it's still a complex ecosystem question. I have two devices with USB-C chargers. I can make a reasonable guess that the bullion-cube sized charger provide…

> Isn't charging also complicated by some fast-charge protocols? I know the phone accessory companies are always saying things like "Supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 23.45 with Sprinkles" in addition to "18 watts". I think the cables might more or less be the same, but it's still a complex ecosystem question. Those weirdo proprietary protocols were intended to get around limitations of USB 3 charging capabilities over…

I don't think my Oneplus 3 with USB-C supports USB-PD. At least I can't find it in the specs.

It really is confusing...

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

#176

Post by logicalmonster »

ajsnigrutin wrote: post #129

I hate it how we went from simple, to simpler to totally complicated regarding computer ports. "Back in the days", it was a bunch of different ports of different sizes and shapes, and each thing had its own cable that fit into that thing only, and into only port only on the back of the pc. Yes, you needed 20 cables, but things were simple. Then came the USB... one cable, one protocol for all.... except video (firewir…

> "Back in the days", it was a bunch of different ports of different sizes and shapes, and each thing had its own cable that fit into that thing only, and into only port only on the back of the pc.

When I was a young kid just getting into computers and didn't know what the hell I was doing, I would try and connect the parts solely based on what wire fit into which hole. And amazingly, it just worked.

Today, I'm still replicating that clumsy behavior, albeit in different ways.

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

#177

Post by Ajedi32 »

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…

Assuming there's not some gotcha I'm unaware of, these new logos seem sufficiently descriptive. USB-C/Bandwidth/Power/They all support AV/They all support PD.

That solves the issue for cables/chargers anyway. Devices can still support whatever alt modes they want, and there's not really a way for the USB IF to fix that since the details of specific alt modes aren't really part of the USB spec AFAIK. That'd be up to the ones defining those particular alt modes to fix.

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

#178

Post by ziml77 »

dec0dedab0de wrote: post #171
pdpi wrote: post #158

Earlier quoted context omitted.

DVI was something special, though. The fun of DVI-A vs DVI-D vs DVI-I, then single vs double link.

Especially since it was an HDMI video signal anyway. I never understood why it even existed Edit: Ahh I didn't realize DVI was first, that makes more sense. I just remembered getting a DVI motherboard, and an HDMI TV around the same time.

That's incorrect. It was HDMI that carried a DVI signal.

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

#179

Post by PeterisP »

miohtama wrote: post #165
bradfa wrote: post #153

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I assume you'll only be able to legally use these logos on your products and packaging if you actually pay for certification. Most USB devices/charges/etc aren't certified today, I don't see this new logo scheme changing that. Certification costs money, and you might fail. No consumer really cares (or probably no consumer understands) what buying a "certified" USB thing even means. If your existing USB things don't h…

I am also wondering how can they enforce small manufactures just slapping these logos everywhere? It is unlikely the organisation is going to achieve anything by trying to sue small Chinese producers.

I believe the standard approach for misuse of such logos is to treat them as counterfeit goods (e.g. fake Gucci bags) which has an established process of seizing the goods at customs or distributor's warehouses and often destroying them. There's no need to sue the overseas producer specifically, as any distributor or retailer are also liable; and in general there's no need to sue as a cease&desist (to the local reseller within the reach of any penalty if they don't comply) is generally sufficient.

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

#180

Post by theandrewbailey »

dec0dedab0de wrote: post #171
pdpi wrote: post #158

Earlier quoted context omitted.

DVI was something special, though. The fun of DVI-A vs DVI-D vs DVI-I, then single vs double link.

Especially since it was an HDMI video signal anyway. I never understood why it even existed Edit: Ahh I didn't realize DVI was first, that makes more sense. I just remembered getting a DVI motherboard, and an HDMI TV around the same time.

DVI was first by a few years. HDMI expanded on DVI-D and added more features.
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