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Why aren't motherboards mostly USB-C by now? (2021)

philip.greenspun.com

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Re: Why aren't motherboards mostly USB-C by now? (2021)

#41

Post by dangus »

aslilac wrote: post #3

calling USB A “legacy” and a “relic” is so misplaced. we all still own USB A devices. I challenge the author to go find a wired keyboard or mouse that comes with a USB C plug. it’s possible, but not easy. the thing is, we could just have both! this isn’t some winner/loser scenario. the real question should be why these computers with enough bandwidth for 11+ connectors don’t at least split the difference with 6/5 of…

On the other hand, the introduction of USB-C will reach its 10 year anniversary in just a couple of years.

If this were 2008 you would definitely call a parallel port, a 56k modem, or a floppy drive a relic even though you probably used one in 1998.

Re: Why aren't motherboards mostly USB-C by now? (2021)

#42

Post by gweinberg »

jacquesm wrote: post #31
korginator wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

USB-C is simply more convenient to use, and you get it right 100% of the time, instead of your orientation being wrong 50% of the time with USB-A.

If you get it wrong 50% of the time let me substantially reduce that for you: logo goes 'up' for whatever the normal orientation of your device is. That should clear up 99% of the cases.

More like 55%. The usb ports on the bac of my machine are sideways, and the one on the top is backwards-ass wrong from what I would expect.

Re: Why aren't motherboards mostly USB-C by now? (2021)

#43

Post by jacquesm »

gweinberg wrote: post #42
jacquesm wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you get it wrong 50% of the time let me substantially reduce that for you: logo goes 'up' for whatever the normal orientation of your device is. That should clear up 99% of the cases.

More like 55%. The usb ports on the bac of my machine are sideways, and the one on the top is backwards-ass wrong from what I would expect.

Eww that's weird, ok in your case you are out of luck. That's pretty strange though, I have a ton of USB-A devices here and they are all in line with the way I outlined. So that's a bit of a surprise but it may well be an exception.

As for the ones that are sideways: the 'bottom' of the case is the bottom of the motherboard, so if you think of it that way it might still work for all but the top side ones.

Re: Why aren't motherboards mostly USB-C by now? (2021)

#44

Post by aslilac »

fnordpiglet wrote: post #9
aslilac wrote: post #3

calling USB A “legacy” and a “relic” is so misplaced. we all still own USB A devices. I challenge the author to go find a wired keyboard or mouse that comes with a USB C plug. it’s possible, but not easy. the thing is, we could just have both! this isn’t some winner/loser scenario. the real question should be why these computers with enough bandwidth for 11+ connectors don’t at least split the difference with 6/5 of…

Almost every device I’ve bought in 2023 is usb-c now, even low end stuff, and keyboards and mice. By 2025 I’d expect it’ll be rare and unusual to see a micro port on any new device. USB A is definitely legacy.

going off of you saying “micro port” I think you’re talking about USB B.

Re: Why aren't motherboards mostly USB-C by now? (2021)

#45

Post by anonymouskimmer »

> Wouldn’t it make more sense for all of the USB ports on a new PC to be USB-C and then use adapters for legacy components?

It's annoying enough swapping wireless mouse adapter and keyboard plugs between my personal computer and my work computers multiple times per hour without also plugging and unplugging adapters.

Bluetooth would be even worse. But that raises the question that maybe we aren't getting a lot of USB-C ports because wireless is expected to leapfrog it to some extent?

Re: Why aren't motherboards mostly USB-C by now? (2021)

#46

Post by xobs »

kevin_thibedeau wrote: post #16
p1mrx wrote: post #8

USB-C was designed for highly-integrated mobile devices. Motherboard vendors don't want to deal with power delivery and DisplayPort, and users will be confused when that stuff doesn't work. When a USB-C port is out in space, rather than flat on a desk, C-to-A adapters create a lever arm that increases the risk of damage. Though this can be solved by using adapters with ~100mm of wire in the middle.

Power Delivery was an addendum to USB 2. It is specified for USB-A ports.

I haven't ever seen a controller that does the BPSK modulation required for A ports. I suspect the standard was defined, but everyone just decided to do signalling over the CC pins on USB-C and ignore the USB-A standard.

If you know of any controllers that implement the spec, I'm very interested in knowing part numbers! If for no other reason than as a historical curiosity.

Re: Why aren't motherboards mostly USB-C by now? (2021)

#47

Post by gautamcgoel »

I might be the minority here but I prefer USB-A. The connector feels more robust and I don't worry about damaging it. My keyboard, mouse, webcam, flash drives, etc. all use USB-A. A disadvantage of USB-C is that lint can get in the port and prevent a proper connection (this happens on my phone all the time). I believe that USB-A will be with us for a long time; the wisest thing at this point is to make sure that the latest USB protocols are supported over both physical ports. This was you can use USB-C on devices where small size is a priority (such as smartphones) and USB-A on devices where backwards compatibility/physical ruggedness are priorities.

Re: Why aren't motherboards mostly USB-C by now? (2021)

#48

Post by anonymouskimmer »

dangus wrote: post #41
aslilac wrote: post #3

calling USB A “legacy” and a “relic” is so misplaced. we all still own USB A devices. I challenge the author to go find a wired keyboard or mouse that comes with a USB C plug. it’s possible, but not easy. the thing is, we could just have both! this isn’t some winner/loser scenario. the real question should be why these computers with enough bandwidth for 11+ connectors don’t at least split the difference with 6/5 of…

On the other hand, the introduction of USB-C will reach its 10 year anniversary in just a couple of years. If this were 2008 you would definitely call a parallel port, a 56k modem, or a floppy drive a relic even though you probably used one in 1998.

My 1996 $2000 Packard Bell was effectively unusable by 2003 or so. My 2003 or so upgraded machine couldn't play Youtube videos by 2012. My early 2013 $600 Lenovo laptop is still going fine today (though it helps that I don't game anymore).

Re: Why aren't motherboards mostly USB-C by now? (2021)

#49

Post by koolba »

gweinberg wrote: post #42
jacquesm wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you get it wrong 50% of the time let me substantially reduce that for you: logo goes 'up' for whatever the normal orientation of your device is. That should clear up 99% of the cases.

More like 55%. The usb ports on the bac of my machine are sideways, and the one on the top is backwards-ass wrong from what I would expect.

We live in a right handed universe so even sideways has a correct answer.

Re: Why aren't motherboards mostly USB-C by now? (2021)

#50

Post by cassianoleal »

aslilac wrote: post #44
fnordpiglet wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Almost every device I’ve bought in 2023 is usb-c now, even low end stuff, and keyboards and mice. By 2025 I’d expect it’ll be rare and unusual to see a micro port on any new device. USB A is definitely legacy.

going off of you saying “micro port” I think you’re talking about USB B.

More likely they mean micro-USB. USB-B is anything but micro.
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