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I'm a USB-C Maximalist

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Re: I'm a USB-C Maximalist

#161

Post by Gigachad »

CharlesW wrote: post #39
eigencoder wrote: post #5

I don't like USB-C because they all look the same on the outside, but they're not all the same on the inside. Especially my cheap consumer electronics. Sometimes they will charge, sometimes they won't charge, but all the cables look the same, and you don't tend to know in advance.

> I don't like USB-C because they all look the same on the outside, but they're not all the same on the inside. Many people don't realize that USB-C (USB Type-C) just refers to the physical connector. At minimum, speed and power ratings should have been r equired for any cable using USB-C at one or both ends. It's almost breathtaking to consider how the USB Implementers Forum has fumbled these kinds of basic issues o…

USB-IF actually does have pretty clear labeling and standards that address most of the issues being posted in this thread. But most USB devices and cables are not certified and not compliant with the specs.

Short of making USB proprietary and behind a licensing and certification scheme there is no way to solve this. People need to stop buying cheap junk.

Re: I'm a USB-C Maximalist

#163

Post by ValentineC »

chaosharmonic wrote: post #15

I too am a USB-C maximalist, but with a handful of differences from OP: - You lose me at "toothbrush." I don't want personal care items that have internal batteries at all , because they'll eventually die on me while the device itself (brush heads notwithstanding) is otherwise perfectly functional. I'd much rather keep rechargeable AA(A)s on hand for that kind of stuff. (I still haven't found a good electric razor fo…

> I don't want personal care items that have internal batteries at all, because they'll eventually die on me while the device itself (brush heads notwithstanding) is otherwise perfectly functional. I'd much rather keep rechargeable AA(A)s on hand for that kind of stuff.*

I thought the same, but that'll happen with devices that use AA batteries too.

I was using a cheap Panasonic EW-DJ10 water flosser that uses AA batteries, but the battery compartment contacts would corrode after some time.

I then switched to one of those China USB-C water flossers, but I think the built-in lithium battery's nearing the end of its life since it'll cut off randomly now. I also used to worry about charging it, since the USB-C port would need to be dried out before I plugged the charging cable in.

No idea what's a happy medium for electronics that need to work near water.

Re: I'm a USB-C Maximalist

#164

Post by Gigachad »

PhilipRoman wrote: post #13
eigencoder wrote: post #5

I don't like USB-C because they all look the same on the outside, but they're not all the same on the inside. Especially my cheap consumer electronics. Sometimes they will charge, sometimes they won't charge, but all the cables look the same, and you don't tend to know in advance.

Yeah I have some devices that expect the manufacturer charger (I guess it's pre-negotiated to 19V or something) and I'm not even sure what was the point in giving it a USB C connector.

>I guess it's pre-negotiated to 19V or something

This kind of defect is extremely rare since this would basically be a USB killer frying every other device you plug it in to. 99% of the time it's the device is missing some resistors on the cc pins which signal to the charger to send 5v. Since usb-c it defaults to 0v until you request something. But USB-A has no CC pins so it just puts 5v out at all times.

Re: I'm a USB-C Maximalist

#165

Post by palata »

> instead I purchased a cheap USB-C rechargeable fan

I really don't get that. Why not a handheld fan? It's cheap, doesn't require a battery, and doesn't need electronics.

I see more electronic fans than handheld fans, and I just don't get it. People like buying brittle plastic future e-waste?

Re: I'm a USB-C Maximalist

#166

Post by wegwerf17377382 »

evanjrowley wrote: post #154

I used to think of myself as one as well but that's changing as of late. Looking back 15 years or so, I remember the old ThinkPad and Dell Latitude/Precision docking stations functioned reliably for as long as I can remember. Today I have a variety of USB-C and thunderbolt 3/4 docking stations, all of which have been affected by various issues. The the manufacturers of these things don't care. The latest casualty is…

I've always been a thinkpad fan but their docks were clunky huge uncomfortable things for me.

I had a hp nc2400 that had a very nice little dock where you'd set the laptop on top of two guide poles an then slide the dock connector in from the side. A very compact design.

The thinkpad docks just always used so much space on my desk.

Re: I'm a USB-C Maximalist

#167

Post by cogman10 »

I love USB-C.

My ONLY problem with it is it's just a bit too small. That creates mechanical problems within the plug which are annoying. Plug it in and pull it out 1 too many times and eventually you get a loose connector cable that needs to be replaced.

Generally that's fine as all my chargers have replaceable cables, it's just an annoyance.

Re: I'm a USB-C Maximalist

#168

Post by Gigachad »

sudobash1 wrote: post #70
fl0ki wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Try the relatively recent Anker Prime cables, the ones that are both braided and soft. I haven't managed to break one yet, despite breaking several past Anker cables that also claimed to be durable.

I don't have a problem with USB C cables, and even if I did it wouldn't be a big deal. The cables are cheap compared to the devices they charge. It is broken USB-C ports that frustrate me about them, or ones with worn out clips.

What way are you breaking them? The two failure modes I've seen are the port getting full of pocket lint for phones (easy to fix) and the port ripping off the PCB. The second one is a design issue where some ports are entirely surface mount rather than having the grounding pins go through the pcb to anchor it on.

Re: I'm a USB-C Maximalist

#169

Post by palata »

nemomarx wrote: post #22
chaosharmonic wrote: post #15

I too am a USB-C maximalist, but with a handful of differences from OP: - You lose me at "toothbrush." I don't want personal care items that have internal batteries at all , because they'll eventually die on me while the device itself (brush heads notwithstanding) is otherwise perfectly functional. I'd much rather keep rechargeable AA(A)s on hand for that kind of stuff. (I still haven't found a good electric razor fo…

Why haven't phones just moved to have two USB ports? A slight convenience when you want to charge it in that you don't have to turn it around, you can have USB headphones and also charge, you could use more accessories...

Because physics sucks! USB ports take space, a phone is not Mary Poppins' bag :-).

Re: I'm a USB-C Maximalist

#170

Post by Gigachad »

t1234s wrote: post #103

I too jumped on board with USB-C right away. Only downside is some hardware manufacturers use sloppy fitting USB ports. This was a major issue on my Touchbar Macbook Pro. Just slightly bumping the cable would lose sync with my dock. I imagine whatever replaces USB-C in the future should fix this issue and make a more solid connection like USB-A. However USB-C could be the last wired interface as everything in the fut…

Try a different cable and make sure the ports aren't full of rubbish. A good cable and clean port makes a fairly good connection with a solid click. Lot of time I've used a sewing needle to fish incredible amounts of pocket lint out of peoples phone ports and cables connect so much better.
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