I'm a USB-C Maximalist • Hacker News Board

Re: I'm a USB-C Maximalist

#421

Post by Y-bar » Wed, Jul 15, 2026, 1:02 PM UTC

jlokier wrote: post #417

Y-bar wrote: post #410

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You might or might not be very surprised to learn they recently abandoned the C7/C8 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/02/apple-140w-power-adapte... Even the MacRumors commenters who are generally cheerleaders are scratching their heads about this one. And so do I.

Unless, as purplefox speculates: > My guess is that's a fake one. I've seen fake Apple chargers in local shops recently, with complete Apple packaging, "made by Apple in California" etc. and only detectable by close inspection of the details, specs not matching any Apple product, device info reported electronically that doesn't match any Apple specs, and the tiny inset writing not making sense when looked at under ma…

There is a detailed teardown here: https://www.chargerlab.com/teardown-of-apple-140w-usb-c-powe...

And a discussion here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/256262949?sortBy=rank

And you will notice that the regular power adapter cable is not compatible with the new 140W charger: https://www.apple.com/au/shop/product/mw2n3x/a/power-adapter...

Re: I'm a USB-C Maximalist

#422

Post by mastercheif » Wed, Jul 15, 2026, 1:04 PM UTC

klempner wrote: post #306

philistine wrote: post #285

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Those two resistors cost money. It's not incompetence. It's a deliberate choice.

One of my theories is that there is a deliberate choice happening by people who don't realize it is as simple as a couple of resistors and think they need some fancy PD negotiation chip. Even over on r/usbchardware it is super common for people to conflate "PD" with this missing resistor issue. Part of the confusion is that the devices that people want to charge with are very likely to be PD power supplies.

It's because they take PCBs spec'ed for micro-usb and just replace the port with USB-C.

Re: I'm a USB-C Maximalist

#423

Post by pixelesque » Wed, Jul 15, 2026, 1:08 PM UTC

TomWhitwell wrote: post #412

pixelesque wrote: post #387

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Out of interest, is that all that's required for the power negotiation handshake? I would have expected more complexity?

Just two resistors to say ‘I am a device, give me 5V’ - you only need more negotiation = a chip - to get more than 5V

Thanks!

Re: I'm a USB-C Maximalist

#424

Post by BoppreH » Wed, Jul 15, 2026, 1:20 PM UTC

hokkos wrote: post #185

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…

An electric toothbrush can never break: it can only become a toothbrush. You should never see an “Electric Toothbrush Temporarily Out of Order” sign, just “Electric Toothbrush Temporarily Manual.” Sorry for the exercise.

Generally true, but don't forget that some people are disabled and absolutely need the electric functions. "Escalator temporarily stairs" is funny until your foot is in a cast.

Same goes for those seemingly-useless, single-purpose kitchen devices. You're just probably not in the target audience.

Re: I'm a USB-C Maximalist

#425

Post by lynnesbian » Wed, Jul 15, 2026, 1:22 PM UTC

embedding-shape wrote: post #207

DimmieMan wrote: post #198

Earlier quoted context omitted.

HDMI and display port are in a similar boat. Putting the spec on the connector would be so much help. Even purchasing them is a nightmare these days because everything says ultra super duper fast supreme and then the fine print says it's actually just 3.0 (or doesn't say at all sometimes on online storefronts). Multiple time's I've found myself in the store flipping around the box like a rubics cube trying to find th…

> HDMI and display port are in a similar boat. Putting the spec on the connector would be so much help. What if we just have different connectors for different specs? Then you'd know what supports what by what fits into the connection in the first place.

There's no good reason to prevent anyone from using (say) a 1080p HDMI cable to connect a 1080p device to a 4K television, or using a 4K cable to connect a 4K device to a 1080p television.

Re: I'm a USB-C Maximalist

#426

Post by threetonesun » Wed, Jul 15, 2026, 1:24 PM UTC

bArray wrote: post #405

I've done a decent amount of traveling - honestly the most important thing has always just been to have stuff that works. Charging things has rarely been an issue. A few extra cables in the luggage is not a big deal. Terrence's issue here is that he is over complicating things: - Toothbrush - Just take a non-battery toothbrush, it's perfectly fine and will not break down or need charging. - Tracker - I'm doubtful you…

+1 on the toothbrush. It's how I use up all the non-electric toothbrushes I get at the dentist (who always tells me to use an electric toothbrush).

The only thing that perpetually annoys me for charging is the Apple Watch, which requires the dumb little puck charger and doesn't have enough battery life to make it even one extra day without being charged. I wish it had gotten the inelegant "flip it over a shove a cable in" like the Magic Mouse did.

Re: I'm a USB-C Maximalist

#427

Post by rwky » Wed, Jul 15, 2026, 1:31 PM UTC

cgyvbunji wrote: post #11

> What are the chances that I could find the exact charger needed for a GameBoy Colour? Your chance is 100% because the charger for GBC is 2 AA batteries ;)

I still prefer to buy things that use AA batteries than in built rechargeable ones. Li batteries are almost always the first thing to go.

Re: I'm a USB-C Maximalist

#428

Post by qrobit » Wed, Jul 15, 2026, 2:00 PM UTC

pzmarzly wrote: post #235

hereme888 wrote: post #188

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wasn't there a push at some point to enforce some sort of spec labeling for USB-C cables? Or was that a fantasy in my head?

That's what Thunderbolt 4 and 5 cables essentially are - USB-C cables with guarantees on speeds and PD power.

Arguably PCIe lanes the thunderbolt exposes are a differentiating factor, not the maxed-out specs that "plain" usb-c cables can have. Although to be fair, I've never used the PCIe lanes on thunderbolt ports.

Re: I'm a USB-C Maximalist

#429

Post by Grombobulous » Wed, Jul 15, 2026, 2:12 PM UTC

jbverschoor wrote: post #372

Grombobulous wrote: post #257

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've never experienced them breaking that quickly, but it's worth pointing out that the cheap models are far inferior. The motors are weaker and they even come with a worse charger that doesn't come with a normal wall outlet plug. I don't like USB-C for toothbrushes to charge because there's water in the bathroom. The proprietary inductive charger/stand that comes with Sonicare/Oral-B electric toothbrushes are ideal.…

I've had the topline ones fail on me three times after a couple of years. Now on a base model, and works just as fine. The old charging glass isn't compatible with newer ones, so I have a couple of those laying around as junk. All the travel cases used micro usb-a, which is super inconvenient. So no "ecosystem" buy-in into any Philips line from me anymore. They have a very bad product lines anyway.. Super complex, to…

The way I think about these is that, yeah, it's unfortunate that these are not the best products on the market as a product category, and they cost more than they really should.

Of course, another way to think about it is that the most expensive preventative care is better than the cheapest corrective care.

I don't really consider these an "ecosystem" like tech. An ecosystem implies there's a big cost in both time and money to switching to something else.

In my case, I'm either going to buy Sonicare or Oral-B because those are the options with bulk refills Costco. There are brands out there that are cheaper, but not by much. If they break, I buy another one. Such is life.

Of course, you can clean your teeth just as well with a cheap toothbrush and a much less expensive budget if you are diligent and thorough with your brushing. Flossing is also more important, anyway.

But I'm not messing around with my teeth: if my dentist recommends an electric toothbrush, I'm buying one.

This subject also reminds me of the razor blade market. A whole lot of "disruption" has taken place over the years with online shaver brands supposedly offering "the same" product as incumbents like Gillette.

But if you shave your head bald you'll know that a Harry's razor is really inferior compared to a Gillette razor. Sometimes the overpriced brand names are simply the best options on the market, even if they have been cost-cut or are otherwise "not what they used to be," and I feel similarly about Sonicare. I could buy some off-brand electric toothbrush and maybe it's 70-90% as good, but that juice isn't worth the squeeze.

Re: I'm a USB-C Maximalist

#430

Post by rootusrootus » Wed, Jul 15, 2026, 2:26 PM UTC

zamadatix wrote: post #278

rootusrootus wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've seen 1000W (or so they claim) 10 port USB-C chargers on Amazon. Not Anker, just a no name Chinese brand I am not going to trust. But they do seem to exist. Like the sibling comment says, I assume it's because people expect USB-C charging capabilities to be a lot higher.

Do you believe the 16 TB uSD cards from no name Chinese brands on Amazon as well? If so, I have a bridge to sell - limited time offer! 500W (with 1 port being true 240 W) is the highest legitimate one I've run across - and I search often for real alternatives to buy. Even bulky GaN PC PSUs selling for $500 can't exceed 700W without assisted cooling due to efficiency->heat reasons.

> Do you believe

I will just quote myself to answer that.

> or so they claim

> a no name Chinese brand I am not going to trust