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USB-C is about to go from 100W to 240W, enough to power beefier laptops

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Re: USB-C is about to go from 100W to 240W, enough to power beefier laptops

#51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

GPUs in gaming laptops use WAY more power than even the hungriest mobile CPU. Strong mobile CPUs like the Ryzen 5800H are usually in the 45W ballpark while mobile RTX 3080 class GPUs can go as far as 170W+ and that is still half of what the desktop equivalent can draw.

What's the cooling situation on such a laptop?

How much do you like your hair-dryer?

Re: USB-C is about to go from 100W to 240W, enough to power beefier laptops

#54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can't take a desktop with me on an airplane.

You can’t take a laptop with a battery larger than the 16” MacBook Pro on an airplane either! https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/13/20962380/apples-16-inch-...

Most of these gaming laptops likely don’t; they’re really not intended to be used for heavy gaming while on battery, because the battery can’t support the discharge rate needed by a high end GPU.

Re: USB-C is about to go from 100W to 240W, enough to power beefier laptops

#56
post #11

I look forward to USB 4.1a Type C.2 Phase iii.b Gen 3E and the 482646282 different cable capability combinations that all plug in and have no distinction of those capabilities whatsoever. I also look forward to all the necessary and helpful posts telling me how the identical ports on my laptop are in fact diffferent despite their identical appearance. But at least everything uses the same plug, so that’s nice.

USB-C sure turned into a mess, didn't it? So far, I only have two such devices (a cell phone and a set of headphones), and there's no problem charging either. But even there, we already have proprietary extensions (Qualcomm quick charging, for instance), and then there's Thunderbolt, and now this. I'm not enthusiastic about wading into the world of "every port looks identical but isn't" that USB-C has given us. I hav…

After only reading the headlines promising the bright future of USB-C, I am very disappointed now that I carry three USB-C in my backpack for different use-cases.

Re: USB-C is about to go from 100W to 240W, enough to power beefier laptops

#57
post #11

I look forward to USB 4.1a Type C.2 Phase iii.b Gen 3E and the 482646282 different cable capability combinations that all plug in and have no distinction of those capabilities whatsoever. I also look forward to all the necessary and helpful posts telling me how the identical ports on my laptop are in fact diffferent despite their identical appearance. But at least everything uses the same plug, so that’s nice.

We should give anyone involved in the USB-IF a test: Here are 10 different cables, you must accurately describe each of their features in detail (USB speeds, charging speeds/power delivery, video out? What version of Display Port does it support?). Make one mistake and you'll be executed. Obviously I don't advocate for that but it's damn annoying you can have one cable do so many different things and not know by look…

The issue isn't the number of things supported, it's that there are optionally-supported things. If every cable needed to support everything, and every host port needed to support every valid device type, it'd be fine. But instead you get cables that don't properly work with alternate modes, host ports that don't implement DisplayPort, etc. It's cheaper, but ridiculously frustrating.

Re: USB-C is about to go from 100W to 240W, enough to power beefier laptops

#58

That's arc welding power, 50 volts at 5 amps. I fail to see how a connector is going to last more than a few cycles under load. Also, don't use that near anything flammable.

Arc welding is typically 50-500 amps. Presumably this would be a negotiated system like USB-PD, where only a tiny amount of power is available at connection and with pins physically configured to ensure breaking connection in order you may be able to shut down the higher power before the main contacts disengage).

Inevitably power won't always be shut down first, or strands of the cords will break. It feels like we're going to have to learn the lessons of UL approved power cords on appliances all over again.

Re: USB-C is about to go from 100W to 240W, enough to power beefier laptops

#59

Plus, if you thread the cable through your hot dog, it will be warm in time for lunch. Meanwhile, Apple's M1 chip is showing us that 240 watt laptops are the problem, not the solution...

Clearly there are non-computing use-cases for 240W devices that would benefit from being charged. What about power tools, or high-end game consoles?
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