I'm a USB-C Maximalist

comments (10)

• USB-C maximalism is great for travel. I personally recommend travelling with a USB-C desktop charger, but use one that accepts a IEC C7 ("figure-8") cable. Then, travel with only the cable corresponding to your destination (or buy one when you get there). That avoids having a wall wart that might not fit in narrow spaces, or whose weight might make it fall out of older sockets.

  I wrote about it a few years ago; the post does not have affiliate links: http://jackkelly.name/blog/archives/2024/10/06/travel_tip_us...

  _jackdk_ 4h ago

• It's been a joy to not need to bring 3 chargers along when I travel.

  I think the only thing we're missing to make the USB-C experience perfect is cable labelling. It's unreasonable to make every cable perform to the max spec, but if we could standardise on some labelling or colours for cables that are charging-only, 480 mbit (usb 2 speed), 5 Gbit (usb 3 speed), 10 GB (usb 3.1 speed), 20 GB (usb 3.2 speed), plus whatever higher speeds (and I guess Thunderbolt too), then we'd be golden.

  I like the cables I have, and by know I know what cables do what, but it ain't obvious without testing.

  Telaneo 8h ago

• 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 for this purpose, though, and have actually just gone back to manual for the foreseeable future.)

  - I don't think I could live off just one charging port, but would rather just ditch USB-A entirely.

  - I'm using wired earbuds, with a standard headphone jack, but with the number of full-sized cans that are using USB-C in some way it baffles me that there aren't more or them (or any, that I've been able to find) that also support using it for audio input, so you you can play them while charging.

  chaosharmonic 14h ago

• The USB-C idea is great, but the port design is not. If you search with the keyword "USB-C" and "tugged", you'll find a lot of horror stories ranging from bent socket/connectors to fried systems.

  A few samples:

      - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11021665 (read comments)
      - https://www.quora.com/Is-it-just-me-or-are-USB-C-ports-not-actually-very-durable-or-stable
      - https://www.reddit.com/r/PSVR/comments/11mdfn8/so_this_happened_accidentally_tugged_cable_ps5/
      - https://www.reddit.com/r/daddit/comments/1s1kk4i/pro_dad_tip_if_your_kids_have_lights_or_toys_that/
  

  I really like the idea of single port all capable, but the current design of USB-C port is just not up for the task. At least you need a port design that is fail-safe, not fail-dead, to do this job.

  nirui 1h ago

• 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.

  eigencoder 14h ago

• Had it not been Braun insisting not making a USB-C shaver I wouldn't have brought a Panasonic Lamdash Pro. But also thanks to that I discover Panasonic being better shaver overall.

  The next phase I wish hotels all around the world provide USB-C Port by default with a few high power port of 60W Plus.

  ksec 1h ago

• > 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 ;)

  cgyvbunji 14h ago

• I would like the USB-C connector was more durable. I've literally never killed a USB-A connector, but enough lateral force and USB-C just breaks. I suppose it was made so small due to mobile devices, which is understandable, but came with tradeoffs.

  pluralmonad 14h ago

• I would happily be a USB-C enjoyer if manufactures stopped forgetting the stupid CC resistors meaning that you device will not charge with a C-to-C cable.

  It should be considered a defective design and recalled, I have been burned several times by this.

  vablings 14h ago

• I think my only big complaint with USB C these days is that the sockets wear out quickly.

  The charging port on my motorola phone got so loose that I frequently end up with an uncharged phone after a full night of "charging", just because the cable's own weight keeps yanking it out of the phone. The phone is not even 3 years old.

  It would be nice to get a user replaceable USB port. Meanwhile, I'm not sure if those magnetic USB cables help this situation any bit or they further damage the port.

  saidinesh5 4h ago