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You can get the same from other kinds of USB-C docks, not just proprietary Microsoft. Griffin makes magnetic USB-C cable if that's what you are looking for and

by ropiku 9y ago

You can get the same from other kinds of USB-C docks, not just proprietary Microsoft. Griffin makes magnetic USB-C cable if that's what you are looking for and possibly other producers will start.

Eridrus 9y ago
Why are the default cables that come with laptops not magnetic cables? Are the Griffin-style magnetic cables just crap? It seems like a usability regression for no great reason.
- xattt 9y ago
  I'd say signal loss is a sigificant factor in magnetic solutions given the speed of the protocol. USB-C and Thunderbolt provide metal "envelopes" over the connector when they are inserted. Magnetic connectors cannot do this to facilitate quick removal.
nailer 9y ago
The Griffin magnetic USB C cables are just USB C -> proprietary magnetic connector -> USB C. See https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61M0YzqUbOL._SX450_.jpg https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61M0YzqUbOL... I have a proprietary magnetic connector now and I don't have a dongle sticking out of the laptop.
- cptskippy 9y ago
  That's a function of the cable and not the laptop. With MagSafe any MagSafe charger will work. With that you only get protection when you bring your Griffin Magnetic dongle with you and remember to use it.
  - nailer 9y ago
    I'm not quite sure what you're saying there, or what you think I said. Both the laptop and the cable are required to support the surface connector, which is better than USB C (it's magnetic) MagSafe (it's data as well as power) and the griffin thing (it's data as well as power and it doesn't stick out)
    - cptskippy 9y ago
      Sorry I miss read your comment. I thought you were referring to the Griffin connector as not sticking out.
zyx321 9y ago
From the Griffin website: >Please note that BreakSafe is for charging power only; data and video are not supported. So you're paying $40 for a non-standard USB cable that'll confuse the hell out of less-technically-inclined users. Also, non-Thunderbolt "USB-C" docks won't do anything that USB 3.0 A docks don't. I've seen people run Gbit Ethernet + HDMI out + HDD from a single USB 3.0 port with no problems.
- AlphaWeaver 9y ago
  USB 3.0 docks do not have the bandwidth necessary to run an external graphics card. USB 3.1 / Thunderbolt 3 does.

by ropiku 9y ago

You can get the same from other kinds of USB-C docks, not just proprietary Microsoft. Griffin makes magnetic USB-C cable if that's what you are looking for and possibly other producers will start.

Eridrus 9y ago

Why are the default cables that come with laptops not magnetic cables? Are the Griffin-style magnetic cables just crap? It seems like a usability regression for no great reason.

xattt 9y ago
I'd say signal loss is a sigificant factor in magnetic solutions given the speed of the protocol. USB-C and Thunderbolt provide metal "envelopes" over the connector when they are inserted. Magnetic connectors cannot do this to facilitate quick removal.

nailer 9y ago

The Griffin magnetic USB C cables are just USB C -> proprietary magnetic connector -> USB C. See https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61M0YzqUbOL._SX450_.jpg https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61M0YzqUbOL... I have a proprietary magnetic connector now and I don't have a dongle sticking out of the laptop.

cptskippy 9y ago
That's a function of the cable and not the laptop. With MagSafe any MagSafe charger will work. With that you only get protection when you bring your Griffin Magnetic dongle with you and remember to use it.
- nailer 9y ago
  I'm not quite sure what you're saying there, or what you think I said. Both the laptop and the cable are required to support the surface connector, which is better than USB C (it's magnetic) MagSafe (it's data as well as power) and the griffin thing (it's data as well as power and it doesn't stick out)
  - cptskippy 9y ago
    Sorry I miss read your comment. I thought you were referring to the Griffin connector as not sticking out.

zyx321 9y ago

From the Griffin website: >Please note that BreakSafe is for charging power only; data and video are not supported. So you're paying $40 for a non-standard USB cable that'll confuse the hell out of less-technically-inclined users. Also, non-Thunderbolt "USB-C" docks won't do anything that USB 3.0 A docks don't. I've seen people run Gbit Ethernet + HDMI out + HDD from a single USB 3.0 port with no problems.

AlphaWeaver 9y ago
USB 3.0 docks do not have the bandwidth necessary to run an external graphics card. USB 3.1 / Thunderbolt 3 does.