5 ms·

When I've thought about connecting all my devices (laptop, cellphone, Nintendo Switch) and then researching a bit about it, I've deleted that thought out of fea

by rsoto 6y ago

When I've thought about connecting all my devices (laptop, cellphone, Nintendo Switch) and then researching a bit about it, I've deleted that thought out of fear. USB-C is a total mess, I might burn my phone if the voltage is higher than required. The only thing I know is that my laptop won't be affected because I've plugged it into the phone charger just a couple of times by mistake. Also, beware of the Nintendo Switch, it seems that the charger spec was modified a bit by Nintendo and you might damage your console if the original parts aren't used.

TulliusCicero 6y ago
IIRC the only problem with the Switch has been third party docks. I randomly interchange like five different devices with the same cables/ports (Macbook, Switch, Pixel 3, Quest, Battery pack) and have encountered no issues so far. A huge improvement compared to what I used to have to deal with.
- taeric 6y ago
  Ironically, just before usb-c started taking over, all of my devices used the same cable for charging. Headphones, walkie talkies, portable batteries, headlight for my bike, Kindles, and my phones. All used the same cable. Was nice. Now, our phones and switches user usb-c. Everything else is still the older cables.
  - TulliusCicero 6y ago
    Yeah, micro USB was okay for that for lower power devices. The major two flaws were that it couldn’t handle bigger stuff like laptops, and the cable end itself was prone to failure (I’ve had way fewer problems with USB-C cables failing).
asciident 6y ago
Nothing personal against you, but I think you're going off misleading information. It's not helpful to say "I'm afraid [blah] might happen" when [blah] is simply not happening in any real way, as much as plugging a kitchen appliance into an electrical socket might cause it to explode. If you do a bit more research, you'll find the problem is basically gone, and you're talking about a very specific situation that required multiple manufacturer errors.
- anthonybennis 6y ago
  That's reassuring. I also thought the voltage issue was still a risk. I threw away my OnePlus 2 USB-C cable after reading an article about a guy that researched loads from Amazon.
teruakohatu 6y ago
> I might burn my phone if the voltage is higher than required Very unlikely. The standard might be a mess but the device signals what voltage it needs and the charger delivers. You don't need to live in fear that plugging you phone charger into your laptop is going to destroy it. Your Switch can be charged by any of your USB-C chargers. The only issue is docking, it is not related to USB-C charging.
- nicoburns 6y ago
  Assuming you trust that the negotiation is implemented correctly...
  - teruakohatu 6y ago
    If you have a hostile charger all bets are off the table, but the cheap USB-C chargers just do 5v/3A (or less current) and the USB-PD chargers all use one of a few controller chips.
  - izacus 6y ago
    > Assuming you trust that the negotiation is implemented correctly... Well, if you use a proprietary plug and charger, you need to assume the same thing. A cheap broken iPhone charger with proprietary dedicated Lightning port will fry it the same way as a cheap broken USB-C charger will fry a USB-C phone.
  - kalleboo 6y ago
    Same thing with microUSB though, Qualcomm QuickCharge chargers (for Android phones) can already fry your phone with 12 V
mschuster91 6y ago
I have a Nintendo Switch (2nd gen). It can charge from its own charger, the Pixel 3a charger with Pixel 3a USB-C cable, and the 3x USB A wall-wart from IKEA with the IKEA USB-A to USB-C cable. The Switch charger works fine with a DJI Ronin S and the Pixel 3a. Don't have any experience with laptop USB-C yet as I'm holding on to my 2015 MBP until its last breath... As for the Switch itself, the most annoying thing is that it requires an active HDMI adapter chip (there are a couple working ones on Amazon that use the same chipset as the official dock) instead of supporting HDMI/DP alternate mode.

by rsoto 6y ago

TulliusCicero 6y ago

IIRC the only problem with the Switch has been third party docks. I randomly interchange like five different devices with the same cables/ports (Macbook, Switch, Pixel 3, Quest, Battery pack) and have encountered no issues so far. A huge improvement compared to what I used to have to deal with.

taeric 6y ago
Ironically, just before usb-c started taking over, all of my devices used the same cable for charging. Headphones, walkie talkies, portable batteries, headlight for my bike, Kindles, and my phones. All used the same cable. Was nice. Now, our phones and switches user usb-c. Everything else is still the older cables.
- TulliusCicero 6y ago
  Yeah, micro USB was okay for that for lower power devices. The major two flaws were that it couldn’t handle bigger stuff like laptops, and the cable end itself was prone to failure (I’ve had way fewer problems with USB-C cables failing).

asciident 6y ago

Nothing personal against you, but I think you're going off misleading information. It's not helpful to say "I'm afraid [blah] might happen" when [blah] is simply not happening in any real way, as much as plugging a kitchen appliance into an electrical socket might cause it to explode. If you do a bit more research, you'll find the problem is basically gone, and you're talking about a very specific situation that required multiple manufacturer errors.

anthonybennis 6y ago
That's reassuring. I also thought the voltage issue was still a risk. I threw away my OnePlus 2 USB-C cable after reading an article about a guy that researched loads from Amazon.

teruakohatu 6y ago

> I might burn my phone if the voltage is higher than required Very unlikely. The standard might be a mess but the device signals what voltage it needs and the charger delivers. You don't need to live in fear that plugging you phone charger into your laptop is going to destroy it. Your Switch can be charged by any of your USB-C chargers. The only issue is docking, it is not related to USB-C charging.

nicoburns 6y ago
Assuming you trust that the negotiation is implemented correctly...
- teruakohatu 6y ago
  If you have a hostile charger all bets are off the table, but the cheap USB-C chargers just do 5v/3A (or less current) and the USB-PD chargers all use one of a few controller chips.
- izacus 6y ago
  > Assuming you trust that the negotiation is implemented correctly... Well, if you use a proprietary plug and charger, you need to assume the same thing. A cheap broken iPhone charger with proprietary dedicated Lightning port will fry it the same way as a cheap broken USB-C charger will fry a USB-C phone.
- kalleboo 6y ago
  Same thing with microUSB though, Qualcomm QuickCharge chargers (for Android phones) can already fry your phone with 12 V

mschuster91 6y ago

I have a Nintendo Switch (2nd gen). It can charge from its own charger, the Pixel 3a charger with Pixel 3a USB-C cable, and the 3x USB A wall-wart from IKEA with the IKEA USB-A to USB-C cable. The Switch charger works fine with a DJI Ronin S and the Pixel 3a. Don't have any experience with laptop USB-C yet as I'm holding on to my 2015 MBP until its last breath... As for the Switch itself, the most annoying thing is that it requires an active HDMI adapter chip (there are a couple working ones on Amazon that use the same chipset as the official dock) instead of supporting HDMI/DP alternate mode.