3 ms·

There are cables for USB-C to VGA and HDMI, no dongle required. Ethernet, OK, I will give you that.

BiteCode_dev 5y ago
I don't see how putting a cable in my backpack is going to be better than a dongle, and I'm certainly not going to a client for the first time then complain they don't have the right cable. Not to mention the dongle supports several ports. But you know what is better than either ? The framework laptop solution of letting me configure the port I want before going to my client.
- deserted 5y ago
  Are you going to ask in advance "what type of plug should my laptop have to connect to your monitor" or bring a pocket full of ports?
morganvachon 5y ago
I would argue that a USB-C to VGA or HDMI cable is just a longer dongle. What if you take your USB-C-only laptop to a remote office to do a presentation, but your six foot USB-C to HDMI cable isn't long enough to reach the port because the projector is mounted in the ceiling and has a standard HDMI cable routed to the lectern? I'd much rather have the Framework with a HDMI port on the device than struggle with a common situation like that.
- jsjohnst 5y ago
  > What if you take your USB-C-only laptop to a remote office to do a presentation, but your six foot USB-C to HDMI cable isn't long enough to reach the port because the projector is mounted in the ceiling and has a standard HDMI cable routed to the lectern? I personally really like the idea of what Framework is doing and wish more laptops followed suit, but that is a trivially solved problem you identified: https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Connector-Extender-Chromecast-PlayStation/dp/B00A30FELW/ https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Connector-Extender-Chromecast-...
  - morganvachon 5y ago
    Of course it's trivially solved...with a dongle for your dongle! Or you could avoid dongle-ception by using a modular laptop like the Framework, or even a standard laptop with an HDMI port; even current-gen models from Dell, Lenovo, and HP still have it as an option especially on business-oriented machines. It all comes down to what your everyday requirements and tolerances allow for. But again, the "dongle" argument is moot and not really a reason to either consider or avoid the Framework, for me at least. It's more about the device being open and repairable, and arguments about dongles are just attempts to justify one's current USB-C only device.
    - deleted 5y ago
      [deleted]
    - jsjohnst 5y ago
      > It all comes down to what your everyday requirements and tolerances allow for Agree completely. For me, Apple's USB-C only ports isn't an issue as everything I use plugs in via one or two TB3 cables (depending on personal vs work laptop) and daisy chains from the monitor or a TB3 dock so no dongles needed at all, but I still appreciate the design choice Framework made and think it's a good strategy.
Ekaros 5y ago
USB-C to VGA? How is that not a dongle? Those protocols are in no way compatible...
- z3t4 5y ago
  Theoretically you could emulate the signal with software/drivers given that USB-C has 24 pins. But there's actually display standards/signals built into USB-C so you "just have to" convert the digital signal to analog for VGA, but then it's no longer a stupid cable and more like a dongle.
  - EduardoBautista 5y ago
    https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-MacBook-Supports-Resolutions-1920x1080/dp/B072DX5Z5S https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-MacBook-Supports-Resolutions... I don't understand how one USB-C to VGA cable is more inconvenient?
    - Zachsa999 5y ago
      Never have I seen a greater push against good design. The laptop ship with USBc if you didn't pick that up. YOU CAN USE YOUR USBC TO VGA CABLE IF YOU WANT. Or, if you don't want, you can grab A VGA module out of your drawer you store all your retired dongles in, slide it into your laptop, and there you have it.
      - EduardoBautista 5y ago
        This is not about using a module vs a cable. My comments refer to using a cable instead of a dongle. People make it seem as though using a dongle is the ONLY way to, for example, connect your MacBook Pro to a TV when you could just use a cable for it.
        deleted 5y ago
        [deleted]
        5y ago

I don't see how putting a cable in my backpack is going to be better than a dongle, and I'm certainly not going to a client for the first time then complain they don't have the right cable. Not to mention the dongle supports several ports. But you know what is better than either ? The framework laptop solution of letting me configure the port I want before going to my client.

deserted 5y ago
Are you going to ask in advance "what type of plug should my laptop have to connect to your monitor" or bring a pocket full of ports?

morganvachon 5y ago

I would argue that a USB-C to VGA or HDMI cable is just a longer dongle. What if you take your USB-C-only laptop to a remote office to do a presentation, but your six foot USB-C to HDMI cable isn't long enough to reach the port because the projector is mounted in the ceiling and has a standard HDMI cable routed to the lectern? I'd much rather have the Framework with a HDMI port on the device than struggle with a common situation like that.

jsjohnst 5y ago
> What if you take your USB-C-only laptop to a remote office to do a presentation, but your six foot USB-C to HDMI cable isn't long enough to reach the port because the projector is mounted in the ceiling and has a standard HDMI cable routed to the lectern? I personally really like the idea of what Framework is doing and wish more laptops followed suit, but that is a trivially solved problem you identified: https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Connector-Extender-Chromecast-PlayStation/dp/B00A30FELW/ https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Connector-Extender-Chromecast-...
- morganvachon 5y ago
  Of course it's trivially solved...with a dongle for your dongle! Or you could avoid dongle-ception by using a modular laptop like the Framework, or even a standard laptop with an HDMI port; even current-gen models from Dell, Lenovo, and HP still have it as an option especially on business-oriented machines. It all comes down to what your everyday requirements and tolerances allow for. But again, the "dongle" argument is moot and not really a reason to either consider or avoid the Framework, for me at least. It's more about the device being open and repairable, and arguments about dongles are just attempts to justify one's current USB-C only device.
  - deleted 5y ago
    [deleted]
  - jsjohnst 5y ago
    > It all comes down to what your everyday requirements and tolerances allow for Agree completely. For me, Apple's USB-C only ports isn't an issue as everything I use plugs in via one or two TB3 cables (depending on personal vs work laptop) and daisy chains from the monitor or a TB3 dock so no dongles needed at all, but I still appreciate the design choice Framework made and think it's a good strategy.

Ekaros 5y ago

USB-C to VGA? How is that not a dongle? Those protocols are in no way compatible...

z3t4 5y ago
Theoretically you could emulate the signal with software/drivers given that USB-C has 24 pins. But there's actually display standards/signals built into USB-C so you "just have to" convert the digital signal to analog for VGA, but then it's no longer a stupid cable and more like a dongle.
- EduardoBautista 5y ago
  https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-MacBook-Supports-Resolutions-1920x1080/dp/B072DX5Z5S https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-MacBook-Supports-Resolutions... I don't understand how one USB-C to VGA cable is more inconvenient?
  - Zachsa999 5y ago
    Never have I seen a greater push against good design. The laptop ship with USBc if you didn't pick that up. YOU CAN USE YOUR USBC TO VGA CABLE IF YOU WANT. Or, if you don't want, you can grab A VGA module out of your drawer you store all your retired dongles in, slide it into your laptop, and there you have it.
    - EduardoBautista 5y ago
      This is not about using a module vs a cable. My comments refer to using a cable instead of a dongle. People make it seem as though using a dongle is the ONLY way to, for example, connect your MacBook Pro to a TV when you could just use a cable for it.
      - deleted 5y ago
        [deleted]
      - 5y ago