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USB C is a huge mess. I have at least 3 types of USB c cables. Standard USB C cables, Cables that can charge my MacBook Pro, and cables that can hook my pro

by adrr 5y ago

USB C is a huge mess. I have at least 3 types of USB c cables. Standard USB C cables, Cables that can charge my MacBook Pro, and cables that can hook my pro to a dock. I understand the differences but try explaining the differences to your parents.

dragonwriter 5y ago
> but try explaining the differences to your parents. Wheh my Boomer parents first got computers as adults, the number of radically different cables with the same connectors (especially DB9 or DB25) on the end was dizzying, as well as the set of different connectors, and remembering what each was for (or attaching tape and labelling whatever wasn’t the most common function with the same combination of connectors) was the norm. That's also been true (though the set of common connectors has evolved) for most Gen-X and early “Oregon Trail generation” Millenials. “Almost every cable is USB A to USB micro-B and fully interchangeable” was such a narrow slice of time that it's really only going to dominate your parents experience if they were late Millenials or early Gen-Z.
- luma 5y ago
  It was far worse with phone chargers before the EU mandated USB, nearly every manufacturer had several different designs across their product lineup, none of which were compatible with each other.
dmitriid 5y ago
And soon there will be USB4... https://old.reddit.com/r/UsbCHardware/comments/mjz2pu/usb4_architectural_explainer_usb4s_and/ https://old.reddit.com/r/UsbCHardware/comments/mjz2pu/usb4_a... and https://old.reddit.com/r/UsbCHardware/comments/mjz2pu/usb4_architectural_explainer_usb4s_and/hcbtam3/ https://old.reddit.com/r/UsbCHardware/comments/mjz2pu/usb4_a...
- easton 5y ago
  Not soon, now. My MacBook was advertised as being USB4 compliant, since Apple probably feels funny about using the trademarked "Thunderbolt" name now that they don't have Intel chips in their hardware. USB 4 is mostly Thunderbolt 3 but without Intel determining whether you can use the name. (There's some differences, but most devices seem to use them interchangeably).
  - dmitriid 5y ago
    > USB 4 is mostly Thunderbolt 3 The second link shows exactly how USB 4 is not Thunderbolt, and why Apple can't use Thunderbolt with the new Macs.

by adrr 5y ago

dragonwriter 5y ago

> but try explaining the differences to your parents. Wheh my Boomer parents first got computers as adults, the number of radically different cables with the same connectors (especially DB9 or DB25) on the end was dizzying, as well as the set of different connectors, and remembering what each was for (or attaching tape and labelling whatever wasn’t the most common function with the same combination of connectors) was the norm. That's also been true (though the set of common connectors has evolved) for most Gen-X and early “Oregon Trail generation” Millenials. “Almost every cable is USB A to USB micro-B and fully interchangeable” was such a narrow slice of time that it's really only going to dominate your parents experience if they were late Millenials or early Gen-Z.

luma 5y ago
It was far worse with phone chargers before the EU mandated USB, nearly every manufacturer had several different designs across their product lineup, none of which were compatible with each other.

dmitriid 5y ago

And soon there will be USB4... https://old.reddit.com/r/UsbCHardware/comments/mjz2pu/usb4_architectural_explainer_usb4s_and/ https://old.reddit.com/r/UsbCHardware/comments/mjz2pu/usb4_a... and https://old.reddit.com/r/UsbCHardware/comments/mjz2pu/usb4_architectural_explainer_usb4s_and/hcbtam3/ https://old.reddit.com/r/UsbCHardware/comments/mjz2pu/usb4_a...

easton 5y ago
Not soon, now. My MacBook was advertised as being USB4 compliant, since Apple probably feels funny about using the trademarked "Thunderbolt" name now that they don't have Intel chips in their hardware. USB 4 is mostly Thunderbolt 3 but without Intel determining whether you can use the name. (There's some differences, but most devices seem to use them interchangeably).
- dmitriid 5y ago
  > USB 4 is mostly Thunderbolt 3 The second link shows exactly how USB 4 is not Thunderbolt, and why Apple can't use Thunderbolt with the new Macs.