4 ms·

Isn't charging also complicated by some fast-charge protocols? I know the phone accessory companies are always saying things like "Supports Qualcomm Quick Char

by hakfoo 5y ago

Isn't charging also complicated by some fast-charge protocols? I know the phone accessory companies are always saying things like "Supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 23.45 with Sprinkles" in addition to "18 watts". I think the cables might more or less be the same, but it's still a complex ecosystem question. I have two devices with USB-C chargers. I can make a reasonable guess that the bullion-cube sized charger provided with the phone isn't gonna be able to supply a thirsty 15" laptop, but will the 65-watt laptop brick be capable of the right wiggle-dance to convince the phone to quick charge, or will I plug it in overnight and find it saying "62% - charging slowly" when I check in the morning? I end up carrying both when I travel, eliminating the convenience that USB-C promised. I'm also going to go out there and say that USB-C laptop charging is stupid when most devices are limited on their USB-C ports. On my laptop, I can apparently use a USB-C to DisplayPort cable to get 4k/60 output (while the HDMI is limited to 4k/30). But now I've got no way to charge it. I wonder if PoE could be delivered through a docking station as an alternative means of charging a laptop.

ChuckNorris89 5y ago
>On my laptop, I can apparently use a USB-C to DisplayPort cable to get 4k/60 output (while the HDMI is limited to 4k/30). But now I've got no way to charge it. On my old-ish XPS I've mitigated this limitation with this 18 Euro cable that unifies display-port and USB-C power delivery: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001632109069.html https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001632109069.html Works like a charm. >I'm also going to go out there and say that USB-C laptop charging is stupid when most devices are limited on their USB-C ports. USB-C charging isn't stupid, it's actually super convenient; what's stupid is laptop manufacturers who cheap out on ports and display outputs to save $10. The 4K@30Hz HDMI 1.4 ports are a killer when I still see them in 2021. But hey, manufacturers do this crap since the technology clueless bean-counters in megacorps fall for the cheap laptops with crippled ports scam if they see a saving of $10 per machine on the 10K unit fleet. For the same reason they still sold you 720p TN displays on some laptops until recently. And I think some still do in developing countries if you ask for them. Crazy, I know.
gumby 5y ago
> On my laptop, I can apparently use a USB-C to DisplayPort cable to get 4k/60 output (while the HDMI is limited to 4k/30). But now I've got no way to charge it. I don’t know what laptop you have. DisplayPort is native to USB C cabling and the Type C connector is the modern DisplayPort connector. I have my Mac plugged into a Thunderbolt display that uses DisplayPort to display the image and also powers the computer. This has been the original vision going back the the lightpeak days.
- vetinari 5y ago
  Your Mac has the more expensive Thunderbolt; Thunderbolt capablities go beyond USB-C. For computers with USB-C only the situation is more complicated.
  - gumby 5y ago
    Thunderbolt == USB 4 they are now different brand names for the same thing.
    - vetinari 5y ago
      While Thunderbolt 3 could be the same as USB 4[*], USB 4 is not the same thing as USB-C. And then there's also Thunderbolt 4. * - it is really not. While USB4 is based on TB3, it made some TB3 parts optional. For example, USB4 is required to support 20 Gbps at minimum, while TB3 does 40 Gbps for all implementations.
- hakfoo 5y ago
  I have a Lenovo E585. The monitors I have don't have Type-C, they have the "Rectangle with one corner cut off" connector, so you use that type of cable. I don't believe that setup is designed for charging at all. If they haven't done it yet, I expect to someone see a monitor with a built-in hub AND Type-C connectivity. They will be returned by the hundreds as people plug their keyboards and flash drives into the video socket and wonder why nothing comes up.
gumby 5y ago
> Isn't charging also complicated by some fast-charge protocols? I know the phone accessory companies are always saying things like "Supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 23.45 with Sprinkles" in addition to "18 watts". I think the cables might more or less be the same, but it's still a complex ecosystem question. Those weirdo proprietary protocols were intended to get around limitations of USB 3 charging capabilities over Tupe A connectors. Any phone with a Type C connector should support power delivery; if you charge it via a legacy A-C cable well yes, you’ll need the same charger you used to have. I hope all that proprietary crap goes away soon — it also creates needless consumer confusion.
- RealStickman_ 5y ago
  I don't think my Oneplus 3 with USB-C supports USB-PD. At least I can't find it in the specs. It really is confusing...
nikau 5y ago
You can get cheap $20 "hubs" that will do HDMI 60Hz at 4k, along with USB and power delivery on a single cable. The caveat is USB will be restricted to USB2 speeds as they are typically using display port 1.2 which takes up all 4 high speed lanes. Its a bit of a crapshoot buying them: https://www.reddit.com/r/UsbCHardware/comments/pama8f/awaiting_3_hubs_that_sellers_said_should_do/ https://www.reddit.com/r/UsbCHardware/comments/pama8f/awaiti...

by hakfoo 5y ago

ChuckNorris89 5y ago

>On my laptop, I can apparently use a USB-C to DisplayPort cable to get 4k/60 output (while the HDMI is limited to 4k/30). But now I've got no way to charge it. On my old-ish XPS I've mitigated this limitation with this 18 Euro cable that unifies display-port and USB-C power delivery: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001632109069.html https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001632109069.html Works like a charm. >I'm also going to go out there and say that USB-C laptop charging is stupid when most devices are limited on their USB-C ports. USB-C charging isn't stupid, it's actually super convenient; what's stupid is laptop manufacturers who cheap out on ports and display outputs to save $10. The 4K@30Hz HDMI 1.4 ports are a killer when I still see them in 2021. But hey, manufacturers do this crap since the technology clueless bean-counters in megacorps fall for the cheap laptops with crippled ports scam if they see a saving of $10 per machine on the 10K unit fleet. For the same reason they still sold you 720p TN displays on some laptops until recently. And I think some still do in developing countries if you ask for them. Crazy, I know.

gumby 5y ago

> On my laptop, I can apparently use a USB-C to DisplayPort cable to get 4k/60 output (while the HDMI is limited to 4k/30). But now I've got no way to charge it. I don’t know what laptop you have. DisplayPort is native to USB C cabling and the Type C connector is the modern DisplayPort connector. I have my Mac plugged into a Thunderbolt display that uses DisplayPort to display the image and also powers the computer. This has been the original vision going back the the lightpeak days.

vetinari 5y ago
Your Mac has the more expensive Thunderbolt; Thunderbolt capablities go beyond USB-C. For computers with USB-C only the situation is more complicated.
- gumby 5y ago
  Thunderbolt == USB 4 they are now different brand names for the same thing.
  - vetinari 5y ago
    While Thunderbolt 3 could be the same as USB 4[*], USB 4 is not the same thing as USB-C. And then there's also Thunderbolt 4. * - it is really not. While USB4 is based on TB3, it made some TB3 parts optional. For example, USB4 is required to support 20 Gbps at minimum, while TB3 does 40 Gbps for all implementations.
hakfoo 5y ago
I have a Lenovo E585. The monitors I have don't have Type-C, they have the "Rectangle with one corner cut off" connector, so you use that type of cable. I don't believe that setup is designed for charging at all. If they haven't done it yet, I expect to someone see a monitor with a built-in hub AND Type-C connectivity. They will be returned by the hundreds as people plug their keyboards and flash drives into the video socket and wonder why nothing comes up.

gumby 5y ago

> Isn't charging also complicated by some fast-charge protocols? I know the phone accessory companies are always saying things like "Supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 23.45 with Sprinkles" in addition to "18 watts". I think the cables might more or less be the same, but it's still a complex ecosystem question. Those weirdo proprietary protocols were intended to get around limitations of USB 3 charging capabilities over Tupe A connectors. Any phone with a Type C connector should support power delivery; if you charge it via a legacy A-C cable well yes, you’ll need the same charger you used to have. I hope all that proprietary crap goes away soon — it also creates needless consumer confusion.

RealStickman_ 5y ago
I don't think my Oneplus 3 with USB-C supports USB-PD. At least I can't find it in the specs. It really is confusing...

nikau 5y ago

You can get cheap $20 "hubs" that will do HDMI 60Hz at 4k, along with USB and power delivery on a single cable. The caveat is USB will be restricted to USB2 speeds as they are typically using display port 1.2 which takes up all 4 high speed lanes. Its a bit of a crapshoot buying them: https://www.reddit.com/r/UsbCHardware/comments/pama8f/awaiting_3_hubs_that_sellers_said_should_do/ https://www.reddit.com/r/UsbCHardware/comments/pama8f/awaiti...