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Anecdotally, I'll note that some USB-C stuff is rather power-hungry, compared to MicroUSB gadgets. I have a portable solar panel that easily charges my Kindle o

Anecdotally, I'll note that some USB-C stuff is rather power-hungry, compared to MicroUSB gadgets. I have a portable solar panel that easily charges my Kindle over MicroUSB, but struggles to make headway with many of my USB-C devices. I don't know if this is due to USB-C itself consuming power somehow, or if the higher amount of power that USB-C can supply means that USB-C devices put less effort into keeping power requirements low.

samatman 4y ago
USB-C is simply a form factor for a port, one which has only advantages compared to MicroUSB. Your observation is valid in that USB-C frequently comes with a high power draw for charging batteries. When one isn't using a small solar panel, it's generally better to charge as fast as is compatible with battery health, so that's no bad thing. But a Kindle which was aftermarket modified to use USB-C would have the same power requirements, just with a durable and bidirectional port. I encourage anyone making a device now to use USB-C, Micro doesn't have advantages and should be deprecated. We'll be stuck with it for a decade+ as it is, we should strive not to prolong the frustration.
- InitialLastName 4y ago
  > Micro doesn't have advantages and should be deprecated. Plus it's mechanically flimsy beyond all reason.
  - eternityforest 4y ago
    It's even worse than Mini. USB-C is the one port I'll probably never complain about seeing. I was suspicious of the dynamic voltage selection when it first came out, but it has proven itself to be extremely reliable. Micro HDMI(And even full size HDMI) are also pretty awful.
- cultofmetatron 4y ago
  also, the current kindles use usbc now. now if only apple would update the airpods..
  - samatman 4y ago
    The lightning system is limited compared to USB-C and I won't miss it when it's finally gone. But it's a perfectly cromulent connector, which Micro never was.
InitialLastName 4y ago
The difference here is more likely to be between the Kindle (a notably low-power-draw device) and the other newer devices, especially the ones whose charging circuits are designed to take advantage of modern USB-C power delivery capabilities because people want their devices to charge faster. There is nothing inherent to MicroUSB that draws less power except that it is older than the standards that allow USB to provide more power (and thus used in devices that don't draw as much power).

samatman 4y ago

USB-C is simply a form factor for a port, one which has only advantages compared to MicroUSB. Your observation is valid in that USB-C frequently comes with a high power draw for charging batteries. When one isn't using a small solar panel, it's generally better to charge as fast as is compatible with battery health, so that's no bad thing. But a Kindle which was aftermarket modified to use USB-C would have the same power requirements, just with a durable and bidirectional port. I encourage anyone making a device now to use USB-C, Micro doesn't have advantages and should be deprecated. We'll be stuck with it for a decade+ as it is, we should strive not to prolong the frustration.

InitialLastName 4y ago
> Micro doesn't have advantages and should be deprecated. Plus it's mechanically flimsy beyond all reason.
- eternityforest 4y ago
  It's even worse than Mini. USB-C is the one port I'll probably never complain about seeing. I was suspicious of the dynamic voltage selection when it first came out, but it has proven itself to be extremely reliable. Micro HDMI(And even full size HDMI) are also pretty awful.
cultofmetatron 4y ago
also, the current kindles use usbc now. now if only apple would update the airpods..
- samatman 4y ago
  The lightning system is limited compared to USB-C and I won't miss it when it's finally gone. But it's a perfectly cromulent connector, which Micro never was.

InitialLastName 4y ago

The difference here is more likely to be between the Kindle (a notably low-power-draw device) and the other newer devices, especially the ones whose charging circuits are designed to take advantage of modern USB-C power delivery capabilities because people want their devices to charge faster. There is nothing inherent to MicroUSB that draws less power except that it is older than the standards that allow USB to provide more power (and thus used in devices that don't draw as much power).