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It does stop innovation in things like lightning and MagSafe. And it doesn’t fix the multiple charger issue either, because so many manufacturers don’t adhere t

by D13Fd 4y ago

It does stop innovation in things like lightning and MagSafe. And it doesn’t fix the multiple charger issue either, because so many manufacturers don’t adhere to the USB-C standard that any combination of charger + cable + device has an unreasonably non-zero chance of not working or even damaging the device. So in the end we still have to have multiple chargers, but now we can roll the dice on which one works with or damages which device because they all use the same connector.

Majestic121 4y ago
It does not stop innovation like MagSafe : https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-Adapter-Connector-Transfer-Compatible/dp/B07TT6NGBC https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-Adapter-Connector-Transfer-C... I'm not sure what you mean by 'unreasonably non-zero', but I've been sharing chargers between Macbook, XPS 13 and Thinkpad with no concern, + a charger from amazon. Some charger are less powerful than others, so charge is not always as quick, but in real life it does not matter : it's still charging fast enough in any combination, and for the last year the only reason I have multiple chargers is to have one at home and one at work, but any laptop works well on all chargers.
- kansface 4y ago
  You shouldn’t use a lower wattage charger so it goes.
  - Majestic121 4y ago
    I have seen it in some forums as well, but do you have any explanation links about why that may be ? I have trouble finding relevant information that is not some random dude on a forum speaking very confidently one way or another without much data to back it up, and I don't see why that would cause any harm other than charging more slowly, eventually to the point of discharging if you consume a lot of power (which is a pretty tolerable downside).
    - closetohome 4y ago
      I assume it's just people being impatient. Using a lower powered charger is arguably better for battery longevity.
- vineyardmike 4y ago
  By the way, it’s been talked on HN a lot when USB c comes up, it you shouldn’t use those magnetic cables. The “magnetic disconnect” motion can cause arcing and static electricity that can theoretically damage the thing they’re plugged into. Especially if you leave the exposed pins on the device as you use it unplugged.
  - colejohnson66 4y ago
    How did MagSafe historically handle this? The pogo pins may've been recessed, but they were still exposed to the elements.
    - X-Istence 4y ago
      There's communication between the device and the power brick. When the communication stops the power stops being delivered. Not sure how Apple is doing that these days with the MagSafe USB-C they have introduced on their laptops since you can plug the other end into any and all USB-C capable chargers.
- D13Fd 4y ago
  I don't think an adapter is the kind of innovation HN users are looking for. I've fried at least one USB-C device, a high-end wireless headset, seemingly by connecting it to a name-brand USB-C charger that had some kind of incompatibility with the headset. Plus, even among Apple chargers, some USB-C chargers will support fast charging, and some won't, regardless of their rated wattage. Plus some will and will not support fast charging via a wireless charger (either a MagSafe wireless charger or an Apple Watch charger). There are a lot of charging incompatibilities in the current state of USB-C, even among devices from a single manufacturer.
908B64B197 4y ago
> So in the end we still have to have multiple chargers, but now we can roll the dice on which one works with or damages which device because they all use the same connector. Doesn't really matter. Just charge with any charger that's USB-C compatible. If it breaks the machine just RMA it. It didn't adhere to the spec so file a complain to the EU commission in charge of these charging standards as well. Wait what was the point again? Ohh E-Waste reduction.
- Aerroon 4y ago
  And when that happens I lose all the data on the device and access to a device for months at a time. And all I gained from this is that I will have to buy a cable separately from the device itself now. But hey, at least I'll only get 5 new cables in a decade instead of 10! Such incredible savings.
dkjaudyeqooe 4y ago
> It does stop innovation in things like lightning and MagSafe I think avoiding "innovation" in the form of yet another connector is USB C's mission. Apple just released a USB C to MagSafe cable, where is the problem? Lightning isn't innovation it's pure vendor lock in complete with embedded cable chips to enforce it. Any improperly designed device can damage other devices, suggesting it's somehow particular to USB C is specious.
mlyle 4y ago
> that any combination of charger + cable + device has an unreasonably non-zero chance of not working These issues have evaporated for me in the past couple of years. The only devices that I have in use that are still finicky are Nintendo Switch, and it's my understanding that newer models have fixed these problems, too. My only complaints are that I wish my MBP would draw 10W from non-PD USB, instead of 5W (not really a USB-C problem), and my kids' laptops that have USB-C ports but don't support USB-PD and only charge from coaxial power adapters.
grishka 4y ago
Apple can keep selling laptops with MagSafe because they are also capable of charging via the USB-C ports. Same with phones, they can add whatever wireless charging technology they want, it's the wired charging port that is required to be USB-C.

by D13Fd 4y ago

Majestic121 4y ago

It does not stop innovation like MagSafe : https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-Adapter-Connector-Transfer-Compatible/dp/B07TT6NGBC https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-Adapter-Connector-Transfer-C... I'm not sure what you mean by 'unreasonably non-zero', but I've been sharing chargers between Macbook, XPS 13 and Thinkpad with no concern, + a charger from amazon. Some charger are less powerful than others, so charge is not always as quick, but in real life it does not matter : it's still charging fast enough in any combination, and for the last year the only reason I have multiple chargers is to have one at home and one at work, but any laptop works well on all chargers.

kansface 4y ago
You shouldn’t use a lower wattage charger so it goes.
- Majestic121 4y ago
  I have seen it in some forums as well, but do you have any explanation links about why that may be ? I have trouble finding relevant information that is not some random dude on a forum speaking very confidently one way or another without much data to back it up, and I don't see why that would cause any harm other than charging more slowly, eventually to the point of discharging if you consume a lot of power (which is a pretty tolerable downside).
  - closetohome 4y ago
    I assume it's just people being impatient. Using a lower powered charger is arguably better for battery longevity.
vineyardmike 4y ago
By the way, it’s been talked on HN a lot when USB c comes up, it you shouldn’t use those magnetic cables. The “magnetic disconnect” motion can cause arcing and static electricity that can theoretically damage the thing they’re plugged into. Especially if you leave the exposed pins on the device as you use it unplugged.
- colejohnson66 4y ago
  How did MagSafe historically handle this? The pogo pins may've been recessed, but they were still exposed to the elements.
  - X-Istence 4y ago
    There's communication between the device and the power brick. When the communication stops the power stops being delivered. Not sure how Apple is doing that these days with the MagSafe USB-C they have introduced on their laptops since you can plug the other end into any and all USB-C capable chargers.
D13Fd 4y ago
I don't think an adapter is the kind of innovation HN users are looking for. I've fried at least one USB-C device, a high-end wireless headset, seemingly by connecting it to a name-brand USB-C charger that had some kind of incompatibility with the headset. Plus, even among Apple chargers, some USB-C chargers will support fast charging, and some won't, regardless of their rated wattage. Plus some will and will not support fast charging via a wireless charger (either a MagSafe wireless charger or an Apple Watch charger). There are a lot of charging incompatibilities in the current state of USB-C, even among devices from a single manufacturer.

908B64B197 4y ago

> So in the end we still have to have multiple chargers, but now we can roll the dice on which one works with or damages which device because they all use the same connector. Doesn't really matter. Just charge with any charger that's USB-C compatible. If it breaks the machine just RMA it. It didn't adhere to the spec so file a complain to the EU commission in charge of these charging standards as well. Wait what was the point again? Ohh E-Waste reduction.

Aerroon 4y ago
And when that happens I lose all the data on the device and access to a device for months at a time. And all I gained from this is that I will have to buy a cable separately from the device itself now. But hey, at least I'll only get 5 new cables in a decade instead of 10! Such incredible savings.

dkjaudyeqooe 4y ago

> It does stop innovation in things like lightning and MagSafe I think avoiding "innovation" in the form of yet another connector is USB C's mission. Apple just released a USB C to MagSafe cable, where is the problem? Lightning isn't innovation it's pure vendor lock in complete with embedded cable chips to enforce it. Any improperly designed device can damage other devices, suggesting it's somehow particular to USB C is specious.

mlyle 4y ago

> that any combination of charger + cable + device has an unreasonably non-zero chance of not working These issues have evaporated for me in the past couple of years. The only devices that I have in use that are still finicky are Nintendo Switch, and it's my understanding that newer models have fixed these problems, too. My only complaints are that I wish my MBP would draw 10W from non-PD USB, instead of 5W (not really a USB-C problem), and my kids' laptops that have USB-C ports but don't support USB-PD and only charge from coaxial power adapters.

grishka 4y ago

Apple can keep selling laptops with MagSafe because they are also capable of charging via the USB-C ports. Same with phones, they can add whatever wireless charging technology they want, it's the wired charging port that is required to be USB-C.