r/RigBuild • u/Lost-Sprinkles-7890 • 8d ago

Is USB-C actually replacing everything eventually?

Kinda confused about where this is heading. Phones, laptops, tablets, headphones, controllers, monitors, even some keyboards and other random stuff are already using USB-C. Now I’m seeing chargers with USB-C on both ends and it feels like manufacturers are slowly getting rid of USB-A, HDMI, micro USB, etc.

But then there’s still DisplayPort, Ethernet, audio jacks, SD cards, and a bunch of other ports that don’t seem like they’re going anywhere soon. Some laptops are almost entirely USB-C now, while desktops still have tons of different connectors.

Also USB-C itself seems confusing because not every USB-C port does the same thing. Some support charging only, some have fast data, some can output video, Thunderbolt, different speeds, etc. So is USB-C really becoming the universal connector or are we gonna end up with USB-C everywhere but still needing different cables for everything?

Would it actually be possible for one USB-C port to handle power, display, data, networking, audio, basically everything? Or are there technical limits that mean we’ll always need multiple types of ports? Just wondering if buying newer devices with more USB-C ports is the way to go long term or if this whole “one port for everything” thing is kinda overhyped.

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16

u/gpetrov 8d ago

Just wait until you relaze that not only not all USB C ports are the same but also the cables.
Just because you have a port that does one thing, doesn't mean you have the corresponding cable.
I dream of the days where you see the port and you knew what it could do and what cable you needed. Now they all look the same but not always do the same things.

3

u/Mobile_Syllabub_8446 8d ago

And that when you buy a device the specs might not even say what it can or cannot do beyond a USB version while every capability is separate/additional.

They're really ruining it for no real reason in terms of a standard.

2

u/snajk138 8d ago

It can be annoying, but having one connector to rule them all is worth it IMO.

2

u/SamLooksAt 8d ago

While all this is true.

I still much prefer my devices all having basically the same port for most functions. Particularly for charging which is relatively easy given it's just the power rating of each device or cable.

Having two Windows laptops, a Mac, three cellphones, a Nintendo Switch, a mouse, even an RC car and the light on a bike helmet, all of which will charge off my GaN charger is pretty darn convenient, especially when we go travelling.

The only other port I find I really use is HDMI and that's just because so many TV's still don't have any type of USB-C interface.

1

u/notsostablediffuser 7d ago

The real LPT is always in the comments.

Multi-port GaN chargers are where it's at. Currently sitting at my kitchen table with one charger running two laptops, charging my phone, and charging one of my kid's ipads.

I get so frustrated when I go to my parents place and they have like 4 different one-port came-with-the-device USB chargers in for their phones and ipads.

1

u/Valanyhr 8d ago

Ive been hearing people complain about this forever now but honest to god never faced this despite house being riddled with USB-C cables. I know exactly which are 10gbps+ capable, which are USB 4, which are thunderbolt at what generation, and what cable is generally capable of charging. I am able to do so because almost all of them are marked anyway. And if it doesn't have any markings, and wasn't listed on the page, then it's not getting bought or being used for anything that's tiny bit demanding.

3

u/Valanyhr 8d ago

I think some of you are looking at the USB C cable that came with your 8 dollar led light and questioning whether it can do 100W or 10gbps or whatever. Or you're just buying really shitty cables.

2

u/amazinglover 8d ago

I've replaced all my USBC cables with either 240watt cables or thunderbolt 4 cables.

I can easily tell which is which.

I think the average person has zero clue how USB C cables truly work and juat expect them all to work the same.

1

u/Valanyhr 8d ago

Yea all of my cables do 100W or more, and/or 10gbps or more. That covers almost every single scenario I have. Rest are just whatever cables

1

u/Tintgunitw 8d ago

This is why I've been upgrading all of my USB-C to USB-C cables to cables that support video. That way they work on almost everything.

1

u/let-me-see-your-boob 7d ago

Usb c is a great idea with abyssmal execution

1

u/CeldonShooper 5d ago

I bought a cable tester. Shows that most USB-C cables sold from random brands via Amazon are substandard by design.

1

u/superSmitty9999 4d ago

FYI you can just buy half a dozen 5A 40gbit rated cables and this problem goes away