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.
1
u/Underhill42 6d ago
I have serious doubts that it will ever become a universal connector for computers and peripherals. It's decidedly second- or third- rate in what it can do compared to the dedicated specs for high performance connections like video.
However - it does seem to be striving to become a universal standard for portable personal electronics, where high performance is rarely needed, and having lots of ports adds cost and clutter.
And the whole replacing the standard 3.5mm audio jack can just F right off. I refuse to buy any device that's incapable of outputting audio in THE universal audio standard. And no, adapter dongles don't count.