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What do you think of USB C as a charging connector compared to a magnetic charging connector? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 3 years ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

19 comments fedilink hide all child comments

My first laptop was a Surface, so was my second, both having the magnetic Surface Connect port. Recently though, I bought a new Lenovo Thinkpad, which charges via USB C. My first thoughts were that the USB C was a lot less convenient. With a magnetic connector, I could just wave the cable at the port and more often than not, it would connect without me even having to look at it, whereas with the USB C port on the Lenovo, I actually have to tilt my head toward the side of the laptop and visually find the port before I can plug it in correctly. I know that USB C is tons more versatile than a proprietary port and especially more versatile than a proprietary and charging only port like the older MacBooks had, but IMO they're a lot more convenient for charging itself.

What do you think? Do you miss magnetic charging ports and do you feel about manufacturers including them in 2021? Especially curious about responses people who used/use one of the older MacBooks that had (from what I heard, never owned one) one of the best magnetic charging ports on the market.

If there was a campaign to make a version of the USB C or Thunderbolt connector that was magnetic, would you support it? Theoretically someone could just publish an open source design for a magnetic port that is pin compatible with USB C. As long as the open source project says it's just a generic 20-pin port that can carry whatever signal, there wouldn't be any licensing issues with the design itself, since some manufactures do have custom ports that can carry USB C or Thunderbolt signals, right.

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 years ago* (last edited 3 years ago) (2 children)

Magnetic port manufacturing can be very expensive and complicated compared to USB C, which if goes dud, can be replaced for as low as $5. Good luck with replacing magnetic interfacing.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 years ago

I thought the magnetic ports on my old macbook were amazing until they just kept breaking. After 4 replacements, I'll go with cheap and reliable.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 years ago

And super cheap for manufacturers. Here's a 70 cent one: https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/cvilux-usa/CU3216SASBLR004-NH/13177384 and on LCSC I found a port for only 7 cents.