Universal USB-C charging: How the dream is coming true

I was pretty peeved about losing Magsafe in the newest MBP, but being able to charge via any USB port has been amazing.<p>Even using an iPad charger is good enough for travel a lot of the time. Sure it&#x27;ll still discharge while in use, but it effectively doubles the battery life of my MBP when its plugged into it, and I don&#x27;t have to carry another charger with me.<p>Also cables are dirt cheap, and I don&#x27;t have to worry about anything fraying and having to spend $88 for a replacement.

Even for older Android devices like my Nexus 9, or wireless headphones, I&#x27;m now only buying USB-C wall adapters and using them with USB-C to Micro USB cables (like this <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.amazon.com&#x2F;gp&#x2F;product&#x2F;B00WJSPW8Q" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.amazon.com&#x2F;gp&#x2F;product&#x2F;B00WJSPW8Q</a>). If you have an older wall charger that dies consider spending a few extra bucks and moving to USB-C, it&#x27;ll futureproof your purchase.

&gt; Chromebook Pixel and Apple’s original 12-inch MacBook had no issues working with each others’ chargers, but HP, Dell, and Razer all gave us fits<p>This is why people pay the Apple tax (although Google does just as well). Why are the other manufacturers so incompetent?<p>(This was last year&#x27;s tests though, this year&#x27;s look better across all manufacturers).

I have a Macbook and this incredibly tiny Nonda USB-C $10 adapter: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.amazon.com&#x2F;nonda-Adapter-Smallest-Aluminum-Indicator&#x2F;dp&#x2F;B015Z7XE0A" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.amazon.com&#x2F;nonda-Adapter-Smallest-Aluminum-Indic...</a><p>It is much smaller than the Apple dongle and allows you to carry just the Macbook charger and a standard Micro USB cable to charge older cellphones and the kindle.<p>I did have one die on me after about a year of abuse and immediately repurchased it. Hopefully it will last long enough for me to upgrade my phone&#x2F;kindle&#x2F;smart-card-reader. Anker batteries also support USB C and happily charge the Macbook, they also make nice braided cables.<p>Next up would be next-gen tiny chargers like this (65W): <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.theverge.com&#x2F;circuitbreaker&#x2F;2017&#x2F;2&#x2F;10&#x2F;14581300&#x2F;finsix-dart-usb-c-laptop-wall-charger" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.theverge.com&#x2F;circuitbreaker&#x2F;2017&#x2F;2&#x2F;10&#x2F;14581300&#x2F;fi...</a><p>Unfortunately that specific one has a proprietary connector on one end but probably the next version will be fully standard. One tiny charger, one high quality cable, for all your devices. We&#x27;re almost there.

What&#x27;s the expected (specs, and real life) lifespan of these connectors? (How many typical connection&#x2F;disconnection pairs?) I know that was an issue with earlier generation USB connectors, but I&#x27;m skeptical that C has achieved desired robustness.<p>I&#x27;m not talking about abuse, just expected use. Though if particular vulnerabilities to abuse or whatnot are showing up, that would be of concern.

Not even close. Tons of peripherals are still being actively manufactured in older usb interfaces. It was pretty ironic to be buying futuristic Bluetooth headphones with old usb ports.<p>I recently compiled all my usb devices and the result is depressing:<p><a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;github.com&#x2F;paradite&#x2F;my-usb-life&#x2F;blob&#x2F;master&#x2F;README.md" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;github.com&#x2F;paradite&#x2F;my-usb-life&#x2F;blob&#x2F;master&#x2F;README.m...</a>

This page explains why the Spectre x2 (and I thought the x360 too? but maybe not) is locked to a proprietary charger, while the Elite x2 isn&#x27;t <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.tapatalk.com&#x2F;topic&#x2F;69523-34990" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.tapatalk.com&#x2F;topic&#x2F;69523-34990</a><p>I have a phone with a USB-C port, but when it came to buying a laptop, ended up skipping the USB-C port. For the same specs, a laptop with USB-C 3.1+Power Delivery is almost twice the price. Acer&#x27;s budget line include USB-C, but not necessarily USB 3.1 or power delivery (so basically it&#x27;s just a more cumbersome usb 3.0).

My phone is usb c. My laptop is usb c. GoPro is usb c. It&#x27;s slowly happening, if only Apple would ditch lightning but that&#x27;s not going to happen. Hell I&#x27;ll cheer if they adopt QI because it will spread like wild fire.

I&#x27;ve been pretty happy with an Anker 60W for charging my 15&quot; MBP; it doesn&#x27;t charge as fast as the stock charger, but it&#x27;s good enough and it&#x27;s $40 shipped: amazon.com&#x2F;Anker-Premium-Charger-PowerPort-Delivery&#x2F;dp&#x2F;B01D8C6ULO

but who cares when 99% of people at work, in conferences and cafes have Apple Macbook (Pro)?

Dongles, a dream come true.<p>Maybe in another 5, 10 years.

Can&#x27;t wait for USB 4 support on my eSDV