Where is USB-C?

[erasure25]

Question: Where USB-C?

Answer: In Surface Pro 5.

 

[AndyCalling]

But USB-C IS USB 3/3.1. That protocol is carried over current ports at exactly the same speed as USB-C ports. Also, current USB 3 ports can support rapid charging of devices as part of the standard protocol as my Asus motherboard does. Few devices support this due to the extra cost in component quality and that won't change just because the port shape does. All USB-C does is change the shape of the port so instead of having a large, stable port for big devices and a little, size-appropriate port for small devices we get a middle sized port not designed ideally for any particular form factor which adds only minimal, situational benefit as far as I can see.

 

[jhoff80]

Lol. People who are talking about USB-C just being standard USB are missing the point.

Yes, the new connector is the same USB protocol as USB 3.0 (now renamed USB 3.1 Generation 1). However, the USB-C cable includes alternate mode. In other words, that USB-C cable can carry other signals in addition to the USB data stream. So now, instead of just being a single data port, it's now your power, data, and also DisplayPort connector all at the same time. It does far more than just 'change the shape of the port'. So hypothetically, say Microsoft replaced the SurfaceConnect and miniDisplayPort with USB-C while leaving the third as USB-A? You'd then have enough flexibility for two monitors connected directly to the device... or maybe transferring between two flash drives without needing a hub... or if they took the Chromebook style approach? Being able to charge the device from either side without worrying about where the cable is. Or how about just the ability to use the same 'dock' for your Lumia 950 and your PC for when you need to quickly attach to a larger screen in a pinch?

And on top of that, Thunderbolt 3 uses a type-C connector as well. Which would mean that from one universal port you could also attach an external GPU if Microsoft decided to use Intel's Alpine Ridge.

But since changing the size of the port and all was mentioned, I cannot believe anyone is spinning that as a bad thing. First of all, it's about the same size as microUSB (only a few millimeters larger), so it's not really a 'medium sized port'. And secondly, yes, when the size of a port is limiting the size of devices (SP4 has to be a certain thickness in order to keep the USB-A port), then it's time for something smaller to become standard.

And personally? After all the issues I've had with my Pro 2 charger cord (I've had three replacements - the stress relief right before the magnetic connector is not good enough and it's very common for the connection to be lost there), I'm done with proprietary chargers.

Honestly, I realize that Microsoft promised compatibility with the existing Surface Dock for Pro 4. But for the Pro 4 they could have easily replaced the miniDisplayPort with a USB-C port and came out on top (I mean, everyone uses adapters from that connector already).

And for the Book, they were not beholden to any previous promises. The Book and the new Surface Dock should definitely have been using USB-C (preferably Thunderbolt 3). Leave the legacy Pro 3 dock available for SP3 and SP4, and then when SP5 comes out and supports the connector, then the new Dock would be compatible. Instead, they've released a brand new dock which is really just a placeholder for now until they finally decide to implement new technologies.

 

[ParoleGA]

Lol. People who are talking about USB-C just being standard USB are missing the point.

Yes, the new connector is the same USB protocol as USB 3.0 (now renamed USB 3.1 Generation 1). However, the USB-C cable includes alternate mode. In other words, that USB-C cable can carry other signals in addition to the USB data stream. So now, instead of just being a single data port, it's now your power, data, and also DisplayPort connector all at the same time. It does far more than just 'change the shape of the port'. So hypothetically, say Microsoft replaced the SurfaceConnect and miniDisplayPort with USB-C while leaving the third as USB-A? You'd then have enough flexibility for two monitors connected directly to the device... or maybe transferring between two flash drives without needing a hub... or if they took the Chromebook style approach? Being able to charge the device from either side without worrying about where the cable is. Or how about just the ability to use the same 'dock' for your Lumia 950 and your PC for when you need to quickly attach to a larger screen in a pinch?

And on top of that, Thunderbolt 3 uses a type-C connector as well. Which would mean that from one universal port you could also attach an external GPU if Microsoft decided to use Intel's Alpine Ridge.

But since changing the size of the port and all was mentioned, I cannot believe anyone is spinning that as a bad thing. First of all, it's about the same size as microUSB (only a few millimeters larger), so it's not really a 'medium sized port'. And secondly, yes, when the size of a port is limiting the size of devices (SP4 has to be a certain thickness in order to keep the USB-A port), then it's time for something smaller to become standard.

And personally? After all the issues I've had with my Pro 2 charger cord (I've had three replacements - the stress relief right before the magnetic connector is not good enough and it's very common for the connection to be lost there), I'm done with proprietary chargers.

Honestly, I realize that Microsoft promised compatibility with the existing Surface Dock for Pro 4. But for the Pro 4 they could have easily replaced the miniDisplayPort with a USB-C port and came out on top (I mean, everyone uses adapters from that connector already).

And for the Book, they were not beholden to any previous promises. The Book and the new Surface Dock should definitely have been using USB-C (preferably Thunderbolt 3). Leave the legacy Pro 3 dock available for SP3 and SP4, and then when SP5 comes out and supports the connector, then the new Dock would be compatible. Instead, they've released a brand new dock which is really just a placeholder for now until they finally decide to implement new technologies.

Umm...the Surface Port carries mini display port signal, too. It is the reason that the SP3 dock and new dock only require 1 cable to your SP/SB. The current Surface dock has all of the functionality of USB C, in a proprietary form, which is better IMO, because of its magnetic connection. Oh yeah...and it is also reversible.

 

[jhoff80]

Umm...the Surface Port carries mini display port signal, too. It is the reason that the SP3 dock and new dock only require 1 cable to your SP/SB. The current Surface dock has all of the functionality of USB C, in a proprietary form, which is better IMO, because of its magnetic connection. Oh yeah...and it is also reversible.

Yes, obviously. Except you only have one of those SurfaceConnect ports. USB-C is more versatile just by number (on everything but the Macbook at least). And SurfaceConnect is proprietary. So USB-C is more versatile just by it's universal nature. But most importantly, USB-C is the future. Buying into SurfaceConnect at this point is as narrow-minded as buying a Firewire peripheral after USB 2.0 came along and basically killed the market for Firewire. But hey, maybe some people are okay with spending $200 on a dock that has no future.

 

[StevoPhilo]

I'll agree that they probably should've tried to include it especially on the Surface Book, but I don't know if I would want the adapters for USB-C to USB-A female connections for the Surface Pro 4. If they could add the C and keep the A at the same time then I'd totally support it! Otherwise it's not worth sacrificing my USB A plug.

USB C does have a lot of benefits and until most devices run C then it doesn't become as useful. I'd have to invest in a lot of C type connectors which isn't bad cause it will last me for the lifetime of USB-C.

 

[ParoleGA]

Yes, obviously. Except you only have one of those SurfaceConnect ports. USB-C is more versatile just by number (on everything but the Macbook at least). And SurfaceConnect is proprietary. So USB-C is more versatile just by it's universal nature. But most importantly, USB-C is the future. Buying into SurfaceConnect at this point is as narrow-minded as buying a Firewire peripheral after USB 2.0 came along and basically killed the market for Firewire. But hey, maybe some people are okay with spending $200 on a dock that has no future.

Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I have no interest in a USB-C host right now. All of my peripherals have type A host connectors. I would need to either replace them all, which isn't even possible right now, or get an adapter, like everyone who bought a MacBook. Not interested. And they aren't mutually exclusive anyway. The SB has two USB-A ports, the SP has one, and a Surface Connect, so could also have USB-C in the future. Future docks could also have USB-C, when there are actually USB peripherals that use it. I would not want to charge off of USB-C because the charge cable is often stretched across the room, and I have inadvertently pulled out my Surface Pro's connector in the past. This would have resulted in my SP broken on the floor if it was type C.

 

[ioaniro]

Not having it on the Surface might somehow make sense, what I don't get is why they have not put it on the dock? The charge/do-it-all port seems to be able to handle it no? Maybe a revised dock will include it?

 

[coocooman3]

Well they are marketing this for businesses. And for large corporations, who only update tech every few years, it makes sense to have regular USB, because it doesn't force them to update everything else that goes along with it.
Although yeah, it was a bit stupid to not include a type C somewhere. Could have done it on the power brick and then put in data cables to the surface connect port through the power cable and had working USB ports on the power brick. That would have been cool.

Posted via the Windows Central App for Android

 

[Dusteater]

What are you talking about? it's not an accessory you have to purchase, the charger comes with the device, so I'm not seeing where greed factors into it.

Posted via the Windows Central App for Android

It is greed on the part of Microsoft because they have forever locked SP4 owners out of all of the Type-C accessories that are coming and forcing you to only ever buy accessories from Microsoft, which will be higher cost because you are stuck. I would never buy a device that takes this approach, which is why I believe the Dell XPS 12 is an infinitely superior device to any of the new Surface devices announced. The ability to use eGPU docks among other things is amazing, and the Surface lineup will never be able to do that kind of thing sadly.

 

[m4600]

If they went with Type-C, they would've likely dropped the standard USB port. I am so glad they haven't!
Today, in 2015, I certainly prefer the full size USB! A year or two from now it will be a different story.
Sure it would be great to have both ports on the Surface Pro, but that is very unlikely to happen.

 

[jhoff80]

And for large corporations, who only update tech every few years,

More of a reason to want USB-C, in my opinion. I update my phone far more than my PC. My phone gets replaced every year or two. My PC will generally last about 3-4 years. It's therefore far more critical that my PC is forward-looking on things like ports. If the phone doesn't have something, oh well, next year's model will. If the PC doesn't, that's a much longer wait.