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EU rules on common chargers apply to laptops from today. It means that all new laptops sold in the European Union must now support USB-C charging.

In December 2024, the rules came into force for mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, videogame consoles, and portable speakers.

Laptop manufacturers were given a longer lead in time to allow for redesign and transition to the common charging system.

    • Zagorath@quokk.auEnglish
      301·
      22 hours ago

      Macs have had USB-C charging since 2015.

      This was, in many respects, a downgrade, since Apple’s proprietary MagSafe was seen by many as a valuable feature. Power cords that pop out rather than yanking the laptop off the desk if someone trips over it are pretty handy.

      In 2021 Apple started re-including MagSafe on their laptops. But since doing so, the USB-C ports have also been able to charge the laptop.

      So since 2015 they’ve been compliant with this law, and since 2021 they’ve had the best of both worlds, with either option working.

      • Phoenixz@lemmy.caEnglish
        6·
        22 hours ago

        I wouldn’t mind a USB-C sub type that works like that, just the connector is yankable like that, yet it’s pure USB-C and fucking compatible

        Because if you think that Apple added this port just and only because of the yankable cable, and not to again be purposely be incompatible so they can squeeze more money out of you, then I have a bridge to sell you…

        • Zagorath@quokk.auEnglish
          11·
          4 hours ago

          Because if you think that Apple added this port just and only because of the yankable cable, and not to again be purposely be incompatible so they can squeeze more money out of you, then I have a bridge to sell you…

          Why would they deliberately leave the ability to charge via USB-C, if that were the case?

          I hope that bridge is going cheap.

          • dubyakay@lemmy.caEnglish
            1·
            54 minutes ago

            I’d be surprised if they followed the USB standards properly. I’ve had two kinds of these before, and they were sketchy at best, not offering the advertised data and power rates, nor working properly with custom firmware keyboards and KVMs.

      • djdarren@piefed.socialEnglish
        1·
        20 hours ago

        My MacBook Air has MagSafe, and I love it. I sometimes charge with USB-C, but very, very rarely. Not least because it only has two USB sockets.