I’m thinking even for cases of like shrinkflation.
I saw an article about potentially cheaper RAM here, so it got me curious if things ever really get better on occasion.
I’m thinking even for cases of like shrinkflation.
I saw an article about potentially cheaper RAM here, so it got me curious if things ever really get better on occasion.
You used to be able to look at a computer and see exactly what kind of connections it supported. Now there even are computers where the supported features are different between ports that look exactly the same. It’s not just “does this laptop have DisplayPort out”, but you have to figure out which port supports what. It’s SCART all over again.
You used to be able to tell your mom to just put the cable into the hole with the same shape, often they were even color-coded. Now try to explain over the phone which of the 5 identical-looking cables she should use and in which of the 4 identical-looking port it should be plugged.
That is objectively worse.
It is absolutely subjectively worse. There is 100% an argument to be made that this is a better situation than not having a proprietary cable, and the only option is to purchase an overpriced replacement from select manufacturers.
I have never personally used a device like this. Every port has supported every function for me. I know it happens, but I work in IT and have not come across a device like this yet.
However, I can use my laptop charger on my steam deck, my phone, my ear buds, and of course my laptop. So given the problems it’s solved vs the issues it’s created, we are in a much better spot from my perspective.
Data transfer is a mess afaik, big reason I tend to buy my cables in different lengths, if it’s long I know it’s for charging, short it’s for data. Some manufacturers do mark the cable ends with their capabilities (ugreen for sure does this, just checked my power ones are marked 240w and my data a marked 10Gbps), my stuff is mostly older though so I don’t have a bunch of different data speeds to worry about.
I’m with you though, I’ll take it over a bunch of different proprietary cables.
i don’t know about you, but I learn about the device I’m buying, and what the ports support before I buy it.
also, the argument is about proprietary cables, not the old printer port, mouse port, display port, etc.
proprietary cables are like Apple’s old lightning cable