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Why do (desktop) PC have so few USB ports ?
(sh.itjust.works)
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this post was submitted on 15 Feb 2024
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Because the USB standard allows the number of USB ports to be significantly expanded through the use of hubs.
Try finding a simple 8 port USB hub with USB-C. It's a shitshow too!
I'd love to find additional hubs that have more than two type C. The largest number I am aware of is 4 from a company called Satechi, but the form factor is a little weird and I wouldn't mind more options.
I found some on aliexpress "USB C 3.2 hub". They also have a powered USB-C input but I'm not sure if that is just charging the upstream port (laptop) or also powered the 4 extra ports.
I'd love to find a vertical USB hub with like a 4x5 array of ports
I'd be happy with a simple and cheap PCB with 6-8 USB-C ports that I can integrate into my desk similar to wall sockets. And that can do both high speed and power delivery.
USB-C is a shitshow, period. Whoever invented that garbage needs to be fired. Out of a cannon. Into the sun.
Depending on just the cable I plug in (all else exactly the same, same PC, same port, same electrical plug, etc), I get fast speed (from PC) and charging (from a power outlet) on device 1 and slow speed and charging on device 2, and another cable gets me exactly the opposite. And others, slow speed and fast charging or vice versa.
What the fuck.
This is not the behavior of a fucking "standard". Meanwhile, microUSB just fucking worked regardless of which of the tons of cables I used, all exactly the same.
USB-C needs to fucking die. Oh, but boohoo, people had to figure out which direction to plug in a microUSB cable. Cry me a fucking river, nobody cares, that's not a real problem.
I like USB-C. The connector is significantly better than micro USB. It forms a tighter connection and can be plugged in in either direction. It allows for significantly faster charging and significantly higher data rates than micro USB. But it is a jack of all trades with a fairly loose standard, so manufacturers can implement what attributes they see fit. Overall, I think it's a big improvement.
Lol I get your frustration. But yeah USB-C cables can be "high speed" for data transfer or "high current" for charging. And the marketing when you look for cables in shops is confusing. But it comes from the requirements of wire gauge and shielding. I mean you now have one cable standard that can do everything, deliver enough data for 4k or more or deliver 48V and 5A - which is 240 watt and enough to power a small chainsaw. A USB-C powered chainsaw, think of the possibilities! :D
100% I hate this dumbass trend of putting multiple optional standards into a single cord. They did it with HDMI and confused everyone, and USB-C is the same.
I had that issue as well with a USB hub that has charging. Turns out it was the hub that was the issue because it would throttle or even shut off the charging to other usb ports when there's too high of a demand to prevent it from overheating. Swapped to a better usb hub and had no issues since.
I've actually found that I cannot add too many more ports without it being a powered USB hub. Expanding 3-4 is fine, but if you're trying to add on like 10-15, it won't work unless the hub is powered.
Yeah, the spec is only 1A or something, if you try to share that with 5 devices that all need 250mA it just isn't going to work.
Do you know how motherboards split up this 1amp spec? Does each USB port on a motherboard have 1amp, or do they often end up sharing?
To be compliant with standards, USB ports directly on the motherboard must supply at least 500mA each for USB 2 or 900mA each for USB 3.
They can supply more, but that's the minimum that should be expected.
Awesome thanks!