Post #1520496

2026-04-21 16:44 UTC

I have a bunch of these USB-C and USB-A flash drives I use from time to time, and they've never broken a computer. That could be because I don't use them often. But I also have an LG monitor I loved fail because the USB-C connector broke off the mainboard inside the housing, and more than one Dell Precision laptop that has fallen to broken-usb-c-port problems over the years. I don't think the form factor matters much; usb just sucks. CC: @burger@social.burgeronthe.net @masklayer@slime.global

Replies (2)

@lispi314@udongein.xyz 2026-04-21 16:47

@khm @dalias @burger @masklayer If you don't use them in public or on haphazard surfaces where they're likely to protrude in inconvenient ways, that greatly reduces the risk of breaking things with them. Proper locking connectors and the ports being made to handle an adequate amount of torque would also work just fine to prevent the issue.

Open ##1520497
@dalias@hachyderm.io 2026-04-21 16:56

@khm @burger @masklayer I'm talking about if you actually move your laptop, operate it on your lap around pets or children or careless adults, etc. I'm sure there are some badly manufactured devices where the USB C port breaks off the board, but the intended design is that the cord, not the device, break under stress. And it worked fine with my laptop falling directly on the power cord and taking no damage. Unfortunately the power cord was built into the brick, not detachable, so the whole brick is now trash unless I feel like soldering or splicing USB C...

Open ##1520499