USB 3.0 100W Power Standard Seeks To End Proprietary Chargers 247
judgecorp writes "The USB 3.0 Promoter Group has published a Power Delivery standard which will deliver up to 100W. The specification (press release with link to full details) includes new bi-directional — and backward compatible — USB cables, and has been proposed as the new connector between mains adapters and laptops, eliminating e-waste by standardizing a proprietary component."
At home, only having to run one cable to the wall might be nice, and being able to grab some juice from any friend may end the disaster that is forgetting your laptop power brick when on the road. And imagine only having to pack a single power hub instead of three or four redundant transformers (how many people don't use their laptop to charge their phone nowadays?).
Re:Obligatory XKCD (Score:5, Funny)
Yeah, but: this standard is Universal!
Re:Stupid, stupid, *stupid* (Score:5, Funny)
I charge my phone via my desktop, and sometimes my laptop only when the latter itself is plugged in, not while it's operating on battery.
But I agree w/ you. These cables ain't designed for 1kW at all, and what's more, what are they going to do about the fact that all countries have different voltage and frequency standards - 110V/50Hz in the US, 220V/60Hz in EU and so on? What's wrong w/ using current cables?
And speaking of which, we've already seen the mini-USB connector get deprecated. Can the USB committee resist the temptation to introduce a new connector standard every few years, which renders old connectors or cables incompatible? And this in a standard that now supports 4 operating speeds - low speed, full speed, hi-speed and now 'super-speed' (which moron thought up that last name?)
Re:I'm one. (Score:3, Funny)
Get the new Asus Transformer Nexus Optimus Prime! It doubles as both a laptop and a bicycle and when you're not doing those things you can fold it up to fit in your pocket and play mini-discs on it! Only $2,999.95*
*Taxes and other charges may apply. Asus cannot be held responsible for injuries incurred while using the bicycle function of you Transformer Nexus Optimus Prime.
Re:Stupid, stupid, *stupid* (Score:5, Funny)
Ridiculous Speed. Next one will be Ludicrous Speed. Don't you know anything?
Re:Obligatory XKCD (Score:5, Funny)
From the FA:
At home, only having to run one cable to the wall might be nice, and being able to grab some juice from any friend
That would made you lose some friends, and make others quickly.
Re:Stupid, stupid, *stupid* (Score:3, Funny)
Don't forget plaid. I can't wait til we get USBs with plaid speeds!