09-28-2021, 04:45 AM
(09-27-2021, 12:54 PM)KC9UDX Wrote: My reasons again for wanting to keep the barrel socket:
1) It's more durable
2) It's less proprietary (again, anyone with a lathe can make barrel plugs and sockets, who can make USB-C?)
3) It's capable of higher current, that is, higher power, without (problematic in my opinion) voltage-negotiation.
4) It doesn't transfer data. There is no need to hack a cable to make sure that it can't transfer data.
5) It can be connected with individual conductors in an emergency. Yes, really. This simply can't be done with USB-A,-B,-C,-D,-whatever.
6) There isn't any licencing
I heavily disagree with some of these points.
I was unlucky enough to break my barrel charger (the cable). I have a power cord of a Netgear switch which has the same physical dimensions and is rated at the same voltage and amperage as the PineBook Pro charger. Yet, if I plug it in my PineBook Pro, it is not recognized, it doesn't charge.
If I want a barrel charger that is guaranteed to work, then I would have to buy it at the pine64.com store.
I tried bending it back into shape and cutting off the plastic. The plug doesn't fit anymore, but at least it does charge the PBP.
If the USB-C port worked up to specification, then I could have just replaced the charging cable with another USB-C cable.
The big problem is that the USB-C port on the PBP doesn't work as it should
- Power input is limited to 11.5W (not enough at full load)
- Power output is limited, causing some peripherals to fail.
- The socket is not rotation proof
All these things are mistakes on Pine64's side. I am all in favor of using USB-C in future products. It would make it easier to replace a charger cable like in my case.