Re:The new MacBook
by headShrinker on Monday March 09, 2015 @01:59PM
(#9172526)
In the old days, HP had a high standard of quality. More recently, almost coinciding with the introduction of inkjet printers, HP quality standards have slipped to a new dismal low. I'm not surprised to hear of fires.
Re:The new MacBook
by mark_l_watson on Monday March 09, 2015 @03:15PM
(#9173211)
I just purchased a little HP 11" Stream, and the build quality is pretty good - I was pleasantly surprised, especially for a $199 laptop that includes $125 in free software coupons. (Pro-tip: if you need a Windows laptop, but it directly from Microsoft so you don't get any crap-ware loaded on it.)
That said, I am kind of looking forward to my (about) 4 year old MacBook Air eventually dying and then I will buy the new model that was announced today :-) MacBooks are beautiful.
My first inkjet was one of DeskJet 500 series in the early nineties. And HP had inkjets since 1984 apparently. That's "more recently" for you? You are right about HP standards slipping but coincidencing with inkjet printers they are not :)
USB connector was not simply designed for 10 amps or how much they push through it.
USB-C has a new connector and specifies voltages up to 20V, which will cut the amperage vs. old 5V USB chargers by a factor of four.
If they use the current 45 watt charger power, at the maximum 20V allowed by USB-C, you're looking at about 2.6 amps.
Re:The new MacBook
by organsnyder on Monday March 09, 2015 @02:05PM
(#9172565)
Not sure how USB is a factor in that. Plenty of old-style chargers have had issues (including fire hazards) over the years as well.
Including Apple chargers, so it's really nothing new.
Re:The new MacBook
by higherpurpose on Monday March 09, 2015 @02:51PM
(#9172993)
That happened with the old USB connector, which can't support too much power going through it. USB-C can support a lot more.
20v @ 5A to be precise
Re:The new MacBook
by Dylan16807 on Monday March 09, 2015 @02:36PM
(#9172833)
I wouldn't be surprised if this drew fewer amps than an iPad, because of voltage.
But I've never had electrical contacts on a charger wear out in the first place, so even if it goes faster it might never matter.
I'm surprised it doesn't support wireless charging. Now that Starbucks does, I'd expect all new laptop designs to include Starbucks compatibility.
Starbucks and Ikea: the leading computer innovators :-)
EDIT: there are physical limitations how electric current is transferred. USB contacts do not have good shape and will probably deteriorate more quickly.