EU’s USB-C mandate: Other countries may follow suit, but ramifications go beyond smartphones and tablets- Technology News, Firstpost
By making it compulsory for low-power devices like keyboards and mice to only use USB-C, EU may have inadvertently killed the USB-A port.
The European Union’s decision to finally implement a common charger policy for smartphones, tablets, cameras and laptops is a step in the right direction. However, the legislation is bound to have far-reaching ramifications for a number of products. The legislation may also trigger other countries to come up with similar policies.
EU’s mandate to have even low-powered devices like keyboards and mice use USB-C may lead to the death of USB-A. Image Credit: Unsplash
Several other countries are also contemplating whether they should take a page from the EU’s playbook and have one charging port as standard. India, for example, is considering implementing a policy similar to the EU, wherein we will have a common charger for devices across the spectrum
While the smartphone industry is already well-equipped to implement this new policy, with the exception of Apple which continues to insist that the Lightning Port is the best way to charge your iPhones, laptop manufacturers will certainly have a tough time implementing this policy quickly.
Although there are laptops that support USB-C power delivery and can be charged using a Type-C port, almost all laptop manufacturing brands insist on using proprietary connectors. Apple, for example, uses MagSafe connectors. HP on the other hand uses a thin, pin-like connector. Dell and Lenovo, use a more rounder and thicker connector.
Certain laptops have started offering USB-C only charging with their premium products. But mid-range and budget laptops still get better charging from the proprietary port.