What’s annoying these days is how few USB-C port expanders there are. I get why - USB-C is supposed to be able to deliver a certain amount of power, and a hub can’t do that while staying compliant to the standard - but it means that I have to resort to switching back and forth between devices. It’s even worse with laptops that have only one USB-C port that also doubles as power delivery: can’t use a yubikey C while having the laptop plugged in!
Comment on Why do (desktop) PC have so few USB ports ?
FuglyDuck@lemmy.world 8 months agoMost people will only need 3-4 usb ports…. Ever.
1-2 for the KBM, another for a printer (which are increasingly WiFi enabled,) and another for a sub stick.
Hubs aren’t that difficult and a single cable will look neater to your desk anyhow. Run your KbM/joysticks to the hub instead. (And you can get some 3m VHB tape, or far less permanently, the 3m command adhesive that’s double sided, to mount it somewhere like the back of the KB tray.)
lemmyng@lemmy.ca 8 months ago
Stamets@lemmy.world 8 months ago
I’ve got 7 USB ports on my PC and every single one of them is used. I don’t need anymore at the moment but I mean this adds up fast.
Then I’ve got my HOTAS. I just unplug my controller and plug that in to use instead.
Mesophar@lemm.ee 8 months ago
This seems like a lot, though. Like, they are all reasonable items! But it seems more like a niche/enthusiasts situation, which would require a niche/enthusiasm solution.
Not saying it wouldn’t be nice to have more usb as standard, but most decent motherboards I’ve checked out have around 4 2.0 slots, 2-4 3.0 slots, and 0-2 C slots. Just for back panel I/O
6-ish slots seems fine for most uses
Kecessa@sh.itjust.works 8 months ago
Speakers > Why USB instead of optical/aux?
SSD, HDD, Memory card reader > Do you use all of them every day?
Headset + microphone > Why not combine/do you use both every day?
And I mean, you already have a hub, worst case if it’s full just get a second one or one with more slots…
Stamets@lemmy.world 8 months ago
Speakers - It’s both. They’re RGB.
Storage - Yep. Everyday. HDD is media, SSD is games, memory card reader for my microSD for lemmy posts.
Headset + microphone - Yes I do use them everyday and no they cannot be combined. The microphone is studio quality. The headset has good audio but no headset on this earth has microphone quality comparable to a stand alone recording microphone.
ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de 8 months ago
…you keep your games on an external drive?
Thavron@lemmy.ca 8 months ago
You have games on an external SSD? That seems odd to me.
Kecessa@sh.itjust.works 8 months ago
Modmic + headphones plugged in a USB soundcard (sound blaster g3 in this case) is my go to, but I’m no singer so I don’t see the use for a studio quality microphone in my case…
As for the rest, if I was to use an SSD for games I would want it connected to the motherboard directly instead of through USB 🤔
Anyway, you do you 🤷
Buffalox@lemmy.world 8 months ago
You obviously need a USB beer glass stand, and a USB keyboard fan, and a USB lamp to spot on the game keys.
You are not utilizing the full potential of USB versatility! 😋
FuglyDuck@lemmy.world 8 months ago
HOTAS, pedals, VR headset, earcans, KBM, webcam. Laser printer/scanner
A pi pico W that serves as control node for the adhoc pico network I’ve cobbled into a home control network. (Maybe I have a problem,)
A couple desktop 3d printers, plus their webcams.
A TX adapter for an R/C simulator.
And of course the hubs to manage all that.
We’re not normal, though.
Ziggurat@sh.itjust.works 8 months ago
Looks a pretty cool toy, don’t worry you’re normal it’s the other which aren’t.
But first I thought you were talking about the Pico USB oscilloscope (For this one, I dream of an Ethernet version as the standard, it’s easier to debut electronic from an office chair near the PC controlling it)
FuglyDuck@lemmy.world 8 months ago
I wouldn’t exactly call it a toy, exactly- it started with using the ultrasonic range finding modules (compliments of adafruit) to track movements for hvac zone control (similar to the smart thermostats,) and the expanding that to control RBGW lighting (its all neopixels in various forms,) and bringing them up and down as you move around the house.
It was a lot more work setting them up, but I get shivers anytime someone suggests an Alexa device is a good idea. I like my privacy.