Are the TB3 ports worn, or the cables?

[vemac575]

I made a complaint with Apple about my TB3 ports allowing the cables just to slip out, and will be taking it in for repair. Thing is, I bought some new cables and they snap in an make it all feel like brand new. So am I missing something, or is it the CABLES that are wearing out?

 

[csurfr]

I made a complaint with Apple about my TB3 ports allowing the cables just to slip out, and will be taking it in for repair. Thing is, I bought some new cables and they snap in an make it all feel like brand new. So am I missing something, or is it the CABLES that are wearing out?

I believe the answer is yes and yes.

On my 15” the supplied charging cable slips out of one port (the one I use most frequently), but not the others. Oddly enough, if I switch the cable around it doesn’t do it nearly as easily.

However, someone else on the forum has / had the exact same problem, and Apple sent him a new cable, and then eventually a belkin cable. Both continued to do it, so that was essentially a logic board replacement.

So the point of all of this is that yes, the cables can wear down, but so can the ports.

 

[icymountain]

Have you tried switching the cable ? That is my plan: first wear out one end, then the other, then buy a new cable.

Also, I have read somewhere here that the ports themselves can be replaced without replacing the whole logic board.

 

[navaira]

I am going to an Apple Store to check exactly that. Two USB-C cables, both Apple, one clicks into the port nicely, one slips out *on both sides*. They both used to click in. It's beyond me how is this even possible, very curious what the Genius says.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

I am going to an Apple Store to check exactly that. Two USB-C cables, both Apple, one clicks into the port nicely, one slips out *on both sides*. They both used to click in. It's beyond me how is this even possible, very curious what the Genius says.

Its possible because these ports and connectors are very small and everything has a tolerance in manufacturing there is just no way to be spot on everytime. I'd imagine from my QC work the cables have a bit more tolerance in size than the port when checked and so different cables can feel very different.

 

[Fishrrman]

Samuelsan wrote:
"Its possible because these ports and connectors are very small and everything has a tolerance in manufacturing there is just no way to be spot on everytime."

Your point is well taken, but it begs questions:

If the USB-c port is "too small by design", and if such design is more prone to failure than the USB-a port that preceded it, how can it be considered a better choice?

After years of using USB-a ports and cables, I've seen little (nothing?) in the way of "structural failures" of the design. It just works.

The USB-a design is probably one of the most robust and enduring connection port designs ever produced.

Was it really so wise to abandon it?

 

[navaira]

Mind you, this cable used to work perfectly, then became loose *on both sides*. Neither me nor the genius could work it out, so he replaced it, the new one does what it should. My first positive experience with Apple customer service

 

[vemac575]

I believe the answer is yes and yes.

On my 15” the supplied charging cable slips out of one port (the one I use most frequently), but not the others. Oddly enough, if I switch the cable around it doesn’t do it nearly as easily.

However, someone else on the forum has / had the exact same problem, and Apple sent him a new cable, and then eventually a belkin cable. Both continued to do it, so that was essentially a logic board replacement.

So the point of all of this is that yes, the cables can wear down, but so can the ports.

Strange. Thay's exactly my path.
[doublepost=1521051650][/doublepost]

Have you tried switching the cable ? That is my plan: first wear out one end, then the other, then buy a new cable.

Also, I have read somewhere here that the ports themselves can be replaced without replacing the whole logic board.

Yea, I have switched the cable four times and the worn out cable will snap nicely into the brick, but new cables snap very nicely into the worn out ports. This is so confusing to me.
[doublepost=1521051792][/doublepost]

Mind you, this cable used to work perfectly, then became loose *on both sides*. Neither me nor the genius could work it out, so he replaced it, the new one does what it should. My first positive experience with Apple customer service

So the new ports don't ware down? How long have you had the new ones?

 

[Nilhum]

How could the ports be failing this quickly? I could understand in five or six years but this quick is ridiculous.

 

[vemac575]

How could the ports be failing this quickly? I could understand in five or six years but this quick is ridiculous.

Supposedly, and this is info from just one video I could find on this, the ports are made with the same material the boards are made with, that wafer stuff, and they just wear down. Still, a new cable makes it feel new, so I don't know.

 

[bernuli]

SO with you on this one. Think of all the years of abuse those ports took. I cannot remember once someone reporting a failure or issue on with USB A port.

Now granted the USB C ports are way more useful and much faster so they will get used a lot more. But having a backup USB A port on the machine is totally Approved.

And now we have to charge via that tiny USB C? MagSafe had to be nearly impossible to wear out. If you loose IO, that is one thing, you can still use the computer and get out via WiFi etc. But if you wear out your charging port it is all over...in 10 hours...but probably less.

Samuelsan wrote:
"Its possible because these ports and connectors are very small and everything has a tolerance in manufacturing there is just no way to be spot on everytime."

Your point is well taken, but it begs questions:

If the USB-c port is "too small by design", and if such design is more prone to failure than the USB-a port that preceded it, how can it be considered a better choice?

After years of using USB-a ports and cables, I've seen little (nothing?) in the way of "structural failures" of the design. It just works.

The USB-a design is probably one of the most robust and enduring connection port designs ever produced.

Was it really so wise to abandon it?

 

[vemac575]

But if you wear out your charging port it is all over...in 10 hours...but probably less.

Hahaha. Aside from the fact that the 15" has god redundancy, that was a noce touch.