How durable are the USB ports typically?

[Galaxie500]

I'm a noob to Macs (but not to Apple), and I just bought a 13" MBPr. I'm loving it so far, but between mice, USB keys, external drives, etc., I find I've been using the USB ports a fair bit more than I have with previous computers. Previously I've always either used desktops, or desktop-replacement class laptops with dedicated port replicator connectors (e.g. Dell Latitudes) where most USB devices were semi-permanently attached to the dock, and you just shuttled the laptop between docks at home and work most of the time.

So I've been a bit, well worried is a strong term, but "curious" about whether I could run into trouble with wearing out the USB ports.

I was researching this a bit, and it turns out the USB spec for typical lifetime of a "A type" USB connector is only 1500 plug-unplug cycles. That means if you used the port, say, 3 times a day, you would be over the limit in less than 2 years. (Interestingly, the newer micro connector have been designed for much higher lifetimes -- over 10,000 cycles).

Now that's probably a minimum requirement to meet the USB spec, and it's possible that real world connectors last much longer. Just wondering if this has ever been an issue for Apple products in practice? I'm sure there must be mobile users who are plugging and unplugging USB docking stations, mice, etc. all the time and whose MacBooks have lasted for years.

 

[~Achilles~]

Really, not worth worrying about. You bought it to use it, if it fails within the few years apple care you have (if you have it) I'm sure they'll replace it. It's a laptop, it is not going to last forever regardless. Limiting/worrying about your use of it for something like this is silly imho

 

[ehfz]

I've never had a problem with them but it never hurts to exercise some caution when plugging and unplugging (don't have to baby them but don't mash/yank them either). If you have problems down the road out of warranty there's also the possibility of buying a thunderbolt dock with usb ports (it's an option now as well but they are goofily expensive and will likely be much cheaper in a couple years).