how sturdy are usb c sockets on M2 Air - worried about using it on sofa with usb drive

[madeirabhoy]

bought an M2 air as my 2017 iMac is struggling, also I like the portability round the flat. I use my Mac as a Plex server and one of the things the iMac struggled with was usb drives, anyway I digress.

ive noticed I often use the MacBook on the sofa, and there's a usb c to usb converter, then the usb drive that houses all my movie files. am I worrying too much or could it damage the usb c slot that I'm tying on the sofa and that is causing the laptop to move up and down pressing the cable and adaptor into the sofa? could that damage the slot?

 

[Tdude96]

My experience with the longevity of USB-C ports on MacBooks hasn't been great. I had a 2017 MBP for work where three of the four ports were very touchy after just a couple years, one barely worked at all. They eventually replaced it with a slightly newer 2018 MBP, and it's developing the same issue on two of its ports, but the other two seem to be holding up okay so far. My work setup isn't stressful on the ports from bending or weight. There's no movement, nothing hanging off the computer by the ports. It's just plugging in at the start of the day and unplugging at the end of the day.

I think it's just the action of plugging and unplugging daily that eventually causes the ports to loosen to the point of becoming unusable.

On my 13" M2 MacBook Air that I use personally, I avoid USB-C power, only the magnetic power adapter. And I keep an adapter attached to it that lies flush with the rest of the computer somewhat similar to this one. Anything I plug in goes into the adapter in the hope that puts less stress on the computer's ports and if a port loosens up I only have to replace the adapter. I only remove that if I'm putting it into a bag or something where there could be extra stress on it. So far so good, but that computer is only a little over a year old.

 

[tommyparadise]

Yep much the same. both usb c ports on my m1 are faulty and the 13 inch MBP i had before that also had ports fail. Looking forward to having magsafe again when I upgrade.

 

[NT1440]

USB C is just inherently not a very robust receptacle unfortunately, no OEM can improve that. The MacBooks are solid all around the port, but the design of usb c itself is not all that robust unfortunately. There’s always wobble, from a Mac to Lenovos.

 

[arcite]

I’m so careful with it, especially on an uneven surface like in bed. I don’t think it’d take much to slip, bend the port, and oops….very expensive repair.

 

[arw]

Not relevant for OP because of MagSafe 3 but for older (non-MagSafe) MacBooks, I can highly recommend magnetic adapters for charging.
100W cables are the maximum I found/tested. Works great and gives me peace of mind.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/usb-c-ports-constantly-wearing-out-on-late-model-13-macbook-pros.2395451/post-32308806

Available in round form factors (easy plugin) or flat (more flush with case).

 

[madeirabhoy]

i think im going to get a small wooden tray just the size of macbook plus drive, and always keep the macbook on it for normal use.

 

[BrianBaughn]

If you have one of those short adapters plugged into the MacBook…and then a cable plugged into that…the situation is worse because of the torque-arm. A cable adapter with USB-C male on one end and USB-A female on the other would be better.