FTFY 
(10char)
2 Likes
I just checked my Librem 13, and the USB-C port is on the other side. Meaning it was just switched to being right next to the power port on the 14.
Anyway, maybe I should make a new thread, because I feel like my original post is making everyone think I’m saying to get rid of the barrel jack… Although I personally think that would be best, moving the USB-C port back to where it was on the 13 instead would also be easier and keep everyone happy.
we’re not making any revisions to the L14 board layout this late in the game
4 Likes
Yeah I didn’t think so, and that’s ok. I just wanted to give feedback.
Maybe for the Librem 14v2?
1 Like
we only have so much leeway when it comes to these things, as every design change incurs an NRE cost. Adding USB-PD to an empty location costs X, but shuffling or removing ports costs 2-5*X
1 Like
Oh. What a shame that so many resources were spent on moving the USB-PD in front of the barrel jack then. Perhaps adding USB-PD where the lock slot is would be easier.
Anyway, just something for you to consider, from a loyal Purism customer. I’ll be waiting and hoping the 14v2 has USB-PD in a better location so I don’t have to tear apart my brand new laptop like these guys did.
Thanks!
1 Like
why would you have to tear it apart when it comes with USB-PD?
Apples and Oranges. The thread you linked was people replacing the barrel connector for a USB C PD port. They didn’t change the location of the port. Nor were they doing all of this because they disagreed with the ports location.
In short, you can provide no logical rational basis for needing to tear your laptop apart, based on the reasoning found in this thread.
I have that same laptop-- the Librem 13-- and it does have USB-PD. One of the pictures shows a disassembled Librem 15v3 and is labelled Librem 15v3, and that laptop also has USB-C.
And like you said, they were replacing the barrel jack with USB-C. That is what I suggested but with the lock slot.
The USB-PD is unusable, for me, in the current placement, and at least those other customers felt the same way. Your use case is not everyone’s.
I have never seen Purism market the Librem 13 v3 or v4 (let alone the earlier models) as having a USB C port that can be used to charge the battery. Furthermore if this was true, why were people modifying their laptops to add a USB C PD port? Happy to be proven wrong here.
Apples and oranges. If you think you can move the gas can fill lid on your car arbitrarily to the driver head light, then I guess I can see how you would come to that conclusion.
But replacing a barrel jack with a USB C PD port is not the same thing. The power elements of the board and the converter are all right where the barrel connector is. Putting the new port there is convenient because of this. I promise you, no one thought they should remove the barrel port and then put a USB C PD port on the other side of the computer. Having to run a new trace on the board, or jerry rig the limited space with wires soldered to the board. Let alone the implications of running a power line across elements not designed for it, etc. (or as was suggested in this thread, if they did, probably don’t consider the implications, or know much about PCB design, etc.) This isn’t play dough. These things are made in very specific ways for very specific reasons.
Can you please explain, with an actual example, how the USB C PD port is not usable for you because of its location? Because honestly, to me it seems, that you are in fact, missing the very point you are trying to point out. Your use case, which you have yet to fully explain, seems to be the exception. I wouldn’t even be talking on this thread if you would have explained this at the onset of this thread.
And man I don’t want to argue with you. You mangle your laptop however you please. I think I’m done with this thread.
Happy to be proven wrong here.
I mean, I’m holding my Librem 13 in my hands and I’m looking at the USB-C port right now, so…
I promise you, no one thought they should remove the barrel port and then put a USB C PD port on the other side of the computer.
The barrel jack is on the other side of the computer from the USB-C port on the Librem 13.
On the Librem 14, since they’re on the same side, I cannot plug in the laptop easily when the wall outlet is on the other side. I have broken two different barrel jacks lately because they are both on the left side and I had them plugged in to an outlet on the right side, causing them to break.
If you think you can move the gas can fill lid on your car arbitrarily to the driver head light, then I guess I can see how you would come to that conclusion.
In short, you can provide no logical rational basis for needing to tear your laptop apart, based on the reasoning found in this thread.
Simmer down and consider how your needs and uses are not the only consideration in the design of the product.
You created a thread to complain about port placement, and based your argument on your use case. I don’t think I’m off base casually saying to simmer down.
FYI these four quotes are from your last four posts… Every single comment you have made to me in this thread has had some sort of ad hominem attached to it.
Sorry, I respect your opinion and your use case, but I’m not interested in a conversation with someone who reacts this way just because I disagree with them. This is after I asked you politely to stop once already. It is perfectly fine to disagree with someone, but if you’re going to question their intelligence with every post don’t be surprised if they decide to ignore you. Have a nice day.
And yet you haven’t proven anything.
You can’t read what I write and respond appropriately. A usb c port is not a usb c pd port.
Also your use case seems tragic if and only if you didn’t know that you can buy longer cables, extension cord, or surge protector with a longer cord.
No I don’t get your use case at all. It simply sounds ridiculous. (which I’ve tried subtly to point out and hoped you would come to the final conclusion on your own.)
Doesn’t mean I’m against you having a problem or even starting this thread.
Anyways you clearly know what you’re doing. Have fun ripping open your librem.
No existing/shipped Librem devices support USB-PD (except the phone). The presence of a USB-C port does not imply USB-PD functionality.
1 Like
Thanks, I’m aware of the difference. I’m a bit confused though, why did you say
why would you have to tear it apart when it comes with USB-PD?
if it does not come with USB-PD? Based on that and the responses of some other users saying it already comes with USB-PD, I assumed it did. Perhaps I misunderstood you.
So even if the USB-C port were moved to the opposite side again, the Librem 14v2 still wouldn’t (yet) support USB-PD, is that correct?
I’m not sure how things have gotten so confused.
No existing Librem 13/15 models have USB-PD.
The Librem 14 will have USB-PD.
Moving the port isn’t an option because that’s where the port is on the reference design on which the Librem 14 is based. Adding USB-PD to the USB-C port on the reference design added a non-trivial cost, but one we felt was worth it. Moving any ports would incur significant NRE costs for a full redesign, and would be pointless as there’s no functional limitation in its current location.
3 Likes
I use USB-C charging on my 2016 MacBook Pro… of course that is the only type of port they have on there!
The cable that plugs into the port is pretty small. I imagine I could plug the following cable into the port no matter what else I had connected.
https://www.amazon.com/Apple-USB-C-Charge-Cable-2m/dp/B01MQ5Z080/
I always break the wires in the power cable right at the point where it plugs into every laptop that I have ever owned. I have had to solder together broken wires at least half a dozen times (particularly with Lenovo charge cables). It is such a problem that I now wrap the last couple inches of wire in many layers of electrical tape to prevent the wire from bending right at the point where it plugs into the laptap. It looks ugly, but it solved the problem for me of breaking the charging cables.
USB-C cables look far more fragile than normal charge cables and are probably more likely to break, but they are also easier to replace, since they are a standardized part that you can buy anywhere. I wouldn’t even try to resolder the wires in a USB-C cable.
1 Like
you should always FACT check what the community here says … we are still only people and we can forget or miss-type etc.
never take a “fortunately for you i am MIGHTY” seriously UNLESS it’s coming from Thor himslef 
1 Like
never take a “fortunately for you i am MIGHTY” seriously UNLESS it’s coming from Thor himslef
Haha, I’ve noticed that especially the people who pretend to be thor often have the least qualifications for their claims as well. Point taken.
USB-C cables look far more fragile than normal charge cables and are probably more likely to break, but they are also easier to replace, since they are a standardized part that you can buy anywhere. I wouldn’t even try to resolder the wires in a USB-C cable.
My $200 Lenovo laptop’s USB-C cable has never needed a replacement. I’m on my third barrel jack cable for my $1500 Legion. Granted, the USB-C laptop was designed for “schools” or something so the cable was probably made more rugged than the typical phone charger, but the point is, not all are made alike. If you are rough with your power cables you also have the option of buying a higher quality charger from a different company.
@leetaur when I was talking about the other ports around it, I was also referring to the fact that both the USB-C and barrel jacks will be on the same side. Meaning no matter which cable I choose-- USB-C or barrel jack-- it will come out the left. At my desk, the wall outlet is on the right. Just one example… that’s actually the exact reason why I go through so many barrel jacks for my Legions too, because although the Legion’s barrel jack comes out the back it has to bend at a 90 degree angle to get to the wall. The Librem 14, as is, would have the same problem. The Librem 14 with one power jack on each side, instead of two side-by-side, would not.
I cannot say I know or have reliable answer (for every usage scenario) to your question(s) but perhaps we might have soon some kind of understandable solution (if not offered up to now), on why regular power jack socket is (or perhaps isn’t) important, if we put it in relation to DisplayLink USB Type-C graphics firmware upgrade. Or because I wish/like to learn something from subject matter experts within this thread by putting your question(s) in context (practice) of using Coreboot.
For example, we know that System76 owners of Galago Pro need to make sure that particular Linux laptop is plugged into the AC Adapter for the entire firmware updating process.
@gurk, I’m sorry not providing to you, Linux and Librem user, at least one relevant answer, but I’m not getting one here either (except that this USB-C™ 3.1 Gen 2 upgrade, not even 100% sure / need to guess myself as well, wasn’t expensive).
1 Like