Soldered USB-C ports are a step backwards for the laptop industry

Salem Techsperts
Salem Techsperts
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Published 2022-09-22
Do you remember when most laptop manufacturer's soldered their charging ports? And how much of a hassle it was to replace them? Then we started seeing modular charging ports, it was great! Welp, looks like we're sliding back to bullshit. Today I'm using the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 1 as an example of why this current switch from modular charging ports to soldered USB-C ports is a huge step backwards for the laptop industry. USB-C is fantastic, but it's prone to damage. It should be easily replaceable when that happens. But in 2022 Lenovo, like every other manufacturer switching to USB-C, only cares about profitability, not repairability. Long live IBM-Lenovo.
All Comments (21)
  • @gandalf5895
    to be fair- making the USB C charging port modular wouldn't be THAT hard. The HP Spectre X360 does this - and has been doing for the past 3 years - so it's possible.
  • @KZ-ko4vm
    Agree, old ThinkPad rule. I use t420 and it just won't die. Only new laptop worth considering is framework.
  • @johncarnege
    USB-C is the best thing in the world. That's why the EU adapted it. On the otherhand. It should have a replaceble connector.
  • @DankyMankey
    I’ve worked at a place that gave out thinkpads to employees, had a lot of them with dead USB-C ports and some of them smelled like burning.
  • @Sabermatrixx
    The later models of the square charger were also soldered, see the 260/370/x380. Sadly.
  • @katrinhasnolife
    As someone trained in 3D animation I learned real quick to be thrifty like this. I sold the first pc I upgraded to my boyfriend and he still uses it to game without issue. It's 13 years old and runs windows 10. Also still using my adobe suite cs6 before they went to subscription, never feel like it's missing anything really.
  • @DrathVader
    I switched from X220 to X390 recently and tbh, USB-C charging is my favorite thing about it. Opens up a whole new world of compact 3rd party adapters instead of the usual Thinkpad cinderblock chargers, plus I can use the same charger for my phone as well. It really should have been on it's own separate board with a little flex connecting it to the mainboard though. The port already feels pretty loose on mine. It's definitely not as robust and solid as the X220 either. I was thinking of getting a Framework but the value of a $150 ebay thinkpad still can't be beat, even if they're not as solid as they're used to be.
  • @laskaofalaska
    Shout-out to my old ThinkPad X200 for outliving my Lenovo Z50-75. Now if only my x200 can take more than 4GB RAM...
  • @ChristianStout
    USB4 signal integrity requirements dictate that the connector be soldered to the MB. Its that way with all brands. Only non-Thunderbolt USBC ports can be modular. Similar to soldered RAM, non-modularity is the price of higher performance.
  • @Iamtechboy
    Even apple have modular USB c ports ! , I couldn't imagine saying the word modular and apple in the same sentence
  • @TerruvianPuff
    I have a 2018 T580, and it’s my DAILY driver. Still have yet to buy a docking station for it.
  • @Pantherman1979
    I have a T520 and I LOVE it, nothing like what they produce today.
  • @galopeian
    watching this because i have run into this problem for the 2nd time and my Lenovo warrenty has expired. extremely frustrating gonna have to learn how to microsolder the component myself
  • @DrVektor
    This is the first time I've seen an American repairman on YouTube. I totally agree with you about the power input. Even the other inputs and outputs should be interchangeable.
  • @Hakutara
    The greatest technician that's ever lived
  • @fernandoqueirozpopovic7024
    thank fuck my ideapad still has the circular changer with a beafy cable so i don't have to use the backup usb-c on it.
  • @Ioniq5N-Gaming
    Thank god my Cyborg A13V gaming laptop uses a regular charger!
  • @pepo4990
    What's the newest ThinkPad that you do recommend?