[mft_]

n=1, but the feeling of ‘security’ of cables plugged into my MacBook Pro’s ports seems to have gradually decreased with time. Some are now even slightly position-dependent - I have to be very careful when copying files with some devices not to even slightly nudge the laptop.

This may of course be that the there is too great a variance in the design and manufacture of the male USB – C plugs leading to insecure connections… but either way, it’s worse than any other USB standard (even micro) I’ve used, and much worse than Lightning in this regard, in my experience

[girvo]

The 2020 MacBook Pro has changed that: theres a massive increase in friction/clickiness in the last mm of travel when plugging a cable in. Much more secure than my 2016

[FabHK]

I had the 2016 MBP, bought just when it came out, and now the same (long story...), but built in 2020. The ports on the new one seem much more stable - one has to plug it in, and then on the last millimetre there is increased friction really holding it tight. I don't think the ports on my old machine had that feature, and yes, they were very fragile - I'd basically kick off the Time Machine backup on an external drive and leave the room, hoping that it finishes!

The ports on the new one seem more stable, though. Maybe they've iterated and improved it - think about how much time they had to optimise USB A.

[meatmanek]

This is good to know. You can get replacement USB-C boards[1] for the 2016/2017 MBP, and I've been wondering whether they have the improved ports that newer model years got, or whether the replacement board would wear out as quickly as the original board. Your experience suggests that maybe they're using better ports.

1. https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/MacBook-Pro-Retina-A1706-A1...

[sudosysgen]

For me, this was due to dust/lint build-up, and a 20 second fix. Not on a Macbook though. But generally my USB-C ports have never failed.

[sdflhasjd]

n++;

Mine too. The cables no longer clip in, and fall out without good resistance. This appears to be a problem unique to the MacBook though - the cables are fine and my other devices that should experience more wear on the ports are also fine.

I've slowly cycled through the good ports and I've only got one good one left now!

[meatmanek]

The 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pros are known for this problem -- supposedly it's fixed in newer models.

[nikanj]

Same. If I have to use external media, I put my laptop on the table so I can keep things immobilized.