[paxys]

While the idea behind it is nice, the number of possible outcomes isn't high enough to justify the complex decision tree the user has to go through. Here's a much easier way to represent it:

Amazon Basics standard USB-C – slow charging phones, connecting simple peripherals

Amazon Basics 100W USB-C with PD – fast charging phones, laptops, connecting monitors

Apple or Belkin Thunderbolt – connecting ultra hi res/high refresh rate monitors, high speed data transfer

[enos_feedler]

It reminds me of an old idea i had where you specify all of your home theater equipment (tv, receiver, set tops, consoles, etc) and it draws a wiring diagram + cable list for optimal configuration

[nemosaltat]

Did you get anywhere with this idea? I work in this space and I’d certainly be interested. Especially WRT to control. Just to scratch the surface: the xyz Display (TV) supports IR, RS-232, & IP control- how should I determine what is optimal? Fewer wires (IP, possibly) JustWorks™ (IR), MostlyJustWorks and gives feedback (RS-232), YOLO (CEC). Oh great, its 2023 and xyz have dropped support for RS-232 on the 75” model, but it’s still there on the 65” and 85.”

[enos_feedler]

Sadly no. It was maybe 10 years ago when my parents needed to unplug and redo their home theater and I was living away from home. But this is a good example. It should be easy for software to figure out. The hard part would be populating the database. however, it could be crowd sourced maybe.

[crooked-v]

Anker has USB 4 (aka Thunderbolt 3) cables now that are getting cheap enough that I would consider just using them for everything by default, or at least for any new devices.

[frosted-flakes]

Thunderbolt USB-C cables are thick and heavy though.

[Underphil]

Just what we need... more leverage on the connector.

[xen2xen1]

Soon enough I'm going to just set up an Amazon recurring delivery of a set of my favorite cheap USB-C cables, with at least some that are 10 foot for night time charging. I'm giving up and going for volume. The bricks don't wear out, the cables always do. And yes, actually real PD all in one bricks / cords are amazing, I'm just not sure what duty cycle mine will handle.

[dvdbloc]

Sure, for a tech employee it may be heavy handed. However I could definitely see my older parents finding this quite helpful for them.

[izacus]

Your old parents will just use the cable they got with the monitor / dock / phone and be fine.

These contortions and hand wringing is pretty much a property of overthinking neck beards.

[selcuka]

I don't think either a new laptop or a new monitor comes with a Thunderbolt 3 cable. Your parents will have to purchase that separately.

[j45]

I wouldn't be surprised if far more cables are added, and more scenarios.

[mtlmtlmtlmtl]

I have never ever bought a Belkin product that turned out to be good. Their cables work fine for a time and then break.

[chillbill]

> While the idea behind it is nice, the number of possible outcomes isn't high enough to justify the complex decision tree the user has to go through.

Why did this need to be said?