Do you prefer keyed or reversible ports?

[SuperCookie78]

Do you prefer an external computer port that is keyed (only plugs in one way) or reversible (can also be plugged in upside down)? Lets say they both have the same durability, reliability and speed.

[minibois]

If I can see the port an cable (e.g. a phone, an external HDD and their cable..) I don't mind either, but if I can't see the cable+port (e.g. the back of my PC, the side of my laptop or a mouse with a recessed port) I would rather have it be reversible.

 

But with 'I don't mind either' I still mean I prefer a reversible option, there's not much of a reason to go keyed in that case (assuming the rules you set in the OP).

[Velcade]

How is this even a question?  Reversible always wins. 

[Fasauceome]

USB C is the future.

[PlayStation 2]

I plug in things without being able to see the port all the time so I'd vastly prefer a reversible port.

[SuperCookie78]

42 minutes ago, Velcade said:

How is this even a question?  Reversible always wins. 

A keyed design at no point is there any traces crossing over so it can be easier to design and build. it can also be made thinner.

[NineEyeRon]

Keyed as it’s probably cheaper.

[Stroal]

Keyed for professional stuff. Most ports that are used professionally are only plugged in once. 

[Skiplusplus]

The questions seems vague or ambiguous at best. Are we talking about "As one who plugs stuff in..." or "As one who designs connectors..." or something else? 

[TomvanWijnen]

I've personally never minded micru usb, as it has those two great sticking out bits with which you can feel which way they're pointed. You need to grab the cable near there anyways so it isn't much of an extra effort for me. As for the device, I just remember which way its port is pointed (on my 1+1, "the wrong way around": upside down for some reason). What is more inconvenient now is having a phone with USB C and my old phone (that I still regularly use so far) with micro usb, meaning that I have a 3 and a 2 meter cable lying around in a small pile.

[Kisai]

3 hours ago, SuperCookie78 said:

Do you prefer an external computer port that is keyed (only plugs in one way) or reversible (can also be plugged in upside down)? Lets say they both have the same durability, reliability and speed.

Reversible because they are less likely to be damaged by fumbling.

 

However the shapes of the connectors leave a lot to be desired since the pins on usb-style connectors can still be bent or shorted. What is needed in reversible designs is short-circuit prevention where the shell (ground) mechanically triggers the "connection secured" signal.

 

What happens right now with both USB-C and Apple's Lightning is that the connector can still be partially inserted, or in the case of USB, the shell can be slightly bent, and short the pins itself.

 

In non-reversible designs, usually the "pin" side of the connector is more structurally solid since it can only be inserted one way (see USB-B and mini-DP/Thunderbolt2 connectors) before it even enters the shell. HDMI, Displayport, USB-A and eSATA can all be partially inserted into each other. In fact many docks actually have the eSATA port double as a USB port.

 

 

[kelvinhall05]

Keyed only if the cables lock in better than with reversible (e.g. micro USB vs USB-C).

[Tsuki]

depends on what its for. 

if it needs to stay plugged in(network, video, audio, etc) i want it keyed.

if i have to change it frequently (usb), i want reversible. 

[SuperCookie78]

2 hours ago, Tsuki said:

depends on what its for. 

if it needs to stay plugged in(network, video, audio, etc) i want it keyed.

if i have to change it frequently (usb), i want reversible. 

keyboard or mouse

[SuperCookie78]

4 hours ago, Skiplusplus said:

The questions seems vague or ambiguous at best. Are we talking about "As one who plugs stuff in..." or "As one who designs connectors..." or something else? 

as a consumer would you like a connection that can be reversible.

[FezBoy]

Barrel jacks because they have infinite sides

[SuperCookie78]

Just now, FezBoy said:

Barrel jacks because they have infinite sides

thats sorta hard with a 8 electrical connections

[Tsuki]

25 minutes ago, SuperCookie78 said:

keyboard or mouse

i dont really have a preference for those. but i can see the argument either way. 

[TetraSky]

Reversible... for obvious reasons.

 

Keyed is fine, if it's a plug once and never touch it again with some weird format that's incompatible with other stuff. But for anything that needs to be plugged/unplugged a lot, reversible simply makes more sense.

[Mira Yurizaki]

I'd argue reversible for external interfaces, but keyed or whatever works for internal interfaces. Reversible increases the complexity of the design which makes no sense to have for something that's intended to be touched like a handful of times in the device's life.

[SuperCookie78]

Just now, Mira Yurizaki said:

I'd argue reversible for external interfaces, but keyed or whatever works for internal interfaces. Reversible increases the complexity of the design which makes no sense to have for something that's intended to be touched like a handful of times in the device's life.

well it depends on how its designed I am pretty sure for usb c 5Gbit/s and up there has to be some logic in the usb controller. but since usb 2.0 is just 4 lines its easy to just have them cross over. you could also double the width and just have on half have pins on top and the bottom the same but mirrored and just have the pcb mounts connect but then you waist space. 

[Mira Yurizaki]

11 minutes ago, SuperCookie78 said:

well it depends on how its designed I am pretty sure for usb c 5Gbit/s and up there has to be some logic in the usb controller. but since usb 2.0 is just 4 lines its easy to just have them cross over. you could also double the width and just have on half have pins on top and the bottom the same but mirrored and just have the pcb mounts connect but then you waist space. 

It still doesn't make sense to do this for an internal connection. There's no need for the added complexity and waste for something that again, is likely only going to be touched a handful of times.

 

Reversible connectors are simply for convenience.

[SuperCookie78]

Just now, Mira Yurizaki said:

It still doesn't make sense to do this for an internal connection. There's no need for the added complexity and waste for something that again, is likely only going to be touched a handful of times.

I agree 

[Guest]

Having a ubiquitous modular approach to connectivity is the future

[Mira Yurizaki]

15 minutes ago, floofer said:

Having a ubiquitous modular approach to connectivity is the future

If we're talking external connectors, the problem is that people associate connector with functionality. So unless you enforce all functionality to be mandatory instead of only some of it, you're going to have problems with people being confused about things. USB-C is a prime example of this.

 

You show people an HDMI, RCA, USB Type A, or a micro B, and ask them what it's for you're going to get one, maybe two answers. You show people a USB C, you're probably going to get a dozen, and on any given device, only one or two of them is going to be correct.