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USB replaces a huge number of different cables[1].

[1] With a bunch of incompatible and identical looking USB-C cables.

Exactly. In a way it's worse, because at least before you could tell what a cable was compatible with by looking. HDMI, ethernet, USB, all easily distinguishable. And power cables generally worked with the thing they could plug into (not always, but generally. A lower powered Magsafe charger could at least charge a higher powered MacBook, even if it would drain if in use.)

Now we have a mess of incompatible cables AND you can't tell the difference by looking at them.

They should've called USB-C, USB 4, and said "Right, there's one type of USB 4 cable, and it works with everything it can be plugged into."

Even if all USB-C cables were the highest spec and worked with anything USB-C, further multiplexing the port with Thunderbolt 3 adds yet another whole layer of messiness. Not only are Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C cables not interchangeable but there are a whole bunch of interop issues surrounding Thunderbolt 3: http://plugable.com/thunderbolt-3/ gives a good overview.

I have said this in other threads: Herein lies the rub of USB-C: It isn't a universal logical interface, it is a multi-use physical connector. By overloading the port's logical functions you introduce incompatible physical configurations.

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