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Comment by bryanlarsen | Hacker News Reader

I really hope that this form factor catches on. It's actually possible, since there's no chicken and egg problem -- this card can be used on any computer. It works better in a Framework laptop, but it's just another dongle on others. Hopefully a big manufacturer notices and starts using it.

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Physical compatibility aside, sticking a large rigid adapter supported only by the port into a laptop seems like a great way to damage the port and is still clunkier than a standard dongle with a cable.

That's not how these adapters are designed.

The framework adapters are grooved to secure them to the laptop chassis.

I know :) That was in response to “… this card can be used on any computer …”

> this card can be used on any computer.

With the small caveat that you need enough space around the port; on other computers, it might block other nearby ports, or even not fit if there's any protuberance. Passive USB-C plug to USB-C socket cables (that is, USB-C "extension cords") are AFAIK forbidden by the standard (and ignoring the standard and making one anyway would, as far as I understand, allow for dangerous combinations like putting 5A into a 3A cable), so they cannot be used to workaround this limitation.

But there are active USB-C extension cables, as well as hubs that connect with USB-C to the host and have at least one USB-C port to connect a device. Beyond that, forbidden as passive extension cables may be, there are dozens of brands selling them on Amazon, so they're always an option even if they create a potential misuse hazard.

Congrats, you just doubled or tripled the cost just to make this kludge work.

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