Expensive in terms of cables or connectors?
In both cases, I've been paying considerably less for USB-C (cables and chargers combined) than for proprietary replacement chargers.
> it even works with a 45W adapter
My favorite thing about USB-C charging is that (at least Macbooks) it works even with lowly 5W chargers in a pinch! Sure, it takes more to fully charge a laptop that way – but I can sustain my Macbook Pro's charge with an 18W phone charger on an airplane no problem.
Is it? I’ve been using USB-C Macs since 2017 and I’ve never had any broken ports, despite some significant abuses (cable trips, grime in the port, etc). A few worn out cables, and failed chargers, maybe… but no problems on the laptop itself.
This was true on my 2017 MacBook Pro - the grip force was quite weak on the USB-C ports. But not so much on my M1 MacBook Air (2020), where the ports feel much tighter with more grip.