Hey Hey Hey! I’m not fully into the framework community since I don’t own a laptop (I’m going to have one next year if everything goes well).
I really loved how accurate this thread is coming to life, and since I love alternative ways of charging the laptop, including doing it magnetically, like the Apple’s famous Magsafe connector, I’ve never found something better than that since it’s fast and secure.
Yesterday I’ve found something that could be a big game changer to this thread and maybe one of you can adapt this to be a possible expansion card:
If this is adaptable to be an expansion card and the kickstarter project goes well, it could be mass produced and buy-able;
I’d love to see that single Apple exclusive thing that some other folks is looking for, ported to other devices.
Not to be a downer, but this is physically impossible and nearly 100% a scam.
You cannot do USB 40Gbps through 5 pins. It’s impossible to do it with copper signalling, and there is definetly not a giant optical fibre coverter in that small enclosure.
While it is possible to do it’s claim of 240W (USB PD works just fine with USB 2.0 4-pin), higher PD becomes more and more dangerous as the voltage between pins becomes absurdly high (48V for 240W).
This exacerbates current dangers of MagSafe.
Even if it reaches that maximum cap of 240W, what even distribute this much power? and for what? A laptop, plugged to a 60w charger, and even if doesn’t have 40Gbs, they at least made a Mac compatibile charger!
I did not mean to confuse you. Also did not mean any disrespect. My apologies.
Yes, that kickstarter is a scam, without a doubt. As Shiroudan said, it’s just not possible to do what they claim. There are certain unavoidable requirements, and the images that they show can not even come close to what’s required.
Okay, this makes more sense, when I’ve posted that link it was indeed something to discuss about, because I love the idea of making a magnetic charger, hoping that it could help somehow to make a step further to this project.
Thanks for claryfing my doubts, have a great day
If anyone is still following this thread, then I have some advice for you: be patient. Can’t get into all the specifics of this, but just be on the lookout for something within the next few months
Without getting into detail, I know of a company that is currently working on a special expansion card for this exact purpose, that is actually safe and the real deal. No update on when we might see it go to market, last I heard was Q3 2024. Hope this helps anyone still following this. I’m not sure if I can provide any more detail though, just know that it’s in the works
It looks like what’s needed for the DIY community in general is some simple way to make USB extenders of arbitrary length to fit inside 3D printed cards. Judging from the topics on the forums, there are all kinds of dongles that people want to tuck into the cards as well.
Maybe even just some parametric part that we can order to have printed on PCBWay?
I’ve attempted to contact FW to ask if I’m allowed to speak on this, but the refuse to talk about this. Before looking at this, I want to reiterate this: THESE ARE PROTOTYPES I WAS GIVEN ACCESS TO AND ARE NOT FINALIZED! This is a look at what could be an upcoming collab between Framework and Volta. If anyone from Framework is reading this, I’ve tried to contact you several times about this product, and you have not said anything about it. I was given this information without any sharing stipulations, or agreement of any sort. I hope you don’t mind me sharing
Friends, unless Volta details surge and ESD protection they added, it’s the same crap.
Volta, show me USB certification.
And show any surge and ESD protection. Actual ratings and components used.
Spoiler: their current cables certainly don’t have USB certification. And there is absolutely nothing on any surge or ESD protection.
Why is the Volta Cable better than other magnetic cables in the market?
When it comes to the uniqueness of our design, the VOLTA Cable features 2 perfectly aligned N52-grade Neodymium reversible magnets in a 360° orientation – at the magnetic end of the cable – which means powerful connection, instantly! We also designed the VOLTA cable to provide hassle-free charging for all your USB Type C (Android/Universal), Lightning (Apple) and Micro USB (Android/Universal) devices. This means, ONE VOLTA cable will connect you to almost every device out there!
So Volta is better because, they have magnets?
30-Day Money Back Guarantee
A $20 refund is not going to help with my malfunctioning motherboard.
Not a chance, on safety.
And their current cables have USB 2.0 data, that’s it. Plus PD charging.
Honestly, USB2.0 for charging I don’t see a problem at all. A charging only cable/port doesn’t need anything more than enough data to negotiate the USB-PD.
Not that it helps the rest of the potential concerns.
I believe you don’t need the USB 2.0 data pins. USB-PD is negotiated over the CC line. It would be better, safer if there was no USB 2.0 data. Not exposing those pins to surge and ESD.
True, but on the USB 2.0 lines you can at least put relatively powerful ESD protection diodes. These would degrade the signal too much if used on higher speeds.
