[Leaplist] Micro-B connector.

[Bryan J. Smith]

Many posts are reporting all sorts of issues.  In reality, people are just reporting
their ignorance.  They don't know how Windows works at all, and would have
issues with other drives.  I.e., some drives still do not "safely remove" correctly,
causing corruptions, and people expect that type of behavior.  They also don't
understand that WD's new "read-only CD image" that stores the software is to be
commented for its universal design and approach that works in all OSes (including
Linux), while not taking up any space on the device.

But that all aside, here are USB connectors:  
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_connector#Connector_types  

The new Micro connectors are half the thickness of the Minis, and have a pair of
"teeth" (note them at the top) on the male connector that lock into the female
socket.  When used on a well-designed female socket (including the WD drives),
they are much _better_ than Mini connectors.  Despite not being as thick, they will
_not_ bend as easy as Mini either either.

I've even had my Micro-B WD drive "dangle" from my notebook when I moved
it, whereas the drive would have "slid off" the connector had it been a Mini-B
(and crashed into the ground), let alone I've had my Mini-B connectors bend too
often.  I'm really surprised how the smaller Micro-B is so much better than the
Mini-B, but it's clear the Micro-B was a "lessons learned" from Mini-B.

It sounds like people are either not using Micro-B, or damaging them, such as ...
- Not inserting their Micro-B far enough for the "teeth" to catch
- Forcing the Micro-B male into a Mini-B female, damaging the male (cable)
- Forcing a Mini-B male into a Micro-B female, damaging the female (drive)
- Assumptions, assumptions, assumptions

Honestly, I almost didn't buy this drive some 6 months ago myself, because people
were saying all sorts of things from "proprietary" to "loose" about the cable.  And
some 6 months later, after connecting/disconnecting several times per day, easily
300-400 times now, I can say Micro-B _kills_ Mini-B in longevity and flush connect.

I still have my Mini-B connectors on my Blackberry, older 2.5" USB drives, GPS
devices, etc...  I've bent several Mini-B connectors in my time, destroyed a device
due to it being disconnected while several feet above the ground (and my not
securing its weight in my hand ;), etc...  Micro-B is much, much better.

I've never seen a bunch of people so self-sufficiently badmouthing a solid design.
Either I'm right, or I must have gotten a "good sample" of the 1TB WD Passport SE.
I'll find out soon enough as my 2nd comes in tomorrow.

________________________________
From: Andy Lino <andylino at hotmail.com>

Bryan said; 
They don't know the first thing about the newer, _better_, standard Micro-B connector.
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So Andy asks;
What is so special about this connector. Do you loose connectivity if you move the drive or cable
As reported on some posts?

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