iPad Pro Should I be worried about the Thunderbolt port?

[BB1970]

I have a recently purchased M1 iPad Pro and generally like it. But I’ve been thinking how much I plug and unplug it for connecting it to power and various dongles etc. Now I’ve owned the iPad Pro 10.5 with lightning for the last 5 years (that’s how long I generally keep these things) and I did the same amount of connecting with that. It never failed on me. But the usb-c/thunderbolt connector is a new beast and wondering has anyone here ever had their fail? Do you feel it’s less or more robust than lightning? So far everything is working properly and such, but having no long term experience with this port, I don’t have any first hand knowledge of its durability.

 

[usagora]

I've seen people on this forum claim the USB-C type port loosens over time, but I've never experienced such. They feel the exact same as Lightning ports to me. It's possible they have dust/debris in their ports, which can obviously affect the ability of the port to retain the cable.

 

[cupcakes2000]

I have a recently purchased M1 iPad Pro and generally like it. But I’ve been thinking how much I plug and unplug it for connecting it to power and various dongles etc. Now I’ve owned the iPad Pro 10.5 with lightning for the last 5 years (that’s how long I generally keep these things) and I did the same amount of connecting with that. It never failed on me. But the usb-c/thunderbolt connector is a new beast and wondering has anyone here ever had their fail? Do you feel it’s less or more robust than lightning? So far everything is working properly and such, but having no long term experience with this port, I don’t have any first hand knowledge of its durability.

My extremely well used 2018 iPad Pro usbc port is absolutely fine. Don’t worry about it! Overblown nonsense as ever.

 

[Rafterman]

There is one (expensive) way to minimize that risk. Get a Magic keyboard, plug the charger into it, then you don't need the iPad's port to charge, it charges through the keyboard whenever it is attached. You just need the port for data transfers. Like a glorified dock for your iPad.

 

[BB1970]

There is one (expensive) way to minimize that risk. Get a Magic keyboard, plug the charger into it, then you don't need the iPad's port to charge, it charges through the keyboard whenever it is attached. You just need the port for data transfers. Like a glorified dock for your iPad.

Yeah. I was thinking about it but I just can’t justify it for the price. I have AppleCare. I suppose that’s some reassurance.

 

[CharlesShaw]

There is one (expensive) way to minimize that risk. Get a Magic keyboard, plug the charger into it, then you don't need the iPad's port to charge, it charges through the keyboard whenever it is attached. You just need the port for data transfers. Like a glorified dock for your iPad.

Hehe, yep that would be expensive. For the same price one could buy monthly Apple care for 70 months, lol.

 

[rkuo]

Yeah. I was thinking about it but I just can’t justify it for the price. I have AppleCare. I suppose that’s some reassurance.

Snag an open box one off ebay or woot when a sale happens. The real world prices outside of Apple's bubbles are much more reasonable. You can get a brand new one right now from OWC for 200 bucks I think. Used for 150 elsewhere.

 

[BB1970]

Snag an open box one off ebay or woot when a sale happens. The real world prices outside of Apple's bubbles are much more reasonable. You can get a brand new one right now from OWC for 200 bucks I think. Used for 150 elsewhere.

Thnx for the tip. I’ll look at their offerings just to have a complete picture. Though I admit I don’t know if I wanna go that route. It sort of goes against my iPad “ethos” of sort. My attempt is to be as light as possible without having extra hardware like keyboards and all that (I have no problem typing on glass). I guess I’m trying to very much (not) make it a laptop.
The problem is there are like no manufacturers utilizing the three pin for power method. All this time and still we have to use the thunderbolt port. It would come in so handy for docks, stands, etc

 

[sunking101]

USB-C is more fragile than Lightning and some ports are better from new than others. If you get one that reassuringly clicks into place and is wobble-free then you’ll be fine providing you don’t abuse it.

 

[JPack]

Yes, USB-C is less durable than Lightning. Look at the complaints from MacBook owners with loose ports.

Thankfully, replacing the modular port is a 5 minute job on iPad Pro. It’s a $3 part.

In short, no worries.

 

[beach bum]

I’ve used a usb-c, micro, and lightning magnetic charging cable for years and never had to remove the adapter from the iPad, AirPods, iPhone (before magsafe) or other device that I was using. Very convenient and I don’t have to worry about damaging the port. I use magnetic charging cables/adapters from Chargeasap; however, Amazon has plenty of vendors selling something similar.

 

[rkuo]

Thnx for the tip. I’ll look at their offerings just to have a complete picture. Though I admit I don’t know if I wanna go that route. It sort of goes against my iPad “ethos” of sort. My attempt is to be as light as possible without having extra hardware like keyboards and all that (I have no problem typing on glass). I guess I’m trying to very much (not) make it a laptop.
The problem is there are like no manufacturers utilizing the three pin for power method. All this time and still we have to use the thunderbolt port. It would come in so handy for docks, stands, etc

The keyboard is a game changer and one of the biggest reasons to have the Pro models. Wouldn't knock it til you've tried it.

 

[Erpler]

I’ve used a usb-c, micro, and lightning magnetic charging cable for years and never had to remove the adapter from the iPad, AirPods, iPhone (before magsafe) or other device that I was using. Very convenient and I don’t have to worry about damaging the port. I use magnetic charging cables/adapters from Chargeasap; however, Amazon has plenty of vendors selling something similar.

View attachment 2111819

The last time I looked into these cables, not one of them existed that actually conformed to the required USB C specifications.

 

[beach bum]

The last time I looked into these cables, not one of them existed that actually conformed to the required USB C specifications.

Hmm… well after a number of years using the chargeasap magnetic cables/adapters, I have never had any issues with them. Chargeasap has continued to evolve their cables to keep up with the latest standards, and I even used them for my MBAs. I am not as familiar with the products that Amazon sells.