How to prevent HDMI cable damaging laptop port.

[EHocking]

Pretty much what it says in the title.

I’ve just replaced an old laptop which ended up with “dodgy” input ports, especially for the HDMI output.
All the new laptop’s ports, HDMI & USB etc, are quite tight and I’d like to keep them that way.

At the moment I have the HDMI cable propped up so that it doesn’t sag in the port, but it is quite inconvenient.

Is there a cable solution that won’t put undue stress on the port?
The laptop pretty much stays on the desk, so the cable isn’t unplugged/plugged back in very often at all.

Oo, also, suggestions for a good USB/Ethernet hub would be appreciated. The one I have seems to get very hot when running large data exchange between external drives hooked up to it.

 

[alfaniner]

Hmmm, seems like a simple project for 3D printing a case cover that the plug could slip into, and fit snugly against the port. I don't know if all plug cases are the same size but the ones I see seem to be consistent.

 

[Wudang]

I have a Dell D3100 dock. My monitors plug into its hdmi and displayport ports and my PC connects via a USB3 connection. The video output from my pc is via usb not the PCs video ports. It has an Ethernet port but I use Wi-Fi. Would that work for you?

 

[theprestige]

Is the plug loose in the socket? Or is the port itself loose in its mounting?

 

[The Great Zaganza]

some sort of dock/port extender should do the trick

 

[theprestige]

some sort of dock/port extender should do the trick

Depends on the make and model of laptop, and how the port extender connects.

 

[Jack by the hedge]

Some HDMI leads are much lighter and more flexible than others. I gather you're worried about the weight of cable hanging off the port. I would look for a less hefty cable in the first instance, and maybe look at how you could contrive a better support to relieve the strain on the socket. Something like a clip to hold the cable against the edge of the table.

 

[theprestige]

Pretty much what it says in the title.

I’ve just replaced an old laptop which ended up with “dodgy” input ports, especially for the HDMI output.
All the new laptop’s ports, HDMI & USB etc, are quite tight and I’d like to keep them that way.

At the moment I have the HDMI cable propped up so that it doesn’t sag in the port, but it is quite inconvenient.

Is there a cable solution that won’t put undue stress on the port?
The laptop pretty much stays on the desk, so the cable isn’t unplugged/plugged back in very often at all.

Oo, also, suggestions for a good USB/Ethernet hub would be appreciated. The one I have seems to get very hot when running large data exchange between external drives hooked up to it.

One nice thing about including the make and model of the equipment is that it unlocks the potential to find hobbyist/maker articles, posts, and videos about how this particular make and/or model has this problem and there's already a community-recognized fix for it. "This looseness is because Dell used cheaper Model 69420 ports on its XP67 laptops, and all it takes is a small amount of superglue right... there... to set it right."

That sort of thing. I'm not saying there's that kind of ready-made solution for your particular make and model, but you should at least activate the potential.

 

[The Great Zaganza]

Depends on the make and model of laptop, and how the port extender connects.

sure, but that's true of every cable

 

[theprestige]

sure, but that's true of every cable

which is why "some kind of dock/port extender should do the trick" is a vague and incomplete... you know what? I apologize. The problem as presented is vague and incomplete, and it deserves vague and incomplete suggestions for how to solve it. Carry on.

 

[EHocking]

Thanks for the suggestions of a port/hub - this was part two of the OP?
I’ve been using one(s) for years cos slim laptops’ designs lack Ethernet ports

…

Oo, also, suggestions for a good USB/Ethernet hub would be appreciated. The one I have seems to get very hot when running large data exchange between external drives hooked up to it.

 

[Trebuchet]

I think you are worrying too hard.

 

[EHocking]

Some HDMI leads are much lighter and more flexible than others. I gather you're worried about the weight of cable hanging off the port. I would look for a less hefty cable in the first instance, and maybe look at how you could contrive a better support to relieve the strain on the socket. Something like a clip to hold the cable against the edge of the table.

Thanks - I’ve replaced the heavier cable with a lighter on that is lightly secured to the desk.
But im restricted for space and it now I wonder if the cables impart a damaging lateral force?
These two ports were the major damaged ones on my old laptop - but of course were the most used too.

 

[EHocking]

I think you are worrying too hard.

Yeah, probably. New laptop so a bit precious perhaps.
A bit like our new car. Damned thing has been vacuumed and washed more time in a couple of months than it’s predecessor was in 12 years.

 

[Mongrel]

Have a look for right-angle cables, it may still produce stress but less of it and in a different direction

 

[Jack by the hedge]

Have a look for right-angle cables, it may still produce stress but less of it and in a different direction

Right-angled cables are a brilliant space-saver but inevitably the version which turns in the direction I need is always super rare and hard to find.

 

[Mongrel]

Right-angled cables are a brilliant space-saver but inevitably the version which turns in the direction I need is always super rare and hard to find.

They're getting better, a couple of minutes on Amazon and I found these which offer all directions.

 

[alfaniner]

Have a look for right-angle cables, it may still produce stress but less of it and in a different direction

I had to get one for my previous laptop because the power cord went in on the right side, and not all the way at the back, so it was always getting in the way of the mouse. I'm sure someone sinister designed it that way...

 

[Mongrel]

I had to get one for my previous laptop because the power cord went in on the right side, and not all the way at the back, so it was always getting in the way of the mouse. I'm sure someone sinister designed it that way...

So many times it seems like the design is handed off to someone who's never had to use the device before

 

[EHocking]

Right-angled cables are a brilliant space-saver but inevitably the version which turns in the direction I need is always super rare and hard to find.

Ha. I had the same thought as the Mongrel, and yes, found three of them in my cable box.

All angled “left”

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View attachment 77035

About to get on Amazon as per Mongrel’s 2nd post