USB Cable Not Fitting? How to best plug in 3rd party / non-Microsoft USB peripherals into Surface Go / Pro inside VidaMounts!
Looking to setup your new Surface Pro tablet stand or Surface Go stand/mount along with a USB device, but can't fit the USB cable? Not to worry! Continue reading below for the solution!
Background:
While the USB-A and USB-C ports on your Surface tablets meet international standards, the cables that often connect into these ports have strain reliefs that widely vary in size and width - and since there are no standards for strain relief sizes, this often causes fit issues when using non-Microsoft, 3rd party cables.
One solution is to design an enclosure that allows ANY cable connector to be plugged in on an open side / edge - but providing open access would be extremely problematic for professional, business, and commercial environments where uptime is essential. Open access allows anyone to disconnect the cables - either by accident or maliciously - and thus, usage of iPad tablet enclosures and mounts would unfortunately be a flawed design choice.
Conversely, to "make the slot larger" may seem simple in concept - but since there's no limit as to connectors' strain relief sizes, this simple change can easily cause any enclosed Bezel design to be extra wide / bulky - making it look far less visually attractive.
Solution:
Instead of plugging directly into the Surface tablet using the non-fitting, 3rd party cable, we can "externalize" the port by using an extension cord, to allow an easier fit / outside of the VidaMount enclosure!
- USB-C: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QYRB1YW/ [or]
- USB-A: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0793P8XJK/
Below are some installation photos of the assemblies with our recommended cables linked above. As one can clearly see, any peripheral can now be easily connected into the Surface tablet stand via the externalized extension cord's female port - eliminating the cable fit problem we have!
Surface GO w. USB-C Extension [Left] / Surface PRO w. USB-C Extension [Center] / Surface PRO w. USB-A Extension Cable [Right] - Plugged in & clearing cable slot
Surface GO w. USB-C Extension [Left] / Surface PRO w. USB-C Extension [Center] / Surface PRO w. USB-A Extension Cable [Right] - Routed to enclosure exit hole
Surface GO w. USB-C Extension [Left] / Surface PRO w. USB-C Extension [Center] / Surface PRO w. USB-A Extension Cable [Right] - Embedded inside assembled VESA Enclosure
What if we need to plug in multiple USB devices, and multiple extension cords won't fit?
Solution: Instead of using a basic extension cord, consider connecting a USB dock/hub (such as a Microsoft DOCK or USB hub) instead - read this article for more details:
Need more help with the setup & installation of your new Surface Pro tablet stand or Surface Go tablet mount - or any of our other tablet enclosure wall mounts, iPad desk/table stands, or tablet floor stands? Chat with us online, or give us a call at +1 516-499-5050 - and we'll be more than happy to help!
