Comment by cycomanic
7 hours ago
One of my pet peeves with USB C is that many laptop manufacturers went "great less space occupied we can push the porta closer together to make space for something else", but many USB C devices (particularly USB Sticks ...) have inherited the dimensions of USB A. So there is not enough space for a plug and cable, e.g. I can't use my yubi key while my monitor is connected to the laptop.
The USB-C specification[0] recommends a minimum 12.85mm heart-to-heart distance between ports. Fine for cables, probably not fine for dongles.
USB-A mandates[0] a maximum overmold size of the plug of 16mm, so the minimum heart-to-heart distance is going to be a hair above that, although I don't think anyone is placing them that tightly together in practice.
[0]: https://www.usb.org/sites/default/files/USB%20Type-C%20Spec%...
[0]: http://www.poweredusb.org/pdf/usb20.pdf#page=127
A short USB-C extension cable won't do the trick?
Ref: https://www.amazon.com/Extension-Extender-0-65ft-Thunderbolt...
It would, but that's the Apple solution, a dongle.
Better to design it right the first time, which I think is the OP's point.
Those are out of spec though so should be used with caution.