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What genius designed the USB port layout on MBP?

2

24usedtorock

macrumors regular
Original poster
It's a very awkward fit using both USB ports on the side of the 15'' Macbook pro, I don't even feel comfortable cramming two in there unless I absolutely have to. For a machine that seems to have such meticulous attention to detail in so far as the quality of the build, hardware etc, how could this have went unnoticed? 😕

You know how those commercials go, I'm a PC and Windows 7 is my idea...

Well to the design specialist who drew up these USB ports

- I'm a dumbass and the design of the MBP pro USB ports was my idea.. 😱
 
24usedtorock said:
It's a very awkward fit using both USB ports on the side of the 15'' Macbook pro, I don't even feel comfortable cramming two in there unless I absolutely have to. For a machine that seems to have such meticulous attention to detail in so far as the quality of the build, hardware etc, how could this have went unnoticed? 😕

You know how those commercials go, I'm a PC and Windows 7 is my idea...

Well to the design specialist who drew up these USB ports

- I'm a dumbass and the design of the MBP pro USB ports was my idea.. 😱
Click to expand...

Jonathan Ive is the genius who designed the USB port layout on MBP. I am sure one of the most universally acclaimed designers of our generation is crushed by your disdain.
 
Mactagonist said:
Jonathan Ive is the genius who designed the USB port layout on MBP. I am sure one of the most universally acclaimed designers of our generation is crushed by your disdain.
Click to expand...

Well you'd think someone who was universally acclaimed might think to try to plug two USB's into his design and see how clumsy the fit is, what looks good on paper (such as your referencing of his credentials) do not always translate well in real life as far as getting the job done.

Understood?
 
24usedtorock said:
Well you'd think someone who was universally acclaimed might think to try to plug two USB's into his design and see how clumsy the fit is, what looks good on paper (such as your referencing of his credentials) do not always translate well in real life as far as getting the job done.

Understood?
Click to expand...

Yeah the ports are weird for me too(17"). Its weird using the laptop on my lap and then trying to use the optical drive. Still I like it better than some PC lay outs. Some of them have usb ports on the back (near the hinge) it also seems like pc manufacturers just don't care about where ports go. At least some though (to make the machine appear clutter free) went into Apple's design.
 
I have to agree!

It's a very awkward fit using both USB ports on the side of the 15'' Macbook pro, I don't even feel comfortable cramming two in there unless I absolutely have to. For a machine that seems to have such meticulous attention to detail in so far as the quality of the build, hardware etc, how could this have went unnoticed?
Click to expand...

This is the one thing about my MBP that really annoys me! Also why only 2x USB ports on a pro lap-top is beyond me...

The following is a rant, please forgive me but I need someone to understand:

Okay attach high speed drive - FW800 port, no problem.
Attach USB thumb drive to copy information for clients... oops its to wide to fit right next to the FW800 port so I'll have to use the other one (Thank God my drive is FW and not USB). Now I have to attach a tablet to do some photo touch ups - oh sorry can't do that its blocked by the Thumb drive - attach my mouse maybe no sorry can't do that either... Now the Client wants to email a photo to Greece and we are on location - attach the USB Mobile Dongle, oh no the edited file is on the thumb drive and the dongle cannot fit into the #$%&!!! USB port without removing the thumb drive - okay copy the file across to the desk top, remove the USB thumb drive, install the Mobile dongle... Why does it have to be so difficult! Solution buy USB hub: All is well but wait its a bit well, slow... Solution? Need power for the hub - not a solution on location, can we do anything else? Well power the hub with the other USB port -- oops its fits real tight, lets hope nothing gets damaged... I mean really COME ON!

But otherwise I really love everything about my MBP, except maybe the fact that the 7 hour battery was introduced a month after I bought mine and the price came down by more than 20% (Murderers!)
 
24usedtorock said:
Well you'd think someone who was universally acclaimed might think to try to plug two USB's into his design and see how clumsy the fit is, what looks good on paper (such as your referencing of his credentials) do not always translate well in real life as far as getting the job done.

Understood?
Click to expand...

The problem isnt that I misunderstand what you are saying, I can read what you have written and understand that you have some odd sized USB device that blocks the second port. I can even understand that it annoys you.

The problem is that the MBP isnt designed to fit whatever odd sized USB device you can find. It is designed to be sleek, rigid, elegant and to devote maximum internal capacity to its battery. Start spacing USB ports out, start adding more of them and you start enlarging the space devoted to the mainboard and reducing that reserved for the internal battery. I am quite certain that Apple determined extreme battery life without a protruding battery was much more valuable to potential MBP customers then the ability to fit odd sized USB devices and made design choices that reflected that.

Understood?

Now because I understand that it can be frustrating to have USB devices that are oddly sized I will introduce you to something I became acquainted with while using a Macbook Air: http://www.amazon.com/IDE-DIST-FL001-Flex-USB/dp/B0000BV1LS

Enjoy!
 
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It is always interesting to me that Apple is always to blame for every little detail. Never mind designers that draw up USB devices that are needlessly wide. Because we have to have those rabbit USB drives right?

What about the PCs that have the USB port right on top of each other? 🙄

070123_1f.jpg
 
Now because I understand that it can be frustrating to have USB devices that are oddly sized I will introduce you to something I became acquainted with while using a Macbook Air: http://www.amazon.com/IDE-DIST-FL001.../dp/B0000BV1LS
Click to expand...

Okay okay... We all know there are solutions to the problem... But the more extention cables and other parafinalia I have to carry around to make something work that should "just work" the more annoyed I get. Thus may be a solution when you are based in an office environment but if you are really using your MBP on the go and out and about then these kinds of things quicky suffer from wear and tear and end up being more trouble than they are worth! There has to be a better way and hopefully the next generation of MBP's will have a better way!😉
 
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With all due respect, your post was just stupid.

I understand you might be a blind fan-boy that only uses his I-Pod or i-phone usb plugs, but I'm not using any damn "odd sized" USB plugs. If I can't fit a standard USB plug for a printer and for a phone charger without one being clumsily jammed on and slanted slightly, there's a bit of a design issue.

I understand Apple's ultra-ODDLY TINY wires might fit a little snugger, but for the normal USB plugs that might not cost $30 it's not an easy fit.

Then again it's not difficult to understand why a company that charges $100 for a dvi splitter or $30 for an adapter to use a non-Apple display would not place their customers needs first when implementing a hardware layout..

Mactagonist said:
The problem isnt that I misunderstand what you are saying, I can read what you have written and understand that you have some odd sized USB device that blocks the second port. I can even understand that it annoys you.

The problem is that the MBP isnt designed to fit whatever odd sized USB device you can find. It is designed to be sleek, rigid, elegant and to devote maximum internal capacity to its battery. Start spacing USB ports out, start adding more of them and you start enlarging the space devoted to the mainboard and reducing that reserved for the internal battery. I am quite certain that Apple determined extreme battery life without a protruding battery was much more valuable to potential MBP customers then the ability to fit odd sized USB devices and made design choices that reflected that.

Understood?

Now because I understand that it can be frustrating to have USB devices that are oddly sized I will introduce you to something I became acquainted with while using a Macbook Air: http://www.amazon.com/IDE-DIST-FL001-Flex-USB/dp/B0000BV1LS

Enjoy!
Click to expand...
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
I guess you can lead a horse to water, but you sure cant make him drink.

I explained why the ports are the way they are, If you want to keep raging against Apple feel free I guess. It isnt going to change going forward because fitting a bunch of odd sized USB devices isnt a priority for Apple. Get an extension and move on. Or dont, it doesnt effect me! 🙂

24usedtorock said:
With all due respect, your post was just stupid.

I understand you might be a blind fan-boy that only uses his I-Pod or i-phone usb plugs, but I'm not using any damn "odd sized" USB plugs. If I can't fit a standard USB plug for a printer and for a phone charger without one being clumsily jammed on and slanted slightly, there's a bit of a design issue.

I understand Apple's ultra-ODDLY TINY wires might fit a little snugger, but for the normal USB plugs that might not cost $30 it's not an easy fit.

Then again it's not difficult to understand why a company that charges $100 for a dvi splitter or $30 for an adapter to use a non-Apple display would not place their customers needs first when implementing a hardware layout..
Click to expand...
 
Mactagonist said:
The problem is that the MBP isnt designed to fit whatever odd sized USB device you can find. It is designed to be sleek, rigid, elegant and to devote maximum internal capacity to its battery. Start spacing USB ports out, start adding more of them and you start enlarging the space devoted to the mainboard and reducing that reserved for the internal battery. I am quite certain that Apple determined extreme battery life without a protruding battery was much more valuable to potential MBP customers then the ability to fit odd sized USB devices and made design choices that reflected that.
Click to expand...

Responses like this are frustrating because it takes user frustration and tries to excuse it away as user error. Not all USB devices have the super slim fit plugs like Apple's and a lot of USB devices have significantly larger plugs that just don't fit well - they're not odd sized. Even a standard USB flash drive might be too big for the space if a similarly sized plug is adjacent.

The whole point is to brings these up to everyone's attention, most of all Apple, so they know where problem spots are with their design. Aesthetic is one thing, but ultimately these pieces of equipment that we're paying so much money for need to meet our needs; our needs should not change to fit the device.

Users noted that the Apple Bluetooth headset was uncomfortable/didn't fit and the fanboys like the poster above blamed "freakish ears". Users noted that the Mighty Mouse scroll ball would get stuck and the fanboys blamed "dirty fingers". Users noted that the original iPhone speaker was too quiet and the fanboys blamed "poor hearing". Fortunately, as demonstrated by model line updates since, Apple itself is more receptive than the fanboys to criticism.
 
RexTraverse said:
Responses like this are frustrating because it takes user frustration and tries to excuse it away as user error. Not all USB devices have the super slim fit plugs like Apple's and a lot of USB devices have significantly larger plugs that just don't fit well - they're not odd sized. Even a standard USB flash drive might be too big for the space if a similarly sized plug is adjacent.

The whole point is to brings these up to everyone's attention, most of all Apple, so they know where problem spots are with their design. Aesthetic is one thing, but ultimately these pieces of equipment that we're paying so much money for need to meet our needs; our needs should not change to fit the device.

Users noted that the Apple Bluetooth headset was uncomfortable/didn't fit and the fanboys like the poster above blamed "freakish ears". Users noted that the Mighty Mouse scroll ball would get stuck and the fanboys blamed "dirty fingers". Users noted that the original iPhone speaker was too quiet and the fanboys blamed "poor hearing". Fortunately, as demonstrated by model line updates since, Apple itself is more receptive than the fanboys to criticism.
Click to expand...

This is the proper avenue for feedback: www.apple.com/feedback

Sarcastic posts on a messageboard arnt the best way to get your point across to apple.

Beyond that, I was trying to open the OP's eyes to the fact that there might be other considerations behind the design of the MBP then his needs.
 
The USB configuration is a hassle. I cannot plug another USB device in if I am using my USB aircard. The pre-unibody alum Mac's configuration was better with one on each side. I also do not like the black keys on the UNB Mac. The pre-unibody keys seem better constructed and have a better feel than the black keys. Other than this, I love the MacBook Pro.
 
even a lot of low profile usb devices have issues. I can not use my RF mouse and my USB dongle at the same time. I have to unplug the mouse to do a time machine back up. My RF receive is really small and is not the problem. The standard USB cable for the back up drive is an issue as well as the USB dongle (Which are stupidly huge anyway).
 
Mactagonist said:
This is the proper avenue for feedback: www.apple.com/feedback

Sarcastic posts on a messageboard arnt the best way to get your point across to apple.
Click to expand...

This is a Mac discussion board. The OP is discussing what appears to be a more common concern among MBP owners than you originally made it out to be. There is nothing wrong with the post other than your disagreement with it's point.
 
RexTraverse said:
This is a Mac discussion board. The OP is discussing what appears to be a more common concern among MBP owners than you originally made it out to be. There is nothing wrong with the post other than your disagreement with it's point.
Click to expand...

Sure. But you said:

...
The whole point is to brings these up to everyone's attention, most of all Apple,
...
Click to expand...

posting on a message board, Mac or not, is less effective then going to www.apple.com/feedback Wouldnt you agree?

I dont think I ever said it wasnt an issue at times. I simply tried to show the OP why things are the way they are and why the issue isnt as simple as "just spread them out more".
 
Well, maybe apple expects pros to be using $30 cables. If not, maybe under $1.00 cables that certainty would fit: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.11294

Also, I have a late '07 MacBook, which is pre-unibody, and the USB port on the left is just as bad as having the two next to each other, as the magsafe blocks it. Granted most places that I have the AC Adapter plugged in, I can use a powered hub, but it still is annoying to use.
 
You bought the machine knowing that the ports were on one side. Too often people come to the forums complaining when they don't have the guts to back it up with their wallet.
 
or if the infinitely wise apple actually gave us something we could use ::ahem docking station::::

mackmgg said:
Well, maybe apple expects pros to be using $30 cables. If not, maybe under $1.00 cables that certainty would fit: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.11294

Also, I have a late '07 MacBook, which is pre-unibody, and the USB port on the left is just as bad as having the two next to each other, as the magsafe blocks it. Granted most places that I have the AC Adapter plugged in, I can use a powered hub, but it still is annoying to use.
Click to expand...
 
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