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2nd gen rMB...
- Thread starter Eggtastic
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Maybe you're ahead of the curve, or you're just a user with extremely lightweight workflows and requirements. Some people need multiple USB Type A ports, an Ethernet port, sd cart slot, and multiple monitor support all at the same time though. For those people, this machine is the perfect secondary computer.
Unless you think it's possible at this time to outsource all those above requirements to cloud computing somehow?
te lack of a magsafe connector was mentioned earlier. now there is a third party solution.
https://www.macrumors.com/2016/01/04/griffin-breaksafe-magnetic-usb-c-cable-macbook/
https://www.macrumors.com/2016/01/04/griffin-breaksafe-magnetic-usb-c-cable-macbook/
Couple of things:
I am an IT Engineer and I do plenty of fairly advanced things including diagramming, scripting, network modeling, few Linux VMs for various things, etc. While I don't do anything too computationally intensive - I am what most would consider a power user.
Multiple ports requirement - easily solved by Apple USB-C adapter, which I connect to external monitor. This gives me an extra 1440p screen for desktop work as well as 4-port USB3 type-A hub. I actually love the fact that rMB has just a single port, which makes it very easy to go from "docked" to "mobile" and back. To me - that's a feature rather than a drawback.
The point of all this is that rMB doesn't need to be relegated to a secondary computer. Unless your work requires you to create CGi for Star Wars - I seriously doubt rMB will slow down your workflows
I want larger screen as well, but somehow doubt we will see that in next generation.
But people only mention iGPU and CPU + battery here. Of course that those matter. But what about thunderbolt 3 with usb-c type of connection?
Only reason I didn't buy 1st gen is lack of tb3. Soon that will happen, and then Apple will update. It's not a matter of will Apple update rMB in 2016, it's a matter of when. I just hope that it won't be in late 2016, I'm hoping for spring at least
But people only mention iGPU and CPU + battery here. Of course that those matter. But what about thunderbolt 3 with usb-c type of connection?
Only reason I didn't buy 1st gen is lack of tb3. Soon that will happen, and then Apple will update. It's not a matter of will Apple update rMB in 2016, it's a matter of when. I just hope that it won't be in late 2016, I'm hoping for spring at least
Excellent replies, I appreciate everyone's input. I don't need a new laptop, but my next move will be a rMB as the ipads do not impress me, and I think the rMB and an Iphone 6+ make a great combo (at least for me). I can definitely wait it out, but honestly hope there is something in the mix for spring/summer 2016.
Yeah I'm really glad this is being addressed by the market. I think the ZNAPS is a more elegant magsafe solution though if it's MacBook compatible when it releases in June 2016. They do have a USB-C version coming. There's much less sticking out of the device if you just want to leave it there and not wear out the USB-C port. I like the idea of just keeping it in there and tossing it in my bag. Having the bit sticking out that Griffin is showing seems a little bit more than I'm comfortable with.
http://www.znaps.net
Also a tad less expensive.
Same here!
The having one port with an adapter and a USB hub has been a dream.
Going from clamshell mode to laptop mode is so much easier, than it was with my previous 15" rMBP.
Couple of things:
I am an IT Engineer and I do plenty of fairly advanced things including diagramming, scripting, network modeling, few Linux VMs for various things, etc. While I don't do anything too computationally intensive - I am what most would consider a power user.
Multiple ports requirement - easily solved by Apple USB-C adapter, which I connect to external monitor. This gives me an extra 1440p screen for desktop work as well as 4-port USB3 type-A hub. I actually love the fact that rMB has just a single port, which makes it very easy to go from "docked" to "mobile" and back. To me - that's a feature rather than a drawback.
The point of all this is that rMB doesn't need to be relegated to a secondary computer. Unless your work requires you to create CGi for Star Wars - I seriously doubt rMB will slow down your workflows
I get it. I'm in IT also, but couldn't imagine the rMB as my primary machine, that's just me. You can connect more than 1 display via USB-C? And also have additional IO like Ethernet, FireWire, Thunderbolt, and SDXC at the same time?
You can certainly do most of it with USB-C hubs.. I personally have no need for FireWire or multiple external displays, so a combination of Apple USB-C Adapter and Dell U2515H monitor with built-in USB3 hub gives me all the connectivity I need.
A future release of rMB may include Thunderbolt-3 USB-C port, which will open up even more possibilities. That in combination with Apple Thunderbolt-3 5K display (yes there will be such thing) will be the ultimate setup.
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Out of curiosity, what was your problem with having more than just one port? Was it unsightly with all those holes? Too convenient? Something else?
Docking and undocking. When you have a powerhouse or normally docked laptop as a desktop replacement, whenever you want to undock it and use it as a traditional laptop requires unplugging tons of cables from both sides of the laptop. With the MacBook everything is plugged into one dongle on one side of the computer that detaches in one shot. Super convenient.
You can certainly do most of it with USB-C hubs.. I personally have no need for FireWire or multiple external displays, so a combination of Apple USB-C Adapter and Dell U2515H monitor with built-in USB3 hub gives me all the connectivity I need.
A future release of rMB may include Thunderbolt-3 USB-C port, which will open up even more possibilities. That in combination with Apple Thunderbolt-3 5K display (yes there will be such thing) will be the ultimate setup.
That's why I'm waiting for at least Skylake, the fact that Thunderbolt 3 will be in USB-C rather than Mini DisplayPort format. That's huge. Here's hoping apple will include it.
If hubs like that exist, that solves most of the problems, but the current gen rMB cannot drive more than 1 external display, which is terrible for some users. That and for users needing more firepower, this type of machine will not be a primary machine for a long, long time, if ever.
Sure, there are some users who'll need a more powerful machine. But I contend that many (if not most) users can easily get away with rMB as their only machine.
How many people do you think connect multiple external monitors to their MacBooks? I reckon this number to be in a low single percentage digits.
I agree with this sentiment. Im downgrading from a 2013 rMBP highest model to a 12 inch MacBook. I barely do any photo editing and most of my everyday tasks can be taken care of by the 12 inch.
Even if you did a lot of photo editing - I don't see why that would be an issue. There are reports of rMB owners using PS and Lightroom without much trouble.. and certainly Apple Photos run fine. You don't really need a Mac Pro with 12-Cores to edit photos
Oh I'm sure most users in the world can have it as their primary, but there are plenty here on MR who wouldn't be able to use as such. If you're used to having/need 2-3 monitors or need a 4-8-12 core machine for work or need a powerful GPU, this machine is useless to you. For everyone else it's fine. "Power user" is relative I suppose.
I have no doubts the rMB stands for the future of computing. It's surely going that way. Don't get me wrong, the rMB is a great machine, but it just needs those few extra capabilities if it wants more users. But that would probably never happen or won't happen for a long time because Apple will be more glad to sell you a MBP that's 2x in price and have all the functionality you need. 8x USB-C ports anyone?
Even if you did a lot of photo editing - I don't see why that would be an issue. There are reports of rMB owners using PS and Lightroom without much trouble.. and certainly Apple Photos run fine. You don't really need a Mac Pro with 12-Cores to edit photos
I didn't mean it that way, should of clarified that the most intense thing I do would be photo editing and this would handle it just fine. Even 4k video editing and export works just fine as Jonathan Morrison from TLD on youtube proved that its actually very formidable using final cut pro X.
I agree. I would love to see just one more USB-C on the other side of it. Would mean charging from either side, no complete laptop failure if one port breaks, better for peripherals, and in my opinion solves the only thing most people don't like about the laptop. I can also see a price drop coming.
Also agree with you on Skylake, why wouldn't they update? The chips are here now, a March refresh seems likely and that's around a year since they first went on sale. Really can't wait to get one, I'm in the user group you describe. I have a high end liquid cooled gaming rig, an iPhone but I kind of would like something that I can use that's portable while also being more capable than an iPhone.
It depends on where you get the video from, all 4K video is not the same. And, how long the clips are. iPhone footage is different than that from a professional camera and multi-cam shoots. But, yes, it works but with limitations.
I've never once felt I needed an adapter (although I have one), more horsepower or much of anything else. Don't do serious audio or video work? This machine is fine as a daily driver.
I've had mine since launch and I'm actually hoping for a 14" version this year. It doesn't even have to have a second port. I would just like a slightly larger screen.