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I was thinking about upgrading my MBA to a MacBook but after considering EVERYTHING I got to this image (The Verge). Sorry but I cannot agree to this.

4xbtocM.jpg

I agree. Dongles are a money making proposition for Apple. On the other hand, you have to give up something when computers get this thin.
 
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In defense of the OP, I also don't understand why there's only one USB-C port on the MBP.

Yes his picture may have over emphasized his point, but again, why make a computer with only ONE port; it just doesn't pass the common sense test.

m
 
In defense of the OP, I also don't understand why there's only one USB-C port on the MBP.

Yes his picture may have over emphasized his point, but again, why make a computer with only ONE port; it just doesn't pass the common sense test.

m

Before anyone can answer "why not more than one port", you would need to know how much space/heat/cost/size would adding a second port incur? I'm fine with one port actually. It's the USB-C interface that occasionally causes more issues than lack of a second "port".
 
In defense of the OP, I also don't understand why there's only one USB-C port on the MBP.

Yes his picture may have over emphasized his point, but again, why make a computer with only ONE port; it just doesn't pass the common sense test.

m

Because the target audience is one that favors portability over other considerations and rarely needs to plug anything into it on a regular basis other than the charger.

I spend 8 hours a day on my work (Dell) laptop, and the only thing it's routinely plugged into is the charger. I do have a USB port being taken up by a wireless mouse, but I could easily have a bluetooth mouse that would not take up a port at all. The vase majority of my data transmission and reception needs are handled over the company's network, which I can connect to anywhere as long as I have wi-fi or even via my tethered cell phone. Point being: I could easily use a single port computer like the MacBook for work if it were issued to me.
 
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The thing is, why is there only one port? It's not like the size couldn't have supported a second one. I seriously doubt the electronics would have been prohibitively larger to fit in either.

It seems like it was totally an aesthetic choice by Apple -- and I dare say a frivolous one at that.

Why bring it up? Because it's a deal-breaker for people like me, and I think it needs to be said for Apple to hear it.
 
I was thinking about upgrading my MBA to a MacBook but after considering EVERYTHING I got to this image (The Verge). Sorry but I cannot agree to this.

4xbtocM.jpg

That picture from the verge article is doing it wrong. Should have gotten a longer usb cable and hide all that mess in a backpack/bag; centralized connecting station. If this was a MBP with more ports, those devices would still be dangling around with 1 less hub.
 
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The thing is, why is there only one port? It's not like the size couldn't have supported a second one.
Please have a look at the tear down and identify where you'd have placed a second port given the current design.
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Retina+MacBook+2015+Teardown/39841

The back edge is occluded by the screen lid when open, so that's not available.
Front edge is too thin.
On the sides, the keyboard extends too close to the edge to allow ports under the keyboard, and the bottom casing is too thin for ports forward of the keyboard.
To the rear of the keyboard there is sufficient room for a port on each side between the keyboard and the corner radius.

So, where should that port have gone?

Yes, had it been designed differently, deeper or wider or thicker, they would have made room for more ports.

Obviously they chose this design knowing some quantity of people will choose not to buy it.

I imagine they expected those who are stuck with legacy stuff they need to use so often while mobile as to eschew this machine would likely also need more power and buy a higher model.

Why bring it up? Because it's a deal-breaker for people like me
I wasn't aware that Apple built their systems to be all things to all people? They currently have three different MacBook lines, and two of those each have two different screen & chassis sizes. That one of these five different models doesn't meet your needs is not exactly the end of the world for anyone.

I think it needs to be said for Apple to hear it.
Then post your assessment on Apple's boards where they're more likely to see it rather than as a comment on page three of a thread on an outside company's forums.
 
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Please have a look at the tear down and identify where you'd have placed a second port given the current design.
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Retina+MacBook+2015+Teardown/39841
I did look at those very pictures earlier. Did you look at the USB-C daughter card? Right off the bat I'm sure you could have merged another one with the audio-daughter card. But frankly, if they wanted to do it they could have found a way, given they went so far as to create customized tempered batteries.

I wasn't aware that Apple built their systems to be all things to all people? They currently have three different MacBook lines, and two of those each have two different screen & chassis sizes. That one of these five different models doesn't meet your needs is not exactly the end of the world for anyone.
Have you taken a serious look at the line now? There is a reason MacRumors has listed them all as "Do Not Buy" for quite a long time, except for the MacBook. That is the only Mac laptop that has been updated in almost a year-and-half. The Pro's are overpriced now considering their tech is very dated. I don't feel like there are any good choices right now. It's quite frustrating actually. I have wanted to upgrade for nearly a year. They have let the whole line atrophy for too long.
 
For the love of Lopan, why do people get so defensive? I'm just posting my point of view about my decision of not buying the MacBook. I love my MBA but I think Apple made a huge mistake in only making available the USB-C ports. There's a lot of potential buyers coming to this forum trying to make their minds. This is something to think about, an important one.
Not sure defensive is correct for most. My issue with you is saying Apple made a huge mistake instead of acknowledging simply having design choices that don't work for you, they did for me and all other buyers who researched their purchases.
maybe when you have been here a bit longer you will get it, or not :)
If the person had a Macbook air or Pro he would have had the same number of cables just plugged in differently
 
I did look at those very pictures earlier. Did you look at the USB-C daughter card? Right off the bat I'm sure you could have merged another one with the audio-daughter card.
Not and retain the headphone jack (which I'd be fine if they ditched). Looking at it in person it's far clearer than trying to guess from images on a website.


But frankly, if they wanted to do it they could have found a way, given they went so far as to create customized tempered batteries.
Sure, with a different design as mentioned above. Current design doesn't physically allow for it though. Still, it's a design decision they made. A design decision resulting in a system that works very well for many people.


I don't feel like there are any good choices right now. It's quite frustrating actually. I have wanted to upgrade for nearly a year.
Yes, you've clearly expressed your frustration, but focus on pushing Apple to update the MBP line rather than fussing over a system designed to fulfill needs different from yours. The rMB doesn't' do what you need it to do? BFD. A lot of people simply don't need multiple ports. We get that you're not one of those people. Complaining that a Miata can't haul a horse trailer through the mountains doesn't reflect on Mazda's designers as much as it reflects on the silliness of the complainer.
 
Yes, you've clearly expressed your frustration, but focus on pushing Apple to update the MBP line rather than fussing over a system designed to fulfill needs different from yours. The rMB doesn't' do what you need it to do? BFD. A lot of people simply don't need multiple ports. We get that you're not one of those people. Complaining that a Miata can't haul a horse trailer through the mountains doesn't reflect on Mazda's designers as much as it reflects on the silliness of the complainer.
Well, I'm not going to come down to your level... substantively, I think the MacBook would be a much more compelling buy with two ports instead of one. Like they did with the MacBook Air, I encourage Apple to add another port in a future iteration, to make it a better computer. If you want to insult me for saying that, that is between you and your character.
 
f you want to insult me for saying that, that is between you and your character.

My apologies, I didn't realize "silliness" was such a hurtful, insulting adjective. :confused: I have no worries about my character though, thank you for your concern.

As to whether the current design was appropriate, time will tell. It took nearly three years from the A1237 to the redesigned A1369. Speaking soley for myself, I get more utility from my rMB's small size than I would from a larger chassis with an additional port.
 
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Well, I'm not going to come down to your level... substantively, I think the MacBook would be a much more compelling buy with two ports instead of one. Like they did with the MacBook Air, I encourage Apple to add another port in a future iteration, to make it a better computer. If you want to insult me for saying that, that is between you and your character.
You of course realize you came down to this hypothetical level with a nice passive aggressive statement. At least be honest.
 
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I was thinking about upgrading my MBA to a MacBook but after considering EVERYTHING I got to this image (The Verge). Sorry but I cannot agree to this.

4xbtocM.jpg

That... is totally insane! Yes, I have the Apple dongle, but my peripherals do not look like that madness :-o
 
I never plug anything into my MBP, ever. Except the power cord.

<- this. I've had a rMBP before for about two years and honestly can't remember plugging anything into it even once. That's why I sold it and got a 12" MB instead. I love the one-port solution as it looks very clean and sleek.

Don't need or even want a second port. Otherwise there would be the MBP or MBA.
 
The rMB isn't for everyone. You know if you need the additional ports more than anyone else. The single USB C port doesn't work for me, but it's fine for many.
 
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I was thinking about upgrading my MBA to a MacBook but after considering EVERYTHING I got to this image (The Verge). Sorry but I cannot agree to this.

100% agree.

The one-port limitation is the #1 complain I have about the Macbook. You should NOT have to choose between connectivity and being plugged in. As much as I love this little tech wonder (my girlfriend has one and she loves it), this sole aspect breaks the deal for me :(
 
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I'm sure when a Macbook comes out with two or three USB-C ports all those people are going to say.. NOPE, I only need the ONE port. Just because one port works for them doesn't mean it works for everyone like they think it should.
 
I'm sure when a Macbook comes out with two or three USB-C ports all those people are going to say..NOPE, I only need the ONE port.
Personally, I'd be pissed that they enlarged the MacBook to add those ports. Unless they ditch the headphone jack for a USBC port. Otherwise there's nowhere to add a port without making it bigger. (It's okay that you didn't know, that fact isn't so obvious if you've never used an rMB in person)

Just because one port works for them doesn't mean it works for everyone like they think it should.
I so rarely used more than one port at a time on my prior MBA13 (and never truly "needed" it) that it was easy to accept the single port on the rMB. I don't see that changing in the future.

I think most owners realize there are compromises made to achieve the degree of portability it provides. Doesn't bother me a single bit if it doesn't fit other people's needs. It just annoys me when people get all worked up blaming the Round Hole when they can't fit their Square Peg into it... That's not the Round Hole's problem. Do you (general sense, not you specifically) whine the a two seater sports car not having the rear seat that you need, or do you instead go buy the four-seat model instead?
 
For the love of Lopan, why do people get so defensive? I'm just posting my point of view about my decision of not buying the MacBook. I love my MBA but I think Apple made a huge mistake in only making available the USB-C ports. There's a lot of potential buyers coming to this forum trying to make their minds. This is something to think about, an important one.

You'll get sentenced to the naughty corner if you disagree with apple on here ;) At this point people would probably clap for Apple if they re-intrdouced SCSI :p
 
The thing is, why is there only one port? It's not like the size couldn't have supported a second one. I seriously doubt the electronics would have been prohibitively larger to fit in either.

It seems like it was totally an aesthetic choice by Apple -- and I dare say a frivolous one at that.

Why bring it up? Because it's a deal-breaker for people like me, and I think it needs to be said for Apple to hear it.
From Apple's own marketing page:

"Connected to everything. Tethered to nothing.
MacBook is not just ready for the wireless world. It was designed for it. Thanks to the latest wireless technologies — and innovative Apple software and services that let you get the most out of them — you can do nearly everything you need without plugging in. This portability allowed for an incredibly light and compact design that gives you enough room for a battery that lasts all day (up to 10 hours).1 So MacBook is designed to go anywhere you want to go. And do everything you want to do along the way."

Apple doesn't need to hear it, they know the machine has one port....they clearly designed it that way intentionally.
 
Personally, I'd be pissed that they enlarged the MacBook to add those ports. Unless they ditch the headphone jack for a USBC port. Otherwise there's nowhere to add a port without making it bigger. (It's okay that you didn't know, that fact isn't so obvious if you've never used an rMB in person)


I so rarely used more than one port at a time on my prior MBA13 (and never truly "needed" it) that it was easy to accept the single port on the rMB. I don't see that changing in the future.

I think most owners realize there are compromises made to achieve the degree of portability it provides. Doesn't bother me a single bit if it doesn't fit other people's needs. It just annoys me when people get all worked up blaming the Round Hole when they can't fit their Square Peg into it... That's not the Round Hole's problem. Do you (general sense, not you specifically) whine the a two seater sports car not having the rear seat that you need, or do you instead go buy the four-seat model instead?

Actually I did use one and returned it partially for the same reason as the OP. So what your saying is the Macbook will NEVER have more than one USB-C port because of the headphone jack? I find that hard to believe.
 
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