Anticipated new features for the 2016 MB?

[6749974]

Because they misunderstand the notebook's purpose while pestering happy RMB owners in discussion forums, that's why.

The people who pine away endlessly for an RMB with more ports and more processing horsepower are actually asking for a new and improved MacBook Air, not an updated RMB. The Air has all the legacy ports, has powerful processing as one of its core tenets, and just needs a retina display and a thinner/newer design and that's that. Instead of going over to the Air forum and crying about it's shortfalls and the need to make it thinner and lighter, they come here and wish that Apple abandon its strategy by making the RMB thicker and heavier. It's ridiculous already.

"Porsche sucks because it won't listen to us and add three more doors and 6-passenger seating to the 911! I'm not buying a 911 until they get their act together!" Sounds ridiculous, right? Same thing going on here. Endlessly. For over a year.

BJ

I've been following you, and this, argument for the last few months. And I think you summed up what's been wrong with much of the public reaction.

When rMB was first introduced, and to public outcry, I asked MacRumors and Reddit, "why so upset?" and they all essentially answered that it lacked MacBook Air features (i.e.. ports, battery life, processor speed). I asked, "well then shouldn't you get a MacBook Air then? Or a Pro? Since it seems you want Pro features?" but the logic was too much.

I think the problem is people are self-centered—they don't understand the concept of 'consumer profiles' and that they, as individuals, are not the sole target customer in every product release. I tried to explain that this new product category is starting out as aimed for the early adopter CEO/Executive type who wants OS X and a keyboard, nothing more, that they can hand carry from meeting to meeting—and that this wasn't for the average student/gamer/media-mogul/everyman. I also tried to explain that for those consumer profiles there is an Air or Pro with their names on it. But they wouldn't have it. Apple is apparently losing the plot.

To be fair, I think much of the cognitive dissonance is occurring because Apple hasn't updated the Airs to include retina screens. If and when Air's get retina screens, people will finally "see", understand, and finally come to peace with the Retina MacBook, because they can then buy an Air and leave the rMB to the executive types.

(Not trying to act like I'm the smartest person in the world, and everyone else 'just doesn't get it.' I just think its an issue of training. Marketers are trained to see that companies develop innovations as to target different market segments, and positions on the bell-curve according to a timeline of 'economies of scale'. Consumers are trained to think in terms of 'me-me' because that's what makes 'a good consumer' a good consumer (self-centered blindness). If something doesn't hit all their check-boxes, they throw a fit.)

I would prefer people see the rMB as a new product line, one that will mature but stay true to essentialism (OS X with a Keyboard). Once you add 3 port-types and begin needing to add fan/cooling, you start compromising on it's innovation-type and the people Apple is targeting (which again, isn't the every-man).

 

[boltjames]

I've been following you, and this, argument for the last few months. And I think you summed up what's been wrong with much of the public reaction.

When rMB was first introduced, and to public outcry, I asked MacRumors and Reddit, "why so upset?" and they all essentially answered that it lacked MacBook Air features (i.e.. ports, battery life, processor speed). I asked, "well then shouldn't you get a MacBook Air then? Or a Pro? Since it seems you want Pro features?" but the logic was too much.

I think the problem is people are self-centered—they don't understand the concept of 'consumer profiles' and that they, as individuals, are not the sole target customer in every product release. I tried to explain that this new product category is starting out as aimed for the early adopter CEO/Executive type who wants OS X and a keyboard, nothing more, that they can hand carry from meeting to meeting—and that this wasn't for the average student/gamer/media-mogul/everyman. I also tried to explain that for those consumer profiles there is an Air or Pro with their names on it. But they wouldn't have it. Apple is apparently losing the plot.

To be fair, I think much of the cognitive dissonance is occurring because Apple hasn't updated the Airs to include retina screens. If and when Air's get retina screens, people will finally "see", understand, and finally come to peace with the Retina MacBook, because they can then buy an Air and leave the rMB to the executive types.

(Not trying to act like I'm the smartest person in the world, and everyone else 'just doesn't get it.' I just think its an issue of training. Marketers are trained to see that companies develop innovations as to target different market segments, and positions on the bell-curve according to a timeline of 'economies of scale'. Consumers are trained to think in terms of 'me-me' because that's what makes 'a good consumer' a good consumer (self-centered blindness). If something doesn't hit all their check-boxes, they throw a fit.)

I would prefer people see the rMB as a new product line, one that will mature but stay true to essentialism (OS X with a Keyboard). Once you add 3 port-types and begin needing to add fan/cooling, you start compromising on it's innovation-type and the people Apple is targeting (which again, isn't the every-man).

+100

It's exactly that, the RMB is the hybrid iOS device for the second-notebook niche, it's the Apple Surface just done in a better way with a broader audience, it's a lifestyle notebook for the boardroom hopping SVP, the air traveling executive, the train commuter, the walking student on a vast campus. It's either an upsized iPad with a multi-tasking keyboard operating system or a downsized Air that strips out the old stuff and travels better, whichever way you'd like to view it.

Problem is that millennials see the shiny new toy, bestow wishes and dreams on it, and then fail to realize that what they want already exists on the wood table across the aisle. You want more ports and more power? Well, you get a thicker and heavier body, you know, like the Air. Instead, they slam the RMB as 'underfeatured'. They call out the keyboard, the camera, the lack of ports, the lack of processing power as "failures" when to us they are actually huge leaps forward. Bravo to Apple for having the courage to disregard stereotypes and politically correct thinking and develop a product that loses functionality for the greater good of portability. They're the Donald Trump of the notebook industry.

Portable Lives Matter

BJ

 

[Queen6]

Excellent, that's great news. I also heard that adding Skylake isn't a walk in the park either, lots of redesign is necessary.

Looks like the hordes of RMB Waiters will have to become Air Redesigners now.

BJ

Correct, Skylake is not a drop in CPU, redesign of the LogicBoard is mandatory, equally Apple will have early access to the new 6th generation CPU`s.

Q-6
[doublepost=1458124868][/doublepost]

+100

It's exactly that, the RMB is the hybrid iOS device for the second-notebook niche, it's the Apple Surface just done in a better way with a broader audience, it's a lifestyle notebook for the boardroom hopping SVP, the air traveling executive, the train commuter, the walking student on a vast campus. It's either an upsized iPad with a multi-tasking keyboard operating system or a downsized Air that strips out the old stuff and travels better, whichever way you'd like to view it.

Problem is that millennials see the shiny new toy, bestow wishes and dreams on it, and then fail to realize that what they want already exists on the wood table across the aisle. You want more ports and more power? Well, you get a thicker and heavier body, you know, like the Air. Instead, they slam the RMB as 'underfeatured'. They call out the keyboard, the camera, the lack of ports, the lack of processing power as "failures" when to us they are actually huge leaps forward. Bravo to Apple for having the courage to disregard stereotypes and politically correct thinking and develop a product that loses functionality for the greater good of portability. They're the Donald Trump of the notebook industry.

Portable Lives Matter

BJ

Exactly, I have just been pushing my 1.2 rMB to the limit of it`s performance envelope on an engineering project in Vietnam for the last four weeks, equally the Retina MacBook`s performance wasn't the issue, I prioritised portability over the far greater performance of my 13" & 15" Retina MacBook Pro`s for this trip. Apple`s Retina MacBook is not the Swiss Army knife of Notebooks, nor is it designed to be, for this you need to step up to a physically larger machine with more computational performance and ports. Apple offers this yet still many continue whine about the rMB in which case the advice is simple buy something else.

As with all previous notebooks Apple will improve the Retina MacBook over time iteration to iteration, equally it`s never going to be a solution for those who require a MacBook Pro as it was never designed to be so...

Q-6

 

[8692574]

As with all previous notebooks Apple will improve the Retina MacBook over time iteration to iteration, equally it`s never going to be a solution for those who require a MacBook Pro as it was never designed to be so...
Q-6

One thing is to claim that it will never be a MacBook Pro, and rightfully so i might add, another s claiming that it won't see an update because it is fine the way it is and people do not understand the product.

As with the Air, Apple will add more powerful cpu, more connectivity and better specs while lowering the price (even if by little) after all the Air was ahead of its time just like the RMB is right now.

They won't stop making longer battery life just because it is fine like it is now, they won't not make it more powerful just because it is an on the go machine (see ipad pro), claiming that Apple won't update the device this year because it is fine does not make ANY sense, and as i Have been proven in this thread, the one who is so sure that it won't be updated this year is the same who would not bet on it....

 

[ParanoidDroid]

Excellent, that's great news. I also heard that adding Skylake isn't a walk in the park either, lots of redesign is necessary.

BJ

No, James! That's not great news. I side with your argument about mobility and portability, because I travel/commute a lot and have lots of meetings on-site and off-site. However, I strongly disagree about that one USB-C port. It's definitely not good enough yet.

When you're traveling a lot or doing daily meeting cycles, ports are not that important. Some colleagues however, may pass you over an USB stick with a presentation and you usually have to decline it and ask them to e-mail you everything instead. You may also struggle a bit with additional adapters in order to show your presentation via a large TV or projector. Some have HDMI, some DVI, and some still only have VGA. Overall, you still enjoy your light laptop, especially if you work in a large office complex.

But, when you're back in your office, you want to plug-in that one USB-C cable into your MacBook, and have everything available to you. A full peripheral experience: dual monitors, wired network, external hard drives, usb-hub for those pesky thumb drives, SD-card reader, a full size keyboard, and a mouse etc.

Of course you could argue, that the solution is having an additional stationary iMac/PC in your office/home. But managing two or more machines can be problematic. It can also increase license costs for the same software that you use on both machines. Eventually you end up with micromanaging your files: syncing between clouds, active directories, external backup drives... it's a mess.

Personally, I hate cable spaghetti. I would never want to have it on my desk. So in order to avoid it, that one USB-C port really needs bandwidth, a lot of bandwidth! And that's exactly my problem with the current MacBook. 5 Gbps are not good enough. Thunderbolt 3 would solve that peripherals concerns with ease. Thus, I'm eagerly waiting for TB3 before I switch to the new slick MacBook.

tl;dr
If Apple gives you only one port, it has to be the most versatile port ever made: USB 3.0 < Thunderbolt 3.

 

[Queen6]

One thing is to claim that it will never be a MacBook Pro, and rightfully so i might add, another s claiming that it won't see an update because it is fine the way it is and people do not understand the product.

As with the Air, Apple will add more powerful cpu, more connectivity and better specs while lowering the price (even if by little) after all the Air was ahead of its time just like the RMB is right now.

They won't stop making longer battery life just because it is fine like it is now, they won't make it more powerful just because it is an on the go machine (see ipad pro), claiming that Apple won't update the device this year because it is fine does not make ANY sense, and as i Have been proven in this thread, the one who is so sure that it won't be updated this year is the same who would not bet on it....

Apple will update the Retina MacBook, the question is "when" as I tend to agree they have bigger issues. That said Apple sets it`s own pace; The MBP is moving ever closer towards the base consumer, and is very much in need of complete overhaul. Apple is also on a roll with the Mac currently as they are growing, where many others are shrinking, of which they will be very much aware, as they very much will be under pressure to maintain the current trend.

In many respects the Retina MacBook is very much what Steve Jobs always wanted the Mac to be; svelte, silent, efficient, most of all a statement, a design philosophy showing the PC does not need to be drab or boring. These points in isolation may well tip the balance, only Apple knows. What I do know is that after my experience with the initial 1.2 rMB I will definitely be updating it on release as without any doubts the rMB is the perfect notebook for those on the go, who do not require high levels of computation.

Q-6

 

[throAU]

"Porsche sucks because it won't listen to us and add three more doors and 6-passenger seating to the 911! I'm not buying a 911 until they get their act together!" Sounds ridiculous, right? Same thing going on here. Endlessly. For over a year.

BJ

Sounds like you want a Cayenne.

 

[Queen6]

Sounds like you want a Cayenne.

Safe to say, they are not disappointing...

Q-6

 

[boltjames]

No, James! That's not great news. I side with your argument about mobility and portability, because I travel/commute a lot and have lots of meetings on-site and off-site. However, I strongly disagree about that one USB-C port. It's definitely not good enough yet.

When you're traveling a lot or doing daily meeting cycles, ports are not that important. Some colleagues however, may pass you over an USB stick with a presentation and you usually have to decline it and ask them to e-mail you everything instead. You may also struggle a bit with additional adapters in order to show your presentation via a large TV or projector. Some have HDMI, some DVI, and some still only have VGA. Overall, you still enjoy your light laptop, especially if you work in a large office complex.

Not only is the RMB super lightweight but so is the HDMI adapter. So I carry it with me to all meetings in the office or on the road. On the 2x a year that someone actually passes me a USB thumb-drive in lieu of Dropbox or email, I can take out the adapter. Yes, it adds 15 seconds to the process and, yes, it's inconvenient. But it's only inconvenient for those 2x a year, the other 363 days I have the benefit of not lugging around the weight of that legacy port. And that's really the key to the RMB. Instead of making you drag around a Swiss Army Knife of ports, you get the benefit of the weight reduction, cost reduction, battery drain reduction, etc.

But, when you're back in your office, you want to plug-in that one USB-C cable into your MacBook, and have everything available to you. A full peripheral experience: dual monitors, wired network, external hard drives, usb-hub for those pesky thumb drives, SD-card reader, a full size keyboard, and a mouse etc.

And that's where the USB-C to HDMI adapter from Apple does its magic because it's not only a compact, lightweight travel companion, it's also the world's smallest docking station. Plug all those crappy legacy wires into this elegant adapter, it's right there on your desk when you need it, just one plug for your monitor, your mouse, and your power, it's better than any other notebook offers.

Of course you could argue, that the solution is having an additional stationary iMac/PC in your office/home. But managing two or more machines can be problematic. It can also increase license costs for the same software that you use on both machines. Eventually you end up with micromanaging your files: syncing between clouds, active directories, external backup drives... it's a mess.

My company gives me a large, heavy, powerful notebook that is anything but portable. So I leave that under my desk, it never goes anywhere. I bought the RMB just for travel, board meetings, and my personal life at home, I'd say I use it maybe 90 days a year at most. There are weeks that go by where I don't touch it. Dropbox is the answer to file management. Licenses provided by work are the answer to avoiding software expenses.

It's not for everyone. It costs money to use this machine the way it was intended. That's why it's expensive, exclusive, and designed for a niche audience. The Air and Pro are very good solutions for those who need a single notebook at work and on the go.

BJ

 

[oneMadRssn]

the advice is simple buy something else.

The buy something else argument is really stupid. First, we're talking about wants here. For needs, yes I would buy whatever fit those the best today. But if I went purely on needs, I don't need anything newer than a netbook circa 2010.

Second, as to wants, I want an Apple portable which weighs under 3lbs, has a IPS retina display, has a battery that will reliably last for 8hrs, and has a dedicated power-only charting port. Apple doesn't make this product, not right now, so there is not something else to buy. The MBP is almost there, but for the weight and battery life. The MBA is almost perfect, but for the screen. The rMB is almost perfect too, but for the battery life and no charging port. Why is it illegitimate to vent on an Apple-forum asking for either a MBA with a better screen or for a rMB with a more power-efficient CPU and charging port? Isn't that exactly what this forum is for?

 

[boltjames]

Why is it illegitimate to vent on an Apple-forum asking for either a MBA with a better screen or for a rMB with a more power-efficient CPU and charging port? Isn't that exactly what this forum is for?

Yeah, but the odds are 99% that you're going to get what you want out of a long-overdue Air redesign rather than an unexpectedly quick RMB revision. Think about it- which odds are greater? That Apple will finally and simply add a retina display to the Air or that Apple will throw the RMB and it's wireless philosophy into the wastebin after six months and start adding ports and processors where there is no space to house them now?

Simply put, instead of coming here to pound the RMB into submission and insulting the owners of this new device, you should be in the Air forum gathering a large group of supporters who would completely agree with you about improving that old device.

This is the MacBook Subforum. One click away is the MacBook Air Subforum. Over there you're spreading positivity. Over here you're spreading negativity. That's the difference.

BJ

 

[oneMadRssn]

Yeah, but the odds are 99% that you're going to get what you want out of a long-overdue Air redesign rather than an unexpectedly quick RMB revision. Think about it- which odds are greater? That Apple will finally and simply add a retina display to the Air or that Apple will throw the RMB and it's wireless philosophy into the wastebin after six months and start adding ports and processors where there is no space to house them now?

Simply put, instead of coming here to pound the RMB into submission and insulting the owners of this new device, you should be in the Air forum gathering a large group of supporters who would completely agree with you about improving that old device.

This is the MacBook Subforum. One click away is the MacBook Air Subforum. Over there you're spreading positivity. Over here you're spreading negativity. That's the difference.

BJ

I think there is a much greater chance that the rMB will get a more power-efficient CPU and a dedicated power-plug, than the MBA getting a retina display. The MBA is close to end-of-life. It will see one more minor spec-bump, two more at most. Nothing else.

Further, adding a power-plug is not throwing away any philosophy, don't be so dramatic. According to the latest rumor, the next iPhone might get a dedicated power port, would you say it is less wireless if the rumor is true? At this point, the iPad Pro has more physical connectivity than a rMB. There is every reason to think the rMB design will evolve, and will do so soon. I'd posit that you're the one suggesting that Apple throw away it's philosophy of always striving for the best and always improving by suggesting that the rMB is perfect and Apple should just cement the design for over a year.

And I'm not insulting anyone for owning an rMB. The rMB is a really cool product. I do harshly point out when people say something really stupid though, and if that is insulting, then so be it.

 

[Queen6]

The buy something else argument is really stupid. First, we're talking about wants here. For needs, yes I would buy whatever fit those the best today. But if I went purely on needs, I don't need anything newer than a netbook circa 2010.

Second, as to wants, I want an Apple portable which weighs under 3lbs, has a IPS retina display, has a battery that will reliably last for 8hrs, and has a dedicated power-only charting port. Apple doesn't make this product, not right now, so there is not something else to buy. The MBP is almost there, but for the weight and battery life. The MBA is almost perfect, but for the screen. The rMB is almost perfect too, but for the battery life and no charging port. Why is it illegitimate to vent on an Apple-forum asking for either a MBA with a better screen or for a rMB with a more power-efficient CPU and charging port? Isn't that exactly what this forum is for?

As stated Apple will evolve the Retina MacBook, as they see fit, in turn this may well meet a greater audiences need. As for what you want you can always send Father Christmas an early postcard. Apple are renowned for bringing to market what Apple see`s as the way forward, not what the masses "want". No OEM provides a system that meets all needs, nor are they likely to soon.

For me the current Retina MacBook surpasses 8 hours of use, with the MacBook reaching 80% of full charge rapidly, which in many respects makes the need for a dedicated charging port redundant, as after all the focus of the Retina MacBook is portability. If I require greater computational performance, or ports I will opt to use 13" or 15" rMBP, or a desktop solution.

It`s not illegitimate to vent, equally it`s beyond tedious to see the same rhetoric over and over, when the reality is Apple will do what Apple see`s fit, nor is Apple the only provider of decent hardware. I apply the same logic as I am currently evaluating Windows 10 systems, in the event the upcoming refresh of the rMBP is not to my needs and some aspects of OS X 10.11 are not resolved.

Q-6

 

[oneMadRssn]

As stated Apple will evolve the Retina MacBook, as they see fit, in turn this may well meet a greater audiences need. As for what you want you can always send Father Christmas an early postcard. Apple are renowned for bringing to market what Apple see`s as the way forward, not what the masses "want". No OEM provides a system that meets all needs, nor are they likely to soon.

For me the current Retina MacBook surpasses 8 hours of use, with the MacBook reaching 80% of full charge rapidly, which in many respects makes the need for a dedicated charging port redundant, as after all the focus of the Retina MacBook is portability. If I require greater computational performance, or ports I will opt to use 13" or 15" rMBP, or a desktop solution.

It`s not illegitimate to vent, equally it`s beyond tedious to see the same rhetoric over and over, when the reality is Apple will do what Apple see`s fit, nor is Apple the only provider of decent hardware. I apply the same logic as I am currently evaluating Windows 10 systems, in the event the upcoming refresh of the rMBP is not to my needs and some aspects of OS X 10.11 are not resolved.

Q-6

I agree with most of you said. However, I would note that the title of this topic is "Anticipated new features for the 2016 MB?" It's not like I went into a topic called "Why we love the 2015 rMB" and said those things. However, some people here do go into forward looking topics such as this and say stuff like "stop whining," "won't happen," or "just buy something else."

Also, I would like a dedicated power port for two reasons: avoiding unnecessary battery cycles, and security. As to the first, there is a while thread in this forum about how the battery of the 2015 rMB isn't so great with battery cycles. As to the second, I don't want the thing I have to plug in to use it to also have firmware-level access to the hardware. I know this is paranoid, but it's a very realistic concern.

 

[Three141]

The funny thing about this thread is I feel like I'm in a time machine, I remember in the MacBook Air forums Scotsdale debating the Air is about portability not battery life, I distinctly remember him arguing against a larger battery on the grounds of added weight effecting portability.
I remember a counter argument was, 'what's the point of portability if you are constantly plugged into the wall'.

It turned out Apple did what he thought they would not.

My view,
The processor will be updated this year.
You will not get a second port unless Apple do the industry a favour and kill the headphone jack.
No price drop this year.
Apple will kill off the 11" air

I can't even see Apple given the MBA a retina display but I expect the MBP to get a solid redesign.

 

[Queen6]

I agree with most of you said. However, I would note that the title of this topic is "Anticipated new features for the 2016 MB?" It's not like I went into a topic called "Why we love the 2015 rMB" and said those things. However, some people here do go into forward looking topics such as this and say stuff like "stop whining," "won't happen," or "just buy something else."

Also, I would like a dedicated power port for two reasons: avoiding unnecessary battery cycles, and security. As to the first, there is a while thread in this forum about how the battery of the 2015 rMB isn't so great with battery cycles. As to the second, I don't want the thing I have to plug in to use it to also have firmware-level access to the hardware. I know this is paranoid, but it's a very realistic concern.

If the "thing" you plug in to the rMB is supplied by Apple or has no logic on board then you should have no concerns. If you continue down this path, then you will never want to use a USB port again, therefore the necessitation for multiple ports is negated, equally chances of malware being passed over USB hardware is still relatively low.

My own 1.2 rMB is holding steady at 95% of the batteries design capacity over 10 months of use. I use it on battery when circumstance dictates, when available I use the mains supply. In short I don't worry about it, and get on with using the MacBook as intended.

Q-6

 

[e93to]

I only want a bigger screen. If there is a 14"+ option, it would be a dream.

 

[oneMadRssn]

If the "thing" you plug in to the rMB is supplied by Apple or has no logic on board then you should have no concerns. If you continue down this path, then you will never want to use a USB port again, therefore the necessitation for multiple ports is negated, equally chances of malware being passed over USB hardware is still relatively low.

Many security experts believe compromised public charging stations or compromised chargers will become as prevalent, if not more prevalent, than ATM or Credit Card skimmers are today. My local 7-Eleven sells cheapo chinese USB chargers right by the register, way cheaper than an OEM Apple one. How difficult would it be for someone working with the unknown Chinese manufacturer to install a little circuit that takes advantage of some firmware vulnerability in Intel's USB-chipset? Surely there would be a lot to gain from doing so. How about those public airport charging stations?

When using a USB port, I do try to only put things in that I know the source of and I trust. Usually, I don't really have to think about it as I don't use USB that often, except for the occasional flash drive or hard drive. But power is something everyone HAS TO use, and they HAVE TO use it pretty much every day. I would just prefer not to worry about this stuff when charging my laptop, and it would have been so easy to make it a non-issue. Sure, I can try to always use an OEM charger, but again, I'd prefer if this just wasn't an issue at all. It's not like it's difficult to make it a non-issue - dedicated power port. Easy-peasy. I don't mind being limited to one USB-C plug for accessories or whatever. However, charging should have a dedicated port.

Again, this isn't far-fetched. Some companies such as Google give their employees a special USB-cable to charge their devices with. This cable defaults to charge-only mode, and has a button that can switch it to sync/data mode. This shows there is legitimacy to this issue.

 

[ParanoidDroid]

And that's where the USB-C to HDMI adapter from Apple does its magic because it's not only a compact, lightweight travel companion, it's also the world's smallest docking station. Plug all those crappy legacy wires into this elegant adapter, it's right there on your desk when you need it, just one plug for your monitor, your mouse, and your power, it's better than any other notebook offers.

James, you remind me on my opponents in debating class. You stick to your point, no matter what. I like that. I learned that strategy as well.

So again, the current USB 3.0 is not good enough. You can't drive two monitors with that, you can't daisy-chain them. You certainly can't drive two HiDPI monitors with that obsolete USB 3.0 bandwidth. A Thunderbolt 3 port is superior in every way! That's my whole point.

As I stated above, I hate cables. I use Bluetooth wherever possible. My keyboard is a chic Apple's wireless aluminum piece, my mouse is the comfy Logitech MX Master, my speakers are either Parrot Zik 3 headphones or a HiFi sound system via AirPlay. I present where I can via Apple TV/AirPlay. My printers/scanners work via AirPrint. I backup wirelessly to Airport Time Capsules or cloud services. I have a WiFi card in my DSLR. I am really close to a wireless office, but not there yet.

What I can't do with the new MacBook is:
- drive my 2-3 TB-Monitors wirelessly (although I think it's unnecessary).
- drive two 4K displays @ 60 fps
- juggle with large files via Wi-Fi.
- have everything USB-related connected via one port, due to USB 3.0 bandwidth constraints
- do all things above simultaneously
- sharing files across all my devices via AirDrop, because it's still buggy.

Apple just needs to give us TB3 for the next rMB iteration. Perhaps finally release a standalone 5K Thunderbolt display, which you can daisy-chain and hook up peripherals, like all the stuff I mentioned earlier.

Then I hope, many of us will be happy and shut up.

I am also concerned about security if everything is wireless though. If you're dealing with sensitive data it's better to fallback to cables.

Regarding the latest rumors, can you actually charge the iPad Pro via the new Smart Connector? I haven't seen a specification where you actually can, but if the latest iPhone7 mockups are true and we get the Smart Connector in all Apple products, then it really would be awesome to be able to charge via the three magnetic dots when the only other physical port is occupied.

I really miss the MagSafe in the new MacBook. My beloved rMBP would be dead by now without the MagSafe. Imagine charging your next MacBook via Smart Connector or wirelessly like the Apple Watch!

 

[oneMadRssn]

Regarding the latest rumors, can you actually charge the iPad Pro via the new Smart Connector? I haven't seen a specification where you actually can, but if the latest iPhone7 mockups are true and we get the Smart Connector in all Apple products, then it really would be awesome to be able to charge via the three magnetic dots when the only other physical port is occupied.

I really miss the MagSafe in the new MacBook. My beloved rMBP would be dead by now without the MagSafe. Imagine charging your next MacBook via Smart Connector or wirelessly like the Apple Watch!

Oooooh I like that! MagSafe3... or SmartMag (tm).

The three dots on the iPad, iPhone, and Macbooks are all the same standard charging. Love it. Or, the same magnetic puck of the Apple Watch can charge AppleWatch, iPad, iPhone, and Macbooks. Love that too.

 

[Queen6]

Many security experts believe compromised public charging stations or compromised chargers will become as prevalent, if not more prevalent, than ATM or Credit Card skimmers are today. My local 7-Eleven sells cheapo chinese USB chargers right by the register, way cheaper than an OEM Apple one. How difficult would it be for someone working with the unknown Chinese manufacturer to install a little circuit that takes advantage of some firmware vulnerability in Intel's USB-chipset? Surely there would be a lot to gain from doing so. How about those public airport charging stations?

When using a USB port, I do try to only put things in that I know the source of and I trust. Usually, I don't really have to think about it as I don't use USB that often, except for the occasional flash drive or hard drive. But power is something everyone HAS TO use, and they HAVE TO use it pretty much every day. I would just prefer not to worry about this stuff when charging my laptop, and it would have been so easy to make it a non-issue. Sure, I can try to always use an OEM charger, but again, I'd prefer if this just wasn't an issue at all. It's not like it's difficult to make it a non-issue - dedicated power port. Easy-peasy. I don't mind being limited to one USB-C plug for accessories or whatever. However, charging should have a dedicated port.

Again, this isn't far-fetched. Some companies such as Google give their employees a special USB-cable to charge their devices with. This cable defaults to charge-only mode, and has a button that can switch it to sync/data mode. This shows there is legitimacy to this issue.

Then you use the charger provided by Apple, making it a non issue. A systems "attack surface" is determined far more by the users actions than the physical hardware. It`s certainly not a reason to avoid a product, same logic applied we should all discard our smartphones & tablets, or maybe simply stick to the power supply provided by the manufacturer.

Q-6

 

[8692574]

And I'm not insulting anyone for owning an rMB. The rMB is a really cool product. I do harshly point out when people say something really stupid though, and if that is insulting, then so be it.

Don't mind him, if he says something it's the truth....after all he went to business school, but if you say something against his theory you are insulting him.

I am glad he is illuminating us all on why Apple designed the RMB ...

 

[oneMadRssn]

Then you use the charger provided by Apple, making it a non issue. A systems "attack surface" is determined far more by the users actions than the physical hardware. It`s certainly not a reason to avoid a product, same logic applied we should all discard our smartphones & tablets, or maybe simply stick to the power supply provided by the manufacturer.

Q-6

This is again such a silly answer. "Just don't do that thing which is insecure." It's akin to "you're holding it wrong." This sort of thing is clearly just passing the buck to the user. It's a detrimental mindset. This wasn't something users had to worry about before, and it shouldn't be on the users to worry about this going forward.

What if I don't want to carry the OEM charger all over the place, or what if I don't want to buy several OEM chargers? I want to use the USB port build-in to the night-stand lamp in my hotel room without thinking. If I forget my OEM charger at home when traveling to Taiwan, I want to just be able to walk into any corner store and buy whatever cheapo charger they have to use for a few days and then forget about it when I leave. Why should I even worry about this? The easiest solution in this case is the simplest one - dedicated charging port. Then it's a total non-issue. Any other solution is more complex.

As for smartphones and tablets - iOS has some basic security feature where it asks you whether you are plugging it into a trusted device before it permits data syncing to occur. It's better than nothing, though there are ways around it. It's certainly more than OS X has at this point.

People used to complain that Magsafe was proprietary and there were no third party charging solutions. So what did Apple do? They said, fine, we'll make it non-proprietary AND we'll do it in a way that exposes your computer to all sorts of vulnerabilities. But yea, we can just use the OEM charger...

 

[8692574]

What if I don't want to carry the OEM charger all over the place, or what if I don't want to buy several OEM chargers? I want to use the USB port build-in to the night-stand lamp in my hotel room without thinking. If I forget my OEM charger at home when traveling to Taiwan, I want to just be able to walk into any corner store and buy whatever cheapo charger they have to use for a few days and then forget about it when I leave. Why should I even worry about this?

Please please let me answer this , i have not been to business school but i learn fast!!

Then you need to look at other product as the RMB is not for you!!


/sarcasm

 

[Queen6]

This is again such a silly answer. "Just don't do that thing which is insecure." It's akin to "you're holding it wrong." This sort of thing is clearly just passing the buck to the user. It's a detrimental mindset. This wasn't something users had to worry about before, and it shouldn't be on the users to worry about this going forward.

What if I don't want to carry the OEM charger all over the place, or what if I don't want to buy several OEM chargers? I want to use the USB port build-in to the night-stand lamp in my hotel room without thinking. If I forget my OEM charger at home when traveling to Taiwan, I want to just be able to walk into any corner store and buy whatever cheapo charger they have to use for a few days and then forget about it when I leave. Why should I even worry about this? The easiest solution in this case is the simplest one - dedicated charging port. Then it's a total non-issue. Any other solution is more complex.

As for smartphones and tablets - iOS has some basic security feature where it asks you whether you are plugging it into a trusted device before it permits data syncing to occur. It's better than nothing, though there are ways around it. It's certainly more than OS X has at this point.

People used to complain that Magsafe was proprietary and there were no third party charging solutions. So what did Apple do? They said, fine, we'll make it non-proprietary AND we'll do it in a way that exposes your computer to all sorts of vulnerabilities. But yea, we can just use the OEM charger...

As you stated in #114 " I know this is paranoid" it`s a non issue. the scenarios you are describing are grasping at straws, at the very best. I have travelled globally using Mac`s for litterally decades with no issue; if you leave your current MagSafe charger at home you won't be picking up a "knock off" at every corner store. If you do, you equally risk physically damaging the system.

Your computers are at far more risk by simply connecting to an open network or the internet for that matter, than some random charger that can easily be avoided by using the one provided by Apple. Your argument might have some validity if we were talking about one of the portable workstation power packs that weigh in at more than the rMB, this is far from the case here, with the rMB`s charger being as diminutive as it`s host.

The answer remains; use the provided charger, same as you would with a MacBook Pro with MagSafe, no need for drama, as with much in life common sense applies...

Q-6