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I have no use for my TB ports. So if I had the chance to choose, so yeah, I would pick more 2 USB 3.0 ports instead of 2 TB ports.

Edit: TB ports aren't here because they are better/faster. It's all about a commercial agreement between Apple and Intel.

Intel: Wassup Apple, what if I give you a discount over my CPUs?
Apple: Nice, yeah, why not?
Intel: All you have to do is spread my new port over your computers.
Apple: Can I make it looks like innovative and make my costumers feeling that they couldn't live without them?
Intel: Sure you can!
Apple: LOL, perfect! Bring it on!

So you'd rather use USB 3.0 ports to drive an external display should you choose to connect one? Those Thunderbolt ports are just enhanced versions of the mDP++ ports that Macs had prior to 2011.

Someone with pretty solid ties to the industry recently told me that Apple is more than slightly displeased with how Intel has handled Thunderbolt and what they have managed to deliver versus what they initially promised. However, I don't think that conversation went down quite like you say. Intel sold Apple on Thunderbolt because it promised to solve a very particular set of problems that Apple was facing, namely, the majority of the PCs they sell lack user accessible PCIe slots and sufficient interior volume for any type of expansion. Now they're a bit locked in, and the hardware isn't able to consistently deliver the type of user experience Apple was expecting. It will be interesting to see how long Apple sticks with Thunderbolt and whether Intel will ever relent and share the Host Controller Interface specification with third parties.

It's odd that ExpressCard slots weren't the subject of as much rage as Thunderbolt ports. Most people didn't need those either, and they just constituted a freakin' big hole in your computer when not in use. Apple's implementation of Thunderbolt, on the other hand, has very little downside for those who don't use it, and for those that do, it's pretty sick. 2x 10 Gbit/s, full-duplex channels from a tiny little consumer oriented friction-fit port is redonculous.
 
I'm trying to install it, my computer restarts then start the firmware update and before it finish it powers on again and i still see update in my App Store :<

anyone else experience this ?
 
I'm trying to install it, my computer restarts then start the firmware update and before it finish it powers on again and i still see update in my App Store :<

anyone else experience this ?

Strongly recommend to hold on the update, my 15" retina is not able to connect to any external monitor after the update.
 
I really get the sense that Thunderbolt is another Firewire. Very seldom used, high cost due to the circuitry needed.

Just curious but those of you who have Thunderbolt on your MBP's would you rather those would have been extra USB 3.0 ports instead?

EDIT:// Ok you can stop replying now :p - I get it, you guys love Thunderbolt.

Especially as you can't do target disk mode over dumb usb!!!
 
Strongly recommend to hold on the update, my 15" retina is not able to connect to any external monitor after the update.

I connected it to battery and then i was completed. weird.. didn't ask for any battery :< i don't use external monitor a lot. i will check it
 
Just applied it to my Mac Mini (late 2012) which is plugged into a Pegasus R6 via Thunderbolt (and then into an HP 30" monitor via Mini DisplayPort -> DVI-D adapter) and no problems to report at the moment..
 
Are you crazy? Thunderbolt is faster, 2 way bandwidth, you can daisy chain, no latency, have video signal inside. Pro and geek needs thunderbolt, the other joke comes from normal user who didn't understand the potential they have with this connection. FW adapters and Ethernet adapters wouldn't be so efficient on USB3 too.

Most devices don't need the extra bandwidth and daisy-chaining sucks (real fun disconnecting the monitor at the end every time you want to add or remove something in-between). Then there's the matter of how insanely expensive Thunderbolt devices are over USB 3 equivalents (most of which again don't use the extra bandwidth so it's just crapping money down the drain). All of which begs the question you asked. Are you crazy?

Having said that, given it's also a video output port, there's no point in replacing it with another USB 3.0 port. The fact is there is plenty of room on all Apple notebooks for more USB 3.0 ports, particularly if they made them just a hair thicker overall (what good is thin if it makes your life hell with no ports?) They simply don't utilize the space well, IMO. My Mac Mini has 4 USB 3.0 ports and I would have preferred 4 more built-in because unlike Thunderbolt, I actually have a TON of USB 2.x and 3.x devices. With one slot used to plug in my old 7-port USB 2.x hub that leaves me with zero free ports after plugging in a USB 3.0 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD writer drive and two USB 3.0 3TB drives.
 
I'm trying to install it, my computer restarts then start the firmware update and before it finish it powers on again and i still see update in my App Store :<

anyone else experience this ?

Yeah, I installed it last night and I've just opened App Store and it's there again. Just came here to see if Apple have just pushed out an update to the update, but App Store still says 1.2 :confused:

I'll install it again and see what happens.

EDIT: OK, same thing happened, I've discovered that when it says you must be connected to AC power, it really means it. When it restarts and you get the white screen with the grey Apple logo and the progress bar at the bottom, if you aren't connected to AC it immediately skips to the reboot - I thought originally that because it was such a small download that it installed so quickly you didn't see the progress bar move, but when I tried a third time with AC power it took about 20 seconds to install.
 
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What exactly is OS X Lion 10.8.3?

It's MOUNTAIN LION 10.8.3

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I'm trying to install it, my computer restarts then start the firmware update and before it finish it powers on again and i still see update in my App Store :<

anyone else experience this ?

That may be so you can download it to multiple computers. I know the original Mountain Lion update did the same thing - downloaded just fine but indicated it was available for download in my App Store purchases.
 
Yeah, I installed it last night and I've just opened App Store and it's there again. Just came here to see if Apple have just pushed out an update to the update, but App Store still says 1.2 :confused:

I'll install it again and see what happens.

EDIT: OK, same thing happened, I've discovered that when it says you must be connected to AC power, it really means it. When it restarts and you get the white screen with the grey Apple logo and the progress bar at the bottom, if you aren't connected to AC it immediately skips to the reboot - I thought originally that because it was such a small download that it installed so quickly you didn't see the progress bar move, but when I tried a third time with AC power it took about 20 seconds to install.

UPDATE: Went today to Genius Bar, outcome, they are going to replace my Retina 15" logic board (~= U$ 500.00), of course, I am fine, since is still under warranty. But the "patch" just %$&^& my MAC Thunderbolt ports.
 
My update went smoothly, but I have a question: I forgot to unplug my external monitor from the thunderbolt hub before the update. Could that have had any effect on anything?

Just want to be on the safe side.
 
So you'd rather use USB 3.0 ports to drive an external display should you choose to connect one? Those Thunderbolt ports are just enhanced versions of the mDP++ ports that Macs had prior to 2011.

I don't use an external display. I bought a rMBP because of the display. When I need to watch something for entertainment, I use the built-in hdmi and my Plasma TV. I didn't said they are useless, I said I prefer USB 3.0 because they are far more usefull, FOR ME, than TB ports.

Someone with pretty solid ties to the industry recently told me that Apple is more than slightly displeased with how Intel has handled Thunderbolt and what they have managed to deliver versus what they initially promised. However, I don't think that conversation went down quite like you say. Intel sold Apple on Thunderbolt because it promised to solve a very particular set of problems that Apple was facing, namely, the majority of the PCs they sell lack user accessible PCIe slots and sufficient interior volume for any type of expansion. Now they're a bit locked in, and the hardware isn't able to consistently deliver the type of user experience Apple was expecting. It will be interesting to see how long Apple sticks with Thunderbolt and whether Intel will ever relent and share the Host Controller Interface specification with third parties.

That's cool, thanks for sharing.

It's odd that ExpressCard slots weren't the subject of as much rage as Thunderbolt ports. Most people didn't need those either, and they just constituted a freakin' big hole in your computer when not in use. Apple's implementation of Thunderbolt, on the other hand, has very little downside for those who don't use it, and for those that do, it's pretty sick. 2x 10 Gbit/s, full-duplex channels from a tiny little consumer oriented friction-fit port is redonculous.

That's a nice comparison. I never used express cards over my old HP. I think people compare them by their natures, both are "connect a cable here" port, ExpressCard ports were rather a "thing stickier"port.
 
Most devices don't need the extra bandwidth and daisy-chaining sucks (real fun disconnecting the monitor at the end every time you want to add or remove something in-between). Then there's the matter of how insanely expensive Thunderbolt devices are over USB 3 equivalents (most of which again don't use the extra bandwidth so it's just crapping money down the drain). All of which begs the question you asked. Are you crazy?

Having said that, given it's also a video output port, there's no point in replacing it with another USB 3.0 port. The fact is there is plenty of room on all Apple notebooks for more USB 3.0 ports, particularly if they made them just a hair thicker overall (what good is thin if it makes your life hell with no ports?) They simply don't utilize the space well, IMO. My Mac Mini has 4 USB 3.0 ports and I would have preferred 4 more built-in because unlike Thunderbolt, I actually have a TON of USB 2.x and 3.x devices. With one slot used to plug in my old 7-port USB 2.x hub that leaves me with zero free ports after plugging in a USB 3.0 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD writer drive and two USB 3.0 3TB drives.

We do not want the portability of our rMBPs compromised by your silly and self centered infatuation with kludgy USB3. Just get yourself a decent USB3 hub and leave the rest of us with a lightweight slim and portable laptop. Why would apple compromise what millions want because you are too lazy to use a USB hub?... well you say USB hubs don't work well.... there you go being short sighted again... and there is one of the fatal flaws of USB.. you have to have individual USB ports and controllers on the motherboard or performance just dies. With a dozen USB ports it would take hours to unplug all your devices and be on your way... how about this... a high speed thunderbolt hub with USB3 ports. Now there is an elegant and technically competent solution. If you are willing to duct tape usb.. well thats your call. Duct tape usb is more suitable to a desktop solution where there is room for controller cards (which I have for my collection of USB devices).

Otherwise go get yourself a laptop with dozens of USB ports.. don't let the door smack you in the rear as you walk out :) Sound like you want a desktop that is portable?
 
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I've got a 2012 Mac mini running OS X 10.8.3 and this update doesn't show up on the list of pending software updates. :confused:
Does this mean my Mac doesn't need it?
 
I have no use for my TB ports. So if I had the chance to choose, so yeah, I would pick more 2 USB 3.0 ports instead of 2 TB ports.

Edit: TB ports aren't here because they are better/faster. It's all about a commercial agreement between Apple and Intel.

Intel: Wassup Apple, what if I give you a discount over my CPUs?
Apple: Nice, yeah, why not?
Intel: All you have to do is spread my new port over your computers.
Apple: Can I make it looks like innovative and make my costumers feeling that they couldn't live without them?
Intel: Sure you can!
Apple: LOL, perfect! Bring it on!

I'm surprised nobody has clobbered you for this, but... Apple brought the thunderbolt concept to intel, which they then developed.
 
unplugged everything except power, did the update. Tried hooking up my DELL 23" external display:

mini-displayport/tb -> displayport cable, OK.

well... the initial test at least :p

will maybe test the ethernet adapter later tonight but can't try the firewire adapter until tomorrow.
 
Boot Camp Display

I wish they would get Target Display in Boot Camp working, though it's probably more of a Windows problem.
 
We do not want the portability of our rMBPs compromised by your silly and self centered infatuation with kludgy USB3. Just get yourself a decent USB3 hub and leave the rest of us with a lightweight slim and portable laptop. Why would apple compromise what millions want because you are too lazy to use a USB hub?...

That's the most ridiculous thing I've read all day. Millions want TB? Or you mean millions want no ports on their notebook so they have tote around a boat load of hubs??? Either way, it's absurd. Show me ten people on here that even use TB and then show me how they didn't spend 50% more than they should have for the same performance (i.e. total waste of money; might as well flush it down the toilet while you're at it). And if USB 3 is a kludge and TB is so great, WTF is this firmware update for with TB for then??? :eek:

As for sacrificing functionality to make it extra slim, that's what the Macbook Air was supposed to be for. Apple would do far better to stop making overpriced TOYS and start making actual "Pro" computers once more. In other words, the rMBP is an overpriced yet underpowered turd. It has hardly any ports, so you need all kinds of extra adapters and hubs to make any use of it at all. Plus its GPU is seriously underpowered for the monitor's resolution. This is why it's never a good idea to buy the 1st generation product of something new from Apple. They seem to purposely make the first one crappier than it should be so they can sell you another one the following year (or 6 months the way the iPad is going).
 
... Perhaps this will stop my MBPr from freezing when I connect the Thunderbolt/Ethernet adapter.

Huh, never had an issue doing this. If it continues, I would swap the TB/EN adapter just to see if it makes a difference. Been using mine since last August without a single issue.

:)

-P
 
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