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No, T3 is not a software update.

From what I understand Skylake doesn't have T3 built in. So to support T3, Apple would have to include an Alpine Ridge chipset, which is power hungry and takes up space.

The next rMB update will have KabyLake, which has T3 built in.

Another kicker, even though it doesn't apply to most people, but T3 doesn't support display port 1.3! That means you can't get SST 5K @ 60hz. You have to wait for T4 for that. :(

Thanks for clarifying. That makes perfect sense. It doesn't really make sense for the rMB to support features that haven't been released on the flagship MacBooks anyway.
 
It's an Apple entry level laptop, and is for a very specific purpose.

Yeah, convincing people they need to buy a MacBook Pro. ;)

After all, only a 'professional' would need to plug something in.

Apple do this across their entire product range. Every product is carefully specked so it doesn't quite include the things you need. You upgrade the thing you want and then realise you might as well upgrade to the next model up. Before you know it you are buying the top-end model and Apple are laughing all the way to the bank.
 
This is not a design update, merely a spec update. As far as the single port debacle, to my understanding, it is a hardware limitation with the M series Intel. When the next generation of Intel chips accept more than one port but Apple still sticks to the single port design, then perhaps we can complain.
 
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Right because Tim Cook doesn't want to sell any products. He wants to release stuff that nobody will buy. I'm sure the executive team spends every Monday thinking of products they can design that nobody will buy.

Did I say anything about people not buying it?

Adding a second port would simply be in the best interest of customers (even those, who don't realise at the moment when they're hitting the BUY button), making the product significantly more convenient in real life use (for many). But I'm sure 1 dollar shaved off for the bean counter Tim Cook is more important. Apple under his leadership is, imo, all about stylish external package (form over function), while giving customers the absolute minimum internal specs for the highest possible price.
 
Update is about what I expected. Would have liked TB3 and a second port just for flexibility, but perhaps we'll get those with Kaby Lake. I understand the lack of TB3 (needs a separate chipset) better than the second port. Can I work with 1 port? Sure, just more flexible to have 2. Doesn't help that other machines are starting to come out at/near this form-factor with more port options.
 
I hope the MacBook Air with 8gb is simply clearing out inventory in preparation for end of line status.

Three lines of laptops needs to be streamlined to just the MacBook and MacBook Pros.
An additional USB-C port would have been nice. But these updated MacBooks suggests Apple clearly wants to differentiate what is a pro laptop and what is a casual one (i.e.one port).
 
Yeah, convincing people they need to buy a MacBook Pro. ;)

After all, only a 'professional' would need to plug something in.

Apple do this across their entire product range. Every product is carefully specked so it doesn't quite include the things you need. You upgrade the thing you want and then realise you might as well upgrade to the next model up. Before you know it you are buying the top-end model and Apple are laughing all the way to the bank.

If you know this... Then why are you so surprised? You act like you literally can't plug anything in to this device.......

They have been doing this... For forever.
 
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Whoa, unexpected! This will free up some time to talk about some new stuff at WWDC I hope.
Exactly my thoughts. They didn't address some of the bigger problems with the MacBook, like only one port. If anything this show's they're doubling down on that strategy. So my guess is they released this machine now with it's spec bump and new colors for those who it works for. And they launch some really nice "Pro" stuff at WWDC for the developers. Now while I need something now, I'm going to suffer through till then.
 
You have a 12" retina display with 10 h battery and you want a 13" retina with the same current 12h battery?? Not going to happen

It will happen. Later this year.
Technology moves forward.
 
I think it has been mentioned before, but a second port needs to meet power specifications of USB-C.

This would mean the battery life might suffer and the power adapter might have to be bigger.

If you constantly draw lots of power from this small battery AND recharging it at the same time, it might not be a great idea.
 
Here's your philosophy of life, Apple. You could show the beauty on the outsidie, but you are horribly disgusting on the inside spec wise.
 
Barely 1 minute in and already >10 complainers.
If you complain it is NOT for you.
Yeah, absolutely. The customer this is designed for will probably only rarely use the existing USB port.

Nice to see a Skylake processor out, finally. Perhaps the long, long wait for a revised rMBP may finally come to an end.
 
You don't think 1 port is ridiculous? You don't think having to use an expensive adapter that's an optional extra to charge & connect a device at the same time is not insane?

The rMB has one more port than the iPad Pro.

Just gonna say it... I hope they do the same with the rMBP lineup refresh, because, it's pretty in pink. Though probably not, because "pros" don't want color or something.

iPad Pros have colors. I'm with you; I hope the rMBPs get colors as well! I'm certain that they will. The rMBP should be superior to the rMB in every way, including color choice.

The 11" really needs to be killed off. I know it has a much better CPU than the 12" MacBook, but it's a model that really shouldn't exist any longer.

The 12" MacBook is a very capable machine, so the 11" just doesn't make any sense any longer.

There's a $400 price difference between these machines, among other differences. I don't understand your logic. The 11" MBA doesn't make sense anymore because the iPad Pros can do just as much for a fraction of the cost. That's a better comparison.

someone needs to be punched in the face for letting them release this thing with 1 USB port again...Jobs wouldn't have done it, after the push back for not having backlit keys on the macbook air after it got a redesign he listened to customers and the next model had backlit keys. Cook is not listening to people, we don't want a single port to charge and plug USB into, this isn't an iPad and we don't even want that on an iPad

Apple wants the MBA crowd to use iPads. They're becoming very capable and fun devices for a fraction of the compact laptop price. You have to start thinking of the rMB as a bridge between the iPad and the MacBook Pro, because that's what it is; it's closer to an iPad in processing power and usability. The single port is an addition, not a subtraction.
 
I really want to like these machines. I used a 13" Air for a long time and thought this machine would be the replacement when it was still just on the rumor mill.

I think a lot of the complaining about these machines is by people who just want to complain. It'd be like griping that the iPhone 5se has a screen that's too small. Okay. There are other models if that's your thing.

However:

1. I really, really don't like the keyboard. Anyone else find it nice to work on after initially not liking it? I haven't used it beyond playing with it at the Apple Store.

2. One port doesn't really bother me. Even with my MBP I basically only use one Thunderbolt port and have a dock. However, as someone with multiple Thunderbolt devices and adapters, the lack of one makes this a non-option.
 
Even with the crappy screen the Air at $300 cheaper is still the better buy.

I see no use case for the MacBook that I can't get on my iPad Air with my $30 Anker keyboard.

Right. I mean I can't possibly imagine a scenario where someone could use the MacBook running full-fledged OS X say to do their job or run a business...

I challenge you to even do the most basic of Office level work on the iPad. I have both. I've tried both. There is no contest. I love my iPad Pro, but it's no laptop.

Fortunately Apple has vision. You don't.
 
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