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CES 2017: 'OWC DEC' Adds More Storage and Ports to the 2016 MacBook Pro

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Other World Computing today announced the OWC DEC, an attachment designed to snap onto the bottom of a 2016 MacBook Pro to add additional functionality to the machine.

The OWC DEC adds 4TB of storage, an SD Card Slot, USB Type-A ports for using standard USB devices, and a Gigabit Ethernet port. According to OWC, additional features will be introduced at a later date.

owcdecfrontview.jpg

OWC has crafted the DEC from aircraft-grade aluminum that's designed to match with the finish of the MacBook Pro. It attaches flush to the bottom of the MacBook Pro, making it thicker, but doing away with the need for a separate dock. OWC says the DEC when attached to the 2016 MacBook Pro will be "as thin as a 2012 MacBook Pro," which measured in at 0.95 inches. The pictures of the OWC DEC appear to be early renderings and do not depict all of the listed ports.

owcdecsideview.jpg
"We've been developing this concept for over three years and feel now is the perfect time for this ground-breaking product," said O'Connor. "Storage space is always at a premium on a laptop and without the potential to upgrade the factory drive, the OWC DEC brings that option back in addition to cleanly supporting the gear we all rely on."
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OWC plans to begin shipping the DEC out to customers in the spring of 2017. Pricing has not yet been announced.

Article Link: CES 2017: 'OWC DEC' Adds More Storage and Ports to the 2016 MacBook Pro
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2017/01/03/owc-dec-adds-ports-to-2016-macbook-pro/
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This is exactly what i've been waiting for - I think this has been the most obvious solution to the port problem

Although I wish there was a thinner version - At this thickness they could add a mobile graphics card and a very large battery.
 
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hwojtek said:
I wonder how does it connect to the actual computer.

"USB-C - USB C cable not pictured." ?
Click to expand...
This looks like you have to remove the bottom plate of the MBP, then connect this to a motherboard inside somehow. If that's the case, you'll almost for sure have to send the laptop to them for a retrofit.

Not a bad option for some people I guess, but I would much prefer if someone could figure out some kind of USB3 external GPU/storage solution like what Alienware has.

okboy said:
Let's not start that again. Docking stations have existed for as long as notebooks have, Apple brand or otherwise.
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I think this might be something more permanent, rather than a docking station.
 
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DVNIEL said:
At long last.... The PowerBook G5 of our dreams has arrived.
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Certainly looks that way! Does it have to be THAT thick? Looks like they've included an Optical Drive for good measure!! It looks to overall be thicker than my old G4 Powerbook! I think that the versions I've seen that attach to the side of the machine are better than this.
 
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Still less then an inch thick!! Thickness has never bothered me that much.

Will be a great option for a number of people if it is priced right. Or even encourage Apple to include an adapter or two in the box and drop the price tag.

Would be great if this also included MagSafe or something similar.
 
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Hah! This is ****ing hilarious! I bet apple is steaming over this. The audacity!

What's equally crazy is for Apple to take all the ports away and then offer a separate dock as a workaround. Like the stupidity is beyond anything.
 
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hwojtek said:
I wonder how does it connect to the actual computer.

"USB-C - USB C cable not pictured." ?
Click to expand...

That actually could work.

A tiny, purpose-built, flush-mounted, rigid ribbon cable thing that just stays plugged in between the two.

Basically a bridge.

It wouldn't stick out very far... no further than those tiny wireless mouse receivers that can stay plugged in.
 
Appleaker said:
This is exactly what i've been waiting for - I think this has been the most obvious solution to the port problem

Although I wish there was a thinner version - At this thickness they could add a mobile graphics card and a very large battery.
Click to expand...
Suggest it-- "more features to be announced" sounds like they're designing as they go.
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Marconelly said:
This looks like you have to remove the bottom plate of the MBP, then connect this to a motherboard inside somehow. If that's the case, you'll almost for sure have to send the laptop to them for a retrofit.

Not a bad option for some people I guess, but I would much prefer if someone could figure out some kind of USB3 external GPU/storage solution like what Alienware has.


I think this might be something more permanent, rather than a docking station.
Click to expand...
OWC specializes in stuff that requires opening up your hardware to install-- taking the bottom plate off sounds like a good solution here if it can be done that way. It would save bulk and weight.
 
From both the rendered images and even the press text it is still unclear how exactly they attach with each other. I incline on thinking it is just a well flushed flat dock, but that wouldn't be "revolutionary". If it is some permanent attachment that is meant to be portable, I can't see how such a streamlined form factor could be structurally sound, there is no exoskeleton or hinges or bumpers to encapsule the 2 units enough to enable it. Even if the bottom metal plate of the MBP is taken out, you still need intense modification to add screwmounts or something along the line.
 
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