Dongles, let's be serious...

[Tamagotchi]

I keep watching reviews where they complain about dongles...
I keep reading comments where they complain about dongles...

Is is that difficult to search on Amazon for a USB to USBC adaptor? I got 4 of them for 20 euros... they are the size of a very small USB. I put them at the ends of the 4 cables that I use the most (HDD, Camera, iPhone, etc.), and just left them there.

I do understand, however, if you need a port for SD cards (and don't just use a cable, like I do for my 128GB card), or HDMI it might be annoying to use a dongle. Still, for the most, all this whining (at least to me) seems unfounded.

I've used Apple for the past 16-18 years - when Apple removed the CD drive: complaints. When Apple removed the ethernet port: complaints, and so on...

 

[mac_in_tosh]

If all those ports and MagSafe were removed, requiring additional purchases, then maybe the price of the laptop should have been reduced, not increased.

 

[inhalexhale1]

If all those ports and MagSafe were removed, requiring additional purchases, then maybe the price of the laptop should have been reduced, not increased.

Or they could have just tossed in a dongle with the missing ports.

 

[Mufasa804]

Or they could have just tossed in a dongle with the missing ports.

They did it with their iPhone. Why couldn't they do the same with the laptop?

 

[Ries]

They did it with their iPhone. Why couldn't they do the same with the laptop?

Need ... more ... profit...

 

[idark77]

It was simple but they didn't: design a new MBP with 1-2 USB3.0 ports, SD card reader, 1-2 TB3 ports and 1 HDMI port... But they removed all, they removed also the power cable and the cleaning cloth and i'm sure that they forgot to remove Apple stickers, maybe in the next release!

So is it accetable? Maybe but for the price of $4500 is unbelievable...

 

[Apple_Robert]

Some people expect Apple to cater to their specific wants and when that doesn't happen, there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Some people's work flow hits a bump in the road with the new technology and acclimation. They might mumble some but they understand that technology moves forward and they move right along, instead of harping about the grain of sand on technology beach.

Some people hate change and will be unhappy no matter what. It isn't that they can't adapt. It is more a matter of they refuse to.

Some people don't mind change but that doesn't stop them from complaining about Apple post after post, while they continue to use Apple.

What we are seeing on the forums is nothing new, and it isn't limited to just Apple.

 

[protoxx]

Apple is not being forward thinking, alturistic or any of that stuff. Their only thoughts are for esthetics and profit.

How to make money? Not having to spend engineers time to include usb-A ports. Don't have to spend engineering time doing testing. Fewer devices to test or support. Not just during the initial development but for the lifespan of this form factor. Don't later modify case manufacturing to switch the usb-a port(s) to usb-c. Increase volume discount on usb-c port items.

Apple has high profit margins by having a very simplified streamlined model lineup and only selling to the premium (higher margin) part of market. They also keep models with minimal updates for years. Compare with the other computer makers. The others sell from <$200 to the sky is the limit. Apple only sells to volume markets and has limited interest in smaller market options. Witness Pro and Mini and Airport/TimeCapsule. Look how rarely Apple updates models. Sometimes skipping processor generations rather than updating. Apple has an obsession with cost cutting and minimizing mfgr costs. By keeping using older cpu's by extending cycles they get cheaper chip prices.

Compare to other makers like HP, Lenovo, Dell that sell to many markets and frequently update models when processor changes, gpu changes, etc. They sell to more parts of the market.

If Apple allowed selling of computers that ran it's operating system their market share would plummet. It's the OS and it's perceived cache that keeps their market. If Microsoft can avoid the idiot missteps like bob/ME/Vista/8 with 10 and Apple keeps it's blinders on they will lose lots of market share.

Reality is, sadly, that pc's are not a minor part of the company and barely of notice to the management. They have been seduced by their profits from the iPhone. Now they seem to have been infected with the wall street disease of only caring about the part of your company that contributes the most to the company in a $$$ of the moment. Ignoring past and future. Wouldn't be surprised if in 30 years Apple morphed and didn't make any electronic devices but was the world's largest maker of legal Marijuana cigarettes.
[doublepost=1480539154][/doublepost]

Some people expect Apple to cater to their specific wants and when that doesn't happen, there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Customers expecting a company to produce products they want and need compared to genuflecting and worshiping the corporate tablets.

 

[bmustaf]

Maybe, but there are a lot of (not nearly as vocal) people who would just throw that away and see it as waste. I'm one of them. I'm of the opinion if you have even a single dongle you're probably doing it wrong.

I have *one*, read it *ONE* device that doesn't have a USB-C/thunderbolt cable out for it now (Suunto Spartan GPS Watch), so it has a USB-A to USB-C permanently affixed to it (I may even get freaky and just solder a USB-C end on it).

Drives, Phones, Tablets, frankly anything that is USB has a USB-C/Thunderbolt cable for it.

Buy the cables you need. No dongle problem anymore.

Why would I want Apple sending me dongles in the box I'm just going to throw away? It's neither ecological nor economical. I've handed off all the obsolete USB-A cables to friends/employees/family who still have a use and it's no fuss.

Need ... more ... profit...

 

[mac_in_tosh]

Some people expect Apple to cater to their specific wants and when that doesn't happen, there is weeping and gnashing of teeth...

Some people's work flow hits a bump in the road with the new technology and acclimation. They might mumble some but they understand that technology moves forward and they move right along, instead of harping about the grain of sand of technology beach.

There's nothing wrong with customers expecting a product to fulfill their needs. What's wrong is to continue to pay that company's predatory pricing when those needs are not met. So instead of weeping and gnashing teeth, just move on. I mentioned in another thread that I just bought a Dell desktop - its ports, upgradability and flexibility are what I liked about my now obsolete G5, and what Apple does not want to provide. Yes, it's a small, black box, something that would give Ive a nightmare, but, really, what pro or serious amateur photographer, designer or videographer cares about that? I hope by the time my MacBook Pro no longer works that there would be a better offering from Apple, but I am not confident of it as they make no secret of the lack of commitment to the Mac.

Also, how do we really know that USB-C with Thunderbolt 3 is the thing of the future?. My 2011 MB Pro has a Thunderbolt 1 port. All I ever used it for was to connect it to the DVI input on my display using an adapter because the few Thunderbolt products available were very expensive. Apple pushed Firewire and now that's been abandoned.

 

[Apple_Robert]

There's nothing wrong with customers expecting a product to fulfill their needs. What's wrong is to continue to pay that company's predatory pricing when those needs are not met. So instead of weeping and gnashing teeth, just move on. I mentioned in another thread that I just bought a Dell desktop - its ports, upgradability and flexibility are what I liked about my now obsolete G5, and what Apple does not want to provide. Yes, it's a small, black box, something that would give Ive a nightmare, but, really, what pro or serious amateur photographer, designer or videographer cares about that? I hope by the time my MacBook Pro no longer works that there would be a better offering from Apple, but I am not confident of it as they make no secret of the lack of commitment to the Mac.

Also, how do we really know that USB-C with Thunderbolt 3 is the thing of the future?. My 2011 MB Pro has a Thunderbolt 1 port. All I ever used it for was to connect it to the DVI input on my display using an adapter because the few Thunderbolt products available were very expensive. Apple pushed Firewire and now that's been abandoned.

I agree with the bolded. My post was mainly dealing with the naysayers, who haven't tried the new Mac. What many of them have done, is parade from thread to thread being as negative as possible and nitpicking over the minutia.

If a product doesn't fit one's needs, it would be foolish to purchase said product. I get that many here don't feel that the new Mac (at least at this time) fits their needs.

I failed to mention the spec members who like to get lost in the bench numbers, as well as telling others to get more RAM or HD space, just because...

I think a lot of people who read the forum may get turned away from a perfectly good Mac for their needs, because of all the constant complaining. I also think that a lot of people get led to buy more than they probably really need due to the new Mac buyer fever that seems to take hold with new releases, as well as those looking for practical advice on possibly upgrading.

There is so much extra noise going on right now, that it seems to stifle the important noise of possible software bugs, hardware defects, or manufacturing defects.

I was trying to address a lot of different points (in brevity).

As to the USB-C, none of us know for sure if it will take hold with other builders and the accessory builders. I think it will. Apple has thrown down the gauntlet and risked a lot going the route they have. It is going to take some time to see what happens. I don't think we will have to wait as long as many seem to think.

 

[thesaint024]

If all those ports and MagSafe were removed, requiring additional purchases, then maybe the price of the laptop should have been reduced, not increased.

Maybe Apple should have made the price $1490 to account for your missing $9 dongle. Grow up and get a job that can afford you a $9 dongle. Pricing is market based. They will price what the market will bear. It's not meant for you if you are price sensitive on $9. Move on to the "higher spec, just as good PC's" out there that you guys like to talk so much about.

 

[EndlessBuffoonery]

I keep watching reviews where they complain about dongles...
I keep reading comments where they complain about dongles...

The thing that's really pissing me off is how many websites/reviewers are attempting to demonstrate the existence of a "dongle problem" by attempting to plug 20 devices into their computer and then saying "OMG look how messy all these cables are". How is that any less messy on any other laptop?

In the image below from Austin Evans review, he's trying to plug in 2 external hard drives, 1 SD Card, 1 external display, 1 External optical drive, and 2 additional USB-A items (I can't tell what the black boxes are labeled B CAM or XAD). Then he claims that this is a problem that the new MacBook Pro has and that this is a problem for Pros since they regularly connect this many devices.

How is this simpler to connect to a computer with a more "conventional" set of ports, though? The SD card could go in an SD card slot instead of an adapter. Sure, that eliminates one dongle. But he's still trying to connect 6 USB-A ports to a laptop and a display cable. Which computers have 6 USB-A ports and, therefore, wouldn't need to use hubs? On the previous generation of the MacBook Pro, for example, I'm pretty sure the only cable you could eliminate from this setup is the SD Card dongle.

 

[protoxx]

Maybe Apple should have made the price $1490 to account for your missing $9 dongle.

How about throwing it in since it actually costs Apple more in the range of $0.50 and $3.00?

 

[EndlessBuffoonery]

How about throwing it in since it actually costs Apple more in the range of $0.50 and $3.00?

While we're at it, why not sell everything at cost and then they can go out of business. That will be fun.

 

[thesaint024]

How about throwing it in since it actually costs Apple more in the range of $0.50 and $3.00?

I am pretty sure it was an AFTERTHOUGHT, not a money grab. I don't think they sat around the boardroom debating whether to include a $9 dongle (or $0.50 one) and decided against it as a cost savings measure. The MBP is at price points of $1499, $1799, $1999. Maybe they are a little out of touch with some consumers, but I don't think throwing in the dongle registered as a hot button issue. They IGNORED you and those that are mad that they didn't include a free dongle. Get over it. I wouldn't even use the Apple one = waste.

 

[protoxx]

I am pretty sure it was an AFTERTHOUGHT, not a money grab.

You are delusional. It there is anything about Apple is there is never an afterthought. Everything thought out in great detail and with intention. They obsess about tiny details about the box it is delivered in. No, there is no possibility that it was an afterthought or forgotten.

 

[thesaint024]

You are delusional. It there is anything about Apple is there is never an afterthought. Everything thought out in great detail and with intention. They obsess about tiny details about the box it is delivered in. No, there is no possibility that it was an afterthought or forgotten.

This is a stupid troll conversation, BUT... again, you are right, delusional I am. They sat in the boardroom debating the $0.50/$9 dongle as a giveaway. Nothing says premium like BOGO or free dongles! They are a greedy, awful company that has us drones buying their products every year at outrageous prices for the sake of... making a profit! Seriously, get some perspective. Try to see the big picture. Move out of your parents basement. Most important stop buying Apple products please.

PS: No offense to those living in your parents basement for strategic financial reasons. I get it.

 

[protoxx]

. They sat in the boardroom debating the $0.50/$9 dongle as a giveaway. Nothing says premium like BOGO or free dongles!

One thing I know for sure is that you have never been in any product development or marketing meeting on this planet.

Apple is famous for the attention to detail in the "Unboxing Experience".
https://9to5mac.com/2012/01/24/inside-apple-offers-a-glimpse-into-apples-secret-unboxing-room/
"Apple pays utmost attention to the unforgettable experiences customers get from interacting with their thoughtfully designed product packaging, as evident in countless unboxing videos on the web. It is little surprise, then, that the company goes to great lengths to create lasting unboxing experiences."

 

[enzoshadow]

It was simple but they didn't: design a new MBP with 1-2 USB3.0 ports, SD card reader, 1-2 TB3 ports and 1 HDMI port... But they removed all, they removed also the power cable and the cleaning cloth and i'm sure that they forgot to remove Apple stickers, maybe in the next release!

So is it accetable? Maybe but for the price of $4500 is unbelievable...

Why do you guys always feel the need to hike the price beyond the fully loaded machine to make your point? If anything it invalid everything you says, because you exaggerate things.

 

[thesaint024]

One thing I know for sure is that you have never been in any product development or marketing meeting on this planet.

Haha. Coincidentally I have been in quite a few, you pulled the wrong card out buddy. Funny thing is that you say these dumb accusations and keep posting about your "business" knowledge, and continually accuse others of not knowing finance or business. Frankly, you sound like a dumb kid who took a class or two on the basics and reads a lot of tech articles. Your arguments are singularly focused on price which is only one piece of the equation in marketing, but not the whole picture. Do yourself and all of us a favor and stop making a fool of yourself with your trolling. Feel free to make another ignorant comment on this and have the last word as I won't respond to you. To rub it in, I will continue to tell everyone on the forum how much I LOVE my new MBP! I know that really bothers you.

Edit: in my haste to respond to your nonsense, I didn't reply to your comment to ensure you see it.

 

[mac_in_tosh]

Maybe Apple should have made the price $1490 to account for your missing $9 dongle.

$9 if all you use is one USB device.

 

[xmonkey]

The thing that's really pissing me off is how many websites/reviewers are attempting to demonstrate the existence of a "dongle problem" by attempting to plug 20 devices into their computer and then saying "OMG look how messy all these cables are". How is that any less messy on any other laptop?

In the image below from Austin Evans review, he's trying to plug in 2 external hard drives, 1 SD Card, 1 external display, 1 External optical drive, and 2 additional USB-A items (I can't tell what the black boxes are labeled B CAM or XAD). Then he claims that this is a problem that the new MacBook Pro has and that this is a problem for Pros since they regularly connect this many devices.

How is this simpler to connect to a computer with a more "conventional" set of ports, though? The SD card could go in an SD card slot instead of an adapter. Sure, that eliminates one dongle. But he's still trying to connect 6 USB-A ports to a laptop and a display cable. Which computers have 6 USB-A ports and, therefore, wouldn't need to use hubs? On the previous generation of the MacBook Pro, for example, I'm pretty sure the only cable you could eliminate from this setup is the SD Card dongle.

I agree, this is insane.

Just get a dedicated dock if you need to connect that much **** all the time. Seriously.

 

[thesaint024]

$9 if all you use is one USB device.

Link to $8/pair adapter that I bought below. Don't know what to tell you, gofundme page?

USB C Adapter, Rankie 2-Pack Hi-speed USB-C to USB-A 3.0 Adapter for USB Type-C Devices Including New MacBook Pro, ChromeBook Pixel, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nokia N1 Tablet and More - R1209 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EL4PVFE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_W85pybC1MSRRF

 

[idark77]

Why do you guys always feel the need to hike the price beyond the fully loaded machine to make your point? If anything it invalid everything you says, because you exaggerate things.

Because that is the point. Some people agree that and other disagree, i don't care !!!