Dongles

[Kulfon]

I am using MBP Pro 15 maxed out and just purchased the latest MBP 13 for business alonged with the magic mouse 2. I cannot believe what a step backwards. First is the keyboard. Second it is all about dongles. I cannot connect the mouse to charge without a dongle. What a joke! Why it is not possible to ditectly connect a mouse or phone to the macbook?

 

[Samuelsan2001]

I am using MBP Pro 15 maxed out and just purchased the latest MBP 13 for business alonged with the magic mouse 2. I cannot believe what a step backwards. First is the keyboard. Second it is all about dongles. I cannot connect the mouse to charge without a dongle. What a joke! Why it is not possible to ditectly connect a mouse or phone to the macbook?

Did you not do your research before you spent $2000 on a computer??

 

[lambertjohn]

I agree with the previous poster. Did you not know all this before you purchased your new MBP? Did you do any research beforehand? The Internet is a wonderful research tool. As is Macrumors.com

 

[PBG4 Dude]

You’re over a year late to the “why do I have to buy new cables with my new computer?” whingefest.

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

Try a USB-C -> Lightning cable, not a USB-A -> Lightning. That should negate the need for a USB-C/A adapter in the middle.

 

[Kulfon]

It doesn't change anything. It is not toing to kill me. But I have a simple questions. What is so hard for Apple to avoid a gongle when you need to connect the latest iPhone, Mouse to the latest MacBook? It is not like you are connect third party products or different generation products.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

It doesn't change anything. It is not toing to kill me. But I have a simple questions. What is so hard for Apple to avoid a gongle when you need to connect the latest iPhone, Mouse to the latest MacBook? It is not like you are connect third party products or different generation products.

It was a design choice and for a product slated to be the same design for 4-5 years it was a good one.

You admit you knew what you were buying and you therefore had a choice to buy something else why moan about it now?
If you want to use the computer you'll have to spend a few dollars on cables, you knew this before you bought it, again I can't see why the outrage.

Whether or not apple could have done something different is immaterial, they didn't, you knew the situation and you made the choice to buy the product anyway, so either live with it or return it.

 

[robvas]

It doesn't change anything. It is not toing to kill me. But I have a simple questions. What is so hard for Apple to avoid a gongle when you need to connect the latest iPhone, Mouse to the latest MacBook? It is not like you are connect third party products or different generation products.

Just buy the right cable. Not a big deal. Why would Apple include it with the phone when very few users have a USB-C computer?

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

Pretty sure if Apple did start including USB-C -> Lightning cables instead of the current USB-A ones, we'd have a heap of threads about how you can't plug it into anything as everything is USB-A. Considering many iPhone users don't use MacBooks, or high end PCs for that matter, it seems the most logical and conservative move for them to make. Especially when they sell a USB-C cable and many 3rd party cables exist.

 

[Kulfon]

Painful to read. Apple used to be all about simplicity.

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

What you should be complaining about is why the charging port on the MagicMouse is located on the bottom, and why you spent so much on what is frankly a terrible mouse . Maybe because it's simple and looks perdy.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Painful to read. Apple used to be all about simplicity.

And usb c/TB 3 is the simplest I/O ever put onto a computer, one port that can take data, video and power and can be made to work with any peripheral for the investment of a few dollars in a new cable can’t get much simpler than that.

 

[Regime2008]

Did you not do your research before you spent $2000 on a computer??

To the OP's defense, When spending 2k on a laptop, I could see where someone might automatically assume "This laptop should be able to just work out of the box" when compared to just about any laptop outside of Apple's ecosystem, with the same price point.

On the other hand, I would definitely do bundles of research on ANY device that costs even a fraction of $2k.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

To the OP's defense, When spending 2k on a laptop, I could see where someone might automatically assume "This laptop should be able to just work out of the box" when compared to just about any laptop outside of Apple's ecosystem, with the same price point.

On the other hand, I would definitely do bundles of research on ANY device that costs even a fraction of $2k.

It does work straight out of the box it is a portable device and it works perfectly it’s a self contained computer that will wirelessly do almost anything you want, connect to drives (NAS) Bluetooth keyboards and mice, your iPhone with wireless back up and file transfer etc through the cloud, it’ll even use a disk drive wirelessly from another pc. You can connect to most tv’s using an Apple TV or a DLNA client. IF you need to connect a load of things to it (wired) you need to get the right cables.

The same as any other computer, the same as buying a 4K blu ray player and then having to get an hdmi 2.0 cable to connect it to your 4K tv. Or a printer that needlessly has a usb b port and needs a new cable.

New tech comes with new cables always has always will (until we go totally wireless anyway) and usb-c should be good for 20 years if usb A is anything to go by.

 

[Regime2008]

It does work straight out of the box it is a portable device and it works perfectly it’s a self contained computer that will wirelessly do almost anything you want, connect to drives (NAS) Bluetooth keyboards and mice, your iPhone with wireless back up and file transfer etc through the cloud. If you need to connect a load of things to it (wired) you need to get the right cables.

The same as any other computer, the same as buying a 4K blu ray player and then having to get an hdmi 2.0 cable to connect it to your 4K tv. Or a printer that needlessly has a usb b port and needs a new cable.

New tech comes with new cables always has always will (until we go totally wireless anyway) and usb-c should be good for 20 years if usb A is anything to go by.

I probably should have read over my post before hitting "post reply". I meant to emphasize on the ports when I said "work out of the box". The macbook definitely works as intended (Hope it doesn't seem like I was taking a jab!), but Apple should have included just a single Usb-A port in addition to its 2 Usb-C ports. This would have negated about 75% or more of users complaining about dongles in the first place. If they could ease up on the idea of "Form over Functionality" just a little bit, they could really change their lineup for the better.

 

[Fishrrman]

One more thread that reminds me why it was a better decision (last December) to buy the 2015 design MacBook Pro instead of the 2016 !!

 

[Samuelsan2001]

I probably should have read over my post before hitting "post reply". I meant to emphasize on the ports when I said "work out of the box". The macbook definitely works as intended (Hope it doesn't seem like I was taking a jab!), but Apple should have included just a single Usb-A port in addition to its 2 Usb-C ports. This would have negated about 75% or more of users complaining about dongles in the first place. If they could ease up on the idea of "Form over Functionality" just a little bit, they could really change their lineup for the better.

I disagree no other port has better form and function than TB 3 it’s bi directional and it is compatible with any usb and thunderbolt device video and power supply or bus powered device and Apple put 4 of them in the touchbar MBP’s at great expense. They also allowed for a thinner and lighter design and they are aesthetically pleasing there is no downside.

If people get so worked up about spending a few dollars on cables why do they spend so much on a computer?? It makes no sense.

Any issues with this decision by Apple is purely emotional there was no other logical direction for Apple in my mind.

 

[jdechko]

They also allowed for a thinner and lighter design and they are aesthetically pleasing there is no downside.

With the new design, everyone get's thinner and lighter (by 0.5 lb). If you need the adapters, buy them and carry them around. They'll still weigh a lot less than 0.5lb (the usb-c HDMI adapter from Apple is around 0.16lb),

 

[c0ppo]

If people get so worked up about spending a few dollars on cables why do they spend so much on a computer?? It makes no sense.

Well, it's the principle. I have nothing against usb-c/tb3 switch. Actually, I love it.
But the problem is that Apple is selling usb-c only laptops. And with their 1200€ phone, they don't include the necessary cable to connect the devices. And laptop costs almost 3000€.

Yesterday I went into the mall. To check out iPhone X. Almost bought it. What stopped me is the lack of usb-c to lightning cable. I couldn't even purchase the cable itself, since the store had none in supply. And where I live, we don't have Apple store, just a certified retailer.

So you see, I really don't think it's that hard to include one cable in the box. And for all of those who would complain that then there is no usb-A port on the cable, well, put in an additional adapter. How much would Apple loose really? 20 cents?

If I am going to give my 4300€ to Apple, I really expect that everything works like a charm out of the box. Is that irrational?

 

[SteveJUAE]

I disagree no other port has better form and function than TB 3 it’s bi directional and it is compatible with any usb and thunderbolt device video and power supply or bus powered device and Apple put 4 of them in the touchbar MBP’s at great expense. They also allowed for a thinner and lighter design and they are aesthetically pleasing there is no downside.

If people get so worked up about spending a few dollars on cables why do they spend so much on a computer?? It makes no sense.

Any issues with this decision by Apple is purely emotional there was no other logical direction for Apple in my mind.

I'm not sure why you think it's at Apples great expense as any costs are just passed on to the consumer

I makes perfect sense to many on a tight budget or any sort of budget else Apple or any other OEM would not give options on certain upgrades they could of simply put 1TB SSD in all MBP after all what's a few bucks more etc

Similarly with such a great port and given that the MBP is a 85% normal consumer device 2xUSB-C/TB3 and 2x USB-C would be more than ample for most but may of been cheaper and at the tipping point for some buyers.

This could also been true for those that cant afford the 256GB but a 128GB with a internal SD slot would of been a nice option for some

Good cables and reliable dongles are not cheap for some. There are plenty that buy the IPhone this month and the case with next months pay check and so on ..........

The entry point of this gen of MBP was significantly higher than previous which upset many. It may of been justified by spec but not by options offered for the less well heeled

It's not emotional but simple finances for most

 

[kokomoko]

All ports USB-C Macbook Pro is introduced at least 3 generations before it makes any sense. After 2 generations there are 0 Apple products compatible out of the box.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

I'm not sure why you think it's at Apples great expense as any costs are just passed on to the consumer

I makes perfect sense to many on a tight budget or any sort of budget else Apple or any other OEM would not give options on certain upgrades they could of simply put 1TB SSD in all MBP after all what's a few bucks more etc

Similarly with such a great port and given that the MBP is a 85% normal consumer device 2xUSB-C/TB3 and 2x USB-C would be more than ample for most but may of been cheaper and at the tipping point for some buyers.

This could also been true for those that cant afford the 256GB but a 128GB with a internal SD slot would of been a nice option for some

Good cables and reliable dongles are not cheap for some. There are plenty that buy the IPhone this month and the case with next months pay check and so on ..........

The entry point of this gen of MBP was significantly higher than previous which upset many. It may of been justified by spec but not buy options offered for the less heeled

It's not emotional but simple finances for most

It’s being emotional to buy things you can’t afford just because Apple made them.

 

[SteveJUAE]

It’s being emotional to buy things you can’t afford just because Apple made them.

That's why they do not buy them, they put emotion to the side

 

[palmerc2]

To connect my iPhone to MacBook Pro I bought a USB-C to Lightning cable on amazon for $8. Easy.

Apple has made some weird decisions with ports, that’s for sure.

iPhone omitted headphone jack, and included lightning earbuds. MacBook Pro has a headphone jack but no lightning port. iPhone cable uses USB-3 and MacBook Pro has USB-C. I use Bluetooth for audio so I don’t really care either way, then I got an $8 cable....big deal.

I personally think iPhone should switch to a USB-C port, but that’s besides the point.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Why would Apple include it with the phone when very few users have a USB-C computer?

I find this comment a touch ironic. (no offense to you sir)

We have dozens of people defending Apple "pushing us forward off Dongle Cliff" all over the forums, but this precise complaint about how they've gone about this is showing the issue.

If they're going to push us forward, then do it with all of the products. (Including the iPhone IMO)

It's ridiculous that he has to buy a dongle to charge his mouse which one might rightly assume they would use with their MacBook on the go…

After all, they sell WAY more laptops than the desktops so perhaps they should be optimizing the connections around what the already put on the laptops?

The biggest overriding complaint about all of this USB-C stuff is that Apple forced the ports on us and sort of decided to do almost nothing else to support that move.