I realize that web apps are awesome and all, and you can theoretically do just about anything with enough javascript and canvas elements, but if you need a Core i7, 16GB of RAM, and a 64GB solid state drive to run nothing but a web browser, something has gone a little haywire.
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Google Announces New Chromebook Pixel With USB-C, $999 Price Tag
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Well at least the MacBook runs OS X. This thing runs a web browser.
What is the point, exactly, of the LS model? To run the web browser even faster-er?
What's ironic is that Mac OS would run better on this new Chromebook (storage space aside) and Chrome would run just as well on the new, low-power MacBook.
What is the point, exactly, of the LS model? To run the web browser even faster-er?
What's ironic is that Mac OS would run better on this new Chromebook (storage space aside) and Chrome would run just as well on the new, low-power MacBook.
You honestly believe that Google managed to design this thing in the 48 hours after Apple's announcement?
Geeze, even Google's crap-fest Chromebooks thought to include at least TWO USB-C ports. WTF doesn't the new Macbook Pros at least have one USB type-C port so the new Macbooks aren't just orphans for developers that will just depend on you having a gazillion adapters and hubs (you HAVE to have a hub or a multi-point adapter or you will have no USB ports for things like memory sticks, mice, keyboards for docking, etc.) How the hell are you supposed to plug in your new Macbook AND have it docked at the same time? Look for some $400 accessory from Apple in about 9 months, I would guess. Aren't we still waiting for a newer monitor from Apple that even passes through Thunderbolt and/or supports USB3 instead of ancient USB 2.0? (i.e. the last "why do I need THIS" "standard" Apple supported that no one else seems to support or want, namely Windows and Linux PCs). I'm having hard time finding many vendors (HP the exception) that support it AT ALL on PCs. Some "standard".
USB Type C isn't a bad idea, though. The problem is jack squat supports it without adapters right now. Having only ONE of them on a Macbook is STUPID with a capital STUPID. Not offering one on the Macbook Pros ORPHANS the damn port for the Macbook, ensuring it will get little 3rd party support, but ensuring Apple will make a small fortune selling adapters to you since the number of devices that are designed to plug directly into a type C port is approaching ZERO.
Frankly, a port that is not backwards compatible plug-and-play with all existing USB ports (meaning without an adapter) is a port that isn't going to get a lot of support PERIOD, IMO. They should have designed it so that it fits the old cables too (i.e. like an extra set of connections only for the newer device uses, like a cross shape with the vertical pins only used for the newer stuff, but then that would be a larger connector, not a smaller one and defeat Apple's mission to make a RAZOR THIN notebook that no one actually NEEDS.
USB Type C isn't a bad idea, though. The problem is jack squat supports it without adapters right now. Having only ONE of them on a Macbook is STUPID with a capital STUPID. Not offering one on the Macbook Pros ORPHANS the damn port for the Macbook, ensuring it will get little 3rd party support, but ensuring Apple will make a small fortune selling adapters to you since the number of devices that are designed to plug directly into a type C port is approaching ZERO.
Frankly, a port that is not backwards compatible plug-and-play with all existing USB ports (meaning without an adapter) is a port that isn't going to get a lot of support PERIOD, IMO. They should have designed it so that it fits the old cables too (i.e. like an extra set of connections only for the newer device uses, like a cross shape with the vertical pins only used for the newer stuff, but then that would be a larger connector, not a smaller one and defeat Apple's mission to make a RAZOR THIN notebook that no one actually NEEDS.
The Type C to USB adapter at least should be compatible, as it is a standardized spec. The charger should be fine too, but it probably potentially can deliver more power than the apple one.
Your question was: "Does the average user really plug a bunch of stuff into their laptop anymore?"
And my point was, is it that hard to fathom that the average user might want to use more than 1 port? You seem so unsure of this you had to pose the question to the forum.
So are you talking about the average user or are you now talking about people who are "into technology"?
Not sure what you're yapping about with the rest of your post. You said "average user" in your original post. But now you want to shift your position and pretend you're not talking about people "into technology". : shrug :
There's an OEM option for 64GB storage (and an i7 CPU). I wonder how the SSD is implemented[?]
Yeah, I'd love to have some time with this machine (which I think it pretty and swell and pretty swell ... though a touch pricey for the storage, and OOTB OS option) running a Linux distro optimized for the display resolution. Funny, I wound up with Linux (Xubu, then Lubu) on an old EEE/netbook we had sitting around, worked terrific.
What's the battery life? It has two USB port maybe becauses you will need to use one keep charging? I think apples idea is to charge while you are not using it.
Still for 1000+ bucks to have a laptop run a web based OS and giving up my privacy.... I don't see the point at all.
Still for 1000+ bucks to have a laptop run a web based OS and giving up my privacy.... I don't see the point at all.
I was talking about the use case of installing Linux on it and treating it as a normal laptop (for which it is less well suited because of those 32 GB).
So because I ask a question it means it's hard for me to fathom the possibilities?
Sure I could think of a bunch of "reasons". But I'd rather hear REAL use cases from REAL people rather than come up with stuff in my head.....
Shall I apologize for asking the opinions of others?
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I guess it's two fold - I'm asking what the average user plugs into their laptop on the go that one port wouldn't be sufficient. And I'm also asking why a bunch of tech-heads are so against moving into a wireless world.
I'd consider myself a pretty average laptop user - I don't use my MBA for anything strenuous. But I'm also really into technology. So the possibility exists to be both. In my world, plugging stuff in doesn't happen often. Except to charge, it doesn't really happen at all.
Also wondering why everyone has forgotten this still exists....
While I agree it can be silly sometime, it always blows my mind what they are capable off.
All the engineering put into the new Macbooks will makes it way to the rMBP. Sure they will likely make them a bit thinner lol but will also be able to stuff more battery into them.
I would have thought I am a bit above that of an average users but I very rarely need more than one port while not being at home or in the office. Adding an adaptor to the throng of cables on my desks doesn't change much, it might even make things easier as I will only have to plug in one cable.
It's also a lot heavier and bigger. Is it really so hard to understand that people are attracted to the ultraportability of the new Macbook but need more connectivity options? Can you name any good reason why Apple shouldn't build a second port into it?
That's nice, but I live in the present.
No one's forgotten anything. You don't have to be so defensive. My question was a question, too. I merely didn't expect someone who is so into tech, as you are, to not be so sure the "average user" might want to use more than one port. Again, the average user, who has likely been using laptops with multiple ports for years. And now, you're so unsure that you have to ask the question.
Fair enough. What you don't know, you don't know, I guess.
We are up in arms, it is just that the single port is only one of the new Mac Books faults. I for one won't buy it due to the performance hit that will significantly limit its usable life span. It is also grossly overpriced and frankly that sucks.
So a simple adapter is too much?
I'm confused....ports seem to be extremely important to you, but not important enough for the additional weight and thickness of the MBP.
So is an adapter too much to ask? Or are we basically saying that we want a laptop as thin/light as the MB but with all the ports of the MBP?
To which I would reply, could we also get it to make me a sandwich and wash my car for me as well....
Perhaps Apple could only fit the one port into the laptop given the size of the overall device?
Sounds to me like a case of someone just accepting whatever Apple insists on. And if you don't follow their flow, tough luck on you. Get a MacBook Pro or carry around a bunch of adapters, or get a wireless solution to back up your stuff.
Otherwise, be damned if you're an average user.
Like I said - it's one thing for me to come up with reasons outside my use case (again, I consider myself an average laptop user and I don't need ports). It's another to have those who are complaining about said lack of ports to actually present use cases where the lack of ports is a big problem.
So far all I've got is this scenario: trying to transfer a file while low on power and no internet connection (with no tethering option) so one must choose between charging and plugging in an external drive.
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It's kind of amusing how locked into their own experiences some people become; I can't remember the last time I plugged something into my MBA other than the charger, so I can absolutely see how the new MacBook would be appealing to a huge swath of users. That folks like kepler are scraping for scenarios in which the MacBook's design would be a hindrance is kind of laughable since it's not the only option Apple is putting forth for the consumer; just because it wouldn't work for you doesn't mean it won't work for others.
Sort-of back on the topic of this thread, I used Chromebooks for several years and they are perfectly functional laptops if you're able to embrace Google's cloud philosophy and your requirements are for basic productivity; I used mine for school and they worked great. The idea behind the new MacBook is, essentially, the same; you just also have the power and flexibility of OSX to back you up when you need it. With AirDrop, Instant Hotspot, iCloud Drive, etc, the new MacBook is really just the next logical step for Apple just as Chrome OS made sense for Google. It might not work for you, but I guarantee this is a great solution for plenty of folks out there. Hell, I might even consider this thing if the battery life were more on par with my 2013 MBA.
I did find it extremely odd that the new MB and rMBP start at the same base price of $1299.
Excluding the whole ports discussion for a moment, the rMBP comes with half the SSD space, a larger display and a faster processor for that same price.....while I value portability, does it really outweigh all those things so that the MB is the same price as the rMBP?
Seems quite odd to me.
As for the performance, I haven't seen benchmarks and don't have any experience with the Intel Core M processors so I'll wait to make a judgement there. I'll be comparing it to the i7 in the 2013 13" MacBook Air. Graphics-wise, the new MB beats my MBA.
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