If price was not an issue.

[x-evil-x]

Isn't that the point? It's personal preference. For me personally, as an Apple user, I want refined simplicity. I feel it's at the backbone of what an Apple product "IS". The new MacBook Pro represents that, USB-C is definitely the way to go. However, the industry and other devices haven't moved on in that regard.

If I go into a conference room (Which typically has a HDMI or Mini-DP out at a location for an overhead), I simply want to connect to it. I don't want a dongle. There are many uses which simply aren't cured by buying USB-C to X cables, uses which need dongles and it's down to you as a person and your uses as to whether that's an impact.

Then macs aren't for you anymore. sad but true but you have to move on now if you want a laptop with ports.
[doublepost=1478038934][/doublepost]

From multiple sources already it would seem that there's a likely spec change and price drop coming in 2017

Obviously none of it is confirmed, but judging by the negative web reactions of not only forums, but many bloggers and reviewers I'd say it's likely.

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer...cbook-pros-set-to-receive-a-price-cut-in-2017

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer...cbook-pros-set-to-receive-a-price-cut-in-2017

http://bgr.com/2016/11/01/macbook-pro-specs-2017-ram-price/

http://mashable.com/2016/11/01/macbook-pro-2017-32-gb/


Personally I won't even consider buying one of these now, not because they won't be decent machines, but if I'm going to stretch my budget to allow for such a device I'd like to know I didn't buy the early (old spec) version that was superceded within 12 months.

I'd be livid if I'd purchased the early expensive version with worse specs and within 12 months it'd lost a lot of value because of a mid term refresh and rrp adjustment.

Wont be decent machines? really? compared the 2015 models they are big upgrade.

 

[jacg]

....

Anything that transforms one port to another is a dongle, regardless of length of cable, it is a dongle. Also, $5 is still $5. I fail to see why I should fork over $5 for something a $1.5k machine should have.

Hmmm. Many years ago I bought a parallel to USB cable which allowed me to make a now 18 year old printer work wirelessly (via Airport Express). So seeing as WiFi and USB didn't exist when my printer was built, I am still pretty pleased with the shared progress.

 

[WolfSnap]

[QUOTE="....

The USB-C ports are amazing -- and people are completely just not "getting" it. A USB-C port can be ANYTHING you want it to be with the right cable. Thunderbolt 3? Sure. Thunderbolt 2? Ok. Firewire? Sure. Ethernet? No sweat. Power? Yup! USB3? No problem. VGA? DVI? HDMI? DP? mDP? All the above at once via. a single connection? YES!

...

Please can you point me to the USB-C to Firewire dongle.[/QUOTE]
It would take two wires currently, as no one uses firewire anymore. You could go one of two ways:

1) USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 to Firewire 800
2) USB-C to USB-A to Firewire

Either way, it's pretty cheap to do...

 

[Damodici]

Then macs aren't for you anymore. sad but true but you have to move on now if you want a laptop with ports.
[doublepost=1478038934][/doublepost]
Wont be decent machines? really? compared the 2015 models they are big upgrade.

I'm sorry but I think you misunderstood, I'm saying that I wouldn't buy one now 'not because they won't be decent machines '....in other words they will be decent machines

 

[tevion]

Then macs aren't for you anymore. sad but true but you have to move on now if you want a laptop with ports.

Again, not true.

The "Current" Macbook isnt for me until the market has caught up and USB-C is widely adopted, which it will. Eventually.

For now, an early 2015 Macbook Retina is which I got used for £600 with 16GB RAM, 2.9gz i5 and 256GB SSD. Mint. Bargain.

The new Macbook is not bad, it's fantastic.. Just a bit ahead of it times port wise.

 

[BenTrovato]

I'll wait until the 15" arrives but the new screen and trackpad look great. If price was no issue I would choose a Mac for the finish and aesthetics. Performance wise, no. We'll have to wait and see about the touch bar. It's a good idea but will need to be adopted.

As much as it's a pain with these ports and dongles, to a certain extent I'm happy Apple pushes the envelope a little it.

 

[Rob_2811]

I think it's worth it. There are many things that people are not factoring in the price because they take it for granted. Nicer keyboard, nicer screen, better hinge (I played around with it, so much sturdier and smoother), etc.

I say go for it.

 

[b_scott]

I never used Firewire, so your point is moot. I don't like dongles as they can be lost and they cost quite the penny. Dongles are just a way to nickle and dime you... USB-C isn't widespread.

Oh and just to use those ports I would need to buy 3 dongles of USB-C to USB-A. Yes a Hub could work, but not for all.

Actually dongles are ways to let you use old tech, and to reduce internal cards and chips needed for current hardware. You can most often get new cables rather than dongles, especially since there are 4 ports. (But not always of course)

Looks like they cut the price of dongles in half, so that's good at least. https://www.macrumors.com/2016/11/04/apple-drops-prices-on-usb-c-adapters/

 

[jav6454]

Actually dongles are ways to let you use old tech, and to reduce internal cards and chips needed for current hardware. You can most often get new cables rather than dongles, especially since there are 4 ports. (But not always of course)

Looks like they cut the price of dongles in half, so that's good at least. https://www.macrumors.com/2016/11/04/apple-drops-prices-on-usb-c-adapters/

Yes, after what? A great outcry? And even then, all these dongles' prices are just till end of year.

 

[Pootmatoot]

If price is no issue and you don't want to jump onto the Windows bandwagon, i'd say a fully max-specced MBP 2015 is the best option by far.

It's all usage dependent of course, but that would be the best option for the bulk of use-cases.