Apple had an exclusivity deal on Thunderbolt, and like it or not, Apple computers are a small market share.....once PC's begin really implementing the technology the prices will become more reasonable, but I wouldnt expect them to be cheap. They are a professional solution, not a consumer one (for most).
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I'm sad to say its going back...
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Apple had an exclusivity deal on Thunderbolt, and like it or not, Apple computers are a small market share.....once PC's begin really implementing the technology the prices will become more reasonable, but I wouldnt expect them to be cheap. They are a professional solution, not a consumer one (for most).
I dont buy it.
- How can something be called a "a professional solution, not a consumer one" when the port is installed on every single consumer Mac out there. (Notably, the only Mac that doesnt have TB is the Mac Pro").
- Apple doesnt have "exclusivity" on Thunderbolt or Lightpeak. Windows sides just dont care enough to put it on (yet?).
- In the models where they introduced Thunderbolt then they stripped out Firewire which made the only two options for HDD connectivity to be TB or USB2.
- Rewatch the presentations about Thunderbolt and in no way could that introduction speech be intended ONLY for Pros. its clear that they were aiming this port for everyone.
- They made a TB->Ethernet, TB->HDMI and TB->Firewire. If Apple is finally accepting USB3 to be the "consumer" class connectivity then why didnt they make a TB->USB3 adapter?
I think Apple intends TB to be the port for everyone so my guess is that Apple is just as surprised at the slow adoption rate and high 3rd party prices as everyone else is. But I guess the real test will be with that new mysterious port on the new (rumored) iPhone. If its TB then they intend this to be for all classes of consumers, but if its USB3 only then they don't have faith in their own choices.
I don't get people upgrading withen a year, not just for MBA but any device.
I always skip a release before considering an update
i would jump from iPhone 3s to 4s (skipping iphone 4 ) and so on and more for MBP (at least 2 years )
there is no point in buying every release unless your tech reviewer
I always skip a release before considering an update
i would jump from iPhone 3s to 4s (skipping iphone 4 ) and so on and more for MBP (at least 2 years )
there is no point in buying every release unless your tech reviewer
I don't get people upgrading withen a year, not just for MBA but any device.
I always skip a release before considering an update
i would jump from iPhone 3s to 4s (skipping iphone 4 ) and so on and more for MBP (at least 2 years )
there is no point in buying every release unless your tech reviewer
I buy every year. I get why people upgrade every other year, but there is a case to be made for yearly upgrades.
(1) Tech improvements. The camera on the iPad 2, the USB 3.0 slots on the MBA, etc. Phones are a little different, because they are tied to carriers and there are major financial downsides to yearly upgrades.
(2) Warranties. Instead of paying for Applecare, upgrade each year and stay in warranty. This works out pretty well financially (see #3).
(3) Apple products hold their value, and if you treat them well, you'll only lose 10 or 20% over the course of a year. This means the price of a couple of coffees will get you the newest stuff.
(4) The world changes. For a while, it made more sense to by the MBP (before Sandy bridge in the MBAs, and decent cloud support), but now the MBAs make more sense. Things change a lot, and sometimes it is best to jump from line to line in order to take advantage of fetures.
(5) It's fun to play with new stuff. Computing was always fun (for me), but let's face it, we spend more and more time with these things, and it makes sense to get the most out of that time.
For most people, it makes sense to follow a bi-annual upgrade, but there are all sorts of factors to consider.
I don't get people upgrading withen a year, not just for MBA but any device.
I always skip a release before considering an update
i would jump from iPhone 3s to 4s (skipping iphone 4 ) and so on and more for MBP (at least 2 years )
there is no point in buying every release unless your tech reviewer
Some of us do it as its a hobby...nothing more...many times hobbies don't follow absolute sense....otherwise the marine industry would not exist ....yeah, I pour money there too....
Would you have kept it if they had put a nice IPS panel into it, as good as the iPhone, iPad, or Retina Pro (though not necessarily with the higher resolution)?
How about if they have decreased the size of the enormous bezel, allowing for a 14+" display in the 13.3" form factor, or a 13" display in the 11" form factor?
How about if they have decreased the size of the enormous bezel, allowing for a 14+" display in the 13.3" form factor, or a 13" display in the 11" form factor?
I, too, am starting to have second thoughts about buying a new MBA. Applecare coverage on my 2010 MBA Ultimate does not expire until a year from next October and, like the OP and his 2011 model, my MBA continues to perform flawlessly. I have never before bought a new Mac or i device before its Applecare coverage expired and may not do so now, either.
I have an iPad 1, whose Applecare coverage ran out last April. Nevertheless, I have not bought an iPad 3 and probably won't. I'l take a fresh look when the iPad 4 is released, though. Similarly, my iPhone's Applecare coverage remains in force until December, which is also when my current AT&T Wireless contract expires. If a new iPhone has been introduced by then, I'll probably buy one and get a new wireless contract with whichever carrier that has iPhones offers me the best deal.
I have an iPad 1, whose Applecare coverage ran out last April. Nevertheless, I have not bought an iPad 3 and probably won't. I'l take a fresh look when the iPad 4 is released, though. Similarly, my iPhone's Applecare coverage remains in force until December, which is also when my current AT&T Wireless contract expires. If a new iPhone has been introduced by then, I'll probably buy one and get a new wireless contract with whichever carrier that has iPhones offers me the best deal.
I just came back from the Apple Store. It was PACKED! (more so than usual). Happy Father's Day BTW.
They took care of us very quickly. Apple's return policy and process is painless. I took home a consolation prize - a Seagate GoFlex drive with Thunderbolt adapter. Boy that thing is chunky. But at least I have covered my USB 3.0 fix for external drive space.
I'll be first in line for the 2013 MBA...
They took care of us very quickly. Apple's return policy and process is painless. I took home a consolation prize - a Seagate GoFlex drive with Thunderbolt adapter. Boy that thing is chunky. But at least I have covered my USB 3.0 fix for external drive space.
I'll be first in line for the 2013 MBA...
Apple doesn't have a tb-hdmi adapter, they only have tb-fw800 and tb-ethernet (gigabit ethernet to be precise). The hdmi adapter you're talking about is actually an mdp-hdmi one and can be used on non-tb Macs that only have mdp ports. The tb and mdp connector are similar thus mdp stuff can be used on the tb port of a Mac. The port on the thunderbolt display is an entirely different story since it can only speak thunderbolt and not displayport.
Apple maybe but it is not their protocol, it is Intels. Apple only helped Intel with things like the connector, everything else is entirely Intel. If you look at usb3 it took Intel several years before they even implemented it in their own chipsets. Let's not forget that Intel is yet again the developer/maker of the protocol! It is only since Ivy Bridge that Intel actually put usb3 in the chipset, previously it was usb2 only. Thunderbolt seems to be developing at a more rapid pace than usb3 does. Apple already committed entirely to it and other manufacturers are doing it now. It took usb3 more than 2 years for this to happen. All in all, it's not that bad, the two protocols are on a level I'd say.
Id like to know more about the Seagate GoFlex. Was it the desktop or laptop version? I havent checked lately but the price difference between TB and USB3 was pretty substantial which is what got me to go for a 2012 model in the first place. But the other things scaring me away from gen1 Thunderbolt stuff is how big the GoFlex adapter was and that it was reported to be loud so im curious if there's a fan in there, and if so, then why.I just came back from the Apple Store. It was PACKED! (more so than usual). Happy Father's Day BTW.
They took care of us very quickly. Apple's return policy and process is painless. I took home a consolation prize - a Seagate GoFlex drive with Thunderbolt adapter. Boy that thing is chunky. But at least I have covered my USB 3.0 fix for external drive space.
I'll be first in line for the 2013 MBA...
http://www.appleinsider.com/article...derbolt_as_exclusive_to_apple_until_2012.html
Intel details Thunderbolt, says Apple has full year head start
By Daniel Eran Dilger
Published: 04:00 PM EST (01:00 PM PST)
At a press conference earlier this morning, Intel offered additional information about its new Thunderbolt interconnect technology being pioneered by Apple in its latest batch of MacBook Pros, noting Apple will have a year long head start in deploying the technology.
As described in the First Look, the new specification pairs PCI Express with DisplayPort signaling in a collaboration with Apple. The PCI Express protocol was used because it's flexible and widely compatible with various types of I/O devices.
"You can extend the backbone of your computer to distributed devices that are connected to it," Intel representatives said, "and to the OS it looks like they're connected to the computer."
Based on work to develop an ultrafast new optical port originally named Light Peak, Intel's efforts to make the new low latency ("8 nanosecond accuracy time sync across 7 devices" for very little delay between operations), low overhead (hits much closer to the theoretical max than previous port specifications because of less background chat), high speed signaling standard was initially held back by the higher cost of optical cabling.
To reduce the cost, Intel collaborated with Apple to pair the technology with DisplayPort to deliver a single copper connection that was high performance and yet still economical.
By pairing the new interconnect with Mini DisplayPort (which Apple developed but has openly released as part of the DisplayPort specification), Thunderbolt should also help drive adoption of the Mini DisplayPort connector as well, which so far has largely been limited to Apple's own equipment. Other DisplayPort monitors from companies like Dell use a "full sized" connector that looks similar to USB, but which serves no value other than being larger.
The new standard is not backwardly compatible with USB 3.0, and Thunderbolt ports can't be added to existing PCs via an expansion card; Intel says the only way to have it is to buy a system or logic board that incorporates the new Thunderbolt controller chip. That's because the Thunderbolt chip needs direct access to both the system's video and PCI Express architecture.
PC makers are expected to begin adding Thunderbolt to their machines next spring, giving Apple a year to trailblaze the technology among high end users before it trickles down into the mainstream. Apple has partnered with Intel in the past to debut its new CPUs on Macs for a brief period, while the debut of DisplayPort (which is not an Intel standard) took a longer period to roll out.
PC makers and Microsoft were both slow to provide initial, enthusiastic support for USB, leaving it to Apple to kick-start widespread adoption. They rolled out USB 2.0 faster than Apple, and many now support USB 3.0 and eSATA, neither of which Apple has included on its machines.
Seriously, where are you guys finding these noobs to rip off? As I've mentioned earlier, unless you're buying the base models, you will lose 30-40% off in one year. For example, I paid $1699 + Tax for 2011 ultimate model. A quick scan on ebay shows the majority of used ones going for <$1150. Once you factor in fleabay/paypal fees, you're losing around $700. That's not even close to the 10-20%.
Apple did have exclusivity on Thunderbolt for a year. It's now over. Windows mother board manufacturers are caring and hence why they are including it on their latest models.
Anand doesn't make stuff up.
Anandtech.com said:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5884/...s-part-2-intels-dz77rek75-asus-p8z77v-premium
I love it when people post uninformed opinions as absolute fact.
Edit: I see that the poster above me beat me to the punch.
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This was a very poor move on Apple's part this pretty much is almost a deathknell for TB ever getting widespread acceptance. It's basically a redux of what happened to firewire.
I just wish they would release/someone would make/ a damn Thunderbolt to USB 3.0 Adapter...we can all jump for joy....All the 2011 MBP's and Air's would be able to enjoy it to the max....
Two Possible adapters I would love to see:
- Thunderbolt to USB 3.0
- Thunderbolt to Dual-USB 3.0 (making use of the full Thunderbolt speed of 10gbps)
Both being no larger than the current Thunderbolt to HDMI/Firewire/Ethernet/Mini-DVI/VGA etc. adapters.
Two Possible adapters I would love to see:
- Thunderbolt to USB 3.0
- Thunderbolt to Dual-USB 3.0 (making use of the full Thunderbolt speed of 10gbps)
Both being no larger than the current Thunderbolt to HDMI/Firewire/Ethernet/Mini-DVI/VGA etc. adapters.
I'm with you on this...Most even locally are selling for no more than $1200....considering the 2011 Ultimate 13" Model $1699+Tax purchase in Canada is approx $1920....people loose 40+% in one year....
I can buy used i5 1.8GHz 4GB 256 for around $1100....i7 1.8GHz 4GB 256GB for around $1200 that again proves sellers who bought the MBAir are loosing well over 40% of its value....those of you that get it with education discount...well you loose approx 31% of its value in one year...that is if you sell it a little before the warranty expires...not to mention if you sell it on eBay for $1200...you also have to give up another ~13% to eBay+Paypal combined....thats total of 43-53% loss in value of your MBAir Ultimate that you spend your hard earned money on....I don't see it justifiable enough to upgrade every year due to this.
talking about cup of a coffee lol....those that compare such drop in price to coffee cups and only feel that it drops 10-20%...they obviously hav too much money or don't know how to do math...
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ya...$249-$399(before tax)....thats not justifiable for a Thunderbolt to USB 3.0 adapter(I'm aware those docs offer more than just USB 3.0)...that could/would/ be the size of a Thunderbolt to HDMI/Ethernet/VGA/Firewire adapter...plus one would hav to be an idiot to spend that much money just to get USB 3.0.....as those docs don't offer anything that great......might as well sell your Current MBAir or Pro and buy the latest one instead...also I'm sure no one would want to be attaching a self powered dock not he go...instead everyone would prefer a little adapter that you can attach in between one's MBAir/Pro and the external device they would be hooking up.
I have the Seagate, and use it to connect an SSD externally. I think there is just a logic board inside (not a fan). It's pretty quick, and I believe it is SATA III (I have a SATA II SSD attached).
The Thunderbolt Goflex adapter is quiet bulky....I think people should go for Firewire adapter instead now that its out...its light and doesn't take up much space...also provides double the speed of USB 2.0 for those that are on 2011 MBA's/MBP's....not to mention the cost would be far far lower than getting the Thunderbolt adapter from Segate for $99+ a HDD...total costing ~ $200-$250(Adapter+HDD) depending on location and tax as well as HDD size(SSD would obviously be extra ~$220/256GB SSD)
Please quote where I claimed it was absolute fact. (And explain why you're being so rude about it)
Anyway, I have no problem being wrong but can someone who isn't a condescending know-it-all explain WHY a port meant to be standard would be given an exclusivity deal that restricts it from being allowed on most products? (The link won't open on my iPad) Because thats the part that i dont understand.
From discussions I've heard regarding TB then Apple was getting a "jump ahead the competition" because they were directly involved in creating the port rather than it being a port that only Apple was permitted to make. Because it does seem like a move like that is exactly why USB3 took off while TB became dismissed as an expensive "pro-only" tool. And that's a shame because a single port to connect everything would be great.
It really shouldn't have taken the purchase of a 2012 MBA to come to this realization. The performance and feature differences between Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge as well as their associated chip sets have hardly been a secret. The only real unknown up until recently was if apple was going to adopt USB 3, and again, it shouldn't have taken a purchase to figure that out either.
There's a fairly big step up between the 2010 and 2012, particularly if you use a virtual machine. What's nice is that there are no real "compromises" anymore. The 2011 had a much faster CPU but the GPU was slower than the NVIDIA 320m. The HD4000 is faster than the 320m, the GPU is slightly faster than the 2011, and the SSD is now SATA III. On top of that, it has USB 3.0 to boot.
That said, the Haswell processor will give Apple some interesting options. Perhaps the improvement in battery life will be good enough for Apple to consider a higher resolution screen. The chassis design will be 3 years old by then, so maybe Apple would even consider a little bit of a redesign (though I'd call it a long shot - there isn't much if anything "wrong" with the current design, except perhaps the bezel aesthetically). It should also be a more substantial CPU/GPU update.
Pretty much. When a brand new standard comes out and the company with, what, 10-13% market penetration has exclusive rights to it for a full year, it's probably not going to do so well. That would have been bad enough on its own but add to that:
1) Cost
2) Very limited devies that use it
3) A very familiar and competing standard was also available to the other 87-90% of the market that wanted it.
Well, sad to say that even the Thunderbolt drive is going back. It was too big (don't believe the Seagate box when it says Ultra Portable), and the TB adapter made it even bigger (like silly big) plus it got hot enough to cook an egg. The battery on my MBA dropped like whale dung in the ocean. Benchmarks showed it was twice as fast as my USB 3.0 drive connected to a USB 2.0 port, but the size and heat are a turn off. I have a Time Capsule I am backing up over Ethernet, so I was tempted to get a desktop sized TB drive but they are ridiculously expensive. I'm going to try the TB to Gigabit Ethernet adapter to see what I can get out of that.
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There is nothing like handling the real thing. You can read all you want, but actual hands on experience trumps reading blogs/articles/forum posts. I for one am glad I could play with one for a couple of days to remove any doubt in my mind that it wasn't worth it.
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How would I connect a firewire drive to my MBA?
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There is nothing like handling the real thing. You can read all you want, but actual hands on experience trumps reading blogs/articles/forum posts. I for one am glad I could play with one for a couple of days to remove any doubt in my mind that it wasn't worth it.
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How would I connect a firewire drive to my MBA?