Lenovo Announces New 'ThinkPad' Docks Equipped With Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C Ports

[justperry]

It seems to me a partially derailed the thread here , might as well derail it further .
Not only should the VGA go the way the Dodo went, the RJ45 port should go that way as well, it's a clumsy port, those plastic latches always break, patch cables kink easily which degrade the signal going through.
But hey, I think it won't be replaced like...forever. (But Apple seems to lead the way)

 

[bill44]

And there is still no way to connect 2x DP 4K@60Hz monitors to this dock without a dongle, even with 2x full size DP connecters on it!
In fact, I have 3x 4K@60Hz monitors and can't find a way to connect them to the new 15" MBP.

 

[dilbert99]

A douch move somehow implies that they profited from it. I don't see how they profit from it.
[doublepost=1483030973][/doublepost]
If only there were an option to pay somebody to put a new battery in it.

I tried and Apple wouldn't do it.

Also glueing those batteries in removed the option of buying a battery on eBay and swapping it out my self. Apple favors obsolecence over repairability.

 

[JamesPDX]

Lenovo is doing great for hardcore business users. Apple, not so much. It's like they changed their target demographic to teenagers.

I substituted "PowerPoint enthusiasts" for "teenagers" and somehow that works better. Because you can never have too many pie-charts in your personal performance reviews. Don't forget the TPA coversheet.
[doublepost=1483072670][/doublepost]

It seems to me a partially derailed the thread here , might as well derail it further .
Not only should the VGA go the way the Dodo went, the RJ45 port should go that way as well, it's a clumsy port, those plastic latches always break, patch cables kink easily which degrade the signal going through.
But hey, I think it won't be replaced like...forever. (But Apple seems to lead the way)

Check these out:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/888394-REG/Neutrik_nke6s_10_woc_32_81_10_m_etherCON.html
http://www.sixnet.com/dist/datasheet/ET-CAT6M_datasheet.pdf
https://reverb.com/item/3024584-eli...er-cat6-tactical-shielded-ethernet-rj45-cable

The ruggedness is out there. It's just not thin. It's thick and really difficult to destroy.

 

[Soccertess]

wow, so they didn't just get rid of every port and replace it with a USB-C? I don't think they lack courage, sounds like a intelligent implementation strategy.

 

[cult hero]

A douch move somehow implies that they profited from it. I don't see how they profit from it.

Not really. Blocking hardware that should work is pretty douchey. The fact that it works under Windows is pretty hilarious.

I'm typically an Apple apologist but that move really has no good explanation at all. I have a feeling it's to force the use of first party and select partner devices as they become available. The problem is, that isn't even an option yet.

 

[JamesPDX]

How am I supposed to connect my Serial printer to this?

You're holding your dongle wrong.

 

[justperry]

I substituted "PowerPoint enthusiasts" for "teenagers" and somehow that works better. Because you can never have too many pie-charts in your personal performance reviews. Don't forget the TPA coversheet.
[doublepost=1483072670][/doublepost]

Check these out:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/888394-REG/Neutrik_nke6s_10_woc_32_81_10_m_etherCON.html
http://www.sixnet.com/dist/datasheet/ET-CAT6M_datasheet.pdf
https://reverb.com/item/3024584-eli...er-cat6-tactical-shielded-ethernet-rj45-cable

The ruggedness is out there. It's just not thin. It's thick and really difficult to destroy.

I have to work with Patch cables on a daily base, those connectors you link above won't work on most gear, Siemens-Phoenix Contact amongst others has decent industrial connectors but they are expensive and bulky, see photo below.
The problem is the port.cable just sux.

 

[manu chao]

Not really. Blocking hardware that should work is pretty douchey. The fact that it works under Windows is pretty hilarious.

I'm typically an Apple apologist but that move really has no good explanation at all. I have a feeling it's to force the use of first party and select partner devices as they become available. The problem is, that isn't even an option yet.

Blocking hardware for no (good) reason is a douche move. But unless you think that decision was made based on a whim, Apple did have a reason. And since Apple has exactly one first party TB3 product, the TB3 to TB2 adaptor, it cannot have been because they wanted to sell more first party TB3 equipment.

Yes, there is no good explanation. Except of course the obvious one once we get past the knee-jerk reaction that everything 'bad' must stem from a 'bad' motive. Just call back when you made it there.

 

[A.Goldberg]

I'm not sure why people are so hung up on the VGA port. I'm sure it didn't add substantial cost to the product.

You can't keep a Windows machine for more than 3 years? In my educational and medical environments, many notebooks are 3-5 years old easily. Lenovo T420's are in abundance. Solid as a rock too.

I work in a hospital. Many of our TV's and projectors have VGA connections on the wall even though they may have DVI or HDMI ports. Many of the computers only have VGA outputs. Thinkpad T-series are everywhere and the older ones only have VGA. Most of computers you'll find in this environment are not purchased for their high end graphics capabilities.

 

[cult hero]

Blocking hardware for no (good) reason is a douche move. But unless you think that decision was made based on a whim, Apple did have a reason. And since Apple has exactly one first party TB3 product, the TB3 to TB2 adaptor, it cannot have been because they wanted to sell more first party TB3 equipment.

Yes, there is no good explanation. Except of course the obvious one once we get past the knee-jerk reaction that everything 'bad' must stem from a 'bad' motive. Just call back when you made it there.

Look, you clearly haven't read much of what I write around here. Like I said, I'm almost universally an apologist. Apple is almost entirely silent on the issue (with the exception of a few statements about "made for Mac" logos and such).

The reason is not a technical one. To me, artificially limiting hardware through software is douchy. You might not agree, and that's fine, but there are dozens of devices I could have been using on day 1 on this new MBP (which I own and really like, btw) and can as long as I am running an OS that is not macOS. That really annoys me.

Doesn't it seem a little ridiculous that I can get more out of Mac hardware in this case using a non-Apple OS?

 

[manu chao]

Look, you clearly haven't read much of what I write around here. Like I said, I'm almost universally an apologist. Apple is almost entirely silent on the issue (with the exception of a few statements about "made for Mac" logos and such).

The reason is not a technical one. To me, artificially limiting hardware through software is douchy. You might not agree, and that's fine, but there are dozens of devices I could have been using on day 1 on this new MBP (which I own and really like, btw) and can as long as I am running an OS that is not macOS. That really annoys me.

Doesn't it seem a little ridiculous that I can get more out of Mac hardware in this case using a non-Apple OS?

So, how do you think that decision was made?
A: "Any ideas how to annoy Mac users even more?"
B: "We could artificially prevent the usage of all TB3 devices with chipset X."
A: "Great idea. Let's do it."

There obviously are technical differences. Otherwise how could the OS differentiate between devices that work and that don't work? By looking up serial numbers on a randomly selected list?

And no, Apple restricting/not supporting what can be used with their Macs is far from unprecedented (think of external graphic card support with TB1/2, only supported via hacks or look what is possible with jail-broken iOS devices but not with the stock OS). And Apple being completely silent on such an issue is also completely normal.

Why you insist on a motivation that is completely based on annoying users for no reason whatsoever instead of assuming what any normal person would do that there is a technical difference that can cause 'issues' if no additional measures are implemented (whether that is working around an issue or simply implementing additional, earlier protocols) is a bit of a mystery. Well, ok, there is the human desire for closure, for an explanation. And if there is no information about a technical reason, you assume arbitrary malfeasance because it gives you closure. Normally one should say: 'Whatever makes you happy'. But if you being content requires the smearing of others, than there is a case for challenging that.

 

[theluggage]

Not only should the VGA go the way the Dodo went, the RJ45 port should go that way as well

Those ports are not there to win the "best designed connector of the decade" contest.

They're there because, out here in the real world, some people still need them. Wired ethernet is still the most reliable, and only the latest-standard WiFi in perfect conditions rivals it for speed... and while it's really cool if your meeting room has a projector with AppleTV and ChromeCast hanging off it, a trailing VGA lead is still the most common solution.

 

[justperry]

Those ports are not there to win the "best designed connector of the decade" contest.

They're there because, out here in the real world, some people still need them. Wired ethernet is still the most reliable, and only the latest-standard WiFi in perfect conditions rivals it for speed... and while it's really cool if your meeting room has a projector with AppleTV and ChromeCast hanging off it, a trailing VGA lead is still the most common solution.

The VGA/RJ45 port should not have been allowed to be manufactured 10 years ago, if that was the case none would be using them now.

 

[JamesPDX]

I have to work with Patch cables on a daily base, those connectors you link above won't work on most gear, Siemens-Phoenix Contact amongst others has decent industrial connectors but they are expensive and bulky, see photo below.
The problem is the port.cable just sux.

Man! That thing is probably thicker than a dozen single-use Macbooks. Is that for the Profinet stuff? That's some sturdy-looking, non-disposable equipment. I love great engineering that's tough and just works. Likewise, it's impossible not to love the simplicity and ruggedness of the BNC connector. And it's lovely offspring, the Triaxial BNC.
Imagine a BNC-type 10G Ethernet. Somebody would probably win an AES or Oscar if they could make that happen.

The ones I posted links for are definitely a special use connector. But they should become a standard because it combines two of the best technologies. Basically housing ethernet inside locking XLR (AES/EBU) connectors. Actually, in the applications I mentioned because Neutrik is making a lot of the the connectors. Then all you really need is that 10G Belden cable. IDK if Belden makes the base/plenum cores for the 3rd party tactical cables.

 

[justperry]

Man! That thing is probably thicker than a dozen single-use Macbooks. Is that for the Profinet stuff? That's some sturdy-looking, non-disposable equipment. I love great engineering that's tough and just works. Likewise, it's impossible not to love the simplicity and ruggedness of the BNC connector. And it's lovely offspring, the Triaxial BNC.
Imagine a BNC-type 10G Ethernet. Somebody would probably win an AES or Oscar if they could make that happen.

The ones I posted links for are definitely a special use connector. But they should become a standard because it combines two of the best technologies. Basically housing ethernet inside locking XLR (AES/EBU) connectors. Actually, in the applications I mentioned because Neutrik is making a lot of the the connectors. Then all you really need is that 10G Belden cable. IDK if Belden makes the base/plenum cores for the 3rd party tactical cables.

Yes, Profinet.

 

[PalidinoDH]

Me too, never owned a windows machine. Currently use a MBP that is older. Wanted to purchase a new one since 2014, but they have been getting too dumbed down. For my previous post, I was talking about 2016 models. I use VGA every day, even though my old MBP requires a dongle. Business use requires it. It really pissed me off at the time to have to carry a dongle, and still pisses me off. That is one of many reasons why I am no longer recommend Apple computers to anyone.

The new ones have no expandable memory, no changeable SSD, etc. Everybody should know that SSDs have a limited life, last time i looked it was something like 1000 write operations to single cell. Probably better now, but still finite. In order to last any length of time the OS monitors cell writes and moves stuff around to keep from wearing out cells. So if you need to store 1/2 TB then you better have a 2 TB drive or it will fail in my usage in less than a couple of years and Apple will only replace the motherboard with a used motherboard with used SSD that has even less remaining life.

Try reading http://techreport.com/review/27909/the-ssd-endurance-experiment-theyre-all-dead. In this article Samsung 250 GB drives started failing after 300 TB of writes (1:1200 ratio). So Apple stuff is fine for teenagers, college students, normal business users doing email, quarterly presentations, etc. But for any really heavy or professional computer usage like audio processing, video processing, data analysis, etc., Apple soldered in SSDs are an epic fail. Note that Apple does not, as far as I have been able to find, publish any information on the reliability/endurance of its drives. Although IIRC it has been suggested that Apple uses Samsung SSDs.

I'm not looking to debate whether or not Apple should release an additional computer that is larger to allow upgradability, but as you pointed out, the people that ever hit anywhere near 300 TB in even 5 years I'd say is pretty low. I've never even personally met a person with over 5 TB of data (probably more like 1 TB). For me and most others, I'll happily take thin over something bulky for something I'll never use or need (upgrading parts).

 

[JamesPDX]

Howdy. You've not met me in person, (Greetings! How do you do! ) but I currently use about 12TB in all including a couple redundant backups, but between my day-to-day on my 3 Mac Mini's and a SSD-encumbered MultiDock 2, that's about 4.5TB of capacity while actively using about 3TB between the machines. This does not include my NAS-based Tm backup. But none of it (except the NAS) is bulky or huge, but neither is it thin nor fun-size.

What eats up a lot of space that I've not listed are the render files from FCPX that just add up and add up without being properly "replaced" and overwritten. Not sure if the Avid MC users have similar issues. At least in Lightroom 4, I can really delete files and unneeded catalog backups whenever I want without total f-ing destruction.