macOS Will Alert You to MacBook Neo's USB-C Port Limitation

[MacRumors]

The new MacBook Neo is equipped with two USB-C ports, but they are not the same. The left USB-C port supports USB 3 speeds of up to 10 Gb/s, while the right USB-C port closer to the trackpad is limited to USB 2 speeds of just 480 Mb/s. As a result, Apple says external display connectivity is supported on the left port only.

Given the ports are not labeled, this limitation could be an inconvenience. Fortunately, though, Daring Fireball's John Gruber said if you plug an external display into the incorrect port, macOS will alert you to use the other port.

Apple says the MacBook Neo supports one external display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz.

If you want to learn more about which features and specs you have to live without if you buy a MacBook Neo, read our in-depth list of compromises.

MacBook Neo is available to pre-order now, with U.S. pricing starting at $599 ($499 for college students). The laptop launches Wednesday, March 11.

Article Link: macOS Will Alert You to MacBook Neo's USB-C Port Limitation

 

[turbineseaplane]

That's a nice affordance.

It'd still be nice to put a physical "dot" or literally anything next to the physical port.

 

[Justin39]

I feel like this could easily been avoided with an indicator on the housing…

 

[EightyEight]

What does 4K display look like? I thought you needed 5K to avoid macOS scaling issues.

 

[Yr Blues]

Why is it called Neo? Every new Mac is "new".

 

[Corefile]

The 480Mbps and 3.0Gbps USB are limitations of the A18 Pro chip.

 

[Admiral]

What does 4K display look like? I thought you needed 5K to avoid macOS scaling issues.

4K at 60MHz refresh looks fine. I've been using such a display with macOS since 2009. Since then I've added a 5K2K 40" monitor at 120MHz refresh, which is better, but not earthshakingly so.

 

[usersince86]

Seems like making them both USB 3 speed would have been worth it. (But maybe the A18 Pro can't do 2 USB 3's or something?)

Hopefully the next version of the Neo won't have this limitation...

 

[G5isAlive]

Why is it called Neo? Every new Mac is "new".

So you’d call it oldo? Maybe neo for the colors.. or to appeal to a younger audience

 

[kenta_]

“Best MacBook Neo ever!”

 

[JPack]

This is one thing Apple got right.

A marking on the chassis would cause confusion. Hardly anyone in this customer group would understand the symbol. Does a "video out" symbol on one port mean it can't take a charge? Now, Apple has to put a "power" symbol on both ports.

 

[code-m]

Seems like making them both USB 3 speed would have been worth it. (But maybe the A18 Pro can't do 2 USB 3's or something?)

Hopefully the next version of the Neo won't have this limitation...

Got to save something for Gen 2.

1x USB C Gen 2
1x Thunderbolt
Improved FaceTime camera
MagSafe
Non-mechanical Touchpad
Faster SSD
12GB RAM

 

[Zdigital2015]

The USB 2.0 port will work great for any audio interfaces you might have, run the USB-C 3.0 to a hub/dock with HDMI 4K/60 and you’ve got a pretty productive setup for music or audio production. There are quite a few other scenarios that work as well.

 

[code-m]

So you’d call it oldo? Maybe neo for the colors.. or to appeal to a younger audience

Neo/New customers base.

 

[code-m]

The USB 2.0 port will work great for any audio interfaces you might have, run the USB-C 3.0 to a hub/dock with HDMI 4K/60 and you’ve got a pretty productive setup for music or audio production. There are quite a few other scenarios that work as well.

It’s either Neo or an iPad with accessories. One is better value plus full OS and more ports.

 

[JohnC1959]

At first I was thinking they could have just put a small icon of a monitor next to the correct port, but then I realized that could make some users think that port was ONLY for a display.

 

[code-m]

At first I was thinking they could have just put a small icon of a monitor next to the correct port, but then I realized that could make some users think that port was ONLY for a display.

Apple KISS philosophy.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Simple way to solve this could have been including a USB-A port as the USB2 port.

I know, everyone hates this ... but USB-A is still a thing ... a very big thing ... tons and tons and tons of cables, adapters, dongles, thumb drives, etc.

If there's a device out there where a USB-A port would have made sense, it's this machine.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Found the SD card slot! Could they be planning to add MicroSD to iPhones and iPads next?

 

[CarAnalogy]

That's a nice affordance.

It'd still be nice to put a physical "dot" or literally anything next to the physical port.

This is the ultimate “we’ll patch it after we ship.”

 

[conmee]

The 480Mbps and 3.0Gbps USB are limitations of the A18 Pro chip.

"The A18 Pro has a USB 3.2 Gen 2 controller capable of 10 Gb/s."

 

[delsoul]

499/599 computer and too many folks expecting it to do 3d modeling, sing and dance, etc. It’s amazing for what it can do at its price point. Appreciate the Neo for what it offers.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Got to save something for Gen 2.

1x USB C Gen 2
1x Thunderbolt
Improved FaceTime camera
MagSafe
Non-mechanical Touchpad
Faster SSD
12GB RAM

TouchSafeID will also be standard on all models instead of just the ones with an extra platter in the hard drive. And maybe faster charging than 20W.

 

[Satch111]

why wouldn’t they put the usb 2 port at the back since that is the best one to use for charging? 🫠

 

[Zdigital2015]

It’s either Neo or an iPad with accessories. One is better value plus full OS and more ports.

I really do like my iPad Pro, but this is less than getting a new 13” M4 Air @8GB/512GB and I can do way more that iPadOS would ever allow me to do. Apple may want to pay attention to iPadOS a little bit more and sand off those remaining friction points so that users can choose the best device for their work regardless of OS.