Major benefit of the single USB-C

[6749974]

What does that have to do with the single port? Other manufacturers have made thinner notebooks than the "impossbile" Macbook before Apple, and had no problem putting multiple ports into it (even USB Type-A ones that allow you to do amazing things like plugging a thumb drive into your computer without requiring a dongle).

Source please?

Also, have you seen the YouTube videos? It's impossibly thin. How do you fit 5+ port formats not designed for thinness, both outside and inside, on something so thin? Are you considering the insides? Wouldn't adding 5+ ports change the internal strategies?

Look—Apple is simplifying what a computer is. Early adopter markets will put up with "pain" to acquire new benefit. To appeal to early and late majority markets (look it up) it's a company's job to "innovate" the product toward their needs. Sometimes that need isn't specific, like "remove all ports" but is something like "make computing simpler, a no brainer, something I don't need to think about and is always with me." and it's up to any company to interpret and trial-and-error/problem solve how to meet that need. Business is creative, and very artistic in a sense. If you don't like what Apple is doing, make your own company. Express things differently. Compete. Apple is not the only one making computers. This is just Apple's artistic expression. Other companies are answering to different market needs in their own way, as you mentioned.

Also, Apple designed (but gave away/collaborated) the USB-C spec because ALL computers could benefit from this direction, and Apple is tired of port complexity. One port to rule them all! Maybe you don't like the transition phase. Don't all transitions bare some sense of pain? But my point is Apple designed it because they saw a pattern—we're moving to NO PORTS. This is just an introductory product line—a first impression, an experiment, a start. Don't lose your head. That's my core point to people on the forum.

[/COLOR]Did anyone ask for fewer and less compatible ports?

YES! Go search through threads. People are annoyed of Apple using proprietary ports, vs other brands and tech using USB. And USB being all sorts of connectors:

USB has Type A, Type B, Mini-A, Mini-B, Micro-A, Micro-B, and none of them were reversible, and then you have issues with internals, and devices also dealing with them. Plus you had firewire, then thunderbolt, HDMI, display port, and multiple ports for each.

Complexity was pain for both consumers and the industry. So the industry got together and solved it with USB-C.

So yes!!! We asked for fewer ports. And this makes it MORE compatible. I don't know why you're saying LESS? You can now buy a device in 2015-2016 and use that cord or power adapter across all devices. And prices will be cheap, now, too! This is the answer to complaints I've seen since forever. So I don't know how you've forgotten this pain point.

 

[6749974]

Here's a screenshot for those who haven't seen. You can't tell me this laptop can have 1 MagSafe Power, 2 Thunderbolt (display port), 1 USB, and 1 headphone port on the left like my 15" rMBP does...AND house battery and keys on the edge. By having 1 port on left it allowed for a specific form-factor you couldn't get otherwise. If that form-factor isn't for you, that's valid! But let's not pretend this form-factor could exist with so many current ports as a 15" rMBP.

So form factor is the core benefit. A lot of things had to "shift" in order for that to happen.

 

[newellj]

Actually, I agree with this. That is a definite plus!

Wait, which? Single port? Just curious, not trolling.

 

[Rigby]

No they haven't. There are a very few notebooks that are thinner than the MacBook at its thickest, but the majority of the computer is not that thick, so the overall volume of the MacBook is considerably less.

So now it's not the thinness, but the shape of the Macbook that prevents adding other ports? Perhaps then Apple should have chosen a different shape?

Again, the MacBook was designed to be the portable computer distilled as far as modern tech makes possible. Adding additional ports to this device would have run counter to that goal, and compromised the design.

I keep reading comments like this, but what does it mean? Is it some kind of "design purity" that you are concerned about? It seems to me that it is the current version of the Macbook that is compromised with its reduced functionality compared to other ultraportables.

 

[Rigby]

Source please?

Asus X305, to name one example.

Also, have you seen the YouTube videos? It's impossibly thin.

I think everybody agrees that nobody beats Apple in making pretty marketing videos.

How do you fit 5+ port formats not designed for thinness, both outside and inside, on something so thin?

How about just 2 ports for starters?

One port to rule them all! Maybe you don't like the transition phase. Don't all transitions bare some sense of pain?

This particular "pain" could have been easily avoided.

YES! Go search through threads. People are annoyed of Apple using proprietary ports, vs other brands and tech using USB.

Don't be obtuse. The question was obviously about the topic of this thread, which is the number of ports on the device.

 

[newellj]

So now it's not the thinness, but the shape of the Macbook that prevents adding other ports? Perhaps then Apple should have chosen a different shape?

Honestly, considering the almost rabid loyalty that many people have to the MBA's wedge profile, that would have been bad marketing and triggered an avalanche of hate posts.

 

[squirrrl]

I really don't understand the hub-bubb behind this all. I think the good thing about Apple is that they don't make 5,000 different products for all categories that people may want. If you want many ports and higher processing/graphics power, get a rMBP. If you want a more portable computer with a variety of ports and you don't have a huge need for processing power, get a MBA. If you want an even more portable computer, you don't have a huge need for processing power, and you don't use your ports very often, get a new rMB.

You don't want to pay $79 bucks for a multiport adaptor? You don't have to! The beauty of the USB-C is that it's non-proprietary so there should be many cheaper alternatives in the coming year.

At some point, MBA will get a retina display or they will merge the rMB with the MBA, but for now, there's pretty much something for everyone.

You want something cheaper or something with the exact configuration you want, get a windows or linux or ubuntu laptop from some other manufacturer.

Honestly, people are so nitpicky around here. I'm personally glad that Apple only focuses on a couple products for each product category since what they make is usually well designed (despite some occasional flubs such as the non-reflective display coating, etc...). I rather they concentrate on a handful of products rather than design a wide variety to cater to every little need of every single person out there.

 

[consumeritis]

Someone should just make a little cable-less USB-C hub that you can clip onto the side of the MacBook and splits the single port into two or three.

Make it the same colours as the computer and it'll be like it was built that way.

Problem solved.

Then you just need cables with the correct connectors on each end, e.g.

USB-C to Lightning (for iDevices).
USB-C to HDMI or DisplayPort (for display).
USB-C to USB-B (for printers).
USB-C to micro-B (for Android phones).
USB-C to micro-B 3.0 (for external HDDs).
USB-C to mini-B (for my external DVD burner...).

I never realised but USB already has a stupid number of different connectors. Hopefully this new one is small enough and future-proof enough that it really is the end of it for a while, and we don't end up with USB-D in a couple of years.

I think given the dongles Apple have announced the only things really missing are a USB-C hub, and (most important) a USB-C to Lightning cable.

 

[6749974]

So now it's not the thinness, but the shape of the Macbook that prevents adding other ports? Perhaps then Apple should have chosen a different shape?

Why should they have chosen a different shape if there's a market for this shape?

There literally is the exact notebook, but thicker, with all ports and a faster processor called the 13" MacBook Pro. Isn't it good to have MORE options?

If ports is the criteria in which you purchase Mac notebooks—you are taken care of. If thin and light is your criteria—you are taken care of. Otherwise It's hard to justify being opposed to a MacBook thinness when it does't take anything away from you.

----------

I keep reading comments like this, but what does it mean? Is it some kind of "design purity" that you are concerned about? It seems to me that it is the current version of the Macbook that is compromised with its reduced functionality compared to other ultraportables.

Distilling to purity means removing all (aging) supporting functions and focusing on the essence or core need of the laptop. As computing changes away from what it was before, Apple can distill into what computing is for 80% of people: web, banking, email, pictures and a few OS X apps, all with a keyboard. It's essentially the iPad version of a Mac laptop.

 

[Rigby]

Honestly, considering the almost rabid loyalty that many people have to the MBA's wedge profile, that would have been bad marketing and triggered an avalanche of hate posts.

Just from looking at the existing pictures of the device I think it wouldn't be that difficult to fit a USB Type-A port while keeping the overall thinness and the wedge shape. It would only take a minimal increase of the tapering angle of the vertical surfaces on the sides to fit the port on the hinge-side. To compensate, they could have made the curvature of the bottom slightly shallower. I doubt anyone would have noticed a difference. Apple has some of the best engineers and designers in the world. I'm convinced that they could have easily found a solution without compromising portability or aesthetics. I still hope to be proven right in the second iteration of the Macbook.

 

[squirrrl]

Just from looking at the existing pictures of the device I think it wouldn't be that difficult to fit a USB Type-A port while keeping the overall thinness and the wedge shape. It would only take a minimal increase of the tapering angle of the vertical surfaces on the sides to fit the port on the hinge-side. To compensate, they could have made the curvature of the bottom slightly shallower. I doubt anyone would have noticed a difference. Apple has some of the best engineers and designers in the world. I'm convinced that they could have easily found a solution without compromising portability or aesthetics. I still hope to be proven right in the second iteration of the Macbook.

and while they are at it, whey can they put an optical drive and an SD card reader slot in there too. I mean, both CDs and SD cards are thinner than the rMB. (i'm being sarcastic here)

Face it dude. at some point USB-A will be a legacy connector and USB-C will rule. Apple likes to get rid of legacy connectors before they become legacy in order to speed up the process. A third party USB-A to USB-C will cost you less than $10 in the near future, so just get over it.

Personally i can't wait until everything is wireless (charging, info transfer, etc) and our computers are completely free of wires and ports. That day can't come soon enough.

 

[Rigby]

Well, I hope they'll do what they did with the Macbook Air back then and add a second port in the next upgrade of the Macbook, just to see how all the apologists here change their tune and start praising two ports as a groundbreaking innovation. And the "design purists" will probably ramble on about the artistry of symmetric ports.

 

[sjinsjca]

I would rather have my ports back.

Then buy an Air or Pro.

 

[consumeritis]

I don't mind USB-C only, since I'm sure eventually everything will be USB-C, and if it isn't you just need a different cable.

But it really could have done with having two or three ports on the machine itself.

Or they could have made the charger brick a USB-C hub, since the main frustration with the single port is that you have to choose between charging or connecting a peripheral. If the charger provided a couple of ports to use while the machine is plugged in, it would enable charging and connecting at the same time while keeping the design of the macbook the same.

One port is certainly limiting - though I am still very interested in the machine.

Maybe 3rd-party manufacturers will come up with some innovative solutions.

 

[6749974]

Asus X305, to name one example.

Thanks, but as suspected the Asus X305 does exactly as the MacBook Air, where as the new MacBook tapers down into nearly paper-thin and is 25% lighter. I think you're dismissing Apple is being very bold and sending a clear, take-no-prisoners approach to the MacBook line. For everyone else there is a Pro.

I think you need to compare the two more closely.

I think everybody agrees that nobody beats Apple in making pretty marketing videos.

That wasn't Apple but Marques Brownlee, the current most famous Tech reviewer and I felt he gave it the most balanced review, even so far as recommending people not consider this edition and wait to see how Apple improves it next year. I thought I should submit a balanced video, if any, but you clearly didn't even watch the video—thinking it was an Apple one. So far you're 0 for 2 buddy.

How about just 2 ports for starters?

If I were Jony Ive I would have given through too to removing the right audio port and adding a second USB-C, but then again I'm sure they weighed the pro's and cons. My point still stands that their new direction for their new product line is doing away with ports for absolute thinness with no apologies—bold. You can't have 5 ports on each side and get away with a paper thin laptop, keyboard to the edge, and 10h battery life. You're trading past benefits for new benefits. Again, 13" MacBook Pro has you covered if you like the other side.

It's important that Apple acknowledge that people use their laptops differently. Apple has via different product lines. So whats the problem?

This particular "pain" could have been easily avoided.

How? Oh by compromise? They are being bold, and innovative. If they played safe they would be called Microsoft or have been beaten in the market a long time ago. What are we arguing about? You can't avoid all pain, you have to chose when you design/build/engineer/innovate anything. Editing requires you have to cut things out, even in writing.

Don't be obtuse. The question was obviously about the topic of this thread, which is the number of ports on the device.

Obtuse?

I said that the market wants for thinner laptops and you rebutted by asking me if the market asked for less ports. I answered your question—YES! The market DOES want less ports. It's too confusing for all devices that have to operate together. This laptop and the entire industry will begin to deliver on that. Apple is just taking a more bold approach with 1 product line that does not affect the other 2 existing product lines. This still makes you resentful. You're not alone, but again it makes 0 sense to be bitter towards Apple. It's like first-world problems, but Internet arm-chair edition. The thing hasn't even been released yet everyone is behaving as if they exhibit better judgement than Tim Cook + Jony Ive combined. And I just don't believe there's any harm in this experimental product line. It will evolve in the coming years. They may even add back a port. So why are we arguing?

----------

Someone should just make a little cable-less USB-C hub that you can clip onto the side of the MacBook and splits the single port into two or three.

Make it the same colours as the computer and it'll be like it was built that way.

Problem solved.

Then you just need cables with the correct connectors on each end, e.g.

USB-C to Lightning (for iDevices).
USB-C to HDMI or DisplayPort (for display).
USB-C to USB-B (for printers).
USB-C to micro-B (for Android phones).
USB-C to micro-B 3.0 (for external HDDs).
USB-C to mini-B (for my external DVD burner...).

I never realised but USB already has a stupid number of different connectors. Hopefully this new one is small enough and future-proof enough that it really is the end of it for a while, and we don't end up with USB-D in a couple of years.

I think given the dongles Apple have announced the only things really missing are a USB-C hub, and (most important) a USB-C to Lightning cable.

I think this is what the OP was saying, and I think we all agree is the benefit of having one port. That IF you ever have the need, you can keep all those cables permanently plugged into a hub-adapter. When you get home/work, you just plug 1 USB-C, not 4-5 ports, and it keeps the desk cleaner and cables away from the mouse (I like to use external MagicMouse on my desk for design purposes, for example).

That's if you have a workstation, and this is your only laptop. I think 90% of buyers, at least this introductory year, will be people who own a second/third computer. Most people have many computers, myself included, but would like a supporting laptop to keep on the go.

 

[HellasLEAF]

or a pro then there are enough options for those who want ports...

Is the pro as light and thin as the rMB?

I don't like how people suggest getting the pro, if someone wanted a big,heavy overpowered computer they would have already bought it.

 

[6749974]

Well, I hope they'll do what they did with the Macbook Air back then and add a second port in the next upgrade of the Macbook, just to see how all the apologists here change their tune and start praising two ports as a groundbreaking innovation. And the "design purists" will probably ramble on about the artistry of symmetric ports.

To extend an olive branch, my judgement would have allowed 2 USB connectors, maybe by omitting an audio-port. But then people would argue about that. Or why not 1 USB-A.

Why don't we not combat each other and just make peace with all change being in flux. I don't think you're on the winning side of history here. Reminds me of people fighting the move from floppy to CD, or CD to diskless. Who cares? Just make all things work in your favor.

----------

Is the pro as light and thin as the rMB?

I don't like how people suggest getting the pro, if someone wanted a big,heavy overpowered computer they would have already bought it.

But, haha. You can't have thin and small and light as a rMP, but have ALL ports. They had to minimize the internals, which is partly why Apple invested in USB-C. They have been working on movings things in this direction. Why is that not clear?

----------

Then buy an Air or Pro.

You are making too much sense here. Way too much sense. It's as if Apple has different products for different market segments, and people can choose between 3 product lines when it comes to a mac laptop.

 

[ctyrider]

Just from looking at the existing pictures of the device I think it wouldn't be that difficult to fit a USB Type-A port while keeping the overall thinness and the wedge shape.

If people like you were in charge of Apple's product decisions - we'd still be stuck using floppy drives, CD-ROMs and VGA ports.

Thankfully, Apple is run by people with vision and they are willing to introduce bold products like rMB. By doing so they drag us kicking and screaming into the future.

 

[newellj]

Just from looking at the existing pictures of the device I think it wouldn't be that difficult to fit a USB Type-A port while keeping the overall thinness and the wedge shape. It would only take a minimal increase of the tapering angle of the vertical surfaces on the sides to fit the port on the hinge-side. To compensate, they could have made the curvature of the bottom slightly shallower. I doubt anyone would have noticed a difference. Apple has some of the best engineers and designers in the world. I'm convinced that they could have easily found a solution without compromising portability or aesthetics. I still hope to be proven right in the second iteration of the Macbook.

You could be right, it's impossible to say - none of us were in the engineering and design team meetings.

I agree that there's a good chance that the Gen2 rMB will be quite a bit different. I think of the original iPad and the iPad 2, which i think has proven to be one of the most durable classics of modern tech hardware - as evidenced by the fact that Apple is still selling them, among other things. The original iPad came and went very quickly. Probably its biggest success was being the progenitor to the iPad 2. I'm thinking seriously about buying a rMB. Forget ports, fanless Core M, etc. - my biggest question mark is whether I want to buy a Gen1 product that is breaking as much new ground as the rMB is.

 

[6749974]

If people like you were in charge of Apple's product decisions - we'd still be stuck using floppy drives, CD-ROMs and VGA ports.

Thankfully, Apple is run by people with vision and they are willing to introduce bold products like rMB. By doing so they drag us kicking and screaming into the future.

Exactly. I have to (respectfully) argue with friends on both sides of the wall. Some say Apple isn't innovative AT ALL. Others say Apple is TOO innovative. Can't win when there's a crowd.

 

[newellj]

To extend an olive branch, my judgement would have allowed 2 USB connectors, maybe by omitting an audio-port. But then people would argue about that. Or why not 1 USB-A.

So while we're second guessing Apple, WTF is up with the audio jack? Hello, reality check: everyone has an iPhone, right? Get your tunes on your iPhone and use your iPhone for music, dudes and dudettes. Why are we wasting COMPUTER functionality for stuff an iPod Shuffle could do just as well???

 

[Hieveryone]

Wait, which? Single port? Just curious, not trolling.

I agree with the idea of having one port so that it essentially acts like a dock.

You connect everything to the dongle, then just one plug into the actual computer.

Makes things easier. I think the 79 dongle should be included but Apple is here to make money so of course it is not. Nothing wrong with that. That's business.

 

[newellj]

Exactly. I have to (respectfully) argue with friends on both sides of the wall. Some say Apple isn't innovative AT ALL. Others say Apple is TOO innovative. Can't win when there's a crowd.

Got a smile and a nod of the head from me on that one, and this forum proves it!

 

[6749974]

You could be right, it's impossible to say - none of us were in the engineering and design team meetings.

I agree that there's a good chance that the Gen2 rMB will be quite a bit different. I think of the original iPad and the iPad 2, which i think has proven to be one of the most durable classics of modern tech hardware - as evidenced by the fact that Apple is still selling them, among other things. The original iPad came and went very quickly. Probably its biggest success was being the progenitor to the iPad 2. I'm thinking seriously about buying a rMB. Forget ports, fanless Core M, etc. - my biggest question mark is whether I want to buy a Gen1 product that is breaking as much new ground as the rMB is.

Very much agree with this.

 

[newellj]

I agree with the idea of having one port so that it essentially acts like a dock.

You connect everything to the dongle, then just one plug into the actual computer.

Makes things easier. I think the 79 dongle should be included but Apple is here to make money so of course it is not. Nothing wrong with that. That's business.

Yeah, I'm basically OK with the dongle idea but $79 on a $1300 computer leaves you feeling a little abused.