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wowee

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 23, 2015
121
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I've had the new Macbook for a couple of weeks now and I must say i have had no issues whatsoever with the one port scenario. I use this as my secondary portable computer and use with lightroom, photo mechanic, mail, safari etc. Airdrop has proven to be much faster than copying to a thumbdrive so as it stands I haven't needed another port. I think 2 usb-c ports would be ideal, but no issues having just one so far.
 
I'm not having any issues either. Many people complain about the battery life, but I think it's been great so far, which means I don't have to worry about keeping it connected to the charger.
 
I would never use multiple ports if it was available on the rMB anyway and thankfully I don't need to be weighed down with lots of dongles. My battery lasts the whole day so no need for chargers either.
 
The only time I use my rMBP usb ports is to backup my iPhone and my external hdd time machine backup on occasion...I don't get why people keep complaining about the lack of ports. Wouldn't be an issue at all for me.
 
The only change I made in the end was to ditch my desktop time machine drive in favour of Backblaze, I found it a pain in the rear to have to connect it and watch time machine so I could know when to unplug it. Other than that I have not found a need to connect many things at all
 
The issue I have is that you cannot use the USB port for peripherals and charging the laptop - unless you opt for apple's 80 dollar dongle. I do use my USB ports, maybe I'm an aberration but one USB port that is also needed for charging is inadequate for me.
 
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The issue I have is that you cannot use the USB port for peripherals and charging the laptop - unless you opt for apple's 80 dollar dongle. I do use my USB ports, maybe I'm an aberration but one USB port that is also needed for charging is inadequate for me.

Two USB C ports, makes for more sense from a usability point of view, and Apple may move to that configuration under the guise of bringing TB-3 over USB C.

Everyones usage varies, and is understandably unique. I am moving to wireless networking solutions, as I need to sync data sets across a minimum of 3 Mac`s, doing the same via a physical connection would be far more time consuming. Ethernet is another solution, equally I feel it`s rather the answer to yesterdays problems, given current wireless network speed & encryption protocols.

YMV

Q-6
 
I understand the rMB is not geared towards people who will use this as their one and only computer and that would be me. I use my laptop for mobility, and at home as a desktop replacement. I have it setup on my desk attached to my monitor and other devices. A single port means that this computer is not a good fit.

Its a gorgeous computer, don't get me wrong, but one that I think apple erred in designing it with a single port.
 
I understand the rMB is not geared towards people who will use this as their one and only computer and that would be me. I use my laptop for mobility, and at home as a desktop replacement. I have it setup on my desk attached to my monitor and other devices. A single port means that this computer is not a good fit.

Its a gorgeous computer, don't get me wrong, but one that I think apple erred in designing it with a single port.

Let`s see, right now Apple is sampling the market with the Gen-1 rMB, for me one port is not an issue, equally I can see it may impact others. Come Skylake & TB-3, and Apple remain with the one port then the solution is a hub for the desk. This in many respects makes sense as the one connection will deliver; power, data, video & audio.

I will update to the Skylake rMB when launched, by that time there will be no shortage of hubs available, equally in the interim with the current rMB I am not suffering, same as you have differing hardware for differing purpose.

Q-6
 
I understand the rMB is not geared towards people who will use this as their one and only computer and that would be me. I use my laptop for mobility, and at home as a desktop replacement. I have it setup on my desk attached to my monitor and other devices. A single port means that this computer is not a good fit.

Its a gorgeous computer, don't get me wrong, but one that I think apple erred in designing it with a single port.

Ultimately I think the computer should probably have 2 USB-C BUT if I were using this as my main computer and then taking it on the road, I think something like HUB + on kickstarter would be perfect because I can leave all my peripherals plugged into the Hub on my desk and when I want to take the computer with me, all I have to do is unplug one usb-c connector. Seems more convenient to me then unplugging everything all the time.
 
I understand the rMB is not geared towards people who will use this as their one and only computer and that would be me. I use my laptop for mobility, and at home as a desktop replacement. I have it setup on my desk attached to my monitor and other devices. A single port means that this computer is not a good fit.

Its a gorgeous computer, don't get me wrong, but one that I think apple erred in designing it with a single port.
Ultimately I think the computer should probably have 2 USB-C BUT if I were using this as my main computer and then taking it on the road, I think something like HUB + on kickstarter would be perfect because I can leave all my peripherals plugged into the Hub on my desk and when I want to take the computer with me, all I have to do is unplug one usb-c connector. Seems more convenient to me then unplugging everything all the time.

I would imagine you'll be seeing many solutions to the one-port quandary soon. I see something like the vertical Henge Dock that offers several ports to connect with peripherals. Personally, this would be a very compelling purchase for me in a year or two when I'll be looking to replace my 2010 iMac.
 
The only time I've found a limitation was wanting to charge the MacBook and charge my phone at the same time. This is particularly the case when travelling and the bedside charging plugs are limited to one.

The twelve south plug bug may end up solving this issue but it's a lot larger than the 45w adapter for the MacBook
 
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Don't worry, Apple will provide 2 ports next year :D

I'm pretty sure they won't add any ports, They tried to design it - 1 port - with MBA and it was too futuristic. Now it's time to realise it with new rMB and they won't change the design, because they still offer MBA with more ports.
 
If they add another port then the headphone jack is gone. That will start a whole separate case of outrage...

I think they should do that, and include a cheap little 1$ headphone jack adapter. It would be hard for them to sell people a laptop without a jack though, they wouldn't have the adapter in press photos or anything.
 
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