Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Should next iPads have USB-C instead of lightning?
- Thread starter username:
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
By that logic, you're always stuck. There's never going to be a product you can buy, from any company, that will give you exactly what you want. There's always compermises - the choice is in what compermise you're willing to go with.
Today you have TONS of options, not just one. Want a tablet Mac? Modbook Pro. Don't like Apple's laptops? Get a Dell and put OS X on it. If you're open to ditching MacOS X for Windows 10, it's easier to switch than ever before (in fact, I dare say it's easier to switch desktop OS than mobile OS - for some at least).
The point is "stuck" is relative. If you don't like the direction things are going, switch! If you don't want to switch (or do a. Hackintosh), then your balance equation can't be that bad.
You're right - Apple does what Apple wants to do - as they should. Apple has made it a habit of not jumping on bandwagons (at least not right away) and it's worked well.
Yeah, this should totally happen. I think Apple's going to switch all of their products to USB-C, honestly. Then we could attach an iPad or iPhone to the brand new MBP without an adapter! 
I'm starting to think next year might be too soon from what I'm reading about not all USB-C things being comparable with every USB-C port.
Very good point. iOS has to be a lot more concerned about inertia and installed base. MacOS devices have always been in a stark minority and could make drastic changes that set off a very loud, but mere ripple of griping whereas if you make that kind of change in a PC or now iOS, every other person in the world is pissed.
The "you're stuck" argument was firmly in the exclusive-Mac-user camp, context-wise. I've been "stuck" since Apple discontinued the cMBPs, and started soldering-up and gluing their Macs shut.
Right now, I'm stuck because I have 3 highly repairable and flexible (pre-2012) Macs that Apple no longer builds. Given Apple's product trajectory, and my needs/wants/perceptions regarding computing I will DEFINITELY be leaving the platform when those machines are end-of-life'd.
I do not want to go the Hackingtosh route. There'd be no point for me (I don't need to run macOS because of purchased software, etc).
But you are right regarding options: there are a LOT now that I know I'll be exiting the platform.
I could go Apple-like easy with a Razer laptop coupled with a Razer Core (my preferred method), all the way to building my own, full-blown, water-cooled, LED-lit, clear-cased, zombie-killing-MAC-Truck of a PC.
Now, regarding bandwagons, there is a line to differentiate them and Apple doesn't know where it is anymore. That is the problem I see.
90% of the "genuine Apple" cords and chargers on Amazon are fakes:
https://www.macrumors.com/2016/11/29/amazon-registry-prevent-fake-goods/
What can a USB C connector due that Lightning cannot in direct reference to iPad use?
Not much right? Sure it might have its benefits but if the iPad doesn't leverage those benefits the answer is still, not much.
And since Apple already has lightning well in place AND it nets them revenue why is it advantageous for them to switch?
What I/we want and/or how USB C is benfitial outside of the context of an iPad is completely irrelevant here.
Not much right? Sure it might have its benefits but if the iPad doesn't leverage those benefits the answer is still, not much.
And since Apple already has lightning well in place AND it nets them revenue why is it advantageous for them to switch?
What I/we want and/or how USB C is benfitial outside of the context of an iPad is completely irrelevant here.
"Here" in the Macrumors thread what we want is completely relevant - and, to a point, it's relevant to Apple (because if enough people don't purchase, it affects Apple).
You're right I thought this was a "will the next iPad have...." thread.
On your point I think the addition of USB C on the iPad will net negligible sale, increases or decreases.
Why would someone making their entire tablet buying decision on a cable that currently offers nothing more then what is already provided?
Someone above said convenience with a new USB C only Mac but even that's a stretch. You'll much more likely to be carrying an iPhone with you then a MacBook and iPad. So you'd be carrying everything you normally do AND an additional USB C cable.
It just seems to make sense. But then again back in the days of iPod I guess they could have put a USB port on it instead they made the 30 pin connector. I don't know, I guess it's very wishful thinking that the iPad will be opened up a bit, but you are right it won't happen it's not part of the vision and the iPad is a great device it doesn't need a different IO or radically different OS, it's great already.
People are making decisions not to purchase the iPhone 7 over not having an audio jack. There are also people making decisions not to purchase MacBooks because of the port situation.
That's true but how is a missing headphone jack or lack of standard ports on a Mac of any relevance for the discussion at hand? Because they are also ports and cables?
I'll concede in agreeing that people make decisions based on ports, cables and connectors but only when it matters.
Again, aside from cheaper replacement cables that directly hurt Apples bottom line what benefit is there to the consumer currently on the iPad?
Listen, it doesn't matter to me either way. It'll will actually be less convenient since I share charging cables between my iPhone and iPad (plugged into iMac). I'm just trying to make sense of it.
USB-C won't ever happen on either an iPhone or iPad. The dimensions of the USB-C port are much bigger than the Lightning connector. It simply won't fit on the current iPhone 7, let alone newer iPhones which will most likely be even thinner.
EDIT: Unless they ever decide to create a Micro USB-C connector.
EDIT: Unless they ever decide to create a Micro USB-C connector.
I agree with this. We have always had a different connector for our Apple "accessories". Remember the 30 pin connector before lightning? How about all those mini-USBs on basically all non-Apple devices? Printers, routers and TVs all have different connectors but can be accomplished via USB-C.
Would it be nice to have one type connector for all devices and accessories, sure, but it never has been and I doubt it ever will be.
That's just silly. Thunderbolt 3 does everything. Big deal that you might need a dock for legacy addons.
You answered your own question. People can be quite passionate about particular points on their devices which can affect purchase decisions and in turn affect sales. And what doesn't matter to one, makes all the difference to someone else.
Its just a picture i found that compares the ports, it perfectly applies to iPads as well regarding safety.
That can be said of many features, for just about any product. The question isn't whether there may be some negative effect on sales, but whether that effect is meaningful in the broader picture.
If you were to create a list of features that might drive sales of an iPad, USB-C would be very far down on the list. If Apple announced tomorrow that the next iPad Pro would have USB-C, most users would say, "Who cares? My computer doesn't have USB-C." And if they learned they'd need to buy a new USB-C to HDMI adapter (or USB-C to SD card reader), or if it didn't come with a USB-C to USB-A adapter... There'd be a firestorm.
There are other new features that would likely generate far more excitement, among far more potential buyers over the next few years - wireless charging, a bezel-less/Home button-less design, improvements in the display... Most people would defer their dreams of USB-C utopia if they could have one or more of those others.
In a few more years USB-C will be more widely deployed, and if there's a tangible benefit to using it (such as rapid charging, the ability to drive a 4K display, etc.), then Apple may introduce it then, and sell it like it's the greatest thing since sliced bread.
I will only use Amazon's certified lightning cables as they are beefed up and don't degrade. They have worked fine for 4 years now. OEM 30 pin, not so much. We have 2 12.9 IPP and 1 iPad Air 2 across multiple houses/work places - hence the need for extra cables.Yes because every single person who has had an issue with a lightning charging cable wrote a review, there have only been 200 people who have had an issue
Now the plug in is another story. Only OEM for that.
I voted USB-C, but seeing the picture and the reasoning with the male on cable and female on device is sort of brilliant (hope I got the female/male part right). Lightning does seem built for taking abuse. You should see how much force and angling I apply to the cable trying to plug it into the iPad every night before I go to bed. And yet no problem years later.
Last edited:
I don't see the problem with switching to USB-C. It would sure simplify everything. There was such a howling when Apple moved from 30 pin to Lightning, but things were different then - lots of people had car connections and speaker docks that now no longer worked but then something happened. Hardly any speaker docks with Lightning launched (compared to the number of 30 pin docks) - everyone moved to Airplay (initially) and then Bluetooth. Likewise, in cars, people have audio inputs, USB sockets and now Bluetooth. Manufacturers realised that Bluetooth will work with any device, not just Apple, so why pay to license Lightning? People aren't attached to Lightning the same way they were with 30 pin. If Apple sticks with Lightning after moving completely to USB-C on the Macs I think it sends a mixed message that, sadly, is becoming a bit too common for em these days...