So how do you feel about TB3 taking USB-C form?

[nrubenstein]

I think it's great news.

It means that Apple will *not* be slowly phasing out TB everywhere else. They are just killing off the minidisplayport plug, and who really cares about that?

 

[newellj]

Overall, it can only be positive.

One could argue that the new macbook is targeted at normal people, yet it doesn't have a regular USB port

"Normal people," whoever they are (and they certainly aren't MR members) almost never stick USB A connectors into their computers. People like you, me and the rest here are a small part of a very big user base.

 

[anthorumor]

Great news.
Thunderbolt 2 was recently added to the Airs, but since hubs and peripherals cost so much, and the target users are non pros, that port doesn't live to its full potential.

I thought 'normal people' will use USB sticks all the time. It's a lot easier to stick in a USB than it is to transfer it wirelessly (Airdrop or Wifi ad hoc: 'I didn't know you could even do that!')

 

[brand]

I think it's beyond idiocy that they didn't include a USB 3 port. Absolutely unacceptable. Ridiculous, insulting and infuriating.

The MacBook 8,1 does have a USB 3 port, well a USB 3.1 Gen 1 port but that is still a USB 3 port.

 

[thadoggfather]

What's insulting about it though?

Don't like don't buy as always?

 

[MyopicPaideia]

I agree... I never used TB in my whole life. I use a MB air today and the only thing I would need on it is 1 USB, 1 charger input and a HDMI out.

I seriously think the same. Apple will choose for you that you only need USB C and TB3 ports, otherwise you can buy adapters. They can let 1 regular USB port for the first rev ok .. but that's all, they will move it.

I personally think that the next retina macbook pro (ignoring the broadwell) will completely drop regular USB ports.

1 regular versus 0 is a big difference. No chance in hell they will launch a new rMBP without 1x regular USB ports within a timeframe of 1 year.
Of course they would like to move on. And they will. But the new rMBP won't be out of regular USB ports. It will be interesting to see what happens to the generation after the next one. It could be without regular USB ports...

I'm betting they will drop it next year. Better to do a massive upgrade at once rather than slowing down and having to transition into a post Type A world.

Well I agree that USB-A ports are most likely gone - the only thing will be how the iPhones/iPads are released this fall. Will they ship with USB-A or USB-C to Lightning? I think they will continue to ship with USB-A because they have a lot of non-Mac users for these devices that make them the most money by far.

It is a big hole in the whole "it just works" ecosystem interoperability though - not being able to charge an iPhone or iPad on a Mac without an adapter? I guess that's already the case with the rMB and really doesn't bother me. Wireless syncing works pretty good.

 

[thadoggfather]

Hadn't considered its potential inclusion in the next round of iPhones. Would be nice if they had transfer speeds faster than USB2 at this point regardless of which connector is used.

not that I hook my phone up to the computer ever aside from charging while at work, but..

imagine a lightning to usb-c that would be a little confusing at a quick glance.

usb-c to usb-c would be really cool except it would invalidate the lightning transition from 2012 till now.

 

[squirrrl]

Hadn't considered its potential inclusion in the next round of iPhones. Would be nice if they had transfer speeds faster than USB2 at this point regardless of which connector is used.

not that I hook my phone up to the computer ever aside from charging while at work, but..

imagine a lightning to usb-c that would be a little confusing at a quick glance.

usb-c to usb-c would be really cool except it would invalidate the lightning transition from 2012 till now.

I don't think they will ever be included in iPhones for the reason that I think at the point where they decide to switch to a different connector, they will eliminate any kind of wired connection from the iPhone completely and just do inductive charging for a zero port experience. Total speculation, but just a thought.

 

[Macalway]

What's insulting about it though?

Don't like don't buy as always?

I was being sarcastic. The "I should have mine tomorrow" with the smiley, I thought, (albeit, mistakenly) would be enough.

Back to the topic at hand: Progress!! Actually, I think having only one port is awesome.

I'm not a fan of dongles, cable, and tangles. The less the better.

Ideally, you have a hub somewhere and a single cable (preferable 6' in length).

 

[Wallabe]

It's good they are all using the same port design and backward compatible. Less adapters and cables to carry around and you know it should work. Instead of TB vs USB 3 vs USB-C vs ...

Finally it's coming together.