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USB-C in 12-Inch MacBook Adds Limitations but Opens Up Possibilities

its the lack of a conventional usb port (rather than a second USB-C one) thats the killer for me

processor performance not an issue, likewise available RAM or storage but I need a machine I can stick in a neoprene sleeve and hand carry around all day.

Soon as I have to bring a dongle along everywhere then its back to using a laptop case/bag or rucksack for no other reason than just to be sure I'll have the silly bit of plastic with me all the time.

Just managed to avoid it for USB ethernet and serial adapters by leaving a spare one at every site I might have call to use one (maybe a dozen or so of each)

but number of sites I'd need access to conventional USB? I'd be buying USB-C to USB adapters in boxes of 100 and sprinkling them around like confetti lol
 
snorkelman said:
its the lack of a conventional usb port (rather than a second USB-C one) thats the killer for me

processor performance not an issue, likewise available RAM or storage but I need a machine I can stick in a neoprene sleeve and hand carry around all day.

Soon as I have to bring a dongle along everywhere then its back to using a laptop case/bag or rucksack for no other reason than just to be sure I'll have the silly bit of plastic with me all the time.

Just managed to avoid it for USB ethernet and serial adapters by leaving a spare one at every site I might have call to use one (maybe a dozen or so of each)

but number of sites I'd need access to conventional USB? I'd be buying USB-C to USB adapters in boxes of 100 and sprinkling them around like confetti lol
Click to expand...

Uh, plenty of slim cases have a pocket on them that these tiny adapters would live in unobtrusively...

However, if you really need serial, usb and Ethernet on a daily basis, this isn't the laptop for you. (Although what modern laptop are you carrying that still has native serial - I ask this as someone who also uses serial ports regularly.)
 
Would the perception have been different if they marketed as an iPad Pro? An iPad with a full keyboard and capable of running OSX but with the limited port capabilities of the iPad?
 
The same people who complain about Type-C are the ones that complained about the removal of optical drives and about Lightning.

Type-C is fantastic! Apple pushes the technology forward, yet again. It's just that MacBook should've had more than one.

I hope Type-C will be adopted by EVERYONE (que Gary Oldman) and everything that uses USB right now switches to Type-C. Even the iPhone.
 
Junipr said:
Every Mac upgrade for me has come with some discomfort at first, but I've always adjusted and can see how portless will be the norm soon.

"No ports!" is the new "no optical drive!" and "no ethernet!" of 5 years ago with the MBA. Now it seems like every manufacturer is pushing their Air knockoffs...
Click to expand...

You mean the macbook air that was a fragile, slow, HDD toting low sales item, that started after the netbook push that removed a lot of ports, optical drives etc? naw..

or maybe the macbook air that actually sold in suitable volume, you know once they actually added back some more functionality to the product (oh look, more than one plug is good), and sold it for a more suitable price?
 
So this kills Thunderbolt?

If there is no Thunderbolt port and the adaptor doesn't appear to have a Thunderbolt out... is it dead? Would be nice if they'd get the exact type of connectors on all devices across the board. Simplify AC/charging on every product they sell.
 
Javi721 said:
I think there is one dirty secret that apple is hiding by not adding any ports. This laptop is not powerful enough for any peripherals. By connecting external hard drive and sd card it will kill this laptop. It needs extensive tests.
Click to expand...

Makes me think that this is competing with other tablets, rather than other general purpose laptops. The iPad pro that comes with it's own keyboard and runs on OSX.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre using Forums
 
numlock said:
all good and all but its awfully expensive for the very minimal needs of the "average" computer user.

under the new definition i expect my mom is considered a power user. wired keyboard and external cd drive to rip music.
Click to expand...

Agreed on pricepoint. Should have the same entry price as original macbook.

But wired keyboard and Cd? Its the same as when apple dropped floppy. Not a power user, old user. CD is dead (look at music sales) and wired keyboard is like using PS2 when everyone used USB. (Another thing apple dropped before anyone else)
 
Office Environment?

So how would it work in an office environment?

- Power supply (because it is running all day)
- Ethernet cable
- External monitor
- External hd for backup

How would that work on the new MacBook? If I'd use the $80 adaptor, I would have to disconnect the power supply to make a backup?? Or I need to buy a new Cinema display so I can power my laptop though the display?

In the end, Im sure we can somehow "live" with only one connector, but why would they not put two in the device? Beats me!
 
budafied said:
Why not two ports? Seriously...

The only reason I can see is to prioritize headphone jack over a second port. I, for one, would rather have a second USB-C port.

It's amusing to see some people try and justify the design compromises based on the idea that Apple has a 'target' user for this product. But, let's be honest here. Within 12-18 months, the MacBook Air will probably be dropped and the (new) MacBook will be priced in it's slot. Thus, the Apple notebook offerings will be MacBook or MacBook Pro, as it was in the past. This MacBook will be a bummer for a lot of consumers who need physical connectivity. Adding a second USB-C port would at least make the product more usable.

Interestingly, for a presentation that touted wireless headsets, they sure made the effort to keep a headphone jack on there, in lieu of providing more options for their customers.
Click to expand...


I'm pretty sure they asked that same question while developing this... why not two ports? And there is probably a good reason why there is only one.

To Apple, they forecast their customer and how they will use their products. Let's face it, we (as in us computer-geeks) are not the majority of the people who will purchase this MacBook.

When's the last time they made anything themselves that needed 'physical connectivity'? They're done catering to old technology and helping users move forward towards the future.
 
the8thark said:
I see a $119 (Australian) opportunity for Apple to make lots of profit on this:

Image

http://store.apple.com/au/product/MJ1L2ZA/A/usb-c-vga-multiport-adapter
Click to expand...

Is there some reason they couldn't fit three ports on the actual notebook? To my eyes, it looks like at the VERY least, they could have fit THREE USB Type C ports on EACH side of the computer. I don't think anyone would complain too loudly about having 6 totally flexible high speed ports on one of these things (or even 4). Hell, even Google gives you TWO of them on their new Chromebook. That would at least be enough to let you plug the thing in AND connect one device of some kind at the same time without a stinking overpriced adapter (that you pray you don't lose since you have to take it almost everywhere with you).

And if this connector is so awesome and the future of computing why didn't Apple include even ONE on the new Macbook Pro updates? Does Apple expect there to be much 3rd party support for the ports if they don't include them on ALL their computers? I mean you should see this port on the iMac, etc. as well if they want to really get people to start adopting this style port over the old ones with either a cheap hub or connectors to fit old devices. I've got a LOT of USB devices connected to my Mac Mini, for example. I've got a USB 2.0 hub AND a 7-port USB 3 hub (all the slots but one are used on the 2.0 port and three of the 4 on the Mini itself are used plus three of the ports on the 3.0 hub). I can't get enough damn ports (I've got a USB 3.0 card for my 2008 Macbook Pro so I have 4 ports on the Macbook Pro and STILL have another hub for docking and that's on a machine that already has separate FW400 and FW800 ports and a separate DVI video connector. God I miss the days when Apple actually made REAL "PRO" machines that made life easy for the consumer (e.g. I can even change out my battery in all of 15 seconds with a spare on that model!) instead of an adapter nightmare.
 
Me: There is only one USB port, and it's USB-C.
Apple: Yes, but it's the standard, and you can use it for everything!
Me: I need to charge the laptop and connect a device.
Apple: Just use our great adapter that we built for it.
Me: What is on the adapter?
Apple: One USB-C, one USB-A, and HDMI.
Me: What if the device I want to connect is USB-C?
Apple: No one uses USB-C, you'll be fine.


I know this won't always be the case, but it is now. Just for giggles.
 
Ploki said:
Agreed on pricepoint. Should have the same entry price as original macbook.

But wired keyboard and Cd? Its the same as when apple dropped floppy. Not a power user, old user. CD is dead (look at music sales) and wired keyboard is like using PS2 when everyone used USB. (Another thing apple dropped before anyone else)
Click to expand...

it was tongue in cheek.

i assume you know that previously purchased cds can be ripped and older people might have a lot of those.

does apple have a wireless keyboard with a numpad?

when exactly did apple use ps2 connectors?
 
Probably the lack of bandwidth...

mozumder said:
So what held them back from introducing a new Cinema Display to connect to this?
Click to expand...

Apple claims on their website that the new 2015 Macbook Air can support an external monitor up to 3,840 x 2,160 x 30 Hz. But this seems to be patently impossible, as the current USB port is only 5 gigabits/second, and the bare minimum for such a display is 5.76 gigabits/second.

That's assuming 5 gigabits is achievable. If you look at USB 3.0, they also claimed 5 gigabits per second, but real world tests achieved only about half that. If that were the case, then the maximum external monitor that could be powered at 60 Hz would be under 2 megapixels.

I'm really curious to see if you can even run a 1,920 x 1,200 external display at 60 Hz with this port.
 
Abstract said:
Personally, I think a 2nd USB-C port would have made more sense than a headphone port. People have had access to bluetooth headphones and headsets for years and years.

Even when USB-C products become ubiquitous, which it may not for many years because many of our existing products and cables still use standard USB-A (and many portable devices use micro-USB), you'd probably still want at least 2 of these ports, especially if one of them is meant be used for charging your laptop.
Click to expand...

Yes and no, I hate headphones and there's no good wireless earphones - of course just speaking for myself. :p

----------
djsukebe said:
I'm pretty sure they asked that same question while developing this... why not two ports? And there is probably a good reason why there is only one.

To Apple, they forecast their customer and how they will use their products. Let's face it, we (as in us computer-geeks) are not the majority of the people who will purchase this MacBook.

When's the last time they made anything themselves that needed 'physical connectivity'? They're done catering to old technology and helping users move forward towards the future.
Click to expand...

This is so true, most people will just use the port for charging lets be honest.

Again, no one is going to use the new Macbook as their main computer but just for travelling etc - it's like a more powerful iPad and slightly more portable Macbook Air. :p
 
zhenya said:
However, if you really need serial, usb and Ethernet on a daily basis, this isn't the laptop for you. (Although what modern laptop are you carrying that still has native serial - I ask this as someone who also uses serial ports regularly.)
Click to expand...

I'm not running any laptops with onboard serial I'm generally carrying 13" retina or MBA

Serial and ethernet aren't a big issue (as per prev post I've just left spare ones wherever I need them) the sticking point is conventional USB - unlike the other two its everywhere, so any extra convenience from moving to a smaller/thinner laptop is going to be swallowed up by a larger/thicker case to make sure I've always got a USB dongle with me

Edge use scenario? Absolutely - if folks are in habit of using a case then wont be an issue for them.

Who knows maybe someone will make a nice wee USB-C to USB dongle that's small enough to stick on a keyring :)
 
Would everyone here been a bit more happy if Apple designed this as a real rMBA? A 12 inch partially shrunk MBA 13 with all the same ports as the MBA 13 with a Retina screen?
 
jdiamond said:
Apple claims on their website that the new 2015 Macbook Air can support an external monitor up to 3,840 x 2,160 x 30 Hz. But this seems to be patently impossible, as the current USB port is only 5 gigabits/second, and the bare minimum for such a display is 5.76 gigabits/second.

That's assuming 5 gigabits is achievable. If you look at USB 3.0, they also claimed 5 gigabits per second, but real world tests achieved only about half that. If that were the case, then the maximum external monitor that could be powered at 60 Hz would be under 2 megapixels.

I'm really curious to see if you can even run a 1,920 x 1,200 external display at 60 Hz with this port.
Click to expand...
It should be USB 3.1 which is 10 Gbps. Yet the OP reports 5 Gbps...
 
I can accept that the new MacBook simply isn't aimed at me. At my last job I had a 17" MacBook Pro with nearly every port in use simultaneously:

Magsafe because I only got 2 hours battery life and crippled performance while unplugged.
Gigabit Ethernet because competing with 300 other devices for wireless bandwidth is stupid.
External display because more screen real estate is always better.
Ergonomics demands input devices be placed on a different level than displays so external KB/mouse is necessary. I used a wired KB/mouse, but theoretically could have gone with Bluetooth to free up a USB port.
A USB headset is necessary because PC and iPhone headsets are mic-level while the MBP requires amplified line level inputs. We did a lot of Skype calls.
I usually had one or more iPhone or Android devices connected for debugging.
 
RedRaven571 said:
Couldn't a 2nd USB-C port fit on the right side, in exactly the same place as the left, and move the headphone jack forward just a bit?
Click to expand...

Until someone does a teardown and we see how deep the keyboard goes it's impossible to say.

Gut feel says yes, though. It's like a microSD in the iPad - it's not missing due to lack of space to put it.
 
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