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

[RMo]

USB-C is an upgrade from USB-A, the standard USB ports that many of us are used to on our computers, and USB-B, which we know best as Micro-USB, the ports built into many phones and portable electronic devices.

This is a little misleading: a type B USB connector is generally the one on "target" devices (e.g., printers) rather than hosts, and by default I think most people would assume you're talking about standard-size USB, in which case the type B connector is the nearly square one you'd find on printers, scanners, and some other peripherals. (I think this was intended to prevent uninformed users from accidentally directly connecting two computers, for example.)

But, of course, devices that charge via micro USB usually have a micro USB type B port on them (they are target devices, after all), so the statement in the summary is technically accurate, albeit imprecise.

This brings up an interesting point with USB type C, however: is there no distinction between host and target ports? Are the ports smart enough to prevent electrical problems if someone does something wrong? (I'd assume so, but it's odd that the single USB port on the Macbook can be used for both charging the Macbook and as a USB host port. That will take some getting used to. And presumably a rather expensive adapter. )

---

The problem with only 1 port is even if there's a charger/hub combo, you'd have to unmount and unplug a device you're currently using whenever want to plug in your computer. Would be especially annoying for a hard drive.

Considering the size of the connector, you have to wonder why they included only one...

I think it's even worse than that. It looks like Apple's USB-C multiport adapters just give you another USB-C port (intended for charging, though you can use it for a USB device as well), a video port of your choosing depending on the adapter, and a standard type A USB port. This means if your hard drive has a USB-C cable, you can't charge your MacBook and use the hard drive at the same time because plugging in the adapter doesn't actually give you an extra USB-C port (since it itself only has one--just like the one you're going to consume on the MacBook by plugging it in). If USB-C hubs become a thing, I wonder if you can still charge the MacBook through one of those. Otherwise, you'd better hope all of your USB devices still work with USB-A so you can use them with that while the lone USB-C port charges your laptop.

 

[KittyKatta]

A note to the nay-sayers: Calling something too soon just means that YOU aren't ready for it. That doesn't mean others aren't ready for it.

The Apple Defenders are always a humorous (and humorless) bunch. So now people are actually saying that they've been asking for an even thinner computer with a better screen but less ports and a less powerful mobile chip that achieves equal/less battery life than every other MacBook?

I see the potential in USB-C but I think it's very fair to say that dumping ALL ports in favor of dongles can feel premature. And lets be honest, MagSafe is too amazing to dismiss so easily. (The Wireless Dream is fine, but between MagSafe and Headphone Jack then I think theres more benefits to MagSafe.)

 

[cube]

So, I was right in not buying an expensive Thunderbolt-only RAID enclosure.

Let's see what happens with the next rMBPs. Hopefully there will be a Thunderbolt dock firesale.

 

[fisherking]

I said it once, ill say it again. Its not the port that bothers me, its the fact that the adapter doesn't come with the laptop. At $1300 to START there is no reason what-so-ever (except pure greed) that it doesn't. That thing cost $2 to make.

$2 exactly? and you know this how? meanwhile, not everyone will need it. plus there are other adapters (ie basic usb to usb-c, etc), starting at $19....

 

[NMBob]

"USB-C is a brand new technology, but with Apple embracing it, it won't be long before we see tons of companies racing to produce USB-C compatible products."

Like Thunderbolt did?

 

[superduperultra]

Less is more, embrace the future; they should've put magsafe on the charger.

 

[gpat]

Note: Apple's own Tech Specs page states that it's USB 3.1 Gen1, which is 5Gbps bandwidth, not USB 3.1 Gen2, which is the full 10Gbps.

I suppose they need ready upgrades for the 2016 model. Together with the HD webcam.

 

[brdeveloper]

The macbook should have had two USB-c ports not one!

It will be introduced in the Late-2015 Macbook.

 

[oliversl]

I hope some sent a photo of the new Macbook with:
1 VGA cable
2 USB Thumb Drive
1 AC Adapter

it would be funny to watch

 

[macosxuser01]

To save power and make the display even thinner. That's my guess, at least. I think it's a bad idea, too.

Then explain why MacBook Air comes with a 720p FaceTime camera?
Like I don't use FaceTime on my laptop but still why did Apple go backwards with that? Did they think nobody would notice?

 

[avanpelt]

Then explain why MacBook Air comes with a 720p FaceTime camera?
Like I don't use FaceTime on my laptop but still why did Apple go backwards with that? Did they think nobody would notice?

Actually, now that I think about it, maybe the Core M processor that they have in the new MacBook doesn't handle 720p video well. Maybe that's the real reason why they went with 480p. Or, perhaps they were concerned that 720p would heat up the internals too much for a fanless machine. Didn't the original MacBook Air have serious overheating issues?

 

[hlfway2anywhere]

Then explain why MacBook Air comes with a 720p FaceTime camera?
Like I don't use FaceTime on my laptop but still why did Apple go backwards with that? Did they think nobody would notice?

You can't even compare this to the MacBook Air because they don't even have the same screen or bezel.

 

[sualpine]

The Apple Defenders are always a humorous (and humorless) bunch. So now people are actually saying that they've been asking for an even thinner computer with a better screen but less ports and a less powerful mobile chip that achieves equal/less battery life than every other MacBook?

I see the potential in USB-C but I think it's very fair to say that dumping ALL ports in favor of dongles can feel premature. And lets be honest, MagSafe is too amazing to dismiss so easily. (The Wireless Dream is fine, but between MagSafe and Headphone Jack then I think theres more benefits to MagSafe.)

This is likely the last new design before ARM.

 

[Ries]

"USB-C is a brand new technology, but with Apple embracing it, it won't be long before we see tons of companies racing to produce USB-C compatible products."

Like it happened with thunderbolt? Companies just flocked to it because Apple used it... If companies flock to it, it is because its the new USB standard on PCs that equals about 3 billion USB ports shipped each year, not because apple added it.

 

[nutmac]

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.

Better yet, I would've preferred headphone replaced with a second USB-C port and high-end adapter hub ($149) with 2 USB-C, 2 USB, Ethernet, headphone, and HDMI. And I speak as someone who much prefer to use wired headphones.

 

[desantii]

I like my Magsafe!

 

[Blorzoga]

So, how can you plug in your macbook and charge your phone with it simultaneously?

 

[goobot]

USB-C is a brand new technology, but with Apple embracing it, it won't be long before we see tons of companies racing to produce USB-C compatible products.

I suppose that's why thunderbolt was so widely adopted.

Anyway, one port is a joke regardless.

 

[Sneakz]

The biggest appeal to me is the idea of perhaps using something like an Anker battery pack to charge the new MacBook.

 

[Freyqq]

I think we can all agree that cordless computing is the future, but for some people it's not the right choice at present.

Therefore: Apple should NEVER have included this machine in their lineup. The best way to reach the future is to embrace the past--forever! If anyone wants the future now, there should NOT be an option for them.

Apple was wrong to ditch floppy drives. They were wrong to make optical drives an external option. They were wrong when they first made USB standard while the rest of the industry was still embracing serial ports.

Now they are wrong to think people will be willing to use a laptop without a power cord attached. We MUST have a power cord, we MUST never change to a better USB port, and we MUST have multiple corded devices hanging off the smallest portable model.

Please, Apple, give us something like the old MacBook Air. Put a new processor in that, instead! The FUTURE is NEVER!

I have a better idea. How about adding a retina display to the macbook air? That would actually be a wholesome step forward instead of one step forward, one step back?

Alternatively, why not include that $79 adapter that adds basic functionality that every computer in 2015 is going to need? Why make people pay $79 for it?

 

[fisherking]

Then explain why MacBook Air comes with a 720p FaceTime camera?
Like I don't use FaceTime on my laptop but still why did Apple go backwards with that? Did they think nobody would notice?

do people think that apple execs get together on the weekend, plan a new macbook, and that's it?

this took time to plan, design, produce. whatever decisions are made (ports, facetime camera, etc) are careful decisions. i don't know why there's no HD camera, but am sure there's a reason...

 

[numlock]

I think we can all agree that cordless computing is the future, but for some people it's not the right choice at present.

Therefore: Apple should NEVER have included this machine in their lineup. The best way to reach the future is to embrace the past--forever! If anyone wants the future now, there should NOT be an option for them.

Apple was wrong to ditch floppy drives. They were wrong to make optical drives an external option. They were wrong when they first made USB standard while the rest of the industry was still embracing serial ports.

Now they are wrong to think people will be willing to use a laptop without a power cord attached. We MUST have a power cord, we MUST never change to a better USB port, and we MUST have multiple corded devices hanging off the smallest portable model.

Please, Apple, give us something like the old MacBook Air. Put a new processor in that, instead! The FUTURE is NEVER!

or firewire, the magsafe or thunderbolt. will lightning follow?

but im sorry i dont see the comparison with removing all but one port and changing to a new type of port as the original imac did. the advantage of removing an optical drive from the imac is less than zero.

this machine dosent have some earth shattering battery life. it needs a "power cord" no less than a host of other laptops. with the adapter the end user will connect as many corded devices as they believe they need just as they have always done.

 

[rishiomedia]

lightning obsolete

So I imagine this means that lightning becomes obsolete and replaced with usb c on ios devices. So will iphone 6s have usb c instead of lightning?

And does usb c do audio? I suppose this will finally mark the end of the earphone plugs on ios and computers as well!

 

[littyboy]

Unless that connector comes with the macbook, that's pretty shady of Apple. The majority of people would use multiple ports, forcing them to get it. Or get third party...

 

[hlfway2anywhere]

I have a better idea. How about adding a retina display to the macbook air? That would actually be a wholesome step forward instead of one step forward, one step back?

Alternatively, why not include that $79 adapter that adds basic functionality that every computer in 2015 is going to need? Why make people pay $79 for it?

If only apple had the geniuses of MacRumors forum working for them instead of those silly engineers they have now.