USB-C in 2016 for 5K iMac?

[jmpage2]

What do people think the odds are of the iMac getting refreshed with USB-C for 2016? I've been doing some free IT work for my wife for the past few years and we've agreed that my payment is that in 2016 I get a top of the line i7 iMac to replace the late 2012 i7 I've owned now for several years.

The current rig does everything I want it to do but it seems like now might be a good time to "exit" while it still has decent value... I figure used it is still worth at least $800 bucks if not $1200.

My primary reason for wanting the upgrade is the better screen as well as a substantial boost to transcoding performance of large BD MKV rips in Handbrake.

However I'm willing to wait until later this year if a CPU and assorted minor upgrades are likely.

 

[jetjaguar]

Hope so. I am holding out for the iMac to get usb-c / tb3.

 

[0007776]

If Apple want's USB C to take off they need to start adding it to more computers, so I'd guess that they will. Of course it is always a guess and they might decide not to do it for whatever reason.

 

[Sirmausalot]

Yes, it is likely it will get USB 3.1/C. But you likely won't have the computer until November. The new Skylake chip will likely get a .2 bump, so your encoding times may not go down significantly. We can hope for a jump in graphics processor power, but don't hold your breath. And Thunderbolt 2 is still superior to USB C for most data transfers. Are you ripping with MakeMKV or other software?

What do people think the odds are of the iMac getting refreshed with USB-C for 2016? I've been doing some free IT work for my wife for the past few years and we've agreed that my payment is that in 2016 I get a top of the line i7 iMac to replace the late 2012 i7 I've owned now for several years.

The current rig does everything I want it to do but it seems like now might be a good time to "exit" while it still has decent value... I figure used it is still worth at least $800 bucks if not $1200.

My primary reason for wanting the upgrade is the better screen as well as a substantial boost to transcoding performance of large BD MKV rips in Handbrake.

However I'm willing to wait until later this year if a CPU and assorted minor upgrades are likely.

 

[Adam552]

Hope they will keep 4 USB Type-A ports, I use all 4 of mine on my iMac currently.

 

[maflynn]

I expect to see new Macs (iMacs, MBPs, Minis, etc) to have the new USB-C port.

 

[panzer06]

Several other laptops have the USB C connector and claim TB3 via that port, however, there are no USB C cables or adapters to output TB so you can connect existing TB drives. I am disappointed USB-C / TB3 ecosystem is pretty light.

 

[jmpage2]

Yes, it is likely it will get USB 3.1/C. But you likely won't have the computer until November. The new Skylake chip will likely get a .2 bump, so your encoding times may not go down significantly. We can hope for a jump in graphics processor power, but don't hold your breath. And Thunderbolt 2 is still superior to USB C for most data transfers. Are you ripping with MakeMKV or other software?

My CPU is 3ghz I7 from 2012 so I expect transcoding BD rips to be substantially faster with new CPU. In fact if Apple offered the six core cpu for the iMac I would get that!

I do rip with MakeMKV most of the time, I use clone-BD for trouble discs.

 

[ljonesj]

to me the usb-c connector is a stupid release connector i like the other ones better they seem more robust built but i know im in the minority

 

[jmpage2]

Several other laptops have the USB C connector and claim TB3 via that port, however, there are no USB C cables or adapters to output TB so you can connect existing TB drives. I am disappointed USB-C / TB3 ecosystem is pretty light.

Fair enough. However I have memories of FireWire going very quickly by the wayside when esata and USB 2 came along. I want to get 4-5 years out of my next box and interfaces are usually the weak spot.

 

[panzer06]

Fair enough. However I have memories of FireWire going very quickly by the wayside when esata and USB 2 came along. I want to get 4-5 years out of my next box and interfaces are usually the weak spot.

Perhaps so, however, I still use my FW800 devices because Apple has a TB to FW adapter. With USB-C there's no adapter (I did find one that's available for pre-order for March 2016 availability for between $70-$80 from Startech).

Alienware advertises USB-C / TB 3 and yet there's no adapter to output TB, not even to connect the TB monitors they mention. I think this port is a year too early. I also prefer the current TB connector.

As you say we probably have no choice, doesn't mean it's not a bit frustrating.

 

[grayskyz]

I'm waiting for USB-C and TB3 also. It's getting harder to wait these days but, if the Mac Pro comes correct this year I'll probably go that route. I like the iMac and I used a high end one yesterday and today for work and I like it but, it runs hot and it's noisy when you're crunching them pixels.

 

[jmpage2]

I'm waiting for USB-C and TB3 also. It's getting harder to wait these days but, if the Mac Pro comes correct this year I'll probably go that route. I like the iMac and I used a high end one yesterday and today for work and I like it but, it runs hot and it's noisy when you're crunching them pixels.

I would also go with a Mac Pro if it were refreshed but it's really out of my budget. I'm trying to stick to about a $3K budget not including RAM upgrade which I will do on my own.

I would option the i7 CPU, 512GB SSD and the faster video card.

 

[grayskyz]

It would be great if Apple had a fast i7 option in the mac pro also. That would bring the price down and still get 4/6 cores which would be great for photo/video. One can dream!

 

[turbineseaplane]

It would be great if Apple had a fast i7 option in the mac pro also. That would bring the price down and still get 4/6 cores which would be great for photo/video. One can dream!

The vaunted enthusiast level mac pro we've all dreamed of that I fear will never ever happen.

 

[dyn]

Several other laptops have the USB C connector and claim TB3 via that port, however, there are no USB C cables or adapters to output TB so you can connect existing TB drives. I am disappointed USB-C / TB3 ecosystem is pretty light.

Apple released the MacBook along with the USB-C adapter that allows you to connect USB-A, HDMI and USB-C. It wouldn't surprise me if they did something similar when they release a Mac with TB3 as this would be the only way to use the TB1 and 2 devices people have. They want TB to be successful so they don't have much of a choice.

 

[grayskyz]

Apple released the MacBook along with the USB-C adapter that allows you to connect USB-A, HDMI and USB-C. It wouldn't surprise me if they did something similar when they release a Mac with TB3 as this would be the only way to use the TB1 and 2 devices people have. They want TB to be successful so they don't have much of a choice.

And here's your proof. It will be compatible.

 

[turbineseaplane]

And here's your proof. It will be compatible.

Apple will love this....another opportunity to re-sell new cables and adapters to everyone!

 

[panzer06]

And here's your proof. It will be compatible.

I don't doubt it'll be compatible, whenever Apple gets around to offering one. In the meantime I've ordered one of the 1st third party adapters.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...tbt3tbtadap_thunderbolt_3_to_thunderbolt.html

We'll see if I can get the TB drives to work via this device.

 

[grayskyz]

I don't doubt it'll be compatible, whenever Apple gets around to offering one. In the meantime I've ordered one of the 1st third party adapters.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...tbt3tbtadap_thunderbolt_3_to_thunderbolt.html

We'll see if I can get the TB drives to work via this device.

I think it's funny that people think this is an apple issue. They mearly provide a port someone else invented, if you have problem with the compatibly hassle talk to Intel

 

[panzer06]

I think it's funny that people think this is an apple issue. They mearly provide a port someone else invented, if you have problem with the compatibly hassle talk to Intel

Seriously, it's an Apple issue when they only provide a single port on a system that can't connect to the TB devices they've been pushing for years. Apple doesn't need to always be the first to jump on the latest connector.

As long a they put actual TB ports on iMacs and Apple laptop I don't care how long it takes to develop a USB-C to TB adapter.

 

[dyn]

And here's your proof. It will be compatible.

You misunderstood that. There is no compatibility as USB-C is the connector Thunderbolt will use with version 3. Version 1 and 2 use a connector that is not only similar to mini DisplayPort but also compatible with it. This difference in connectors will require the use of an adapter for those with a Thunderbolt 3 Mac but Thunderbolt 1 and/or 2 devices.

Intel went 1 step further but Thunderbolt 3 by not only using the USB-C connector but also by including USB3.1 Gen1 & 2. That makes the Thunderbolt 3 port not only "speak" Thunderbolt but also USB. This is a necessity in order to reduce the confusion we're going to get somewhat. We'll still have some as Thunderbolt 3 devices can physically connect to a USB port that uses the USB-C connector but it cannot communicate with it (USB does not do Thunderbolt). Because of Thunderbolt 3 also supporting USB there is no need for USB-C adapters as there already are a few. What we need with Thunderbolt 3 are adapters to connect Thunderbolt 1 and 2 devices.

Seriously, it's an Apple issue when they only provide a single port on a system that can't connect to the TB devices they've been pushing for years. Apple doesn't need to always be the first to jump on the latest connector.

As long a they put actual TB ports on iMacs and Apple laptop I don't care how long it takes to develop a USB-C to TB adapter.

Read up on both USB and Thunderbolt, you are lacking a lot of knowledge concerning those two protocols. Apple, like others, uses the USB-C port on a device that is not targeted at power users for the mere fact that USB isn't targeted at power users. Thunderbolt is a high end technology aimed at power users and thus can be found in computers and motherboards targeted at that specific audience (=power users).

The MacBook is not only targeted at normal users, it is specifically targeted at normal users requiring mobility and simplicity. For them that 1 port is of more use than the amount of ports on the MacBook Pro series. From a technical point of view, Thunderbolt is not even possible on the MacBook because of internal dimensions which is the exact same reason why there isn't USB 3.1 Gen 2 support. Both require a separate chip on the PCB and there simply isn't room for it. This will change when Intel integrates the Thunderbolt controller into the CPU (they are working on that). Does that all matter? Nope, the target audience doesn't require it. Most of them only use the power cable, they don't really connect anything to it (well, maybe a bluetooth mouse). Most people don't have Thunderbolt devices because of the price (take a look at all the Thunderbolt news items here; you're going to find a lot of posts that state Thunderbolt is too expensive). The only thing that audience is going to connect is a dockingstation. There are many USB dockingstations on the market and now there are also ones with the USB-C connector.

This is just Apple creating a notebook with a standard port for a very specific audience and that audience is perfectly fine with having that 1 port and it being USB-C. But boy, do I wish for a MacBook with more computing power and Thunderbolt 3, that would be sweet!

 

[panzer06]

You misunderstood that. There is no compatibility as USB-C is the connector Thunderbolt will use with version 3. Version 1 and 2 use a connector that is not only similar to mini DisplayPort but also compatible with it. This difference in connectors will require the use of an adapter for those with a Thunderbolt 3 Mac but Thunderbolt 1 and/or 2 devices.

Intel went 1 step further but Thunderbolt 3 by not only using the USB-C connector but also by including USB3.1 Gen1 & 2. That makes the Thunderbolt 3 port not only "speak" Thunderbolt but also USB. This is a necessity in order to reduce the confusion we're going to get somewhat. We'll still have some as Thunderbolt 3 devices can physically connect to a USB port that uses the USB-C connector but it cannot communicate with it (USB does not do Thunderbolt). Because of Thunderbolt 3 also supporting USB there is no need for USB-C adapters as there already are a few. What we need with Thunderbolt 3 are adapters to connect Thunderbolt 1 and 2 devices.


Read up on both USB and Thunderbolt, you are lacking a lot of knowledge concerning those two protocols. Apple, like others, uses the USB-C port on a device that is not targeted at power users for the mere fact that USB isn't targeted at power users. Thunderbolt is a high end technology aimed at power users and thus can be found in computers and motherboards targeted at that specific audience (=power users).

The MacBook is not only targeted at normal users, it is specifically targeted at normal users requiring mobility and simplicity. For them that 1 port is of more use than the amount of ports on the MacBook Pro series. From a technical point of view, Thunderbolt is not even possible on the MacBook because of internal dimensions which is the exact same reason why there isn't USB 3.1 Gen 2 support. Both require a separate chip on the PCB and there simply isn't room for it. This will change when Intel integrates the Thunderbolt controller into the CPU (they are working on that). Does that all matter? Nope, the target audience doesn't require it. Most of them only use the power cable, they don't really connect anything to it (well, maybe a bluetooth mouse). Most people don't have Thunderbolt devices because of the price (take a look at all the Thunderbolt news items here; you're going to find a lot of posts that state Thunderbolt is too expensive). The only thing that audience is going to connect is a dockingstation. There are many USB dockingstations on the market and now there are also ones with the USB-C connector.

This is just Apple creating a notebook with a standard port for a very specific audience and that audience is perfectly fine with having that 1 port and it being USB-C. But boy, do I wish for a MacBook with more computing power and Thunderbolt 3, that would be sweet!

This is very interesting. If you are correct, for the sake of this discussion I shall assume you are, this will once again make it annoying to utilize existing components but will simplify connectivity at some future point where systems and accessory makers all use the same connector for a myriad of devices. Shall I further assume your information presupposes monitors at some point accepting this connector as input?

 

[grayskyz]

You misunderstood that. There is no compatibility as USB-C is the connector Thunderbolt will use with version 3. Version 1 and 2 use a connector that is not only similar to mini DisplayPort but also compatible with it. This difference in connectors will require the use of an adapter for those with a Thunderbolt 3 Mac but Thunderbolt 1 and/or 2 devices.

I understood it perfectly. I merely said that it would be compatible not that it wouldn't require an adapter.

 

[Fishrrman]

grayskyz wrote above (regarding USB-c):
"And here's your proof. It will be compatible."

I wouldn't be surprised to see USB-c completely replace thunderbolt within the next two "generations" of Macs, perhaps even sooner.

However, I expect that we'll still see "standard" USB3 ports on Macs for at least five more years. There must be tens of millions of devices out there with standard USB connectors on them!