USB-C is the Future- but why not leave 2 USB ports?

[gadgetfreaky]

I definitely get it that USB-C is the future....but why didn't Apple at least leave 2 of the ports for legacy gear.
I can't even charge my current year iPhone on it.

--The Iphne 8 won't even work with it- if rumirs are true it will use the same port as last year.
-- Powerbeats?- no dice there too as it's USB-micro.
-- Ipad? old USB

What are we supposed to stick in there? The only that uses them or will use them in the future is Android phones.

Why not transition it with half USB-C and half USB?

What use is four ports nothing they make plugs into? What am I missing?

 

[bartvk]

Yeah it's a bit of a weird situation at the moment. But considering these laptops will probably last 4-7 years, I'm pretty happy with four USB-C ports.

I dropped one of those tiny USB-A-to-C converters in my bag. Incredibly useful, and they cost next to nothing.

 

[aevan]

I definitely get it that USB-C is the future....but why didn't Apple at least leave 2 of the ports for legacy gear.
I can't even charge my current year iPhone on it.

You're in luck! You can actually: all you need is a USB-C to Lightning cable, sold in every Apple store. Until you get one, a cheap USB-C to USB-A adapter will also work. I charge my iPhone and iPad on my MBP daily.

Now that that's settled, the reason they didn't put USB-A is probably technical. I am not sure how many lanes inside does a TB3 port take or whatever, but adding 2 USB ports would mean there are 6 USB ports on the MBP, and I've never seen a laptop with that many. Maybe that's too much, or takes too much space? No idea. Also, they probably want to drive USB-C adoption faster. It's not a big deal.

 

[ZapNZs]

Because they are Apple, and Apple is like James Cameron.

"James Cameron doesn't do what James Cameron does for James Cameron. James Cameron does what James Cameron does because James Cameron is... James Cameron."

 

[Karnicopia]

To drive production of usb c and thunderbolt 3 devices. If they leave one usb a port there's a lot less reason for accessory makers to limit their market share producing usb c or thunderbolt 3 devices. By only having these ports Apple is forcing accessory makers to provide devices for them or lose out on a huge market. It's working judging by the variety of mobile adapters and thunderbolt 3 docks and accessories coming out.

 

[tjleonard]

I definitely get it that USB-C is the future....but why didn't Apple at least leave 2 of the ports for legacy gear.
I can't even charge my current year iPhone on it.

--The Iphne 8 won't even work with it- if rumirs are true it will use the same port as last year.
-- Powerbeats?- no dice there too as it's USB-micro.
-- Ipad? old USB

What are we supposed to stick in there? The only that uses them or will use them in the future is Android phones.

Why not transition it with half USB-C and half USB?

What use is four ports nothing they make plugs into? What am I missing?

Really? One of your reasons is based off of rumors?

They do make TB3 to lightning cables.

I think it’s to push change. I find the only thing I need at times is the hdmi dongle.

 

[mmomega]

I definitely get it that USB-C is the future....but why didn't Apple at least leave 2 of the ports for legacy gear.
I can't even charge my current year iPhone on it.

--The Iphne 8 won't even work with it- if rumirs are true it will use the same port as last year.
-- Powerbeats?- no dice there too as it's USB-micro.
-- Ipad? old USB

What are we supposed to stick in there? The only that uses them or will use them in the future is Android phones.

Why not transition it with half USB-C and half USB?

What use is four ports nothing they make plugs into? What am I missing?

I picked up 3 USB-C to Lightening cables.
I have the MacBook Charger connected to the wall on one side, 2-iPhones connected lying on the bed on the other side.

 

[jerryk]

USB-C is become the standard in Android phones and cables are readily available. I see nothing wrong with Apple committing to USB-C except for their continuation of the Lightning connector. They need to rip off the band-aid and replace the Lightning with USB-C

 

[tjleonard]

USB-C is become the standard in Android phones and cables are readily available. I see nothing wrong with Apple committing to USB-C except for their continuation of the Lightning connector. They need to rip off the band-aid and replace the Lightning with USB-C

Unless they have a great reason that I don’t see, it makes more sense to go usb c.

 

[sublunar]

I'd have thought they have more control of the Lightning port in terms of certifying it quality wise for official iOS accessories. The iPad Pro Lightning variant is USB3 speed, and the Lightning port itself is still thinner than USB-C.

It's only been 5 years since Lightning (a 10 year port standard according to Apple) was introduced. Could it get replaced by Micro-USB-C in 5 years?

 

[William Payne]

The machine has been out a while now I am having trouble feeling sympathetic to this argument now. You don't need huge dongles or whatever. You can buy pretty much any cable for anything these days. Just buy a lighting to usb-c.

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

Yeah I just got a USB-C/A adapter, USB-C/Lightning, USB-C/Micro cables and was sorted, think it was like $20.

My problem isn't with the USB-C end, it's the other. Once all devices have USB-C it'll be great and means I only need a single cable, no more fishing around or borrowing from people. And this transition was super easy to work out.

The computer end has for a long time had USB-A, which was great, but bulky and outdated. The other side of that cable had several smaller adapters to suit modern needs. Then we had separate video, audio, data ports for other specific things. All of which have changed over the years and I have several boxes full of various cables. I am absolutely fine with USB-C being 1 cable for everything, and if that means $20 today I think I can live with it.

Also USB-A ports would be too big to fit on the newer MacBooks.

 

[tjleonard]

I'd have thought they have more control of the Lightning port in terms of certifying it quality wise for official iOS accessories. The iPad Pro Lightning variant is USB3 speed, and the Lightning port itself is still thinner than USB-C.

It's only been 5 years since Lightning (a 10 year port standard according to Apple) was introduced. Could it get replaced by Micro-USB-C in 5 years?

If it's thinner, and since I already have at least 8 lightning cables, I'm ok with keeping it. To be honest, I wouldn't mind if it went either way, as long as it doesn't change every 2-3 years.

 

[Alphonsus]

Yeah,as mentioned Apple is going for the future. With PCs, most people use them for 3-4 years before getting a new one. Of course some people go pass 4 years but its rarer than Mac users. You see a lot of people who have Macs that are 5-8 years old. In the current age of technology in the next 4 years I think a lot of things will be using USB C. Thus this will make it really convenient for the MBP 2016 users.

A lot of people do complain about the dongle situation but for most users or at least for the 13" model, people don't use all the ports such as HDMI, ethernet, etc. The most important ports are 3.0 and SSD. However since its been over 6 months there are many hubs and dongles that are cheaper and compatible with the MBP. Apple, still sells their dongles way too expensive, however more people are realizing they can buy the wires on Amazon for 2-4x cheaper.

 

[vipergts2207]

I'd have thought they have more control of the Lightning port in terms of certifying it quality wise for official iOS accessories. The iPad Pro Lightning variant is USB3 speed, and the Lightning port itself is still thinner than USB-C.

It's only been 5 years since Lightning (a 10 year port standard according to Apple) was introduced. Could it get replaced by Micro-USB-C in 5 years?

I think USB-C is intended to put a stop to the endless iterations of different USB connectors. At this point it's small enough for practically any device.

 

[ZapNZs]

I think USB-C is intended to put a stop to the endless iterations of different USB connectors. At this point it's small enough for practically any device.

It is also a response to the terrible durability of the miniaturized variants of USB, some rated at low as 1,500 plug-unplug cycles, and having real-world durability that was even worse. Further, unlike Mini and Micro USB, there is no danger of plugging the connector in backwards (consequently ruining both the cable AND the port.) Additionally, it opens doors for higher power devices and rapid charging that older iterations can't do.

 

[Abazigal]

USB-C is become the standard in Android phones and cables are readily available. I see nothing wrong with Apple committing to USB-C except for their continuation of the Lightning connector. They need to rip off the band-aid and replace the Lightning with USB-C

Apple will probably remove the charging port altogether before migrating over to USB C on their ios devices.

 

[Strelok]

Unless they have a great reason that I don’t see, it makes more sense to go usb c.

Money. They make a lot of money off the licensing of lightning.

 

[tjleonard]

Money. They make a lot of money off the licensing of lightning.

I don't care if they pick it for money or not to be honest. I'm referring more about physical size, specs, etc.

 

[Michael Scrip]

The machine has been out a while now I am having trouble feeling sympathetic to this argument now. You don't need huge dongles or whatever. You can buy pretty much any cable for anything these days. Just buy a lighting to usb-c.

Agreed.

Also... previous Macbook Pros only had two USB ports.

So how many things were people plugging in anyway?

They make it sound like they need a dozen cables plugged in at once. A rat's nest of wires. Spaghetti.

I don't understand it.

 

[killawat]

I think USB-C is intended to put a stop to the endless iterations of different USB connectors. At this point it's small enough for practically any device.

Exactly. USB-C will remain for some time. Basic USB connectivity for low end devices. Alt modes, including Thunderbolt, for higher end devices.

 

[Alphonsus]

So how many things were people plugging in anyway?

They make it sound like they need a dozen cables plugged in at once. A rat's nest of wires. Spaghetti.

I don't understand it.

Agree. Average person don't use all the ports. In a way its better to have all USB-C, it allows you to personalize what YOU need.

For the professionals though its a bit of a problem, however I believe in less than 2 years there will be better hubs and it will be more appreciated.

 

[William Payne]

The SD card thing is overblown as well. Yes it's a big deal for those with SD cameras but a lot of people have cameras that don't use SD cards.

 

[Queen6]

I definitely get it that USB-C is the future....but why didn't Apple at least leave 2 of the ports for legacy gear.
I can't even charge my current year iPhone on it.

--The Iphne 8 won't even work with it- if rumirs are true it will use the same port as last year.
-- Powerbeats?- no dice there too as it's USB-micro.
-- Ipad? old USB

What are we supposed to stick in there? The only that uses them or will use them in the future is Android phones.

Why not transition it with half USB-C and half USB?

What use is four ports nothing they make plugs into? What am I missing?

Right now Apple is very much sending mixed messages, with the removal of what are still highly relevant ports on it's portable Mac's, yet retaining USB A and the SD Card slot on it's iMac line and even new product like the upcoming iMac Pro. This strategy has for many impaired the usefulness of the MBP.

Being required to travel with numerous adaptors and dongles is one thing the reliability entirely another. What I can firmly say is USB C is very much the future of wired connectivity, however USB A, HDMI DP, mDP are very far from being legacy ports and will be in use for many years to come. Apple has simply inconvenienced, at worse alienated a group of it's professional users by putting the aesthetic ahead of functionality.

In the past I have generally always see the logic behind Apple's design changes to the MBP. 2016 MBP I simply consider flawed as too much compromise has been allowed to occur solely to produce a marginally thinner & lighter notebook in order to attract the base consumer.

On a brighter note is does superficially appear Apple is finally waking up to the outcry from the professional community, and tech press by taking the Mac seriously once again. iMac Pro is hopefully a precursor to a modern and current Mac Pro, the retention of USB A & SD Card slot is encouraging, illustrating an understanding of it's customers needs. Sadly Apple being Apple the MBP will likely remain as is, making it a poor choice for some professionals, equally Apple will loose the associated kudos and halo effect of that group once brought to the table in the process...

Q-6

 

[William Payne]

Was there this much complaint about FireWire?