USB-type C over Thunderbolt in the next rMBP?

[addictive]

Speculating ahead of the next major iteration of the Retina Macbook Pro and what changes there might be.

I see it as likely that Apple will bring the new butterfly keyboard as standard across its Macbook range when a model is redesigned.

If Apple is going to push USB-type C as the future then it will need to include it on the Retina Macbook Pro. Apple doesn't need to make the rMBP any thinner but could it replace any of its current USB ports with a USB-C port?

Do you think it is likely Apple keeps two Thunderbolt ports on rMBP? Not many other companies are adopting Thunderbolt and with USB-C able to largely do the job of Thunderbolt (not fully) so will Apple decide to give up on Thunderbolt outside of its Mac Pro machines?

 

[leman]

If I understand this correctly, USB-C is limited to implementing max of 2 PCI-e lanes (limitation of the number of signalling pairs) while TB implements 4 lanes. Also, the upcoming TB 3.0 will feature a smaller connector, which is only few mm taller than the USB-C. I think it makes sense for Apple to keep both ports — USB-C as a 'one to rule them all' consumer port and TB as a high-speed professional port, used to connect series of high-speed storage arrays and so on.

 

[Fifteen20s]

My personal prediction is this:

The next thunderbolt display will be a 5k display. Apple already sources the display and has the materials, its just a matter of making a stand alone housing to hold that display.

As I understand it Thunderbolt 3 will support 5k external displays.

I foresee the next several revisions of the Macbook Pro having TB3. They may or may not have USB-C but there will be TB. Apple needs a new stand alone monitor and it would not make good business sense to not have it cater to the professional laptop crowd along with the Mac Pro users

 

[Cindori]

My personal prediction is this:

The next thunderbolt display will be a 5k display. Apple already sources the display and has the materials, its just a matter of making a stand alone housing to hold that display.

As I understand it Thunderbolt 3 will support 5k external displays.

I foresee the next several revisions of the Macbook Pro having TB3. They may or may not have USB-C but there will be TB. Apple needs a new stand alone monitor and it would not make good business sense to not have it cater to the professional laptop crowd along with the Mac Pro users

Thunderbolt just carries a DisplayPort signal. Just like USB-C does.
And just like the next Thunderbolt revision, the next USB-C revision supports Displayport with 5k resolution.
http://appleinsider.com/articles/14...ctor-will-support-displayport-5k-video-output

 

[dagamer34]

Thunderbolt just carries a DisplayPort signal. Just like USB-C does.
And just like the next Thunderbolt revision, the next USB-C revision supports Displayport with 5k resolution.
http://appleinsider.com/articles/14...ctor-will-support-displayport-5k-video-output

USB Type-C can only do DisplayPort 1.2. A 5K display in a single cable would require DisplayPort 1.3.

 

[inhalexhale1]

Speculating ahead of the next major iteration of the Retina Macbook Pro and what changes there might be.

I see it as likely that Apple will bring the new butterfly keyboard as standard across its Macbook range when a model is redesigned.

If Apple is going to push USB-type C as the future then it will need to include it on the Retina Macbook Pro. Apple doesn't need to make the rMBP any thinner but could it replace any of its current USB ports with a USB-C port?

Do you think it is likely Apple keeps two Thunderbolt ports on rMBP? Not many other companies are adopting Thunderbolt and with USB-C able to largely do the job of Thunderbolt (not fully) so will Apple decide to give up on Thunderbolt outside of its Mac Pro machines?

I could see them dropping all ports aside from USB-C and the headphone jack, and require dongles for compatibility. Although, I would hope they kept TB around since many people have invested in accessories already.

 

[Hieveryone]

Let's hope so! I don't use thunderbolt at all. I would love to see something else. Preferably another USB tbh, but if USB-C is the next big thing for PCs and Macs and will replace USB eventually, then yes I want that.