WARNING! Rant about finally lost a USB-C Adapter!!!!

[fisherking]

what's missing, that usb3 has? plus, there are adapters like this:
https://smile.amazon.com/nonda-Adap...UTF8&qid=1477438350&sr=8-1&keywords=nonda+usb

anyway, it's coming. and, there will be more usbC-specific peripherals as well. the plug/port changes, but external drives, flashdrives, etc... will be just fine. as will all of us.

 

[Picapau21]

what's missing, that usb3 has? plus, there are adapters like this:
https://smile.amazon.com/nonda-Adap...UTF8&qid=1477438350&sr=8-1&keywords=nonda+usb

anyway, it's coming. and, there will be more usbC-specific peripherals as well. the plug/port changes, but external drives, flashdrives, etc... will be just fine. as will all of us.

I have that adapter and its absolutely tiny and easy to lose. Since getting a MB i've had to buy 4 of those things and attach them to all my USB devices - Printers, hard disks, USB stick etc.

Its a pain having to try and hunt the adapter down in some bag or desk drawer when you need it.
[doublepost=1477503380][/doublepost]

I travel and work globally, after over a year and a half of owning two USB C only Notebooks (OS X & W10), I have yet to come across one single peripheral that can natively connect to either without the need for an adaptor/dongle. USB C is without any doubt a massive advancement in connectivity, however the reality is that few if anyone is currently employing the standard.

USB C at home or your office is a significant advancement, on the go currently USB C is more of a liability, making the need for dongles, docks etc. mandatory to the list for the carry on. Also as others have stated for a universal standard, there is no guarantee that an adaptor, dongle or dock will work between varying devices.

Yes you can get around USB C with dongles etc. however right now it seems to be a problem that really doesn't need to exist, especially when stepping up to the MBP. From a usability point of view a staged approach seems more prudent, rather than all or nothing....

Sadly if Apple opt for USB C only on the upcoming MPB`s, it will be more related to form over function, solely for the sake of making the notebooks aesthetically thinner, rather than serving the users needs.

Q-6

Completely agree...its created a problem that didn't really exist and IMO even after 2 years nothing has really moved on in the USB-C sector.

 

[Queen6]

Completely agree...its created a problem that didn't really exist and IMO even after 2 years nothing has really moved on in the USB-C sector.

Personally I am all for USB C, equally companies need to apply common sense to it`s implementation as it will take several more years before USB A is depreciated.

Apple`s obsession with being ever thiner is doing little more than compromising usage & usability for many users. If we were all honest; no one want`s to deal with dongles and the likes and it absolutely goes against Apple`s design ethos, well unless you don't have need of peripherals or connectivity. I can live with adaptors & dongles, just not for absolutely everything, which is where the new MBP is likely to be...

Q-6

 

[fisherking]

I have that adapter and its absolutely tiny and easy to lose. Since getting a MB i've had to buy 4 of those things and attach them to all my USB devices - Printers, hard disks, USB stick etc.

Its a pain having to try and hunt the adapter down in some bag or desk drawer when you need it.
[doublepost=1477503380][/doublepost]

Completely agree...its created a problem that didn't really exist and IMO even after 2 years nothing has really moved on in the USB-C sector.

i keep my adapter (i only have one) connected to a usb flash drive; problem solved! meanwhile, over the next few years, you'll find yourself with more usb C peripherals, and one day, you'll realize... it's all fine.

just as we survived the transitions from earlier; scsi, floppies, etc. the world moves forward, we move with it, or... not.

 

[Picapau21]

i keep my adapter (i only have one) connected to a usb flash drive; problem solved! meanwhile, over the next few years, you'll find yourself with more usb C peripherals, and one day, you'll realize... it's all fine.

just as we survived the transitions from earlier; scsi, floppies, etc. the world moves forward, we move with it, or... not.

The pace of change is a bit too slow though!

 

[fisherking]

The pace of change is a bit too slow though!

i hear that. i remember waiting for thunderbolt peripherals (and that never really happened). i think usb-C will ultimately be an easier transition because there are adaptors to get our usbA periphs working. anyway, tomorrow is macbook pro day, we'll see what the ports look like...

 

[Clix Pix]

I'm one who is doing this process gradually.....a few months ago bought my rMB and a couple of adapters, and so far all has worked nicely with my 2015 15" rMBP in terms of transferring folders and files back-and-forth, etc. I also eventually was able to get a couple of external drives with USB-C and since the manufacturer thoughtfully included cables with both USB-C and USB-A connections, this has been very convenient -- especially when the USB-C cables also plug quite neatly into my Samsung T-3 SSD external drives as well. The transitioning process is going well.

I am not in the market for a new rMBP but I'll be following the presentation tomorrow with great interest and I figure that by the time I'm ready for my next rMBP in a few years, things will have shaken out significantly and I'll already have been comfortably along the path in terms of already keeping up with changes in ports and cables. I am also hoping that with Apple introducing their rMBP line using USB-C ports that this will further stimulate the production of more docks, hubs and other accessories for all of us.

 

[Picapau21]

i hear that. i remember waiting for thunderbolt peripherals (and that never really happened). i think usb-C will ultimately be an easier transition because there are adaptors to get our usbA periphs working. anyway, tomorrow is macbook pro day, we'll see what the ports look like...

I'm one who is doing this process gradually.....a few months ago bought my rMB and a couple of adapters, and so far all has worked nicely with my 2015 15" rMBP in terms of transferring folders and files back-and-forth, etc. I also eventually was able to get a couple of external drives with USB-C and since the manufacturer thoughtfully included cables with both USB-C and USB-A connections, this has been very convenient -- especially when the USB-C cables also plug quite neatly into my Samsung T-3 SSD external drives as well. The transitioning process is going well.

I am not in the market for a new rMBP but I'll be following the presentation tomorrow with great interest and I figure that by the time I'm ready for my next rMBP in a few years, things will have shaken out significantly and I'll already have been comfortably along the path in terms of already keeping up with changes in ports and cables. I am also hoping that with Apple introducing their rMBP line using USB-C ports that this will further stimulate the production of more docks, hubs and other accessories for all of us.

Yeah! I'm also hoping that USB-C in the entire apple line up might re-start the USB-C market.

 

[ckxnlol]

usb C will be the norm, and soon enough, others will have to carry an adapter to connect to your mac (not the other way around).

Like thunderbolt?

 

[carestudio]

No worries, everything will be wireless, bluetooth eventually. You wont lose anything unless you lose your Macs.

 

[Picapau21]

Like thunderbolt?

 

[fisherking]

Like thunderbolt?

yes, and?...

 

[zhenya]

I remember when Apple was all about converging as much stuff into one device as possible. They were making fun of all the adapters and wires necessary on a PC, and pointing out how simple things are when everything you need is integrated.

It seems Apple moving back to that mess on the right though. Everything needs an adapter. Functions that were once converged are being broken out.

Uh, wait a second here. This is exactly contrary to what USB is now bringing to the table. All Macbooks without USB-C have looked like this for years when 'docked' at a desk, with all sorts of kludges created to try to hide this fact.

USB-C finally gives Mac users the promise of simple docking that PC users have had for decades.

Just because roll-out of product has been slower than we like doesn't mean we should ditch the idea completely. I guarantee that Apple will announce additional USB-C connectivity options today, and with all Macs finally standardizing on USB-C, the third-party market should explode.

 

[oneMadRssn]

Uh, wait a second here. This is exactly contrary to what USB is now bringing to the table. All Macbooks without USB-C have looked like this for years when 'docked' at a desk, with all sorts of kludges created to try to hide this fact.

USB-C finally gives Mac users the promise of simple docking that PC users have had for decades.

Just because roll-out of product has been slower than we like doesn't mean we should ditch the idea completely. I guarantee that Apple will announce additional USB-C connectivity options today, and with all Macs finally standardizing on USB-C, the third-party market should explode.

First, your two picture comparison is odd. One shows a laptop with all its ports used, and a second shows a laptop with all its ports empty.

Second, in an ideal world, you're right. The trouble is USB and the USB-IF that controls it are terrible.

A USB-C hub may not be entirely compatible with your Macbook, but it may be compatible with the USB-C-based HP notebook. And vice-versa, another USB-C hub that works for your Macbook may not work with the USB-C-based Dell notebook. A USB-C hub might work with the Macbook but the HDMI output won't work because it uses an unsupported profile. Browse this forum and Amazon reviews and you will see lots of people saying try this hub or try that hub, this one worked sort of, this one worked well, this one didn't work at all, etc. USB-C is a mess.

USB as a whole has always been a mess, and there is literally no evidence to suggest this time will be different. They will keep iterating and changing the interfaces and compatibility will continue to be uncertain.

Third, I hope USB-C stabilizes and becomes the epic standard everyone hopes it to be. I really do wish this would happen. The issue I have with the Macbook is (1) no dedicated charging port, and (2) only one USB-C port. Even if USB-C is great, that is just insufficient for even the most basic tasks without using some kind of adapter.

 

[zhenya]

First, your two picture comparison is odd. One shows a laptop with all its ports used, and a second shows a laptop with all its ports empty.

The point is to show how many connections are needed in order to go from 'mobile' to 'docked'. With the current system, anyone who does this regularly with a current MacBook Pro/Air has a bunch of connections to make. USB-C makes this a single-connection. Simplifying things just as you claimed Apple was no longer doing. With a dock all of those cable connections are left hidden out of the way.

 

[fisherking]

https://smile.amazon.com/iClever-De...&qid=1477579428&sr=8-2&keywords=iclever+usb+c

gives me power, and 3 usbA ports, when i'm at my desk. when i work elsewhere, i carry this on my keychain (usb3 flashdrive into nonda usb C adapter). simple (and, full disclosure, i use crashplan for backup, not time machine... altho, easy to plug in a drive to the iclever adapter).

 

[oneMadRssn]

The point is to show how many connections are needed in order to go from 'mobile' to 'docked'. With the current system, anyone who does this regularly with a current MacBook Pro/Air has a bunch of connections to make. USB-C makes this a single-connection. Simplifying things just as you claimed Apple was no longer doing. With a dock all of those cable connections are left hidden out of the way.

Fair enough. But docks like you showed, with ethernet, SD card, thunderbolt, HDMI, etc. are expensive. $150 or so. For that amount, you can easily buy a comparable thunderbolt dock for the current Macbook Air/Pro. The only additional cable needed is the magsafe charger. So two connections versus one. Not really a big difference.

Also, you're talking about optional convenience. I do not debate this. USB-C has a lot of potential there. I am talking about what some folks must have for their work.

For my use, I need something portable as I go to various conference rooms often, but I also need access to USB ports as I cannot be sure that the conference room where I will be will have good internet, and we use USB flash drives to share files. The odds of whoever I am working with in having a USB-C-based laptop is close to zero right now. So having a USB-C to USB-A adapter would be a must.

This is exactly what the OP was complaining about. The fact that any adapter/dongle at all is a must is ridiculous.

I don't buy for a second that the Macbook would have been less portable had they included a Magsafe port and a single USB-A port. I'm all for portability, I want the lightest most portable laptop. Portability should not get the way of usability though.

 

[fisherking]

Fair enough. But docks like you showed, with ethernet, SD card, thunderbolt, HDMI, etc. are expensive. $150 or so. For that amount, you can easily buy a comparable thunderbolt dock for the current Macbook Air/Pro. The only additional cable needed is the magsafe charger. So two connections versus one. Not really a big difference.

Also, you're talking about optional convenience. I do not debate this. USB-C has a lot of potential there. I am talking about what some folks must have for their work.

For my use, I need something portable as I go to various conference rooms often, but I also need access to USB ports as I cannot be sure that the conference room where I will be will have good internet, and we use USB flash drives to share files. The odds of whoever I am working with in having a USB-C-based laptop is close to zero right now. So having a USB-C to USB-A adapter would be a must.

This is exactly what the OP was complaining about. The fact that any adapter/dongle at all is a must is ridiculous.

I don't buy for a second that the Macbook would have been less portable had they included a Magsafe port and a single USB-A port. I'm all for portability, I want the lightest most portable laptop. Portability should not get the way of usability though.

see my post above this one: easy enough to carry a small flashdrive/adapter. meanwhile, if usb C is going to become the new usb, there's no point in having a usb A port on new macs. and magsafe was great, but, with better battery life, i find myself using my macbook untethered all the time (except, of course, when i'm at my desk).

 

[oneMadRssn]

see my post above this one: easy enough to carry a small flashdrive/adapter. meanwhile, if usb C is going to become the new usb, there's no point in having a usb A port on new macs. and magsafe was great, but, with better battery life, i find myself using my macbook untethered all the time (except, of course, when i'm at my desk).

Magsafe was the best. There is no good reason to get rid of it. The Macbook Air 13" has nearly double the battery life of the retina Macbook, so battery life improvements are a moot point.

The adapter is fine, it's good even. Here is my distinction: It's one thing to remove tech that is outdated. It's another thing to move tech to an external adapter. It's not making it portable if you're just moving something to an external device; it's adding unnecessary complexity. In no way is USB-A or HDMI outdated tech today.

The Macbook weighs 2.03lbs, and the adapter you linked which one would need to carry if they needed USB-A ports away from their desk weighs .3lbs. Together, they weigh as much as a Macbook Air 11". So it's not that the retina Macbook is more portable, it's just in multiple pieces.

 

[zhenya]

Magsafe was the best. There is no good reason to get rid of it. The Macbook Air 13" has nearly double the battery life of the retina Macbook, so battery life improvements are a moot point.

The adapter is fine, it's good even. Here is my distinction: It's one thing to remove tech that is outdated. It's another thing to move tech to an external adapter. It's not making it portable if you're just moving something to an external device; it's adding unnecessary complexity. In no way is USB-A or HDMI outdated tech today.

The Macbook weighs 2.03lbs, and the adapter you linked which one would need to carry if they needed USB-A ports away from their desk weighs .3lbs. Together, they weigh as much as a Macbook Air 11". So it's not that the retina Macbook is more portable, it's just in multiple pieces.

Magsafe was slick, and has it's place - for my wife who used to go through charging cords it has been great. On the other hand I've never had an issue, and dislike how easily magsafe comes disconnected when on my lap or working in bed. USB-C allows me to have multiple chargers around the house and at work for the cost of a $7 cable. Her 11" Air is noticeable heavier and bulkier than my rMB. The difference is that the dongles live in my bag that I spend a few minutes a day carrying. The rest of the time I use the laptop I don't have to carry that bulk.

 

[fisherking]

what i don't get is...what do people who rant about these things hope to accomplish? (besides letting off steam). apple (like other tech companies), moves us forward, whether we like it or not. so there's only 2 real choices: move forward, or stay behind. and that is a choice; no one is forced to buy new tech (until, of course, they have to).

for me, usb-C is fine, and i don't 'miss' my magsafe adapter (plus, if i do ever miss it, it's right there on my prehistoric 2015 macbook pro). i don't mind throwing a few adapters in my backpack when i travel, but love going to my local coffeebar regularly with just the 12" macbook. nice...

 

[Jayderek]

what i don't get is...what do people who rant about these things hope to accomplish? (besides letting off steam). apple (like other tech companies), moves us forward, whether we like it or not. so there's only 2 real choices: move forward, or stay behind. and that is a choice; no one is forced to buy new tech (until, of course, they have to).

for me, usb-C is fine, and i don't 'miss' my magsafe adapter (plus, if i do ever miss it, it's right there on my prehistoric 2015 macbook pro). i don't mind throwing a few adapters in my backpack when i travel, but love going to my local coffeebar regularly with just the 12" macbook. nice...

I feel like this could be posted in most of the current topics right now. The amount of complaining is ridiculous...I imagine if the new Pro would have one USB 3 port, people would complain that there's not 2, etc, etc

The real world must be a very difficult struggle for many of these posters.

 

[Picapau21]

I feel like this could be posted in most of the current topics right now. The amount of complaining is ridiculous...I imagine if the new Pro would have one USB 3 port, people would complain that there's not 2, etc, etc

The real world must be a very difficult struggle for many of these posters.

It's the little things in the day that can add stress.

Example 1: I needed to print something at home for an important off site meeting in the morning and couldnt find my USB-C to A adapter. So then had to make a very rushed extra trip into the office to use the printers.

Example 2: day before a presentation realized I had left the hdmi adapter in a different city where I had given a presentation earlier in the week.

So please don't say that life is a struggle for posters who have found issues with the new needed for dongles. Technology is now a basic part of day to day life and unfortunately USB-c is not yet ubiquitous enough for issues like mine to not occur or be solved easily.

I initially didn't think this would be an issue which is why I bought the MB. But obviously found some as time went on and posts such as these may help others who are considering purchasing a MB.
[doublepost=1477605203][/doublepost]

what i don't get is...what do people who rant about these things hope to accomplish? (besides letting off steam). apple (like other tech companies), moves us forward, whether we like it or not. so there's only 2 real choices: move forward, or stay behind. and that is a choice; no one is forced to buy new tech (until, of course, they have to).

for me, usb-C is fine, and i don't 'miss' my magsafe adapter (plus, if i do ever miss it, it's right there on my prehistoric 2015 macbook pro). i don't mind throwing a few adapters in my backpack when i travel, but love going to my local coffeebar regularly with just the 12" macbook. nice...

Some of it about letting off steam and some is to highlight the issue to others!

Btw. my previous 15in MBP could get though an entire day without the charger.

Changed it cause it was getting a bit too big for traveling. Opening a 15inch laptop on trains and planes is a real pain.

 

[fisherking]

It's the little things in the day that can add stress.

Example 1: I needed to print something at home for an important off site meeting in the morning and couldnt find my USB-C to A adapter. So then had to make a very rushed extra trip into the office to use the printers.

Example 2: day before a presentation realized I had left the hdmi adapter in a different city where I had given a presentation earlier in the week.

So please don't say that life is a struggle for posters who have found issues with the new needed for dongles. Technology is now a basic part of day to day life and unfortunately USB-c is not yet ubiquitous enough for issues like mine to not occur or be solved easily.

I initially didn't think this would be an issue which is why I bought the MB. But obviously found some as time went on and posts such as these may help others who are considering purchasing a MB.
[doublepost=1477605203][/doublepost]

Some of it about letting off steam and some is to highlight the issue to others!

Btw. my previous 15in MBP could get though an entire day without the charger.

Changed it cause it was getting a bit too big for traveling. Opening a 15inch laptop on trains and planes is a real pain.

you're illustrating the problem with your first example; you couldn't find your adapter. it could have beeb: "couldn't find the printer cable, couldn't find my flashdrive". how is this the fault of the port? and have you seen the new macbook pros? until you move to usb-C peripherals, you'll need those adapters. don't lose them, and you'll be fine...

 

[Picapau21]

you're illustrating the problem with your first example; you couldn't find your adapter. it could have beeb: "couldn't find the printer cable, couldn't find my flashdrive". how is this the fault of the port? and have you seen the new macbook pros? until you move to usb-C peripherals, you'll need those adapters. don't lose them, and you'll be fine...

The examples are issues that did not exist in the past.

BTW 1. How would you lose a printer cable??!!

BTW 2. Complete lack of USB-a of HDMI on new MBP's might stimulate the USB-C market...Finally!!