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When will they implement USB(C) on MBP?

BoneDaddy

BoneDaddy

Suspended
Original poster
Jan 8, 2015
527
966
Texas
Hello all, new here.

I saw an article on the new MBA and see that they may, or have implemented the new USB C type. Made me want to cry, as that is a major upgrade and I just bought a MBPr over a month ago.

Do you all think they will put those in the newer MBP right away, or wait to see how they go on the Airs? It's already got me thinking about selling mine, as I use mine with external monitors and would LOVE the speed increase.

Otherwise, I'm thinking I can wait until Skylake AND get the new USB all together. USB 3.0 is fast enough, and I haven't bothered with a thunderbolt drive.

Anybody else here feel like the recent buy may have been a mistake, solely based on the possibility that USB C type could be in the next MBPr?

Have a good day.
 
I don't believe any Macs have the reversible USB ports yet. It is expected the next generation of MBPs will have them, but who knows. Until we see it, we just have to guess.
 
Really thats your concern??

The USB c is a nice component but only having one would be a nightmare, you couldn't charge and output to a screen at the same time, the same goes for attching external HD's.

I certainly wouldn't give up my 2 x thunderbolt 2x usb3 and HDMI on the rMBP for it, to be honest if that is the new macbook air then it really is the netbook that apple never made before. I'm sure it'll be fantastic road warrior with fantastic battery life and a great screen but pretty much useless as any sort of desktop replacement which the current MBA is surprisingly good at...
 
Samuelsan2001 said:
The USB c is a nice component but only having one would be a nightmare, you couldn't charge and output to a screen at the same time, the same goes for attching external HD's.

I certainly wouldn't give up my 2 x thunderbolt 2x usb3 and HDMI on the rMBP for it, to be honest if that is the new macbook air then it really is the netbook that apple never made before. I'm sure it'll be fantastic road warrior with fantastic battery life and a great screen but pretty much useless as any sort of desktop replacement which the current MBA is surprisingly good at...
Click to expand...

Thank you for the insight. I don't believe I need something as compact as the air, and I'm curious to see which ports they give up, or if they keep any on the newer MBPr. I don't think I'd like it much thinner. I would also still like the SD slot. I think 4 USB (C) and an SD slot would be nice on a MBP.
 
I haven't heard any rumors of USB type C added to Macs before this 12" MBA rumor, but I think the MBP line will eventually have it.

As to when, I have no clue, could be the next refresh, could be the one after, could be when they redesign the whole form factor.

I think Apple will try to push it as a the new USB standard. Eventually I imagine iOS devices will come bundled with a Lightning to USB type C cable.

It's also probably a matter of time before even MBPs lose full-sized USB ports to become even thinner, similar to how the MBA had no ethernet port in 2008 and the rMBP followed in 2012. I wouldn't be surprised to see a completely redesigned MBP in 2017 that some would describe as a "bigger, more powerful MacBook Air", just like the rMBP was described initially.
 
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Cloudsurfer said:
Or even come equipped with USB C instead of Lightning altogether, as mandated by the European Union.
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Right. Because European parliamentarians in Brussels are better qualified to decide design issues on Apple devices than Apple engineers in Cupertino.

Socialism run amok.
 
Archer1440 said:
Right. Because European parliamentarians in Brussels are better qualified to decide design issues on Apple devices than Apple engineers in Cupertino.

Socialism run amok.
Click to expand...

Nope, but they do make the law. Apple has a choice to either conform to that or stop selling the phone in Europe.

With rumors of the MBA using a USB C connector for charging I'd say they are going the way of conforming. In the end, the EU rule is about reducing waste and co2 emissions, and since Apple is a 'green' company they will likely just go with it.
 
USB Type C is the best thing to happen to computer connectors since, well, USB ;) I am sure Apple will be jumping on it ASAP. It also essentially invalidates Thunderbolt, although the later would still be useful for niche applications where very fast IO is required.

As to the number of ports, I also think that 1 USB-C would be too little. However, two should be adequate for the average user, as long as some smart hub solutions can be provided. E.g. the charger could also function as a USB-C hub, to allow charging and simultaneous display output.

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Archer1440 said:
Right. Because European parliamentarians in Brussels are better qualified to decide design issues on Apple devices than Apple engineers in Cupertino.
Click to expand...

With the new port, I don't see a single reason for the Lighting Connector anymore. It was created in the first place to address inefficiencies of the USB. Which does not seem an issue anymore.

A single port to rule them all is a good thing! It certainly does not hurt if the cause is also has legislative support.
 
The problem I see is how many peripherals out there use standard USB. I have three external drives, two flash drives, and my printer (if wifi connection decides to be funky) that all connect to my rMBP via standard USB. It would be hard for me to just upgrade all of my devices because as a student I need to be able to connect to slightly older Windows PCs. A few of my professors also have us submit flash drives containing our portfolios from the semester (education major). Something like USB C would be too much of a learning curve for them.

Apple's solution in the meantime would probably be a $19.99 dongle. No thanks.

USB C on iOS devices would be interesting. But somehow I see Apple keeping Lightening and just providing a dongle for European buyers. Then it's up to the user if they want to use the regular Apple charger or the dongle to use a third party charger. The EU can't get too upset if Apple provides a means to make iPhones the way they want but still comply.
 
I think this is another round of forward thinking by Apple, though we will moan and groan for a while until the rest of technology catches up.

I fully expect to see this 12" machine when Skylake is introduced. After all, Skylake promises wireless charging and wireless communication with all sorts of peripherals, displays and storage included. The USB C connector will likely serve as a means of connecting to legacy items either directly or though a hub or dock.

The separation between the Air and the Pro will remain a few extra ports and a little stronger processor.
 
When USB type C hits really the market we will all be living some time with many adapter cables for the old connector until we buy everything again with type C which will happen for almost everyone. Most people buy new USB sticks, drives, printers etc and for the rest there will be adapters.

I also think Apple is going to put Type C in the Macbooks as fast as possible and more than 1 port especially on macbook pros. Maybe we see more than today because they are smaller.

But that will take some time. If there is a new Macbook Air, yes there might be Type C in there. The Pros, iMac Mac Pro will wait at least for Broadwell in my opinion more like Skylake.

Right now there are just a couple motherboards shown at CES which do not even implement the full 3.1 + Type C standard and are more proof of concept work than anything else. And only 1 port coupled with normal sized 3.0 ports. The connector on those does not even support the power the connector could deliver. It will take its time.
 
I think they'll do USB type A 3.0 or 3.1 (the regular plug) on the pro line for at least the next few years. Then, you'll see them do a redesign and drop thunderbolt and just have a bunch of usb C ports, maybe 4-6.

The advantage of USB C is that it's a thinner port. USB type A and thunderbolt are the same thickness, so it makes little sense to replace one but not the other.
 
Freyqq said:
I think they'll do USB type A 3.0 or 3.1 (the regular plug) on the pro line for at least the next few years. Then, you'll see them do a redesign and drop thunderbolt and just have a bunch of usb C ports, maybe 4-6.

The advantage of USB C is that it's a thinner port. USB type A and thunderbolt are the same thickness, so it makes little sense to replace one but not the other.
Click to expand...

Thinner, but less robust.
 
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