I have played with the newer MacBooks at Best Buy and what I hate is that one needs an adaptor just to have access to standard USB! That means out of the box I cannot sync my iPhone without an adaptor! How absurd! I do not plan to upgrade my 2012 MacBook since it does everything I need, but one day it will break and require that I move to a newer MacBook. My MacBook has ethernet, Firewire 800 and a SD card reader which I also see are lacking in the newer MacBooks. Why? What of those working in office environments where WIFI is not fast enough or does not work well? Why eliminate the ethernet port? Why eliminate the SD card reader?
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Why the lack of a standard USB port?
- Thread starter jwolf6589
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To help a faster, better I/O (USB-C) become more prevalent.
Because Apple believes you don't need one any more.
Even if you do...
Even if you do...
Not sure we need yet another thread on this...
USB-C can convert multiple signals and sources into one unified data source, it is simply much faster and more versatile than a dedicated port. Meaning you are not stuck having unused or outdated ports. It also increases the life of the machine, and adds redundancy. What do you do when the MagSafe stops working, or the SD card fails? You've got multiple ports that can do those jobs as opposed to having a single point of failure.
If you are in an office environment, then get a dock. A single connection is capable of doing all the things you mentioned.
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You can sync it over WiFi? Very few people plug their phones into a computer these days unless it's for charging, just get a USB-C-Lightning cable and be done with it.
USB-C can convert multiple signals and sources into one unified data source, it is simply much faster and more versatile than a dedicated port. Meaning you are not stuck having unused or outdated ports. It also increases the life of the machine, and adds redundancy. What do you do when the MagSafe stops working, or the SD card fails? You've got multiple ports that can do those jobs as opposed to having a single point of failure.
If you are in an office environment, then get a dock. A single connection is capable of doing all the things you mentioned.
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You can sync it over WiFi? Very few people plug their phones into a computer these days unless it's for charging, just get a USB-C-Lightning cable and be done with it.
Buy a 2015 model.
The 2016 and onward Apple laptops are, as you've discovered, massive fails for plug and play usability.
To say nothing of the failing keyboards that will cost ~$800 to replace, the absurdly oversized trackpad that cannot reliably reject palm or wrist input, the 33% smaller battery and concomitant shorter battery life under load, etc.
Try syncing a 2GB audio book over WIFI. Next try using a USB connection.
It has four standard USB ports. I guess you mean "why no older USB-A ports". As for the reasons, its because USB-A ports are larger and offer less functionality.
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So use a USB connection, what is hindering you? USB cables are commercially available.
Why so long? I just tried copying a 2.4GB file over my home network. Took 43 seconds.
I agree usb c is the way of the future.
But Apple should have left at least 1 usb A type port and the sd card port. Oh and the MagSafe port!
The hdmi port, no, as you need a cable anyway.
The sd card port because many cameras us SD cards. And a SD card is a thing not a cable.
Along that same line is that a “typical” thumb drive is a “thing” (and not a cable) , the convenience of a type A USB port would be great.
So, in my mind, for the Pro series laptops the ports should have been :
a MagSafe
3 usb C
1 usb A
1 SD card.
But Apple should have left at least 1 usb A type port and the sd card port. Oh and the MagSafe port!
The hdmi port, no, as you need a cable anyway.
The sd card port because many cameras us SD cards. And a SD card is a thing not a cable.
Along that same line is that a “typical” thumb drive is a “thing” (and not a cable) , the convenience of a type A USB port would be great.
So, in my mind, for the Pro series laptops the ports should have been :
a MagSafe
3 usb C
1 usb A
1 SD card.
Definitely sure the forums do not need you to try to act as the forum police shutting down debate when people present serious questions.
I was just guessing. His implication was that it would take forever. I like your time better.
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But my VGA display!?
Yeah, so was Firewire, eSATA, etc. We're all still waiting for thunderbolt to be anything other than an overpriced niche priduct. Be serious - the number of people who need anything remotely resembling thunderbolt is miniscule.
And USB-C is the future? Wonderful for those of you without responsibilities and deadlines TODAY.
yeah, I can feel the pain. but I thought you could still buy a macbook pro with standard USB-A TODAY? why go with USB-C / Thunderbolt if you do not like them? Apple store still carries Thunderbolt 2 laptop with USB-A port. LOL
I would do some research and buy all the necessary accessories before diving to a laptop that costs me 3000 bucks, or stay with the one I am using and prolong it
Indeed. Good luck connecting a USB-A peripheral. Oh, buy a cable? Why? What is the advantage to ME? Zero.
Apple SHOULD have put 2 USB-A and 2 USB-C on MBPs. Just like the iMac. Done. Oh, but then they couldn't make it as thin, and take away as much battery, and put in such a ****** keyboard, etc.
Enjoy the blinders . . .
Because Apple want to make money selling you adapters - if that wasn’t the case they would have included one (c to a) in the box like all other manufacturers with Usb C only machines do.
By the way, this thread from 2002 is very interesting in today's context:
https://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=855096
In particularly the post of Venture (https://arstechnica.com/civis/viewt...id=82c3ea5f9b379f9b3ee5635d1e9eb92e#p15855262)
P.S. Actually, that thread is like an archetype of every single thread on Macrumors Mac subform. Its actually quite incredible how the arguments/bickering/styles/types of posters didn't change in these 20 years
https://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=855096
In particularly the post of Venture (https://arstechnica.com/civis/viewt...id=82c3ea5f9b379f9b3ee5635d1e9eb92e#p15855262)
P.S. Actually, that thread is like an archetype of every single thread on Macrumors Mac subform. Its actually quite incredible how the arguments/bickering/styles/types of posters didn't change in these 20 years
USB-C is a standard port, and as such its univerally recognised. I think being 2018, its time to let go of the past and move to the future - just my $.02
I think the latest and “greatest” MacBook pros are portable desktops. The previous generation, which luckily we can still buy, is a more true “laptop”.
The biggest difference is the robust dongle factor.
I have a 13” ,2013 MacBook Pro. Great machine. But the drive is too small. 256g. I have l limited options. Non supplied by Apple (other than buying a new laptop ). The 2 options I found are a Sandisk 128G usb A device. Now available in 256G and reasonably fast. Or a micro SD card in a metal bracket to perfectly fit SD card slot. I don’t know the speed of these.
For the new MacBook Pro , nothing as small and as rugged as the Sandisk usb A devices.
MagSafe, absolutely brilliant! Removing the MagSafe from latest, absolutely asinine !
I also have a Dell work computer “similar” to what the MacBook Pro should have been! Usb A , check. SD card slot, check. Usb c, check. MagSafe, no. Mac OS , no.
I have a port expander or dock. One big problem is that the cord is only about a foot long. No option for longer. It’s now a portable desktop unit. Overall not to bad.
The biggest difference is the robust dongle factor.
I have a 13” ,2013 MacBook Pro. Great machine. But the drive is too small. 256g. I have l limited options. Non supplied by Apple (other than buying a new laptop ). The 2 options I found are a Sandisk 128G usb A device. Now available in 256G and reasonably fast. Or a micro SD card in a metal bracket to perfectly fit SD card slot. I don’t know the speed of these.
For the new MacBook Pro , nothing as small and as rugged as the Sandisk usb A devices.
MagSafe, absolutely brilliant! Removing the MagSafe from latest, absolutely asinine !
I also have a Dell work computer “similar” to what the MacBook Pro should have been! Usb A , check. SD card slot, check. Usb c, check. MagSafe, no. Mac OS , no.
I have a port expander or dock. One big problem is that the cord is only about a foot long. No option for longer. It’s now a portable desktop unit. Overall not to bad.
Certainly a steady revenue stream between iPhones & now Mac's, given the margin on such peripherals being fairly extensive. "If" Apple was remotely serious about USB C it would have:
- Moved the iPhone to USB C, why? Millions lost in revenue due to Lightening licensing.
- Apple would have offered it's own USB C/TB-3 dock at launch of the new MBP. Yet still today third parties remain to fill the void with whatever that may or may not work.
- iMac Pro would be devoid of this useless "legacy Port". One can only assume Apple is concerned with the backlash of marketing a "Pro" Mac with just a singular port type.
- Apple should have included USB C to USB A adaptors to ease the transition, it didn't for one simple reason Apple is overly focused on nickel & diming it's customers at every possible opportunity, which I personally find insulting.
- Answer to the MPB and USB C only is very simple; the smaller port allows Apple to exercise it's design language, and allows it's manufacturer's to streamline parts and production process, undoubtedly increasing Apple's margin with ever modular appliances...
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