The point is USB type C is the new standard. Might as well rip the band-and off now.
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Why the lack of a standard USB port?
- Thread starter jwolf6589
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And if USB went wrong anywhere early on, it was the USB-B connector, which was a large, square, P-O-S.
Thanks (IMO) to the ungainliness of USB-B, we eventually found ourselves with at least 3 other USB-other-end connectors, of varying smallness, but all miniscule compared to USB-B. It's too bad that Micro-B wasn't the other-end right away.
I think that's 20:20 hindsight. The B connector was a thing of exquisite, bonsai beauty alongside the 36-way "Centronics" connectors and 25-pin 'D' RS232 connectors it replaced in the PC world. (Yes, plenty of 1990s modems still had 25-way ports for serial input, or at best, 9-pin D connectors).
1990s Mac users may have been slightly shielded from this because Apple went for non-standard mini-DIN plugs for printer and modem connections, but even they must remember Centronics-style SCSI connectors for scanners and external drives... or how about that big, square proprietary SCSI connector in the Powerbook G3...?
USB-B was tiny in its time.
No, the big USB mistake was handing the design of USB-A over to a mad quantum mechanic who succeeded in making a connector with fractional spin so that it had to be rotated three times to get it the right way up, instead of making it non-rectangular (like the designer of every other polygonal connector in the known universe had already figured out).
I'm not denying that USB-C is a nicer connector, and a parallel universe in which all my USB devices had USB-C connectors would be a fractionally nicer place to live - but that marginal convenience evaporated the first time someone hands you a USB-A memory stick at a meeting and you have to rummage in your bag only to find that you've already loaned your adapter to someone else.
Any body remember the radical design decision made for the NeXT computer where they dropped the floppy drive completely. When Jobs returned to Apple, he dropped the floppy there as well. In the Windows world though we chugged along with the floppy for quite some time. Then Apple dropped the optical drives completely rightfully citing that streaming was replacing the need for optical media.
Yet for a lot of us it is difficult to let go of the past. I still have a CD/DVD/Bluray drive for my 2015 15" rMBP and use it occasionally. I purchased it just prior to moving from a 2008 MP to the 2015 MBP. There is some software that is sold on disc still (TaxCut is the most recent purchase). I also like to watch movies off disc.
But I also like the future. I opted out of the 2016 rMBP because I didn't like/trust the TB and there were not any hubs yet shipping when my decision was made to connect USB-C to my USB-A devices (2.0 through 3.2).
The next computer we get likely won't have any USB-A plugs but that is a few years away and hopefully there will be more USB-C devices. Maybe even a dongle or hub to transition from USB-A to USB-C plugs.
And yes, I remember SCSI, Serial, etc. They were pains at times. I remember 5 1/4 disks, first as 180KB then 360KB storage limits. I remember all of that stuff and don't regret moving away from it. It gets costly at times and we all have to make our decisions with $$$ in mind.
Yet for a lot of us it is difficult to let go of the past. I still have a CD/DVD/Bluray drive for my 2015 15" rMBP and use it occasionally. I purchased it just prior to moving from a 2008 MP to the 2015 MBP. There is some software that is sold on disc still (TaxCut is the most recent purchase). I also like to watch movies off disc.
But I also like the future. I opted out of the 2016 rMBP because I didn't like/trust the TB and there were not any hubs yet shipping when my decision was made to connect USB-C to my USB-A devices (2.0 through 3.2).
The next computer we get likely won't have any USB-A plugs but that is a few years away and hopefully there will be more USB-C devices. Maybe even a dongle or hub to transition from USB-A to USB-C plugs.
And yes, I remember SCSI, Serial, etc. They were pains at times. I remember 5 1/4 disks, first as 180KB then 360KB storage limits. I remember all of that stuff and don't regret moving away from it. It gets costly at times and we all have to make our decisions with $$$ in mind.
What?
NeXT introduced the 256MB mangeto-optical removable disk drive as well as the 2.88MB floppy
There goes the memory. I swore they did away with the floppy but I see where that is wrong. My apologies.
It was Apple that killed the floppy drive in their computers per this article: https://www.engadget.com/2010/04/28/the-floppy-disk-is-dead-and-apple-helped-kill-it/
Updated to add URL/article.
It was Apple that killed the floppy drive in their computers per this article: https://www.engadget.com/2010/04/28/the-floppy-disk-is-dead-and-apple-helped-kill-it/
Updated to add URL/article.
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As has been said, USB-C is just a plug. Devices don't "support" USB-C. A simple adapter can convert one type of plug to the other.
It is a little bit absurd to physically connect devices for syncing. Apple has moved away from the wired connection to sync for the last couple of years. For example, I purchased a new iPhone. All I have to do is log in using my AppleID and all my files, pictures, apps, movies, ect are immediately available.
I feel you on the SD reader, that was annoying. Apple is trying to go thinner and the extra ports take up valuable space. USB-C is much faster than all of the options mentioned. We just need the rest of the world to catch up.
Have you found a USB-C mouse? I've only seen one! Seems like there would be at least a dozen or so to choose from by now.
But did you use a paper hole punch on your 5 1/4” disks to enable writing on both sides? :-D
They are not immediately available! On both my iPad and iPhone 8 which I bought last year I had to connect them both to the USB port of my Mac because of syncing problems on apple's servers. Also syncing podcasts from the Mac to iPhone is much faster and more reliable over USB.
I've literally just migrated 120 iPad2s to iPad 2017, haven't connected a single cable. You are correct, syncing was not immediate, with caching turned on my Mac it took almost 2 minutes per device ( 20 or so apps, 0 - 100 pictures per device ). I have 1000 to do next week. Plugging them all in would be a nightmare.
Noted: I agree that the apple servers occasionally do have sync issues, typically this is over in 15 minutes. I usually take this time for a quick break. Check out the forums, here for example, read up on a little code.
I wish I could argue this point, but I have no experience plugging my iPhone into my mac for podcast syncing. I just use the app on the iPhone and the podcast appears, saved at the same exact spot I last listened to it.
Check these guys out if you want to laugh out loud at nerd stuff:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/roll-to-hit-5th-edition-dungeons/id963591140?mt=2&ls=1
Love the way people are just saying get over it and buy more cables/adapters.
Something isn't outdated until it is no longer available or being used. Apple omitting connections only speeds up the planned obsolescence. Yet, they are not even uniform between products. Just buy more cables.
What kind of cable does their phones ship with? USB A to lightening. What kind of cable do you need in order to plug your phone into a newer model MacBook?
Oh look, even the charger is USB A!!! Oh, there is an adapter for headphones. See the reasoning here? See the pattern?
If no one plugs their phone into a computer or headphones any longer why include the cables and adapters with the phone? Great reasoning. Can't USB-C or even USB-A for that matter charge a phone? No one charges their phones? Are we supposed to bring a power adapter with us when we could just plug into our laptops to charge our phones? Cant do it with the cable thats in the box while using a new MacBook or MacBook Pro. Need more cables and/or adapters.
Heck considering how much Apple charges for cables, and based on the reasoning here, they should get rid of the cables and adapters in the box we supposedly don't need. That alone could save me some money on a new phone.
[doublepost=1517494614][/doublepost]Time to move forward. I agree. Apple should use the same standard across all of it's products. USB-C in all its laptops, desktops, and even phones. Get rid of the lightening connector all together. Make everything the "Standard" USB connection. That way the 10 people who complain here, and the millions around the world will all be able to plug into their Apple products without having to buy a half dozen cables and adapters. Problem solved. No one will be able to complain about the people who want to connect their phone to their laptop out of the box, or the crowd moaning about more cables and adapters.
The SD card slot might take a while longer to replace. A lot of cameras and devices still use them. I have found plugging an SD card directly into a laptop is much faster than using a cable or going wireless. Cant have it all though, but I am willing to move forward.
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USB 2.0 transfer rate = 60 MBps
USB 3.0 transfer rate = 625MBps
USB - C transfer rate = 1250MBps
WiFi ( at my house ) transfer rate = 680MBps ( theoretical 1900MBps )
So it should take about 4 seconds on my WiFi. It takes me more than 4 seconds to find a cable and plug it in. 2GB is pretty large, I think the largest podcasts I download are in the 100 - 200MB range.
I agree that everything should just switch to USB-C.
Not everyone syncs via WiFi nor do I store everything in the cloud. There are things that reside on my computer that need to sync to mobile devices, such as pictures and music. When the music collection spans 30+ years, there is a lot not available via music vendors.
There are a couple of things that I do store in Apple's cloud like contacts and calendar items. Also notes. Everything else is synced locally via cable or local Wifi (1Password is one such thing I will not put in the cloud).
I remember cutting notches on the 5 1/4 to enable double sided writing on the old Atari 800XL.
Actually when I bought my iPad Mini 4 and tried to restore the device via icloud it took many hours of waiting before I finally gave Apple a call and they suggested I do a restore via iTunes by plugging my iPad in. When I bought my iPhone 8 I had similar issues with Apples servers but this time I just did a restore via iTunes and all my photos and data was back on my device in no time.
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Incorrect. Not everyone has as fast WIFI as you so do not assume things.
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Thank goodness Apple desktops still include a SD card reader and standard USB ports.
The amount of people who own laptops with USB connectors > the amount of people who own laptops with USB-C connectors
That's why the include the old cable with the iPhone. Otherwise even more people would bitch. Just buy the $10 adapter or $15 cable to go with your $2499 computer!
That's why the include the old cable with the iPhone. Otherwise even more people would bitch. Just buy the $10 adapter or $15 cable to go with your $2499 computer!
I can't even remember the last time I plugged anything into my laptop other than headphones...I'd be fine a single USB-C for charging and headphone jack.
I can understand how the lack of USB-A might be a slight inconvenience for you, but that's all it is - a slight inconvenience. No sympathy. Either buy it or don't. What's a forum full of enthusiasts going to do for you?
To answer the thread title - why not? Apple's answer is obvious: to push the only logical standard going forward and force manufacturers to adapt sooner rather than later. I agree with this. If you don't, then don't buy.
I can understand how the lack of USB-A might be a slight inconvenience for you, but that's all it is - a slight inconvenience. No sympathy. Either buy it or don't. What's a forum full of enthusiasts going to do for you?
To answer the thread title - why not? Apple's answer is obvious: to push the only logical standard going forward and force manufacturers to adapt sooner rather than later. I agree with this. If you don't, then don't buy.
I use an old Belkin USB (v2) card reader that is fairly fast. Of course I used CF cards and not SD.
Last night, to back up my data to 3 external drives and the NAS. Also plug in for my mouse and some other things.
You have hit a decision wall, accept a much faster multifunction port that requires an additional one time purchase of cable or dock, keep your old Mac, buy another 2015 or older Mac, or buy a Windows machine. Same conclusion as all the other threads about this.
Someone above mentioned the "amount of USB-a" devices out there vis-a-vis the number of USB-c devices.
I have no hard data, but I'd reckon there are 20-30 times as many USB-a devices out there right now, as distinguished from USB-c.
Maybe 50 times.
Maybe FAR higher than that.
USB-c is in its infancy. It's NOT "a standard" yet, anymore than thunderbolt has become a standard. Whether users (all over the world, and NOT just Mac users) will embrace it yet, remains to be seen. I'd say it will take at least 5-10 years to see how the trend is progressing.
Weren't firewire and thunderbolt going to be "new standards" once, too...?
I have no hard data, but I'd reckon there are 20-30 times as many USB-a devices out there right now, as distinguished from USB-c.
Maybe 50 times.
Maybe FAR higher than that.
USB-c is in its infancy. It's NOT "a standard" yet, anymore than thunderbolt has become a standard. Whether users (all over the world, and NOT just Mac users) will embrace it yet, remains to be seen. I'd say it will take at least 5-10 years to see how the trend is progressing.
Weren't firewire and thunderbolt going to be "new standards" once, too...?
Man - There are some horrible analogies being made in this thread..
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Was just on a ski trip with some guys...
The "music fan" in the group didn't have a dongle with him and couldn't plug his iP7 into the music system all week...unrelated but his space bar started also sticking on his 2016 MBP on Saturday...
I've never seen this guy so upset..
Apple is really winning everyone over!
Whole time I was lmao as I just plopped the SD card from our group trip camcorder into the side of my 2015 MBP and backed up the video each day while enjoying the tunes from my SE through the Aux jack on the vacation house sound system.
The future may be wireless and USB-C - But the real world isn't all living in the future, nor necessarily anywhere close, yet. Good on you Apple for collecting from the Dongle$ and Adapter$ I guess..
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Have to confess I'm "Dongle free" and clean for 3 months
Q-6
Was just on a ski trip with some guys...
The "music fan" in the group didn't have a dongle with him and couldn't plug his iP7 into the music system all week...unrelated but his space bar started also sticking on his 2016 MBP on Saturday...
I've never seen this guy so upset..
Apple is really winning everyone over!
Whole time I was lmao as I just plopped the SD card from our group trip camcorder into the side of my 2015 MBP and backed up the video each day while enjoying the tunes from my SE through the Aux jack on the vacation house sound system.
The future may be wireless and USB-C - But the real world isn't all living in the future, nor necessarily anywhere close, yet. Good on you Apple for collecting from the Dongle$ and Adapter$ I guess..
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Why do you need to know if some random person has a GPS? Regardless, replace the cable with one with USB-C or get a dock/adapter. It’s not like it’s not usable.
It is a standard, as published by the organization that sets USB standards.
Do they not sell USB 3 adapter cables or a USB 3 to whatever port is on your GPS, where you live? Because they do everywhere else, and cheap too. Why can't you, and others, grasp the idea that off loading those legacy ports you love onto a dock or cheap adapter cable in order to provide cool things like 5K multi screen video, amazing transfer speeds, eGPU, and other new tech advantages that many want and use everyday, is a good thing? Firewire, is that still a thing? Your options are clear, as I posted, though I guess there is another, keep complaining, useless but it's popular here.
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If only Apple supplied the headphone adapter in the box, oh wait. Some people forget their chargers, is that Apple's fault for requiring one?