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Apple's MacBook revival plan: Bring back old features

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Re: Apple's MacBook revival plan: Bring back old features

#241

Post by Daneel_ »

jimnotgym wrote: post #236
m463 wrote: post #133

Earlier quoted context omitted.

An extra port is not inconvenient - you just won't use it. A missing port is SUPER inconvenient. Can't tell you how annoying it is to require a USB-A dongle or adapter, same with HDMI.

Since 2015 we have had all this clutter in the meeting rooms with different chargers, adaptors for monitors, projectors etc. In fact every mac user I know has a little hub to run everything! I'm currently using a Thinkpad and I have never felt that I had too many ports! I don't carry any adaptors.

Exactly. I have a Lenovo P51 and I’m in the same boat. I have usb-a, usb-c, mini display port, hdmi and Ethernet on my laptop and don’t need to carry any adaptors. It’s glorious. I use all of them regularly.

Re: Apple's MacBook revival plan: Bring back old features

#242

Post by chrisseaton »

alex_c wrote: post #231
chrisseaton wrote: post #189

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> An extra port is not inconvenient An extra port: - is e-waste for everyone who never uses it - reduces the rigidity of the case - increases costs - adds weight - takes up space - lets in dust and potentially liquid spills You can see why people who never use them say ‘no thanks’. Isn’t it better that the people who do want them take on the costs of the port via a dongle?

I mean... no? If there’s a trade off involved then the “best” solution is the one that works for me at the cost of inconveniencing others :) I don’t think you’ll convince people to think otherwise.

> If there’s a trade off involved then the “best” solution is the one that works for me at the cost of inconveniencing others :)

But Apple aren't just trying to please you - they're trying to please most people. Most people don't use SD cards or USB-A devices anymore. The few who do can still do it using dongles, but the majority get a better laptop without them.

Re: Apple's MacBook revival plan: Bring back old features

#243

Post by waheoo »

FractalParadigm wrote: post #218
fastball wrote: post #201

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That sounds like a terrible idea. Why have a proprietary charge port if it can also charge with USB-C?

All kinds of reasons - my biggest one being why MagSafe was invented in the first place; I know my power cord is run across the living room due to a lack of power outlets in my 70-year-old apartment, and gets tripped over regularly. Not to mention a proprietary charger can free up a USB port for additional peripherals.

For those that don't get it, CPUs can only have so many USB-c ports wired up, it's all trade offs.

Wiring a charger through different circuitry gives you an extra port.

It's also easier to pump more wattage through and tends to be a bit more durable because thicker connectors can be used.

Re: Apple's MacBook revival plan: Bring back old features

#244

Post by greedo »

thrwyoilarticle wrote: post #223
manmal wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you take photos or videos with a camera other than an iDevice? I do, and I have to use a dongle every time to transfer data. Those wifi SD cards are a joke. I agree that they should not remove USB-C charging. People by now have powerbanks, or USB-C ports in their car that would stop working. However, my daily driver still is the 87W charger that came with the MBP, for the simple reason that it’s the fastest option…

No, I don't. So why should I sacrifice space for my battery to accommodate those who do?

The amount of extra battery space would be insignificant. Plus with the expected battery life on new MBPs with M1 chips, you'll have plenty of juice.

Re: Apple's MacBook revival plan: Bring back old features

#245

Post by Terretta »

AndriyKunitsyn wrote: post #94
BluSyn wrote: post #14

My controversial hot take-- I have never needed an SD card, and have gone all-in on USB-C. I will be very disappointed if they add back in USB-A/HDMI/SD ports, or remove USB-C charging in favor of proprietary charge port. Sounds like unnecessary feature bloat. Please just do MagSage + USB-C, so I can maintain my one-cable-for-everything, making traveling lighter and simpler. Here's my counter argument to all those th…

What is “unnecessary feature bloat”? Do you think something like “gosh, I _hate_ all these additional ports” about MBP 2015? There’s a reason it is still holds (not much, but) some value on second-hand market.

I do hate the extra ports when at the beach.

It’s easy enough to find usb-c rubber gaskets to keep sea salt air out, but not for arbitrary ports or slots.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BPNBNJ5/

Re: Apple's MacBook revival plan: Bring back old features

#246

Post by waheoo »

chrisseaton wrote: post #222
Brozilean wrote: post #205

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why would having multiple options be bad? It doesn't turn the usb c port into a useless port or anything?

> Why would having multiple options be bad? Because this is how you end up with a Homer Car of a device.

That's a bit myopic. You can strike a balance.

You're argument is the same thing that led to "we should get rid of headphone jacks because we have Bluetooth."

Bluetooth is an option, its not the best option, but I wouldn't suggest removing Bluetooth because we have a headphone jack.

Re: Apple's MacBook revival plan: Bring back old features

#247

Post by interestica »

fastball wrote: post #201
someonehere wrote: post #196

I bought a Microsoft Surface laptop 13” for work to test builds with. That laptop has a headphone port, USB-A, USB-C and a proprietary Microsoft port the power adapter plugs into. Don’t have that adapter handy while traveling? You can still charge it via the USB-C port with another charger. I can see Apple copying another facet of Microsoft’s Surface line. The other being the Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro.

That sounds like a terrible idea. Why have a proprietary charge port if it can also charge with USB-C?

The MS proprietary cable doesn't follow the USB-c spec and can therefore do a lot more (and I think it's still expandable). I think usbc is limited to 20V @ 5a?. And using USBC for charging takes up a data port. And many docks and stands make use of the MS port. And the MS cable is magnetic.

Re: Apple's MacBook revival plan: Bring back old features

#248

Post by Pfhreak »

linux2647 wrote: post #9
Pfhreak wrote: post #6

I am really happy that my macbook uses usb c. I'm sad to hear that it is going away. Today, my Mac interoperates with all my other devices, I can keep one charger running to the edge of the couch. It's not the end of the world to flip back to the magsafe, but it's definitely not ideal for me (and I suspect others.)

Who’s to say you couldn’t have both? HN cynics aside, given that Apple is invested in USB-C/Thunderbolt, I would imagine that you could charge with either MagSafe or USB-C

This would be great.

Re: Apple's MacBook revival plan: Bring back old features

#249

Post by lostapathy »

Geee wrote: post #178
MrRiddle wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How do I plug in a storage device without it sticking out if it’s not an SD card in an SD port?

With a really small USB-C memory stick that fits completely in the hole.

Do those exist? If so, link please.

Re: Apple's MacBook revival plan: Bring back old features

#250

Post by chris_wot »

javajosh wrote: post #239
fastball wrote: post #201

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That sounds like a terrible idea. Why have a proprietary charge port if it can also charge with USB-C?

Yes, a terrible idea, like putting a motor on a sailboat! I mean, why would you ever need 2 methods of propulsion?! (Some boaters even bring oars and towline! Insane!)

That analogy is silly. Two methods of propulsion is a good idea - when the wind is not blowing then use the engine. If the engine runs out of petroleum use the engine.

Having a proprietary power interface and a USB C interface that does the same thing is ridiculous.

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