The new MacBook

#1

Post by NickSarath » Mon, Mar 09, 2015, 5:39 PM UTC

Re: The new MacBook

#2

Post by mmastrac » Mon, Mar 09, 2015, 5:46 PM UTC

USB-C as the "one connector to rule them all" is the big news. That's the end of MagSafe and the exploding era of USB-C docking stations that work for multiple devices.

I think we'll start to see an era of expandable computing coming up soon: USB-C is a perfect connector to push your data and state into a larger desktop experience. Why not carry around your laptop in tablet form when you are mobile? [1]

[1] https://grack.com/blog/2015/01/16/usb-31-ara-are-the-converg...

Re: The new MacBook

#3

Post by dchuk » Mon, Mar 09, 2015, 5:47 PM UTC

Say what you will about the logic behind a single port for everything (as far as I know this is the first computer to do this so there's nothing to compare it to), this Air is a pretty drastic change from what we're all used to when it comes to laptops. We're basically hitting the limits of thinness at this point right?

Re: The new MacBook

#4

Post by xienze » Mon, Mar 09, 2015, 5:47 PM UTC

There were "artist renderings" of this thing that leaked a while back. They were pretty much 100% on the money, the big thing being the USB-C port.

Re: The new MacBook

#5

Post by DannyBee » Mon, Mar 09, 2015, 5:48 PM UTC

mmastrac wrote: post #2

USB-C as the "one connector to rule them all" is the big news. That's the end of MagSafe and the exploding era of USB-C docking stations that work for multiple devices. I think we'll start to see an era of expandable computing coming up soon: USB-C is a perfect connector to push your data and state into a larger desktop experience. Why not carry around your laptop in tablet form when you are mobile? [1] [1] https://g…

I'm glad apple picked this up after so many others pushed it forward :)

But 1 port is sad, because now you have to choose between a lot of things (charging, using hdmi, whatever)

Re: The new MacBook

#6

Post by toomuchtodo » Mon, Mar 09, 2015, 5:48 PM UTC

mmastrac wrote: post #2

USB-C as the "one connector to rule them all" is the big news. That's the end of MagSafe and the exploding era of USB-C docking stations that work for multiple devices. I think we'll start to see an era of expandable computing coming up soon: USB-C is a perfect connector to push your data and state into a larger desktop experience. Why not carry around your laptop in tablet form when you are mobile? [1] [1] https://g…

Is this the end of Thunderbolt as well?

Re: The new MacBook

#7

Post by mmastrac » Mon, Mar 09, 2015, 5:50 PM UTC

toomuchtodo wrote: post #6

mmastrac wrote: post #2

USB-C as the "one connector to rule them all" is the big news. That's the end of MagSafe and the exploding era of USB-C docking stations that work for multiple devices. I think we'll start to see an era of expandable computing coming up soon: USB-C is a perfect connector to push your data and state into a larger desktop experience. Why not carry around your laptop in tablet form when you are mobile? [1] [1] https://g…

Is this the end of Thunderbolt as well?

Thunderbolt runs over USB-C, as well as DisplayPort. USB 3.1 features re-configurable lines that can negotiate almost any protocol. [1] [2]

[1] http://www.anandtech.com/show/8558/displayport-alternate-mod...

[2] http://www.anandtech.com/show/8539/usb-power-delivery-v20-an...

Re: The new MacBook

#8

Post by colinramsay » Mon, Mar 09, 2015, 5:50 PM UTC

Are there things here where Apple is significantly further ahead than the competition? Innovating on keyboards, trackpad, battery life, power usage and form factor - there just seem to be innovating simultaneously on more levels than the competition.

Another thing - that vibrating trackpad gizmo feels like a couple of innovations away from true touch feedback on an iPhone? Any thoughts?

Re: The new MacBook

#9

Post by drblast » Mon, Mar 09, 2015, 5:51 PM UTC

dchuk wrote: post #3

Say what you will about the logic behind a single port for everything (as far as I know this is the first computer to do this so there's nothing to compare it to), this Air is a pretty drastic change from what we're all used to when it comes to laptops. We're basically hitting the limits of thinness at this point right?

I'd hate to have to worry that I'll cut myself on my laptop.

Is there anyone that's super-excited about a thinner Air? My preference is always for greater battery life. I'm curious if there are people that wish their already thin laptop were even thinner, and if so, why?

Re: The new MacBook

#10

Post by nfoz » Mon, Mar 09, 2015, 5:52 PM UTC

dchuk wrote: post #3

Say what you will about the logic behind a single port for everything (as far as I know this is the first computer to do this so there's nothing to compare it to), this Air is a pretty drastic change from what we're all used to when it comes to laptops. We're basically hitting the limits of thinness at this point right?

And as much as I love the idea of thinness, I'm in the awkward state of shopping for a small laptop that is everything except thin. I want a keyboard with depth/action to the keypresses! It's becoming extremely hard to find. I'm not convinced that I'll love the typing experience on this Air; I've been very disappointed by recent Dell and Lenovo (yoga) keyboards.

I don't mind a bit of thickness as long as it's small in the other dimensions, and light as anything.