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Why apple did this, why single port?

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Re: Why apple did this, why single port?

#21

Post by BostonEnginerd »

allanjenn wrote: post #13
vishnuharidas wrote: post #2

Using USB-C wasn't the problem. The real problem is - they put only one port there. You cannot charge while you are connected to an HDMI projector / external HDD or a pen-drive. But the latest Google Chromebook "Pixel" has two USB-C ports on either sides of the device.

if you charge your macbook before using the projector, you'll get 10hrs of battery life, plenty of time for a presentation.

Unless you spent 9 hours on an airplane writing the presentation and head directly to the customer site to give the presentation.

Re: Why apple did this, why single port?

#22

Post by allanjenn »

BostonEnginerd wrote: post #21
allanjenn wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

if you charge your macbook before using the projector, you'll get 10hrs of battery life, plenty of time for a presentation.

Unless you spent 9 hours on an airplane writing the presentation and head directly to the customer site to give the presentation.

I'd use a wifi adapter, that's the future anyway. http://www.infocus.com/accessories/SP-WIFIUSB-2

Re: Why apple did this, why single port?

#25

Post by sjs382 »

maxerickson wrote: post #20
sjs382 wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Needing to restart a process that takes an hour, just to plug in my device... Yes, I consider that very inconvenient.

Why would you ever start the copy without plugging in first? One answer is that a plug isn't handy, but it starts to become a rare scenario when you want to copy a huge file, don't have ample battery and plugging in first isn't convenient. (I continue to suggest not buying computers with 1 port as a great solution to the problem)

Is checking your battery status before you start doing something, a usual occurrence in your usage? It isn't for me, and I'm sure it's something I would adapt to do, but in the mean time, it's an inconvenience.

For instance, I often work outside and keep my charger at my desk inside. Sometimes I'll start something, check in on it in 10-15 minutes, see its going to take a while to complete, then go plug the machine in, inside, if it's going to take a while.

Sure, it's not something that can't be overcome (I'm not suggesting it is), but the need to check my battery (and to remember to check my battery) before doing something is an unnecessary inconvenience.

It's almost like I'm saying how wonderful the magsafe connector is for when I trip over the cable, and your response is "well, you don't need that—just don't trip over the cable". Sure, I don't need it, but it's just better with it.

Re: Why apple did this, why single port?

#26

Post by maxerickson »

sjs382 wrote: post #25
maxerickson wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why would you ever start the copy without plugging in first? One answer is that a plug isn't handy, but it starts to become a rare scenario when you want to copy a huge file, don't have ample battery and plugging in first isn't convenient. (I continue to suggest not buying computers with 1 port as a great solution to the problem)

Is checking your battery status before you start doing something, a usual occurrence in your usage? It isn't for me, and I'm sure it's something I would adapt to do, but in the mean time, it's an inconvenience. For instance, I often work outside and keep my charger at my desk inside. Sometimes I'll start something, check in on it in 10-15 minutes, see its going to take a while to complete, then go plug the machine in…

Look at my first comment. I objected to you calling something that is less convenient than you would like "very inconvenient". We don't have to agree about the "very", it probably isn't worth any more attention from either of us.

Re: Why apple did this, why single port?

#27

Post by contechual »

Product Pipelines are tricky.

I feel on the one hand, they could have retained both ports and the retina screen.

On the same token, you want to increase the legacy of a market driven product line. Correct me if I'm wrong here but you want to "intentionally" flaw the product to provide room for improvement on the next generation.

I'm sure the Product Dev. team has an idea on their pipeline as to what the 5th generation should look like and what their prospective specs are for the 6th generation product after the 5th is finally locked down for confirmation.

Re: Why apple did this, why single port?

#30

Post by davismwfl »

runjake wrote: post #15
davismwfl wrote: post #6

I really hope Apple isn't going to make this a trend across their line, and that others don't follow suit. That said, given that they made it a "new" line, I think it may have a place. e.g. for some moderate to high percentage of people that use a laptop they rarely or never plug anything into it. And those same people are usually the ones on the go a lot, so this might really have a good fit for those people (e.g. w…

> I really hope Apple isn't going to make this a trend across their line This model is a shot across the bow from Apple, but this model also isn't intended for programmers and IT professionals. It's meant for grandparents and a "lay about the house as needed" computer for (currently, rich) people. Apple differentiates things with a Pro line on purpose. The original MacBook Air had a serious lack of ports and that did…

Yep, I can see your points. My MacBook Pro is slightly older so I still have a ethernet port, but I can't remember the last time I plugged it in so its basically a waste of space. So it makes sense they are really looking at what's used etc.

Where I get nervous is things like USB, if you blow out one port you are ok if you have 2-3, but if you only have 1 its a bad day. Not that this is some regular or common occurrence, and typically I use a hub when connecting custom hardware, but it would suck if something failed and it blew out my only port on a machine. Hence my reason for hoping they keep the Pro series a little more flexible.

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