My last MacBook Pro died suddenly in 2013. I had to switch to an iMac for budgetary reasons, so I haven't been in the thick of it as far as mobile computing capabilities and expectations since then.
I understand that the use of USB-C / ThunderBolt 3, new-generation external monitors and eGPUs has opened up new possibilities for the latest-generation laptops. This brings some questions to mind:
1: If I bought a new MacBook Pro 13 w/ touchbar, and took it with me on a road trip, I would likely stay in a hotel. If I planned a specific trip, brought the MBP with me, and wanted to convenience and utility of an external monitor with me during my stay at the hotel, do major cities have electronics stores or other services where I can rent a monitor for a couple of days to use with the MBP?
2: If I wanted unlimited internet access and did not want to worry about the quality of hotel/restaurant/rest stop WiFi, are mobile hotspots (like Verizon MiFi) useful enough to provide temporary internet service with unlimited data traffic so I can upload and/or watch video streams, send files, etc. while on the road?
3: These new eGPUs are intriguing. Are there aftermarket accessories, like, say, carrying cases, to make it easy to bring an eGPU with you into the hotel?
4: Are there any eGPUs on the market that come with more than just USB-C/TB3, USB-A and HDMI ports? I'm wondering if any of them also include other ports, like SD card slots, etc.
5: I still have some old FireWire camcorders and other FireWire accessories. Is there a way to bring FireWire to USB-C/TB3?
6: Has anyone on here had experience setting up a laptop-based temporary workstation in a hotel room? What do you recommend to bring along?
7: Are there any USB-A / USB-C mobile charging stations on the market designed specifically for travel in the USA and/or Canada? (Ones that can power a MacBook Pro and charge phones in a hotel room.)
I understand that the use of USB-C / ThunderBolt 3, new-generation external monitors and eGPUs has opened up new possibilities for the latest-generation laptops. This brings some questions to mind:
1: If I bought a new MacBook Pro 13 w/ touchbar, and took it with me on a road trip, I would likely stay in a hotel. If I planned a specific trip, brought the MBP with me, and wanted to convenience and utility of an external monitor with me during my stay at the hotel, do major cities have electronics stores or other services where I can rent a monitor for a couple of days to use with the MBP?
2: If I wanted unlimited internet access and did not want to worry about the quality of hotel/restaurant/rest stop WiFi, are mobile hotspots (like Verizon MiFi) useful enough to provide temporary internet service with unlimited data traffic so I can upload and/or watch video streams, send files, etc. while on the road?
3: These new eGPUs are intriguing. Are there aftermarket accessories, like, say, carrying cases, to make it easy to bring an eGPU with you into the hotel?
4: Are there any eGPUs on the market that come with more than just USB-C/TB3, USB-A and HDMI ports? I'm wondering if any of them also include other ports, like SD card slots, etc.
5: I still have some old FireWire camcorders and other FireWire accessories. Is there a way to bring FireWire to USB-C/TB3?
6: Has anyone on here had experience setting up a laptop-based temporary workstation in a hotel room? What do you recommend to bring along?
7: Are there any USB-A / USB-C mobile charging stations on the market designed specifically for travel in the USA and/or Canada? (Ones that can power a MacBook Pro and charge phones in a hotel room.)