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it would make sense. unfortunately it represents a terrible fracturing in the general marketplace of Audio accessories. Apple using Lightening and the rest of the world using USB C. Apple could put the Lightening port on it's computers but hey will also have USB C so no manufacturer is incentivized to target it, creating the situation of Apple including a dedicated port which may never serve any purpose on those machines. I expect that Apple's non-iOS products use USB C and that there is an overpriced adapter to Lightening for headphones and the like.
I suspect the (near) future Macs will still include a 3.5mm combo audio interface. The real bummer is the lightning headphones included with iPhones will be useless on Macs - I often kept my Apple EarPods in my bag and used them interchangeably with my iPhone and Mac. This will no longer be an option (without another adaptor). My real wish is that they would have moved the iPhone to a USB-C interface, but that would have meant design issues and very angry customers who already own zillions of lightning cables...
For the new Macs that potentially may be coming out before the end of the year, they may already have the audio port removed and replaced with Lightning ports. If the systems are in fact coming out in October as people are speculating, then the final design would already be in production at this point. And no one knows with 100% certainty, without a shadow of a doubt, what exactly the machines are going to be like.
I really hope not. I feel like even though a lot of Mac users are also iPhone users there are a significant portion that use other phones. It just seems unnecessarily hostile to add a port to the Mac that is a huge inconvenience unless you also own a new iPhone.
I know Apple likes to lock people into their ecosystem but usually they use the carrot not the stick if that makes sense.
I know Apple likes to lock people into their ecosystem but usually they use the carrot not the stick if that makes sense.
There are clues in the rumored leaks that the new case designs have room to include them. Add to that the elimination of MagSafe as a power method, and then removing the headphone jack in their most popular mobile devices. The Retina MacBook for instance is an ideal companion to the iPhone, and would benefit the most by replacing the headphone jack with a Lightning port. 1) It becomes a primary charging method using the same cable the iPhone uses, leaving the USB-C port free for peripherals. 2) It serves as a natively compatible headphone jack for the iPhone's Lightning headphones. 3) It serves an optional USB 3.0 port leaving the USB-C port free for something else to be used at the same time without a hub. 4) It allows Apple to simplify its adapter lineup by offering Lightning only adapters for common functions like SDXC card readers, USB 3.0 ports, HDMI ports, etc. It also allows a customer to immediately use any Lightning adapters they already own with a new rMB where the single port and prospect of buying a lot of USB-C adapters is a deterrent.
While I fully expect a Lightning headphone to USB-C adapter is in the works, I just can't imagine that Apple will require it for native use of the Lightning headphones on new Macs. I mean can you imagine the conversation where the Apple Store employee tells the customer that the new Lightning headphones they just purchased to use with their new iPhone will require an adapter to use with the new MacBook they just bought? Then again, I can't believe how bad this transition from 3.5mm headphone jack has been.
I think you may be on to things here. But I seriously hope that there is no removal of the magsafe, I love that connector so much.
I can't see them replacing the 3.5mm headphone jacks on anything but the Retina MacBook. Everything else they will leave the headphone jack as long as there is room, and merely add the Lightning port. For now, the leaked case designs of the MBP have room for both. Desktops of course have room for both, just as iPads do.
I agree, but they already dropped it on the Retina MacBook. The reality is, the MBA is so light that when tugging on the MagSafe, the laptop will likely pull off a table before the connector disconnects. I can't see them keeping it on the MBP if the goal is to switch to USB-C, and possibly Lightning for charging. The rumored MBA update also gets a USB-C port, and Lightning, so there's no room to add them with MagSafe. It seems like its time has come now that MacBooks weigh so little.
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This is why I keep saying that Apple has totally botched the removal of the headphone jack. They included Lightning headphones which can't be used with anything but some newer iOS products. There aren't any compatible adapters. So for anyone who doesn't intend to use their headphones with only the iPhone 7, they're going to grab for the headphone adapter and an old set of headphones. Really foolish move that does nothing to encourage Lightning, and everything to promote the continues use of the headphone jack.
That's why I have to think they will definitely add a Lightning port to the Mac, or they would have included a Lightning headphone adapter in the box too. Maybe they're holding off until the Mac event in October before they make the adapters available for existing Macs, but by then the damage will be done, and customers may have moved on and just use the included 3.5mm adapter.
People seem to get hung up on the lightning thing. I don't think Apple cares to add lightning to Macbooks. They already said it, they want wireless. The W1 chip can pair easily with Macs as well. That's what they are solving. Right now, people are still using wired headphones because it's easier (plug-n-play). Regular bluetooth headphones' pairing procedures is not simple enough. When that issue is taken care of (with the W1), then using a wireless headset (like the Airpods) becomes more natural (plug-n-play).
Why in the world would they add a lighting port to the Mac? It would be useless other than for then lightning headphones. Apple is slimming down ports, so why would they change it over to lightning for the sole purpose of audio? It will either have the 1/8" jack or it won't have either. But there would be no point in a lightning port on the Mac.
Lightning is inferior to usb c except that Apple gets to control it. Apple is really schizophrenic with regards to their design decisions. They'll get rid of magsafe, all so they can just put a single usb c port in, which they can't control. They get rid of the headphone jack, to keep lightning which they can fully control when the whole industry is moving to usb c. So they won't use usb c on an iphone but will on a mac. Doesn't make sense to me. I guess the accessories market for a mac is very low so they don't feel they need to control it. Plus macs are more hackable than ios devices. They've always exerted less control for macs.
They'll leapfrog the industry by 2 whole years for cpu design on iphones, but will let macbooks linger between redesigns for four years, and when they do come out, not have the latest processors. So they'll willingly be behind there.
Evidence that they're letting the mac linger, or is Apple's lingering a silent statement that there's nothing new worth selling in the mac space (i.e., all the innovation industry wide is in the smartphone space). I personally do not find any reason to update the macbook pro except for better portability. The speed is fine. But boy, would a faster ssd and a lighter form factor be really welcome, and fingerprint. Sold.
They'll leapfrog the industry by 2 whole years for cpu design on iphones, but will let macbooks linger between redesigns for four years, and when they do come out, not have the latest processors. So they'll willingly be behind there.
Evidence that they're letting the mac linger, or is Apple's lingering a silent statement that there's nothing new worth selling in the mac space (i.e., all the innovation industry wide is in the smartphone space). I personally do not find any reason to update the macbook pro except for better portability. The speed is fine. But boy, would a faster ssd and a lighter form factor be really welcome, and fingerprint. Sold.
As far as audio is concerned, they're pushing wireless, not lightning.
I'd love to see how much courage they have on the forthcoming Mac platforms in removing the 3.5 mm jack.
If they remove it, we can bitch about them not catering for music production people who rely on that port.
If they don't remove it, we can bitch about them not having enough courage.
So much fun /s
I'd love to see how much courage they have on the forthcoming Mac platforms in removing the 3.5 mm jack.
If they remove it, we can bitch about them not catering for music production people who rely on that port.
If they don't remove it, we can bitch about them not having enough courage.
So much fun /s
It would make zero sense to do so. Apple keeps Lightning around to sell peripherials on iOS units. The market that Lightning would target for the Mac is *extremely* small in comparison.
1) It becomes a primary charging method using the same cable the iPhone uses, leaving the USB-C port free for peripherals.
2) It serves as a natively compatible headphone jack for the iPhone's Lightning headphones.
3) It serves an optional USB 3.0 port leaving the USB-C port free for something else to be used at the same time without a hub.
4) It allows Apple to simplify its adapter lineup by offering Lightning only adapters for common functions like SDXC card readers, USB 3.0 ports, HDMI ports, etc. It also allows a customer to immediately use any Lightning adapters they already own, where the prospect of buying a lot of USB-C adapters is a deterrent.
Desktop computers need standard "audio-in" and "audio-out" jacks.
If one needs more than that, one can use either USB or Firewire (with a thunderbolt-to-firewire convertor).
At the rate Apple's going, if they keep removing connections, how long until we see a "Mac dekstop" that is just "a box" with NO ports at all?
What kind of "desktop computer" will that be?
If one needs more than that, one can use either USB or Firewire (with a thunderbolt-to-firewire convertor).
At the rate Apple's going, if they keep removing connections, how long until we see a "Mac dekstop" that is just "a box" with NO ports at all?
What kind of "desktop computer" will that be?
Desktop computers need standard "audio-in" and "audio-out" jacks.
If one needs more than that, one can use either USB or Firewire (with a thunderbolt-to-firewire convertor).
At the rate Apple's going, if they keep removing connections, how long until we see a "Mac dekstop" that is just "a box" with NO ports at all?
What kind of "desktop computer" will that be?
That will be one that is almost possible now and to be honest in a modern home with good wifi pretty perfect, once we get a good 4 k wirelessly connected monitor there really is no need for any ports at all.
We already have good NAS and cloud solutions for storage, keyboards and mice have been wireless for over a decade as have printers even cameras etc are often wifi enabled for transferring photos etc.
Let's be honest a port-less desktop is not so far fetched anymore.
1.) While lightning connectors specs are not publicly available, 12 Watts is the largest we have seen this far. And for a connect that was designed some 4 or 5 years ago (at least) for their low power mobile devices, it is unlikely that it is safely capable of delivering enough power. Even if it could handle double or triple the power of the 12watt supply used for the iPP, that would still be just enough for the rMB, not the 85Watts needed by Apples current flagship laptop. While I could see the new line being more efficient, it won't be THAT much more effecient. And USB C is sitting over here capable of 20Volts at 5Amps.. Quite a bit more than the 85Watt supply.
2.) Yes. It would.
3.) So I'm going to have to buy lightning to USB B to interface with a printer or lightning to MicroUSB to interface with a camera? Or have a bag full of adapters? Actually this sounds like Apple lately.
But still, you think it's more likely they would fragment the machine with a lightning port instead of another USB C?
4.) Literally the same point as number 3. While I see what you are getting at, I find it very unlikely. Most of those adapters are made for USB 2.0 standards, as the only lightning equipped device cable of 3.0 is the 12.9iPP. Also, the adapters have already been made for the rMB, and Apple loves spellings adapters.
It seems like Apple is about trimming down as much as possible to make it "simple." Lightning would be adding an all new port with limited use. And, less aware users would indefinitely be trying to plug lightning cables into USB C and vise versa. Heck people do that with HDMI and USB A, and they look far less similar than C and lightning.
Apple said Lightning would serve them for 10 years, do you really think they didn't anticipate greater power and data needs? The iPP is proof. Not only that, but most people with iPPs are actually using the 65w charger with the iPP as it improves charging speeds -- so yes it evidently does handle larger power draws than the 12w adapter it ships with.
As far as adapters, yes; right now the rMB has no additional data options, and one single purpose audio jack. At least you'd have the OPTION. The MBP is rumored to come with USB-C 4 ports. You want 5 or 6 (without the headphone jack)?
Lightning and USB-C aren't the same size. People can already get confused and try to plug Lightning plugs into USB-C ports, but there's absolutely no danger in that, since they aren't physically compatible. Certainly no worse than trying to plug USB-A plugs in the wrong orientation. As long as it's idiot proof, who cares? Besides, hasn't Apple already started including Lightning ports on their Mac accessories? Mac users are already familiar with Lightning whether they use an iOS device or not, and maybe that was the plan.
I see far more pros than cons, and we'll likely find out within a month. It's much harder for me to see Apple requiring an adapter to use the EarPods they give an iPhone 7 customer, on a Mac; especially when there's no need to, with no major downsides to including it.
i hope they don't get rid of magsafe would b a mistake in my opinion one of the best ways to connect a charger would be gone. as to the headphone jack when it comes to a laptop i an see them eventually upgrading to somthing ese but i highly doubt it this year. i think it will be in the next line of macs we see something and yeah maybe they sell a usb to lightn or something or heck even include one in the box that would fix it right up