Agree. I recently bought some USB-A to C adapter cables that claimed support for USB 3.1, but actually only worked at USB-2 speeds. Almsot useless for data transfer, but OK for audio device, keyboards, wired mice etc.
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M1 Max MBP has all these unnecessary ports….WTF?!
- Thread starter AdonisSMU
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Remember when Ethernet cables had different colors for their function and speed? The cross-over (null-modem) cables were always red, I recall.
I have a couple of USB-C cable that helpfully have a Thunderbolt symbol and "3" on them to indicate TB3, but most are generic black or white cables with no markings...
You don't understand!
Every year, Apple and Intel need to invent brand new connectors, and then we need to throw away all of our televisions, hard disks, cables and monitors and buy brand new ones. If we don't, we aren't hip and cool enough to deserve MacBooks.
This is how I would do 2015-2022 MBP's port transitions
2010 was when the first Macs with HDMI came out. I would have opted it to be included as early as 2003 or 2004 then sell a dongle for it to attach to a VGA or DVI port
Year | MagSafe | SDXC | HDMI | USB-C/TB3/TB4/USB4 | miniDB/TB1/TB2 | USB-A/USB 3.1 | Total USB ports |
2015 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
2016 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
2017 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
2018 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
2019 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
2020 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
2021 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
2022 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
2010 was when the first Macs with HDMI came out. I would have opted it to be included as early as 2003 or 2004 then sell a dongle for it to attach to a VGA or DVI port
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I think you need to fix that table. I had a 2017 MBP and it had neither MagSafe nor HDMI.
Why maintain TB2 for so long? I get it is Display Port, but I really don't see any advantage to TB2 over USB C ported TB3.
So personally, I would go from 2xTB2 and 0xTB3 directly to 0xTB2 and 2xTB3 in 2016.
The only thing missing is the number of dedicated channels. For example the 2021 MBP has 3 TB4 channels with 3 ports. The 2019 MBP has 2 TB3 channels with 4 ports. The number of dedicated channels starts getting important, once you start thinking about using docs that can really max out the bandwidth. I mean I would rather have 3 dedicated channels wiht 3 ports than 4 ports that are sharing 2 channels.
This is supposed to be a gradual/slow transition for all users & not just >20%. In 2016 when Apple moved all ports to TB3 a lot complained about dongles.
TB1 & TB2 are based on miniDP. It may not be as ubiquitous as USB-A/USB3.1 but there are devices that span from 2008-2016 that would be useful for a few more years. As such my transition would phase out the remaining single port a few years later by 2020 while USB-A/USB3.1 would be out by 2022.
I wanted to give these users 3-4 more useful years for TB2 on newer Macs before needing adapters or new cables.
I only cover ports & not dedicated channels. I think your concern would cover <20% of all users
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You listed the 2015 as having 4 USB ports. Unless you're counting the TB2 ports as USB (which would require a lot more than a simple dongle), they would only have two USB ports.
We need to embrace universal ports. I truly dont understand going backwards for no reason.
Due to events ^, all I have to say now is:
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Maybe we need to embrace universal ports, but not USB-c. The very different and indistinguishable looking cables is it's problem -- people get frustrated with crud like that.
Another problem is people hate dongles, and I don't blame them.
We need something new, preferable mag based rather than male female type ports, and *1* kind of cable.
Go live in your fantasy land where Donglebook Pro's are the norm.
Besides, these new MacBook Pro's have the exact same number of UBS-C ports (and faster because they don't have a shared thunderbolt controller), as with the previous model you loose 1-port for charging.
These new models have way faster port I/O because three separate 40 Gbps ports is a whopping 120 Gbps total.
I like USBC, but I’ve lived with USBC-only MacBooks for 2 or 3 years now, and they’re a big hassle. My new 14” MBP is nearly perfect as far as ports go. Having one USB-A port would be perfect, for using USB sticks, etc, but I can manage.
The HDMI dongle situation was really bad. I’m very happy that’s been fixed.
I think the OP was just trolling. Given the low thunderbolt speeds of my M1 Mini, Apple could be pranking us with all the ports. LOL
Nope. ‘Everyone’ did not. My ‘workaround’ was continuing to use
my old computer and not upgrading.
Now that they regained their senses, I have bought one of the new m1 Max’s
Same here, still on my 2015 MBP. Love the convenience of Magsafe, HDMI and full-size SD slot (which also can be used for cheap storage extension btw)
Just ignore his dumb trolling. He is only a minority, like the other dongle-nerds.
Just ignore his dumb trolling. He is only a minority, like the other dongle-nerds.
They had reasons. People have been explaining them to you for the last 23 pages. Ever thought that you're, like, maybe, just possibly, wrong?
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Every conference room I have been to in the last 10 years has an HDMI cable.
Most people's homes have big TVs with HDMI as well.
I cannot always be bothered to carry an HDMI adapter with me. Sometimes you don't know you are going to be giving a presentation, or watching Amores Perros that evening.
And the number of times I've seen execs ask everyone to just gather around their laptop because they cant get screencasting (or whatever they call it now) to work.
HMDI just works.
As far as the SD card slot. I use it every single day. But I'm a semi-pro photographer and musician.
I think a type A USB slot would be better. Still a ton of things out there using the old timey USB plug, and no reason to need a USB C version for things that just charge off USB, or use low bandwidth.
The Magsafe>USB C power adapter is a little goofy.
I like that I can replace the cable if it gets chewed. But why not just USB C both ends? Was a 3rd version of MAgSafe needed?
Most people's homes have big TVs with HDMI as well.
I cannot always be bothered to carry an HDMI adapter with me. Sometimes you don't know you are going to be giving a presentation, or watching Amores Perros that evening.
And the number of times I've seen execs ask everyone to just gather around their laptop because they cant get screencasting (or whatever they call it now) to work.
HMDI just works.
As far as the SD card slot. I use it every single day. But I'm a semi-pro photographer and musician.
I think a type A USB slot would be better. Still a ton of things out there using the old timey USB plug, and no reason to need a USB C version for things that just charge off USB, or use low bandwidth.
The Magsafe>USB C power adapter is a little goofy.
I like that I can replace the cable if it gets chewed. But why not just USB C both ends? Was a 3rd version of MAgSafe needed?
I’m surprised this thread is still going.
You have to face it OP, Apple knows what their users need better than you do. They have surveys, analytics, customer data, and other research to influence their designs. Apple took a bet that the industry would love towards all USBC and it didn’t. Customers still want HDMI and SD card slots.
We can all sit here and talk about our specific use case and what ports we use or don’t use. At the end of all of this it does not matter what you or I need. It matters what customers as a whole need. And if apple’s research says “hey a majority of customers still want these ports and the industry hasn’t transitioned over to USB C like we had hoped” it would be foolish for them to ignore their customers.
TL;DR: Apple has the research data to backup their port selection. You don’t. Either buy the Mac or don’t.
You have to face it OP, Apple knows what their users need better than you do. They have surveys, analytics, customer data, and other research to influence their designs. Apple took a bet that the industry would love towards all USBC and it didn’t. Customers still want HDMI and SD card slots.
We can all sit here and talk about our specific use case and what ports we use or don’t use. At the end of all of this it does not matter what you or I need. It matters what customers as a whole need. And if apple’s research says “hey a majority of customers still want these ports and the industry hasn’t transitioned over to USB C like we had hoped” it would be foolish for them to ignore their customers.
TL;DR: Apple has the research data to backup their port selection. You don’t. Either buy the Mac or don’t.
I might be wrong, I have no real evidence, but perhaps the new Magsafe facilitates more 'communication' between the charger and the battery in the laptop than Magsafe II facilitated.
Apple goes all pointed, people complain, Apple adds ports, people complain. No matter what, people will complain.
Apple has the resources to understand what its consumers want. I wouldn't be shocked if they discovered something throughout their investigation.
I am sure that most professionals would enjoy these ports. I do not believe ports are beneficial to me.
Apple has the resources to understand what its consumers want. I wouldn't be shocked if they discovered something throughout their investigation.
I am sure that most professionals would enjoy these ports. I do not believe ports are beneficial to me.
The fact that people were buying all those overpriced dongles proofs that all those ports are needed. Else people would not be forced to rely on dongles.
And that is quite ****** that you have a portable machine but have to carry all your dongles with you too.
I am actually missing an ethernet port still. But I guess I shouldn’t complain too much as it is a huge improvement what we had.
And that is quite ****** that you have a portable machine but have to carry all your dongles with you too.
I am actually missing an ethernet port still. But I guess I shouldn’t complain too much as it is a huge improvement what we had.