MBP 2016 TB/USB-C ports are the blessing, IMO.

[jitgill]

I hear all this flak about the MBP 2016 not having any regular ports and how this is a fail. On the contrary, I feel this is the best thing for the MBP and I am thankful to apple for making this bold change, not just for the future, but for now. It has already made my cable management and dongle life much better as shown in the pictures below.

-TB/USB-C ports means in the future we will only need 1 type of cable for all our devices..USB-C/TB cable. Manufactures will start having the option of native USB-C if they want apple business and other PC manufactures will follow suit.

-For now it means I only need 1 multi-port device to handle all my HDMI, USB, Ethernet (have to use Ethernet at work for security reasons), and power needs. Only 1 cable needs to be plugged into my MPB, I just leave the multi-port device at the office and go. Might get another multi-port device for the road..its small enough.

Late 2011 MBP 15"

Late 2016 MBP 15" using same devices, only 1 cable plugged into the MBP. Much cleaner and more convenient for my uses.

 

[chabig]

Wow. Someone who gets it.

 

[andreyush]

Or maybe it's just a matter of preferences and adaptation . It's not about " DO YOU GET IT NOW?"

 

[Trusteft]

One thing is certain, no matter what, printers will still arrive without any cable.

 

[Altis]

It should be great for docking.

Still, you're only using 1 USB-C port. Might be nice to have 2 of those, and then 2 USB-A ports for when you're on the go. Then everyone would be happy.

 

[jitgill]

It should be great for docking.

Still, you're only using 1 USB-C port. Might be nice to have 2 of those, and then 2 USB-A ports for when you're on the go. Then everyone would be happy.

Well if you think about it, I now have 4 USB-C ports. The amount of devices I can now hook up to my MBP at once has grown exponentially, I have no idea what the limit is aside from video monitors. On the other hand my MBP 2011 was maxed out and I would have had to get a powered USB hub to add anything more.

 

[Altis]

Well if you think about it, I now have 4 USB-C ports. The amount of devices I can now hook up to my MBP at once has grown exponentially, I have no idea what the limit is aside from video monitors. On the other hand my MBP 2011 was maxed out and I would have had to get a powered USB hub to add anything more.

So you'd have a powered USB hub instead of a USB-C hub?

2-3 USB-C ports gives you tons of maximum capacity, while having an additional 1-2 USB-A 3.1 ports gives you flexibility.

Especially since most stuff isn't even available currently in USB-C.

 

[jitgill]

So you'd have a powered USB hub instead of a USB-C hub?

2-3 USB-C ports gives you tons of maximum capacity, while having an additional 1-2 USB-A 3.1 ports gives you flexibility.

Especially since most stuff isn't even available currently in USB-C.

Again for my uses this is fantastic, the future is now for me. I have always been the kind of person that does not like legacy devices, so as soon as there is an update for any device I am using, I will get the update. Why would I spend all this money on a New MBP and not update all the devices I can when they are made available. Seems like the logical thing to do, or I would not have upgraded at all and stayed with my old MBP.

 

[Altis]

Again for my uses this is fantastic, the future is now for me. I have always been the kind of person that does not like legacy devices, so as soon as there is an update for any device I am using, I will get the update. Why would I spend all this money on a New MBP and not update all the devices I can when they are made available. Seems like the logical thing to do, or I would not have upgraded at all and stayed with my old MBP.

That assumes that there are new ones available to upgrade to. Entire categories of devices aren't available in USB-C, even if you wanted to burn money by replacing all your stuff anyways.

I'm glad it works for you. But it wouldn't have made anything worse if Apple had put 1-2 USB-A ports on for people that need to be able to work with other people and devices that aren't USB-C.

 

[deany]

I hear all this flak about the MBP 2016 not having any regular ports and how this is a fail. On the contrary, I feel this is the best thing for the MBP and I am thankful to apple for making this bold change, not just for the future, but for now. It has already made my cable management and dongle life much better as shown in the pictures below.

-TB/USB-C ports means in the future we will only need 1 type of cable for all our devices..USB-C/TB cable. Manufactures will start having the option of native USB-C if they want apple business and other PC manufactures will follow suit.

-For now it means I only need 1 multi-port device to handle all my HDMI, USB, Ethernet (have to use Ethernet at work for security reasons), and power needs. Only 1 cable needs to be plugged into my MPB, I just leave the multi-port device at the office and go. Might get another multi-port device for the road..its small enough.

View attachment 676991

Late 2011 MBP 15"


View attachment 676992

Late 2016 MBP 15" using same devices, only 1 cable plugged into the MBP. Much cleaner and more convenient for my uses.

How much was that adapter pray tell?

 

[thesaint024]

Again for my uses this is fantastic, the future is now for me. I have always been the kind of person that does not like legacy devices, so as soon as there is an update for any device I am using, I will get the update. Why would I spend all this money on a New MBP and not update all the devices I can when they are made available. Seems like the logical thing to do, or I would not have upgraded at all and stayed with my old MBP.

Progress. Preach.

 

[jitgill]

How much was that adapter pray tell?

$109 Australian, less online I'm sure. Its a J5 Create JCA374, however there are many more out there.

 

[xmonkey]

That assumes that there are new ones available to upgrade to. Entire categories of devices aren't available in USB-C, even if you wanted to burn money by replacing all your stuff anyways.

I'm glad it works for you. But it wouldn't have made anything worse if Apple had put 1-2 USB-A ports on for people that need to be able to work with other people and devices that aren't USB-C.

In my view Apple leaving USB-A ports would considerably slow USB-C adoption. I'd say that's something worse, personally.

Curious what exactly you're referring to by "entire categories of devices" that aren't available in USB-C as well.

 

[jitgill]

In my view Apple leaving USB-A ports would considerably slow USB-C adoption. I'd say that's something worse, personally.

Curious what exactly you're referring to by "entire categories of devices" that aren't available in USB-C as well.

Agreed, Apple is leading the way again and device manufactures know they will need to follow in Apple's footsteps.

I have a strong feeling that if Apple had done away with USB ports when TB first came out, we would now be living in a TB world, and USB would have died out with the end of Windows XP.

 

[Trusteft]

Agreed, Apple is leading the way again and device manufactures know they will need to follow in Apple's footsteps.

I have a strong feeling that if Apple had done away with USB ports when TB first came out, we would now be living in a TB world, and USB would have died out with the end of Windows XP.

There were less devices using TB than now, besides, as far as I know, they are not fully compatible (1..3/USB) so yeah, I don't see how that would work in favor of TB in that case.

 

[xmonkey]

Agreed, Apple is leading the way again and device manufactures know they will need to follow in Apple's footsteps.

I have a strong feeling that if Apple had done away with USB ports when TB first came out, we would now be living in a TB world, and USB would have died out with the end of Windows XP.

Not sure I'd go that far Thunderbolt was inherently more expensive/costly to implement than USB (the cables as well as the controller chips), it also didn't offer backwards compatibility with existing USB devices so transitioning would be pretty hard (certainly not comparable to USB-C transition we're undergoing).

That being said, Apple has a good track record of pushing adoption further along when it needs it and this latest all-in bet on USB-C is very welcome IMO.

 

[jitgill]

There were less devices using TB than now, besides, as far as I know, they are not fully compatible (1..3/USB) so yeah, I don't see how that would work in favor of TB in that case.

I did not mean compatible, TB1 or 2 was not USB compatible. I was just saying that if Apple ditched USB back then and only used TB, Manufactures would have followed suit. Especially since Thunderbolt was developed by Intel and was available to all PC and device manufactures, unlike lightning.

 

[protoxx]

Ignores you could do it with the exception of the magsafe cable. Thunderbolt dock.

My Thunderbolt dock had usb 3.0 ports, Firewire, ethernet, Thunderbolt, speaker, mike ports.
[doublepost=1481244832][/doublepost]

Agreed, Apple is leading the way again and device manufactures know they will need to follow in Apple's footsteps.

I have a strong feeling that if Apple had done away with USB ports when TB first came out, we would now be living in a TB world, and USB would have died out with the end of Windows XP.

Humor.

Not a chance. Didn't work with Firewire. Firewire had much bigger advantages and didn't get adopted widely.

 

[jitgill]

Ignores you could do it with the exception of the magsafe cable. Lightning dock.

My Lightning dock had usb 3.0 ports, Firewire, ethernet, Lighting, speaker, mike ports.
[doublepost=1481244832][/doublepost]

Humor.

Not a chance.

What i meant by that was, Apple did not license lightning to PC manufactures from my understanding. So they could not adopt that technology.
[doublepost=1481245695][/doublepost]

Ignores you could do it with the exception of the magsafe cable. Thunderbolt dock.

My Thunderbolt dock had usb 3.0 ports, Firewire, ethernet, Thunderbolt, speaker, mike ports.
[doublepost=1481244832][/doublepost]

Humor.

Not a chance. Didn't work with Firewire. Firewire had much bigger advantages and didn't get adopted widely.

However Firewire was not the only option, Apple still had USB ports and it was cheaper.

 

[deany]

What i meant by that was, Apple did not license lightning to PC manufactures from my understanding. So they could not adopt that technology.

You are obviously happy, good on you.
I am also happy with my rMBP 13" 2015 with all the ports I will ever need.
I dont consider £65.00 UK extra cost for an adapter that should have been included FREE in the box an improvement.
But Hey Ho thank goodness we are all different.
Hope you dont forget your adapter if you are ever 'out and about'.
Cheers

 

[jitgill]

You are obviously happy, good on you.
I am also happy with my rMBP 13" 2015 with all the ports I will ever need.
I dont consider £65.00 UK extra cost for an adapter that should have been included FREE in the box an improvement.
But Hey Ho thank goodness we are all different.
Hope you dont forget your adapter if you are ever 'out and about'.
Cheers

Yep we are all different, that why there are different models for different people.
I don't think I have ever used an external device when I am 'out and about', it would kind of defeat the purpose of portal if I am having to hook up external drives or monitors on the road or a Starbucks, but if I did, I'm sure I'll have the 1 dongle taped to the drive ., or just have a USB-C cable on the drive if it mattered that much.

 

[protoxx]

However Firewire was not the only option, Apple still had USB ports and it was cheaper.

Firewire pre-dated USB. Biggest roadblock to adoption was Apple. Apple demanded a $1.00 per port licensing fee over Sony's objections. Then it turned out they broken copyright laws and hand to hand over all the patents to the group that manages DisplayPort.

 

[jitgill]

Firewire pre-dated USB. Biggest roadblock to adoption was Apple. Apple demanded a $1.00 per port licensing fee over Sony's objections. Then it turned out they broken copyright laws and hand to hand over all the patents to the group that manages DisplayPort.

I did not know that, thanks for that bit of knowledge. Sounds like Apple shot themselves in the foot with that one.

 

[enzo thecat]

I also have found the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. I now see the design as forward thinking and not a sacrifice.

Also, just so your thread isn't missing the opinions of the typical MR "experts"...

1. You are an Apple fanboy
2. You should really think about returning it.
3. You paid too much
4. Since you are happy with the new MBP, you must only be using it for web-browsing on Amazon
5. You couldn't have typed that entire post with one battery cycle. You must have had it plugged in.
6. Our 2015 MBPs are much more advanced than your computer. Your 2016 sucks and I can prove it.
7. I see you have the touch bar. Its a total waste and you paid too much for it. Now you will never be able to use the esc function. The Touch-bar only changes the volume and makes emojis.
8. "Dongle-Gate" is real you idiot!
9. Exchange it for the less expensive but better 2015 model.

 

[Trusteft]

I did not mean compatible, TB1 or 2 was not USB compatible. I was just saying that if Apple ditched USB back then and only used TB, Manufactures would have followed suit. Especially since Thunderbolt was developed by Intel and was available to all PC and device manufactures, unlike lightning.

Not necessarily. Look at Firewire.