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

[dukee101]

This man shares in your enthusiasm OP (and I agree with you both): https://medium.com/@ageitgey/the-new-macbook-pro-is-kind-of-great-for-hackers-64c1c577a4d2

 

[jitgill]

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.

LOL...thanks for that .
[doublepost=1481251873][/doublepost]

Not necessarily. Look at Firewire.

However on every Laptop with FW or TB, USB was also an option, a cheaper option. This time around its USB-C/TB only. That will be the game changer. Next year if the device is USB-A type device, manufactures will include with a USB-C adaptor, well my prediction anyways.

 

[Trusteft]

LOL...thanks for that .
[doublepost=1481251873][/doublepost]

However on every Laptop with FW or TB, USB was also an option, a cheaper option. This time around its USB-C/TB only. That will be the game changer. Next year if the device is USB-A type device, manufactures will include with a USB-C adaptor, well my prediction anyways.

FW was available on Macs way before macbooks.
Apple just didn't have (and perhaps they still don't have) enough market share to push something like this on their own.
With USB-C/TB3 they are using one which all other manufacturers were going to use anyway. Apple moving that way might push for the move a bit sooner than later, but it was never a question of if it is going to catch on or not.

 

[thesaint024]

FW was available on Macs way before macbooks.
Apple just didn't have (and perhaps they still don't have) enough market share to push something like this on their own.
With USB-C/TB3 they are using one which all other manufacturers were going to use anyway. Apple moving that way might push for the move a bit sooner than later, but it was never a question of if it is going to catch on or not.

Would've, might've. Point OP is making is that Apple is the one that did it and it will push the industry. Give credit where it's due. Apple is the only one with the sand or the pull to do something like this, MB and now MBP. I can't think of a single PC manufacturer that would risk this kind of backlash (amplified here on MR). PC's have too much competition in the Windows world to make these kind of bold design decisions. Imagine if HP did this, people would just buy an Acer just to avoid any temporary inconveniences. If Apple didn't do it, the PC industry would push this in baby steps. One port here and there like they're doing right now. I imagine usb-a would keep going for 5 - 10 years in that scenario. I'm sure next year you'll see PC's going much faster on usb-c. I don't know if they'll eliminate everything like Apple, but there's precedent now. Not hating on PC's. I use them. They have purpose. But they are what they are - commoditized.

 

[Trusteft]

Would've, might've. Point OP is making is that Apple is the one that did it and it will push the industry. Give credit where it's due. Apple is the only one with the sand or the pull to do something like this, MB and now MBP. I can't think of a single PC manufacturer that would risk this kind of backlash (amplified here on MR). PC's have too much competition in the Windows world to make these kind of bold design decisions. Imagine if HP did this, people would just buy an Acer just to avoid any temporary inconveniences. If Apple didn't do it, the PC industry would push this in baby steps. One port here and there like they're doing right now. I imagine usb-a would keep going for 5 - 10 years in that scenario. I'm sure next year you'll see PC's going much faster on usb-c. I don't know if they'll eliminate everything like Apple, but there's precedent now. Not hating on PC's. I use them. They have purpose. But they are what they are - commoditized.

I think you are missing the point of my discussion with him. The point he was making was about the first generation of TB, that's what we are discussing. Not TB3/USB-C.

I never said that Apple did anything wrong with USB-C. (I would still rather also have an SD card, but nvm)

 

[thesaint024]

I think you are missing the point of my discussion with him. The point he was making was about the first generation of TB, that's what we are discussing. Not TB3/USB-C.

I never said that Apple did anything wrong with USB-C. (I would still rather also have an SD card, but nvm)

Sorry dude, skim reading. Saw OP discuss that earlier, thought continuation. So I wrote all that for nothing is what you're saying. Carry on. I would rather have one usb-a, but it would have slowed down the revolution!

 

[cmanbrazil]

This man shares in your enthusiasm OP (and I agree with you both): https://medium.com/@ageitgey/the-new-macbook-pro-is-kind-of-great-for-hackers-64c1c577a4d2

The article might have me be a believer if I wasn't a current user of a 15 2016 MacBook Pro. Now it is a life of dongles. I have two multi port and need at least one more for my older lightening display. I do like the article though, maybe if I owned a USBc android, I would understand his points better. Cheers to the future and thumbs down to the present.

All kidding aside, I found this thread in search of a "dongle options 101" thread. I'm keeping my computer so I need to make it work.

 

[jitgill]

Would've, might've. Point OP is making is that Apple is the one that did it and it will push the industry. Give credit where it's due. Apple is the only one with the sand or the pull to do something like this, MB and now MBP. I can't think of a single PC manufacturer that would risk this kind of backlash (amplified here on MR). PC's have too much competition in the Windows world to make these kind of bold design decisions. Imagine if HP did this, people would just buy an Acer just to avoid any temporary inconveniences. If Apple didn't do it, the PC industry would push this in baby steps. One port here and there like they're doing right now. I imagine usb-a would keep going for 5 - 10 years in that scenario. I'm sure next year you'll see PC's going much faster on usb-c. I don't know if they'll eliminate everything like Apple, but there's precedent now. Not hating on PC's. I use them. They have purpose. But they are what they are - commoditized.

Could not have said it better. Excellent points

 

[Pootmatoot]

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.

USB-C uptake will be driven by one core thing: phones.

Bizarrely, every single manufacturer bar Apple.

 

[537635]

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

Somebody who gets it.

Not only does the hardware needs to be progressive, it also needs to shift users in the same direction. Apple learned this the hard way with Firewire and Thunderbolt. No more it seems. USB-C. Take it or leave it.

I will also gladly use it. One USB-A dongle for the next few years. Screen cast goes via Airplay, downloading photos from iPhone goes via Airdrop. Data goes via A/C router.

Hell I'll be able to borrow a charger from somebody who own a Dell or Lenovo (when they come aboard, and they will).

 

[jitgill]

Somebody who gets it.

Not only does the hardware needs to be progressive, it also needs to shift users in the same direction. Apple learned this the hard way with Firewire and Thunderbolt. No more it seems. USB-C. Take it or leave it.

I will also gladly use it. One USB-A dongle for the next few years. Screen cast goes via Airplay, downloading photos from iPhone goes via Airdrop. Data goes via A/C router.

Hell I'll be able to borrow a charger from somebody who own a Dell or Lenovo (when they come aboard, and they will).

Did not think about being able to borrow chargers from anyone...huge bonus. One other thing I just realized..I can plug power in to either side of the laptop, I have been programed to only use the left side...lol..that's a nice plus.

 

[jitgill]

Not necessarily. Look at Firewire.

But there was always an option. MacBook USB-C and now MacBook Pro USB-C/TB3 is it, there is no other option. Take it or leave it. If the news is to be believed, it seems people are buying up the MBP in record numbers, Apple is doing something right. I am one of those people.

http://mashable.com/2016/11/09/macbook-pro-sales-report/#zRVvOcxhbOqa

 

[Wowereit]

Ideal port selection would've been 2 TB3 1 HDMI 1 USB-A, but I'm not really bothered by TB3-only.
Slipped a dongle in my bag, covers everything I need it for.

 

[alex0002]

That second picture could have been achieved with just 1-2 USB-C ports and leaving the others in place.
You can still have your dongle box if you want, but for others it might mean they didn't need to carry one at all.

 

[Trusteft]

But there was always an option. MacBook USB-C and now MacBook Pro USB-C/TB3 is it, there is no other option. Take it or leave it. If the news is to be believed, it seems people are buying up the MBP in record numbers, Apple is doing something right. I am one of those people.

http://mashable.com/2016/11/09/macbook-pro-sales-report/#zRVvOcxhbOqa

We just have to agree to disagree on this one.

 

[Jaekae]

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.

You can use a usb-c cable to connect old usb equipment too, just check what the output port on the device is and get that one to usb-c cable

 

[seadragon]

Everyone talks about USB-C like its the be all end all of ports and that its what all manufacturers will settle on for years to come. I guarantee something else will come along and replace it, probably sooner than you think. There really is no such thing as a standard anymore as things change constantly.

 

[hollandog]

i like the usb c. my phone is usb c.

at home i can connect to my previous TB2 dock with a dongle.
when travel i just need to bring the USB-A to C dongle in case i need to get photos from my CF/SD card.

once i get the LG ultrafine 5k I don't even need to power cable to dock.

 

[Wakey87433]

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.

I disagree, it would have made things worse. Legacy connections give an easy way out for peripheral makers which hinders progress, it's why we got stuck with floppy drives for decades when there were better options and why we still still usb2 being fairly common. It just ends up being a self fulfilling prophecy because as long as people have legacy devices in their equipment they will buy legacy peripherals largely due to the lower costs so the makers produce more of those thus driving the prices down while the newer connection peripherals don't come down enough to make them appealing so computer makers keep the legacy ports. To move forward it needs companies (and it really shouldn't be left to just one to lead the way either) to go all in

 

[thesaint024]

Everyone talks about USB-C like its the be all end all of ports and that its what all manufacturers will settle on for years to come. I guarantee something else will come along and replace it, probably sooner than you think. There really is no such thing as a standard anymore as things change constantly.

True, bad standards come and go. But USB-A has been going like 20 years. That is a good standard. It's showing it's age though. Usb-c/TB3 has crazy throughput and is backward compatible and flexible and OPEN. This is the most promising standard to date. I can't think of anything that came close to it's benefits. This has the potential to last 20 years too. Not saying it will, but for once there is potential.

 

[EndlessBuffoonery]

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

Found the guy who doesn't get it.

 

[thesaint024]

Did not think about being able to borrow chargers from anyone...huge bonus. One other thing I just realized..I can plug power in to either side of the laptop, I have been programed to only use the left side...lol..that's a nice plus.

The crazy thing that I didn't think of is being able to charge in both directions. You will be able to drain power from another usb-c device, like someone's XPS or Spectre laptops. This was noted in one of the articles posted here. There's probably a bunch of things we didn't think of. This whole lightning thing is kind of silly now. They should go usb-c on iOS, but I'm sure this is part of some master plan (beyond just the easy answer of money).

 

[xmonkey]

Everyone talks about USB-C like its the be all end all of ports and that its what all manufacturers will settle on for years to come. I guarantee something else will come along and replace it, probably sooner than you think. There really is no such thing as a standard anymore as things change constantly.

USB-A has been going for about 20 years and it's not even nearly as versatile as the USB-C connector. You don't think USB-C can have a similar run?

It seems to me it will, especially as more and more things go wireless. 5-10 years from now we probably won't even really need ports outside of a few small use cases. USB-C (and TB3) should be able to take care of those cases.

 

[andreyush]

Found the guy who doesn't get it.

What have I said that make you think I don't get it? I was objective and nothing more.

But wait..I forgot that I must accept everything Apple does and to keep my mouth shut or else dudes like you appear from nowhere and tells me that I don't get it. Keep thinking like that, many will benefit.

 

[ibcharlie]

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.

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.

[doublepost=1485966948][/doublepost]Looks like the same number of cables to me, just a different configuration. It’s like Trump speaking out of both sides of his mouth.