TB MBP - will you use your return window?

[aevan]

You can disagree all you like, but I don't think you have arguments. The truth is that most peripherals just don't need (all HID and audio classes) or cannot utilize the speed improvement that TB-3 over USB-C brings to the table. For most things where speed is of some concern, i.e. USB network adapters/scanners/external drive, USB 3.0 was good enough. That's the reality. USB-C just doesn't scratch a real itch.

I just gave you a real scenario. Because I often carry my gear with me, for my Cintiq Companion which I connected to my MacBook Pro I had to carry 2 power adapters, a large proprietary and it took 2 ports on my Mac and two power outlets. This was heavy and I needed an extra bag. It was so clunky, that I ended up selling my Cintiq and switching back to an Intuos. With USB-C, all I need is one cable. I'm getting a new Cintiq for this. It is a real problem I had.

Also, I don't know what you mean by "most peripherals don't need the speed". I already use Thunderbolt 2 external SSDs and I can't wait for even faster TB3 SSDs. As disks get faster, the connection becomes the bottleneck.

And if you think USB-C doesn't scratch a real itch - as I already said - you can say that for everything. Do we really need Sklyake CPUs? You can do all of that on a Haswell - sure, a little bit slower, and with little bit more power consumption, but "it doesn't scratch a real itch". The fact is, computing advancements have become iterative. I don't know what mind-blowing futuristic upgrade would make you a believer, but as far as computer upgrades go, this USB-C/TB3 thing is quite a big leap.

And even the small things about it are nice. So really - look at all that and think - do you REALLY have a problem with buying an adapter or two?

The fact that, maybe, you personally don't need all the advancements - doesn't change that it is a very compelling upgrade for a lot of people.
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There was a reason the USB 3.1 specification called for


My PC's Gigabyte Gaming 7 motherboard not only complies with the standard (Type A and Type C ports supporting USB 3.1 and Thunderbolt 3) but went an extra mile by providing USB 2 and 3 ports. There's even a damn PS/2 port (presumable for engineers).

Ah for crying out loud. This is not Apple way of doing things, it never was. They go all the way, for better or worse.

Sure, it's great to have computers for engineer types, with bunch of ports, access points, removable parts, with a PS/2 port and maybe even a hammer compartment. It's great that there are people who like and use that stuff, it's great they have lots of options. Maybe you like to tweak things, heck, maybe you use git repositories or build your own hardware. I have nothing but respect for all that. But can you guys understand that all this stuff doesn't make you somehow "more right"? I DON'T want a PS/2 port on my computer. I DON'T want the complexity. Even if Apple could keep everything - the thin design, the number of TB3 ports - and somehow add PS/2, USB-A and FW and whatever - I DON'T want them there. I'm not a goddamn electrical engineer, I want a beautiful experience while I do my art stuff. And EVERY other laptop, think about it, EVERY other laptop (apart from MBP and MacBook) has USB-A ports. Can we have ONE simple, sleek, ellegant computer that follows the "less is more" philosophy - or must every "pro" machine be the same?

PS/2? Seriously?

 

[seadragon]

Well, I'm fine with the USB-C ports. But they should have kept the card reader. Why? Because that is an example of where no dongle or adapter was needed before and now is and always will be required. SD cards are not going away anytime soon and I think it was very premature to get rid of the card slot on a pro laptop.

 

[benz240]

Yep. After getting the non-TB base model 13", I'm definitely returning the 15" TB. Battery is much better, and I don't have to deal with the gimmick which is the TB. Oh and it's cheaper to boot!

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

SD cards have never been a pro card, never will be. Professional photographers have always needed/used external card readers. The point is mute. The only thing it hinders is the consumer market. But you can't argue that hindrance and at the same time complain it lacks a card reader on a 'pro' laptop.

@aevan as I said I'm out. It's like trying to discuss things with a brick wall from the 1990s. You know that the same people will be complaining in a years time that their computers don't have enough USB-C ports, and then you'll be arguing that you can just add a hub, and there'll be some other reason why this isn't possible. People cry for innovation, and complain that Apple is stagnant, then complain when they do innovate that they're doing it too fast etc. People just like to complain!

 

[seadragon]

SD cards have never been a pro card, never will be. Professional photographers have always needed/used external card readers. The point is mute. The only thing it hinders is the consumer market. But you can't argue that hindrance and at the same time complain it lacks a card reader on a 'pro' laptop.

Well, I disagree. There are a lot of people that make money professionally using SD cards. I realize there are many CF snobs out there that won't acknowledge this though. The point is not "moot". Built in card reader was and still is an excellent feature on a laptop.

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

Well, I disagree. There are a lot of people that make money professionally using SD cards. I realize there are many CF snobs out there that won't acknowledge this though. The point is not "moot". Built in card reader was and still is an excellent feature on a laptop.

It's not a CF snob thing or anything. Most full frame cameras don't use SD cards, some do I'll admit, but as secondary slots not as main storage. Are there many people making a living from photography using a 4/3rds or APS-C? I'm sure there are a few, but I would say the majority are using full frame cameras for a number of reasons, image quality being the main one.

Also everyone I know shoots tethered for studio work. Others who shoot in the field tend to edit in bulk, so load up all the images from a card and then start editing. There are a few cases where it is handy to pop an SD card into a computer to check an image. But in this case those photographers will usually have a bag full of equipment, and everyone I know always carries a card reader anyway (For redundancy).

My camera bag is full of various cables, batteries, lenses, tripods/mounts, adapters etc. I'm not going to loose anything because my computer doesn't have an SD slot.

 

[OneMike]

I don't like wobbly hinges and earphone cable floating 6 inches above my desk.
I may return the MBP, but I'm not getting a Surface of any sort at least, I've had plenty of issues with those.

What issues? Just curious. I've never owned one, but a surface book is a possible future purchase.

 

[seadragon]

It's not a CF snob thing or anything. Most full frame cameras don't use SD cards, some do I'll admit, but as secondary slots not as main storage. Are there many people making a living from photography using a 4/3rds or APS-C? I'm sure there are a few, but I would say the majority are using full frame cameras for a number of reasons, image quality being the main one.

Also everyone I know shoots tethered for studio work. Others who shoot in the field tend to edit in bulk, so load up all the images from a card and then start editing. There are a few cases where it is handy to pop an SD card into a computer to check an image. But in this case those photographers will usually have a bag full of equipment, and everyone I know always carries a card reader anyway (For redundancy).

My camera bag is full of various cables, batteries, lenses, tripods/mounts, adapters etc. I'm not going to loose anything because my computer doesn't have an SD slot.

I appreciate your thoughtful response. I personally found that SD card slot on the now older machines super handy and used it extensively. This is why I will miss it. But you're right, rarely do I go anywhere wth my laptop without an accompanying bag and accessories. Change is sometimes hard to adjust to at first.

 

[oktane]

+1 on the USB-C cable!

The whole USB-C only / #donglelife drama can only be explained as a result of either: (a) Apple being the noble company pushing technology forward regardless of short-term dissatisfaction of their customers; or (b) Apple being the greedy company taking away something which would previously be included in the price of your laptop (connectivity) and selling it to you as an expensive upgrade.

As much as I'd prefer to believe in the (a) above, why the hell would they ship the MBPs with a ****** USB-C cable? That surely doesn't work as promotion of the new standard...

And why not include a $9 (retail) USB-C to USB adapter? They know very well that 99% of their users will need one. Mine's going back after just a couple days of use. Horrible graphic glitches, crashes out of the box, dismal battery life < 3 hrs with web browsing on the 15"/512GB/455 GPU model. I can't justify the $2799 price tag with this machine. The TB is nice but no substitute for a touch screen (which has been common in the Windows world since 2010).

 

[Naimfan]

Yes on return.

I have not had any of the problems others have reported, but it doesn't offer anywhere near enough for the price and restrictions it puts on my use. (15" base version.)

 

[DDutch]

I ordered a 13" TB, used it for 5 days and decided to send it back. It was picked up by UPS yesterday.
The main reason I returned it within the return window: battery life. 3.5 to 4 hours max on a full charge is just ridiculous.
And I really do feel the TB is highly overrated. A 'nice to have' feature but nothing more. But that's just my humble opinion...
And yes I also miss the old type USB ports and SD card slot. Even though I really don't use those that much.
I'll keep my mid-2014 machine for now. I was really excited about the 2016 TB at first, the reason I bought it the day after it launched... but feel disappointed after 5 days already

 

[jetjaguar]

I'm on the fence whether or not to return my almost maxed 15" .. just dunno if I want a 15 .. I was planning on getting two 5k monitors and docking it but dunno if I'm better just getting a desktp