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> Apple chooses to act against it's own customers' interests by rushing to new ports and requiring they buy all new hardware. I just moved to a 2016 MacBook Pr

by ovao 9y ago

> Apple chooses to act against it's own customers' interests by rushing to new ports and requiring they buy all new hardware. I just moved to a 2016 MacBook Pro and the only "all new hardware" I've purchased is a pair of $10 adapters. I haven't replaced any of the hardware I already own, because I don't need to. I can only really criticize Apple for not including an adapter or two, and for not including more than two USB-C ports on the base 13" MBP. The latter's really pretty regrettable.

ocdtrekkie 9y ago
Similar to your MacBook, you will be able to get adapters for the Surface Pro for your USB-C needs! They included the ports people use the most, and will support adapters for those of you who need less popular ports.
- marricks 9y ago
  AKA, we don't care about the future, cater to what people want now. I guarantee most people would be thrilled with one cable for everything, making a step towards that halfway through 2017 seems reasonable...
  - ocdtrekkie 9y ago
    I am willing to bet you're still going to see USB 2.0 ports on desktop PCs in 2025. (Most come with at least a pair of non-3.0 ports today.) Some computers still ship with DB9 and DB25 ports today. VGA is still one of the most common video ports, and a lot of brand new PCs and monitors come with them to ensure people have compatibility with whatever PCs and monitors they already own. USB Type-C is nice in theory, but even if you assume they get all the compatibility issues with it worked out, we're gonna be using USB Type-A for many years to come. Type-C only accessories being common is a really long way away, and you'll have replaced your Surface Pro by then. This is an excellent explanation of USB Type-C: https://xkcd.com/927/ https://xkcd.com/927/ (That isn't to say that USB Type-C is bad, but pretending we're all moving over to it in 2017 is silly.)
- ovao 9y ago
  That's certainly true. Apple included the ports that people will use the most, at some point in what they believe to be the justifiably near future (we'll see!), and they naturally support adapters for those who need what are currently the more popular ports. So with the Surface Pro you're probably buying adapters one to two years from now, whereas with the MacBook you're probably buying those adapters today. Whether adapters are bought now or two years from now I don't think is that great of a concern.
  - marricks 9y ago
    That’s so short sighted. Sure, if we stick with what everyone uses now everyone will be supported. They only way to move towards those greener pastures is to have companies actually support them.  MS hasn’t supported the port, and is intentionally taking a swipe at Apple “people who love USB-C love dongles.” To me implies they know what they’re dong and are trying to reap the benefits of the inevitable awkwardness of transitions.
    - ovao 9y ago
      It was only a commentary on whether buying adapters/dongles or converting to new hardware now vs. later doesn't (or shouldn't) matter to users individually, not a suggestion that USB-C adoption shouldn't concern users in a more collective sense. For what it's worth if I was in the market for a Surface Pro I think I'd have also preferred USB-C, given its momentum.

by ovao 9y ago

ocdtrekkie 9y ago

Similar to your MacBook, you will be able to get adapters for the Surface Pro for your USB-C needs! They included the ports people use the most, and will support adapters for those of you who need less popular ports.

marricks 9y ago
AKA, we don't care about the future, cater to what people want now. I guarantee most people would be thrilled with one cable for everything, making a step towards that halfway through 2017 seems reasonable...
- ocdtrekkie 9y ago
  I am willing to bet you're still going to see USB 2.0 ports on desktop PCs in 2025. (Most come with at least a pair of non-3.0 ports today.) Some computers still ship with DB9 and DB25 ports today. VGA is still one of the most common video ports, and a lot of brand new PCs and monitors come with them to ensure people have compatibility with whatever PCs and monitors they already own. USB Type-C is nice in theory, but even if you assume they get all the compatibility issues with it worked out, we're gonna be using USB Type-A for many years to come. Type-C only accessories being common is a really long way away, and you'll have replaced your Surface Pro by then. This is an excellent explanation of USB Type-C: https://xkcd.com/927/ https://xkcd.com/927/ (That isn't to say that USB Type-C is bad, but pretending we're all moving over to it in 2017 is silly.)
ovao 9y ago
That's certainly true. Apple included the ports that people will use the most, at some point in what they believe to be the justifiably near future (we'll see!), and they naturally support adapters for those who need what are currently the more popular ports. So with the Surface Pro you're probably buying adapters one to two years from now, whereas with the MacBook you're probably buying those adapters today. Whether adapters are bought now or two years from now I don't think is that great of a concern.
- marricks 9y ago
  That’s so short sighted. Sure, if we stick with what everyone uses now everyone will be supported. They only way to move towards those greener pastures is to have companies actually support them.  MS hasn’t supported the port, and is intentionally taking a swipe at Apple “people who love USB-C love dongles.” To me implies they know what they’re dong and are trying to reap the benefits of the inevitable awkwardness of transitions.
  - ovao 9y ago
    It was only a commentary on whether buying adapters/dongles or converting to new hardware now vs. later doesn't (or shouldn't) matter to users individually, not a suggestion that USB-C adoption shouldn't concern users in a more collective sense. For what it's worth if I was in the market for a Surface Pro I think I'd have also preferred USB-C, given its momentum.