14 ms·

Took away the ports just to bring 'em back and play the hero. Apple playing 5d chess.

by actusual 5y ago

nfriedly 5y ago
Maybe next year's refresh will have USB-A ports again!
- gjsman-1000 5y ago
  Apple, according to the rumors, considered even bringing back USB-A but decided against it.
- colinmhayes 5y ago
  Would USB-A fit in a macbook? No way for the air right?
  - elzbardico 5y ago
    I am happy if USB-A dies.
    - lostlogin 5y ago
      For me C can die. Having multiple specs on one plug and various cables that all behave differently is ridiculous.
  - nfriedly 5y ago
    I mean, Apple gets to decide how thick the laptop is, so they could make it work if they wanted to. Didn't the original Macbook Air have a USB-A port? Also, HDMI ports are approximately the same height as USB Type-A ports, so presumably it would fit in this design.
    - bart_spoon 5y ago
      > Didn't the original Macbook Air have a USB-A port? It did
- ghaff 5y ago
  It would be nice if they could have squeezed one in again so you don't need to pull out a dongle/hub every time you want to connect a "legacy" USB device when traveling. But not really a realistic wish and wouldn't have wished they took anything out to accommodate it.
  - fastball 5y ago
    What legacy USB devices are you plugging in while traveling? Traveling is when I'm least likely to do that. And regardless, I travel with this[1] anyway, so no problemo. [1] https://www.amazon.com/Purgo-Adapter-2018-2016-Delivery-Thunderbolt/dp/B07K5ZR6HS/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=MacBook+USB+C+Hub&qid=1634604857&sr=8-8 https://www.amazon.com/Purgo-Adapter-2018-2016-Delivery-Thun...
    - nfriedly 5y ago
      I'm not the one you asked, but heres a few things that I might need to use a USB-A port for when traveling: * My yubikey to perform 2-factor auth * The checkra1n jailbreak for my work iPhone (I do some iOS dev and occasionally need a jailbroken device. For whatever reason, it doesn't work with a USB-C-to-lightning cable, it has to use a USB-A-to-lightning cable + a dongle.) * A USB flash drive for transferring a presentation or whatever. (I know these come in USB-C variants, but I don't have one.) * Charging all the random things that charge from USB-A ports.
      - fastball 5y ago
        Gotcha. Well except for the weird checkra1n thing, everything else is easily migrated to USB-C. To help with that migration, I highly recommend this[1] cable (or one similar to it) as a technological Swiss Army Knife. I made the transition at the beginning of the year to "USB-C everything I can" and it's very liberating. Ironically the only devices I have left that are not USB-C are my iPhone and AirPods (and my Kindle, but they just released a USB-C model which I will soon use to replace my current one). [1] https://www.amazon.com/SDBAUX-USB-Compatible-Electronic-Tablets%EF%BC%88Silicone/dp/B0892ZJ161/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=usb+a+and+c+cable+all+in+one&qid=1634612764&sr=8-8 https://www.amazon.com/SDBAUX-USB-Compatible-Electronic-Tabl...
jnwatson 5y ago
The worst part is that everybody copies them. Now, two USB-C ports, one of which is used for power, is standard.
- cptskippy 5y ago
  I prefer USB-C with PD to all of the vendor specific ports except maybe MagSafe.
  - TulliusCicero 5y ago
    Same, but there still usually aren't enough ports in total. Looks like the new Macbook Pros have 2 ports on one side, 1 port on the other. At least keeping 2 on each side would've been much better.
    - masklinn 5y ago
      I had the same thought, if you're charging on the right side you don't have a USB port left there.
      - cptskippy 5y ago
        That is the biggest problem with USB-C IMO. The ports can all have different capabilities and it's not always obvious what they can do. For the most part though it seems they've settled on Thunderbolt, Charge, and bog standard ports. Are there any that do Thunderbolt + Charge? It's a shame about the name because the Thunderbolt icon would be perfect to indicate a charge port. Instead we're stuck with a little plug icon that is usually isn't discernable.
- input_sh 5y ago
  I far prefer just plugging in one USB hub than plugging in like five different cables. I have a Thinkpad with loads of ports, but I just use two (one for a wireless mouse that's always plugged in).
  - 5y ago
barelysapient 5y ago
I'm guessing this has to do with Johnny Ive's departure. He was notorious for design over function.
- systemvoltage 5y ago
  Him and Steve were a great combo keeping each in check. Ive should have left a long time ago. He is now designing at Ferrari: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ferrari-hires-former-apple-designer-jony-ive-ahead-of-electric-push-11632786240 https://www.wsj.com/articles/ferrari-hires-former-apple-desi...
  - corey_moncure 5y ago
    The new and improved Ferrari design rumored to include: - Removal of the brake pedal since you should only need one input to control things - The gas inlet port relocated to a more aesthetically pleasing location in the very center of the undercarriage - Total width of the car down to a svelte and sexy 3.5 feet because the thinner it looks the better it is
    - tezza 5y ago
      There is no steering wheel, simply a flat panel where you swipe to steer. There is 3D Touch where a long press on the steering screen lets you set cruise control
      - bduerst 5y ago
        Steering wheels are available but sold separately. You have to attach them via dongle, but the only input port is in the trunk.
    - nsriv 5y ago
      You joke but the new Ferrari Roma has touch buttons on the steering wheel and the UX has been widely panned.
    - strombofulous 5y ago
kelnos 5y ago
> Apple playing 5d chess. I think you're giving them too much credit. This is Apple's way of admitting they were wrong.
- xdfgh1112 5y ago
  5d chess is usually only ever said in a sarcastic context, so the implication is that Apple didn't plan this at all
- ashtonkem 5y ago
  More to the point, they now have someone else designing these laptops.
  - lostlogin 5y ago
    It would be interesting to read the former designers take on the new machines.
- Aperocky 5y ago
  Well at least they admitted it. If they doubled down with the butterfly keyboard and touchbar crap they would rapidly die to a better designed linux capable book. or just become one of the many commercial vendors.

Took away the ports just to bring 'em back and play the hero. Apple playing 5d chess.

nfriedly 5y ago

Maybe next year's refresh will have USB-A ports again!

gjsman-1000 5y ago
Apple, according to the rumors, considered even bringing back USB-A but decided against it.
colinmhayes 5y ago
Would USB-A fit in a macbook? No way for the air right?
- elzbardico 5y ago
  I am happy if USB-A dies.
  - lostlogin 5y ago
    For me C can die. Having multiple specs on one plug and various cables that all behave differently is ridiculous.
- nfriedly 5y ago
  I mean, Apple gets to decide how thick the laptop is, so they could make it work if they wanted to. Didn't the original Macbook Air have a USB-A port? Also, HDMI ports are approximately the same height as USB Type-A ports, so presumably it would fit in this design.
  - bart_spoon 5y ago
    > Didn't the original Macbook Air have a USB-A port? It did
ghaff 5y ago
It would be nice if they could have squeezed one in again so you don't need to pull out a dongle/hub every time you want to connect a "legacy" USB device when traveling. But not really a realistic wish and wouldn't have wished they took anything out to accommodate it.
- fastball 5y ago
  What legacy USB devices are you plugging in while traveling? Traveling is when I'm least likely to do that. And regardless, I travel with this[1] anyway, so no problemo. [1] https://www.amazon.com/Purgo-Adapter-2018-2016-Delivery-Thunderbolt/dp/B07K5ZR6HS/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=MacBook+USB+C+Hub&qid=1634604857&sr=8-8 https://www.amazon.com/Purgo-Adapter-2018-2016-Delivery-Thun...
  - nfriedly 5y ago
    I'm not the one you asked, but heres a few things that I might need to use a USB-A port for when traveling: * My yubikey to perform 2-factor auth * The checkra1n jailbreak for my work iPhone (I do some iOS dev and occasionally need a jailbroken device. For whatever reason, it doesn't work with a USB-C-to-lightning cable, it has to use a USB-A-to-lightning cable + a dongle.) * A USB flash drive for transferring a presentation or whatever. (I know these come in USB-C variants, but I don't have one.) * Charging all the random things that charge from USB-A ports.
    - fastball 5y ago
      Gotcha. Well except for the weird checkra1n thing, everything else is easily migrated to USB-C. To help with that migration, I highly recommend this[1] cable (or one similar to it) as a technological Swiss Army Knife. I made the transition at the beginning of the year to "USB-C everything I can" and it's very liberating. Ironically the only devices I have left that are not USB-C are my iPhone and AirPods (and my Kindle, but they just released a USB-C model which I will soon use to replace my current one). [1] https://www.amazon.com/SDBAUX-USB-Compatible-Electronic-Tablets%EF%BC%88Silicone/dp/B0892ZJ161/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=usb+a+and+c+cable+all+in+one&qid=1634612764&sr=8-8 https://www.amazon.com/SDBAUX-USB-Compatible-Electronic-Tabl...

jnwatson 5y ago

The worst part is that everybody copies them. Now, two USB-C ports, one of which is used for power, is standard.

cptskippy 5y ago
I prefer USB-C with PD to all of the vendor specific ports except maybe MagSafe.
- TulliusCicero 5y ago
  Same, but there still usually aren't enough ports in total. Looks like the new Macbook Pros have 2 ports on one side, 1 port on the other. At least keeping 2 on each side would've been much better.
  - masklinn 5y ago
    I had the same thought, if you're charging on the right side you don't have a USB port left there.
    - cptskippy 5y ago
      That is the biggest problem with USB-C IMO. The ports can all have different capabilities and it's not always obvious what they can do. For the most part though it seems they've settled on Thunderbolt, Charge, and bog standard ports. Are there any that do Thunderbolt + Charge? It's a shame about the name because the Thunderbolt icon would be perfect to indicate a charge port. Instead we're stuck with a little plug icon that is usually isn't discernable.
input_sh 5y ago
I far prefer just plugging in one USB hub than plugging in like five different cables. I have a Thinkpad with loads of ports, but I just use two (one for a wireless mouse that's always plugged in).
- 5y ago

barelysapient 5y ago

I'm guessing this has to do with Johnny Ive's departure. He was notorious for design over function.

systemvoltage 5y ago
Him and Steve were a great combo keeping each in check. Ive should have left a long time ago. He is now designing at Ferrari: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ferrari-hires-former-apple-designer-jony-ive-ahead-of-electric-push-11632786240 https://www.wsj.com/articles/ferrari-hires-former-apple-desi...
- corey_moncure 5y ago
  The new and improved Ferrari design rumored to include: - Removal of the brake pedal since you should only need one input to control things - The gas inlet port relocated to a more aesthetically pleasing location in the very center of the undercarriage - Total width of the car down to a svelte and sexy 3.5 feet because the thinner it looks the better it is
  - tezza 5y ago
    There is no steering wheel, simply a flat panel where you swipe to steer. There is 3D Touch where a long press on the steering screen lets you set cruise control
    - bduerst 5y ago
      Steering wheels are available but sold separately. You have to attach them via dongle, but the only input port is in the trunk.
  - nsriv 5y ago
    You joke but the new Ferrari Roma has touch buttons on the steering wheel and the UX has been widely panned.
  - strombofulous 5y ago

kelnos 5y ago

> Apple playing 5d chess. I think you're giving them too much credit. This is Apple's way of admitting they were wrong.

xdfgh1112 5y ago
5d chess is usually only ever said in a sarcastic context, so the implication is that Apple didn't plan this at all
ashtonkem 5y ago
More to the point, they now have someone else designing these laptops.
- lostlogin 5y ago
  It would be interesting to read the former designers take on the new machines.
Aperocky 5y ago
Well at least they admitted it. If they doubled down with the butterfly keyboard and touchbar crap they would rapidly die to a better designed linux capable book. or just become one of the many commercial vendors.