4 ms·

They've added a separate power input through magsafe though. So if like most users the device is plugged in essentially permanently, there's no port lost becaus

They've added a separate power input through magsafe though. So if like most users the device is plugged in essentially permanently, there's no port lost because only 3 were ever available anyway.

stephenr 5y ago
I have to assume the people who make this comment have never used TB3 devices. Most TB3 monitors, docks, drive bays, eGPUs etc provide power to the laptop. So while some people maybe don't make use of that capability, it's completely inaccurate to say "there's no port loss". I'd wager that those of us using all four ports already are predominantly using all four for data or video in some way, with one also providing power, rather than one dedicated to power and only three for data/video.
- itsananderson 5y ago
  I used power delivery from my Dell monitor for the last year, but occasionally under heavy workloads it couldn't keep up and my battery would slowly drain. I may have had something misconfigured, but if so I never figured out what it was. Between Yubikey, Ethernet, and two external monitors, I didn't have much choice. I finally gave up and bought a Thunderbolt dock that actually delivers enough power while also providing expanded port capabilities.
- breakfastduck 5y ago
  Point taken but ignorant first line. I'd say this is the minority, for sure. You seem to think the other way around (everyone using a power delivery dock), but that's fine.
  - stephenr 5y ago
    No, not necessarily a PD 'dock'. A goodly number of TB3 devices provide power. If it's got it's own AC power it generally also provides power back to the host machine.
- whywhywhywhy 5y ago
  >Most TB3 monitors .... provide power to the laptop In the 4-5 years I've been using this laptop in many offices I've yet to encounter a single monitor that delivers on this promise and I think the entire team in my company apart from my uses janky USB-C to HDMI dongles. I've used USB-C to display port in the hopes of reducing jankiness. The USB-C one cable for monitor/power (that works consistently) dream never materialized, let it go Apple has.
  - SahAssar 5y ago
    I'm suprised to hear this since that's how I've been using my laptop (XPS running linux) with multiple monitors for the past 3ish years. I had issues with one monitor though, but I strongly suspect that is just a lemon since the same cable/computer combo works fine with other monitors of the same model and manufacturing year. I expect to be able to use one cable for display, power and peripherals these days.
  - stephenr 5y ago
    > The USB-C one cable for monitor/power (that works consistently) dream never materialized, let it go Apple has. What are you talking about "never materialised", or "Apple has let it go"? Apple has been selling a one-cable solution in their own display (XDR) for 2 years, and in third party displays (LG UltraFine) for as long as they've sold computers with Thunderbolt3 ports. On top of that, there are numerous other brands that make USB-C (either plain USB-C or Thunderbolt) connected displays as well. Does that mean every display you can possibly buy will have USB-C input, and that it will use USB-PD to charge/run a laptop? No of course not. There will always be less featured items in the market. But just like the companies still shipping PCs with PS2 ports, or displays with nothing but DSUB VGA ports - a few outliers not including modern ports doesn't mean the industry in general is not moving forwards.
  - strogonoff 5y ago
    MagSafe is useful on the go, and safety against accidentally pulling the cable is much appreciated. In professional use, however, there are always devices that require ports not provided by the laptop, unless that laptop is heavy and thick as a brick. Thus, unless you enjoy punishing yourself with dongles, you will be using a USB-C TB3/4 dock. And that dock will power your Mac. That’s just how it is.

They've added a separate power input through magsafe though. So if like most users the device is plugged in essentially permanently, there's no port lost because only 3 were ever available anyway.

stephenr 5y ago

I have to assume the people who make this comment have never used TB3 devices. Most TB3 monitors, docks, drive bays, eGPUs etc provide power to the laptop. So while some people maybe don't make use of that capability, it's completely inaccurate to say "there's no port loss". I'd wager that those of us using all four ports already are predominantly using all four for data or video in some way, with one also providing power, rather than one dedicated to power and only three for data/video.

itsananderson 5y ago
I used power delivery from my Dell monitor for the last year, but occasionally under heavy workloads it couldn't keep up and my battery would slowly drain. I may have had something misconfigured, but if so I never figured out what it was. Between Yubikey, Ethernet, and two external monitors, I didn't have much choice. I finally gave up and bought a Thunderbolt dock that actually delivers enough power while also providing expanded port capabilities.
breakfastduck 5y ago
Point taken but ignorant first line. I'd say this is the minority, for sure. You seem to think the other way around (everyone using a power delivery dock), but that's fine.
- stephenr 5y ago
  No, not necessarily a PD 'dock'. A goodly number of TB3 devices provide power. If it's got it's own AC power it generally also provides power back to the host machine.
whywhywhywhy 5y ago
>Most TB3 monitors .... provide power to the laptop In the 4-5 years I've been using this laptop in many offices I've yet to encounter a single monitor that delivers on this promise and I think the entire team in my company apart from my uses janky USB-C to HDMI dongles. I've used USB-C to display port in the hopes of reducing jankiness. The USB-C one cable for monitor/power (that works consistently) dream never materialized, let it go Apple has.
- SahAssar 5y ago
  I'm suprised to hear this since that's how I've been using my laptop (XPS running linux) with multiple monitors for the past 3ish years. I had issues with one monitor though, but I strongly suspect that is just a lemon since the same cable/computer combo works fine with other monitors of the same model and manufacturing year. I expect to be able to use one cable for display, power and peripherals these days.
- stephenr 5y ago
  > The USB-C one cable for monitor/power (that works consistently) dream never materialized, let it go Apple has. What are you talking about "never materialised", or "Apple has let it go"? Apple has been selling a one-cable solution in their own display (XDR) for 2 years, and in third party displays (LG UltraFine) for as long as they've sold computers with Thunderbolt3 ports. On top of that, there are numerous other brands that make USB-C (either plain USB-C or Thunderbolt) connected displays as well. Does that mean every display you can possibly buy will have USB-C input, and that it will use USB-PD to charge/run a laptop? No of course not. There will always be less featured items in the market. But just like the companies still shipping PCs with PS2 ports, or displays with nothing but DSUB VGA ports - a few outliers not including modern ports doesn't mean the industry in general is not moving forwards.
- strogonoff 5y ago
  MagSafe is useful on the go, and safety against accidentally pulling the cable is much appreciated. In professional use, however, there are always devices that require ports not provided by the laptop, unless that laptop is heavy and thick as a brick. Thus, unless you enjoy punishing yourself with dongles, you will be using a USB-C TB3/4 dock. And that dock will power your Mac. That’s just how it is.