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> That said, is this really a big deal to people? Do you really still use Ethernet ports and USB-A ports directly on your laptop? I don't on my mac, because I

> That said, is this really a big deal to people? Do you really still use Ethernet ports and USB-A ports directly on your laptop? I don't on my mac, because I can't. I don't like having to buy and carry a dongle. I don't like using bluetooth peripherals because they are more expensive and require charging the batteries. I don't like being forced to buy adaptors so all the USB tech I already own can continue to work with the MacBooks that every job insists I must use. > I use a docking station with a single USB-C Fine, but I don't want to carry a docking station when I'm on the go. > An external mouse would work with Bluetooth I already have a $100 trackball mouse and a $100 mechanical keyboard. I don't want to rebuy these items with (more expensive) Bluetooth versions since the wired versions should work for years and years to come. Very wasteful. Besides, batteries expire, and many bluetooth items don't have replaceable batteries. These items will stop working long before their wired counterparts. > I’ve never needed to use external devices while on the go. Makes sense you wouldn't understand the issue then. I use USB devices every day. > I don’t understand why people need a cocktail of barely used ports at all times I use my USB devices every day, and not one of them plugs natively into my computer anymore. USB-A devices are less expensive and more reliable than their BT and USBC counterparts.

breakfastduck 5y ago
I mean you could just use a USB-C cable and avoid every annoyance you've claimed.
- schwartzworld 5y ago
  How do I replace the cable on my trackball? Crack open the case and solder?
dragonwriter 5y ago
> USB-A devices Are fairly rare, unless you are talking laptops/desktops (and other hosts), hubs, and wallwarts. USB Micro-B is the most common on devices that aren't USB-C. Micro-B devices connect to A hosts with an A-to-Micro-B cable, but you can connect them to C hosts with a C-to-Micro-B cable just as easily.
- schwartzworld 5y ago
  I'm speaking about devices with built-in cables, for example my Kensington Expert trackball, USB sound card, external webcam, etc. Obviously I get by, but when using my Linux machine which has 3 USB ports, it's just simpler. I would never buy a mac in 2022, but work requires us to use one.
- brimble 5y ago
  > > USB-A devices > Are fairly rare, unless you are talking laptops/desktops (and other hosts), hubs, and wallwarts. A new device is still much more likely to arrive with a USB-A connector than USB-C. Most of the devices on the shelf at, say, Target, come ready to be plugged in to USB-A, not C. Yes, you can get other cables or adapters. But if Macs hadn't dropped all USB-A ports, that wouldn't be necessary.

breakfastduck 5y ago

I mean you could just use a USB-C cable and avoid every annoyance you've claimed.

schwartzworld 5y ago
How do I replace the cable on my trackball? Crack open the case and solder?

dragonwriter 5y ago

> USB-A devices Are fairly rare, unless you are talking laptops/desktops (and other hosts), hubs, and wallwarts. USB Micro-B is the most common on devices that aren't USB-C. Micro-B devices connect to A hosts with an A-to-Micro-B cable, but you can connect them to C hosts with a C-to-Micro-B cable just as easily.

schwartzworld 5y ago
I'm speaking about devices with built-in cables, for example my Kensington Expert trackball, USB sound card, external webcam, etc. Obviously I get by, but when using my Linux machine which has 3 USB ports, it's just simpler. I would never buy a mac in 2022, but work requires us to use one.
brimble 5y ago
> > USB-A devices > Are fairly rare, unless you are talking laptops/desktops (and other hosts), hubs, and wallwarts. A new device is still much more likely to arrive with a USB-A connector than USB-C. Most of the devices on the shelf at, say, Target, come ready to be plugged in to USB-A, not C. Yes, you can get other cables or adapters. But if Macs hadn't dropped all USB-A ports, that wouldn't be necessary.