7 ms·

For those worried by the lack of ports, check around a university or coffee shop and nobody is using multiple ports at once. They are using 1. Maybe headphones

For those worried by the lack of ports, check around a university or coffee shop and nobody is using multiple ports at once. They are using 1. Maybe headphones 2. Maybe charging (but usually not as battery life has increased so much) An engineer or pro-sumer might be sad they can't have 3 items plugged in at once, but I think Apple sees what I see in that weight and battery life are more important than number of ports.

Navarr 12y ago
My girlfriend has a fitbit dongle plugged into her macbook, and may occasionally need to plug in a mouse (i don't remember if it's bluetooth, but mouse makers hate using BT so probably not). With this in mind, she'd also want to charge and a single port is dreadful for that. She's no programmer, not even close to technically inclined. Just a normal student studying to become a teacher. A teacher would want a laptop lightweight like this, but when they need to plug in a mouse, maybe a printer? plug it into the projector, into the power because they're low on battery, possibly plug in a usb dongle for a powerpoint remote control... Well, that's a bit more than a single port (Albeit, obviously personalized for a single type of job). Multiple ports are much more important than you're giving them credit for. If it's around the end of day at that coffee shop, some of those people might be plugging their phone into their laptop, too.
- yequalsx 12y ago
  I'm a teacher and I can't remember the last time I needed more than one port. Printing is always done over a network at my college. I haven't plugged in a printer in at least 10 years. I never liked trackpads until I used Apple's trackpad. Now the only time I use a mouse is for gaming. Once the Macbook gets more powerful I will definitely be buying one.
- Mister_Snuggles 12y ago
  I wish Bluetooth mice would become more common. Microsoft makes Bluetooth mice and they work just fine with my MacBook Pro. I hate the idea that a single-purpose (or dual-purpose if you get a keyboard and mouse with one receiver) dongle is needed when my computer has perfectly good wireless technology already built in.
- mmattj 12y ago
  But you can plug it into a projector, a charger, and have a USB plugged in all at the same time with the Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter. This is pretty expensive though.
  - nogridbag 12y ago
    It doesn't even solve the parent's use case: Using a fitbit dongle and a wired mouse (occasionally connecting a printer - though you can disconnect the mouse for that). I have the same dilemma as the parent with my macbook pro. I have two USB ports - and three things I'd like to plug in: wired mouse, fitbit dongle, and a yubikey. The mouse and yubikey are mandatory so I sacrificed using the fitbit dongle versus requiring lugging around a USB hub everywhere.
    - JohnTHaller 12y ago
      There are some pretty small USB hubs lately. If you need a full featured USB 3.0 (with or without ethernet), this is a nice option and it matches Mac styling: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PC02HOU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=VGD7HOKWPVE2&coliid=I1OCWXELGRTLLI&psc=1 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PC02HOU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl... If you just need USB 2.0, you can get something tiny like this to carry: http://www.amazon.com/Cute-USB-2-Port-Splitter-Black/dp/B00FJG5T4W/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1428606799&sr=1-1&keywords=small+usb+hub http://www.amazon.com/Cute-USB-2-Port-Splitter-Black/dp/B00F...
    - 27182818284 12y ago
      >It doesn't even solve the parent's use case: That's missing the point. It isn't supposed to. Similar to how a lot of folks complained that they absolutely needed a DVD drive when the first MacBook Air came out. I'm sure some did, most simply did not, which is why laptops trended with the Air and got smaller and dropped the drive.
- yellowapple 12y ago
  > (i don't remember if it's bluetooth, but mouse makers hate using BT so probably not) Most of the Apple ones are Bluetooth nowadays. The main issue is that you now have two things with battery lives instead of just one, but other than that, it might be a viable solution here. Also, I believe Microsoft and Logitech make Bluetooth mice.
- seanmcdirmid 12y ago
  I've never had to plug a mouse into a MacBook since the trackpad is good enough, is your GF doing Illustrator or some other app that requires more precision?
  - DanBC 12y ago
    Minecraft is a bit easier with a mouse than with the trackpad. (The track pad is very good.)
  - Navarr 12y ago
    To be fair, and this is a detail I forgot, she broke her trackpad.
philip1209 12y ago
Next step is wireless headphones. iPhones can't get thinner with the classic 3.5mm port. This analog jack is the only port besides the advanced USB-C port on the new macbook. I think that Apple's big push next year will be bluetooth headphones, driven by Beats, with the goal of removing the analog audio port.
- Pxtl 12y ago
  With wireless charging gaining in popularity, we could see fully-sealed portless phones soon. My guess is the reason Apple hasn't got much into Bluetooth is the clumsy pairing process isn't apple-y. Sony has some fun stuff using NFC tags to make pairing smooth, so I could see Apple talking that approach prime-time. I could imagine a nice matched phone and BT headset and a little inductive charging-plate for the both.
  - FireBeyond 12y ago
    That doesn't really gel. The keyboard, mouse and trackpad that Apple bundles/sells with their desktops are all Bluetooth, so it's not like they have an aversion to it (and all things told, they've made the process about as painless as possible, sans anything NFC-like).
    - Pxtl 12y ago
      Oh, I'd never used the desktops, only laptops and iOS devices. I didn't know apple had embraced Bluetooth at all.
tolmasky 12y ago
> but I think Apple sees what I see in that weight and battery life are more important than number of ports. The review specifically talks about the disappointing battery life. If Apple cared about battery life, they would have opted to use their fancy stacked battery to give the 13 inch even better battery life. As it stands, Apple's own webpage lists the Macbook's battery life as worse than the 13, and this review has it not even meeting those expectations (a departure from most recent Apple products which have fared quite well in battery life tests). So I think you're going to be seeing lots of charging with this thing. Apple seems to now have made their intentions clear: thinner at all costs, even battery life.
baddox 12y ago
> An engineer or pro-sumer might be sad they can't have 3 items plugged in at once It's obvious, but worth stating that Apple still offers two other lines of laptops that are more appropriate for people who need more ports. Not to mention that there's a USB-C breakout cable available (at a price).
cwyers 12y ago
Currently plugged into my laptop: * Two monitors * Mouse * Keyboard * Speakers * A/C power Now, I don't carry most of those things to the coffeeshop with me, sure. But what percentage of a laptop's use is in coffeeshops, versus at home or the office? I understand that tradeoff is at different places for different people. But one port feels like it's trading off way too much utility -- exactly how much space does a second USB port take up?
- rabino 12y ago
  If you have two external monitors you are not the target market for this machine. At least not as your primary machine. I'm planning to buy one for when I'm out to meetings or traveling. Still keeping my bigger and more connected MBP 15'' for my desk.
  - outworlder 12y ago
    Can't the USB-C drive two monitors?
TheLoneWolfling 12y ago
Currently plugged into my laptop: * Logitech receiver for my (wireless trackball) mouse. * Speakers * Power * USB hub When I'm on the go, replace speakers with headphones, and USB hub with a flash drive. Not to mention that, if they see battery life so important, why does this have so disappointing battery life?
DanBC 12y ago
> For those worried by the lack of ports, check around a university or coffee shop and nobody is using multiple ports at once. Obviously yes, people out and about use fewer peripherals. But many people use their laptop as their primary machine, and when they're at home they want some way to back up that laptop; backup their phone; connect their various other gadgets. San Francisco might have great Internet (which helps with most of this stuff) but many people have really Internet connections and they need the cable or they risk multiple failed transfers of data and the corruption that sometimes results.

Navarr 12y ago

My girlfriend has a fitbit dongle plugged into her macbook, and may occasionally need to plug in a mouse (i don't remember if it's bluetooth, but mouse makers hate using BT so probably not). With this in mind, she'd also want to charge and a single port is dreadful for that. She's no programmer, not even close to technically inclined. Just a normal student studying to become a teacher. A teacher would want a laptop lightweight like this, but when they need to plug in a mouse, maybe a printer? plug it into the projector, into the power because they're low on battery, possibly plug in a usb dongle for a powerpoint remote control... Well, that's a bit more than a single port (Albeit, obviously personalized for a single type of job). Multiple ports are much more important than you're giving them credit for. If it's around the end of day at that coffee shop, some of those people might be plugging their phone into their laptop, too.

yequalsx 12y ago
I'm a teacher and I can't remember the last time I needed more than one port. Printing is always done over a network at my college. I haven't plugged in a printer in at least 10 years. I never liked trackpads until I used Apple's trackpad. Now the only time I use a mouse is for gaming. Once the Macbook gets more powerful I will definitely be buying one.
Mister_Snuggles 12y ago
I wish Bluetooth mice would become more common. Microsoft makes Bluetooth mice and they work just fine with my MacBook Pro. I hate the idea that a single-purpose (or dual-purpose if you get a keyboard and mouse with one receiver) dongle is needed when my computer has perfectly good wireless technology already built in.
mmattj 12y ago
But you can plug it into a projector, a charger, and have a USB plugged in all at the same time with the Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter. This is pretty expensive though.
- nogridbag 12y ago
  It doesn't even solve the parent's use case: Using a fitbit dongle and a wired mouse (occasionally connecting a printer - though you can disconnect the mouse for that). I have the same dilemma as the parent with my macbook pro. I have two USB ports - and three things I'd like to plug in: wired mouse, fitbit dongle, and a yubikey. The mouse and yubikey are mandatory so I sacrificed using the fitbit dongle versus requiring lugging around a USB hub everywhere.
  - JohnTHaller 12y ago
    There are some pretty small USB hubs lately. If you need a full featured USB 3.0 (with or without ethernet), this is a nice option and it matches Mac styling: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PC02HOU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=VGD7HOKWPVE2&coliid=I1OCWXELGRTLLI&psc=1 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PC02HOU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl... If you just need USB 2.0, you can get something tiny like this to carry: http://www.amazon.com/Cute-USB-2-Port-Splitter-Black/dp/B00FJG5T4W/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1428606799&sr=1-1&keywords=small+usb+hub http://www.amazon.com/Cute-USB-2-Port-Splitter-Black/dp/B00F...
  - 27182818284 12y ago
    >It doesn't even solve the parent's use case: That's missing the point. It isn't supposed to. Similar to how a lot of folks complained that they absolutely needed a DVD drive when the first MacBook Air came out. I'm sure some did, most simply did not, which is why laptops trended with the Air and got smaller and dropped the drive.
yellowapple 12y ago
> (i don't remember if it's bluetooth, but mouse makers hate using BT so probably not) Most of the Apple ones are Bluetooth nowadays. The main issue is that you now have two things with battery lives instead of just one, but other than that, it might be a viable solution here. Also, I believe Microsoft and Logitech make Bluetooth mice.
seanmcdirmid 12y ago
I've never had to plug a mouse into a MacBook since the trackpad is good enough, is your GF doing Illustrator or some other app that requires more precision?
- DanBC 12y ago
  Minecraft is a bit easier with a mouse than with the trackpad. (The track pad is very good.)
- Navarr 12y ago
  To be fair, and this is a detail I forgot, she broke her trackpad.

philip1209 12y ago

Next step is wireless headphones. iPhones can't get thinner with the classic 3.5mm port. This analog jack is the only port besides the advanced USB-C port on the new macbook. I think that Apple's big push next year will be bluetooth headphones, driven by Beats, with the goal of removing the analog audio port.

Pxtl 12y ago
With wireless charging gaining in popularity, we could see fully-sealed portless phones soon. My guess is the reason Apple hasn't got much into Bluetooth is the clumsy pairing process isn't apple-y. Sony has some fun stuff using NFC tags to make pairing smooth, so I could see Apple talking that approach prime-time. I could imagine a nice matched phone and BT headset and a little inductive charging-plate for the both.
- FireBeyond 12y ago
  That doesn't really gel. The keyboard, mouse and trackpad that Apple bundles/sells with their desktops are all Bluetooth, so it's not like they have an aversion to it (and all things told, they've made the process about as painless as possible, sans anything NFC-like).
  - Pxtl 12y ago
    Oh, I'd never used the desktops, only laptops and iOS devices. I didn't know apple had embraced Bluetooth at all.

tolmasky 12y ago

> but I think Apple sees what I see in that weight and battery life are more important than number of ports. The review specifically talks about the disappointing battery life. If Apple cared about battery life, they would have opted to use their fancy stacked battery to give the 13 inch even better battery life. As it stands, Apple's own webpage lists the Macbook's battery life as worse than the 13, and this review has it not even meeting those expectations (a departure from most recent Apple products which have fared quite well in battery life tests). So I think you're going to be seeing lots of charging with this thing. Apple seems to now have made their intentions clear: thinner at all costs, even battery life.

baddox 12y ago

> An engineer or pro-sumer might be sad they can't have 3 items plugged in at once It's obvious, but worth stating that Apple still offers two other lines of laptops that are more appropriate for people who need more ports. Not to mention that there's a USB-C breakout cable available (at a price).

cwyers 12y ago

Currently plugged into my laptop: * Two monitors * Mouse * Keyboard * Speakers * A/C power Now, I don't carry most of those things to the coffeeshop with me, sure. But what percentage of a laptop's use is in coffeeshops, versus at home or the office? I understand that tradeoff is at different places for different people. But one port feels like it's trading off way too much utility -- exactly how much space does a second USB port take up?

rabino 12y ago
If you have two external monitors you are not the target market for this machine. At least not as your primary machine. I'm planning to buy one for when I'm out to meetings or traveling. Still keeping my bigger and more connected MBP 15'' for my desk.
- outworlder 12y ago
  Can't the USB-C drive two monitors?

TheLoneWolfling 12y ago

Currently plugged into my laptop: * Logitech receiver for my (wireless trackball) mouse. * Speakers * Power * USB hub When I'm on the go, replace speakers with headphones, and USB hub with a flash drive. Not to mention that, if they see battery life so important, why does this have so disappointing battery life?

DanBC 12y ago

> For those worried by the lack of ports, check around a university or coffee shop and nobody is using multiple ports at once. Obviously yes, people out and about use fewer peripherals. But many people use their laptop as their primary machine, and when they're at home they want some way to back up that laptop; backup their phone; connect their various other gadgets. San Francisco might have great Internet (which helps with most of this stuff) but many people have really Internet connections and they need the cable or they risk multiple failed transfers of data and the corruption that sometimes results.