We knew it was come . Ever since the2015 releaseof the 12 - inch MacBook , with its single USB - C port , it was obvious that this connexion would make its appearance on other Macs . But Apple ’s of late announcednew MacBook Prowith only Thunderbolt 3 / USB - C ports ( plus a phone jackfruit ) may leave you grumble .
Apple ’s insistency on this being a “ pro ” equipment has leda peck of actual pros — developers , photographers , designers , and video editors — to maneuver out that this unexampled laptop computer is n’t pragmatic for them . by from the limited amount of RAM available ( 16 GB ) , the master complaint is the comportment of only USB - cytosine ports . The new MacBook Pro has four of them , two on each side . But not all those ports are adequate : the pair on the left of the $ 1,799 and $ 1,999 13 - column inch mannikin are Thunderbolt 3 , while the right side offer “ reduced PCI Express bandwidth . ” ( All four are Thunderbolt 3 on the 15 - in adaptation . )
Notwithstanding the high price of this new Mac , and the opening that the Touch Bar is a truly innovational stimulus gimmick , this raw MacBook Pro presents a number of challenge . I ’m writing this article on a single - embrasure MacBook , and I ’ve gotten used to dealing with the four dongle or adaptors I need for various uses . But the MacBook is not my independent computing machine ; I have an iMac , and apply that most of the metre . Those interested in buy the new MacBook Pro and using it as their principle computing devicewill take a number of dongles , for the chase :
On top of that , you ’ll need an adapter to plug your brand newiPhone 7or its Earpods into this Mac .
Even the Thunderbolt 3 larboard poses problem . It ’s a do - everything port , and it can pass through data using USB 1 , USB 2 , USB 3 , Thunderbolt , Display Port , HDMI , and more . Users see a undivided embrasure , butmany devices wo n’t be compatible , or will need very specific cable length to work right . ( And some USB - C cables can in reality damage machine . )
I ’m not averse to improving input / output protocols , but Apple is pulling the carpet out from under “ professional , ” many of whom may have gone all in on Thunderbolt , which Apple recently brag as the in effect data transfer choice .
Apple could have helped users make the transition . The company could have made a USB - C hub , such asthis $ 99 Microsoft Display Dock , which would have foreknow the connections that some user would ask . have a unsubdivided option would mean that users could grease one’s palms a unmarried machine and use their exist hardware , then , over clip , upgrade to devices with newer standard .
Instead , Apple offers a plethora of individual adaptors and dongle , which can be a couple hundred dollars for users with a mixture of peripherals . And the weighting and size you gain with the new MacBook Pro ? They are more than offset but the weight and volume of the adaptors you ’ll need , not to mention the transmission line spaghetti and the fact that they ’re easy to lose . ( Note : Apple on Fridayreduced the pricesof its USB - C arranger . )
Apple ’s obsession with lighter and thin ignores what many users desire . This new MacBook Pro will be a complicated gadget to use for anything other than the basic chore . Real professional need international machine , and they ’re go to have to keep track of good deal of cables and dongles to do so .
At least Apple had the courage to keep the headphone diddlysquat .
