Posted on 03/13/2015 1:00:55 AM PDT by Swordmaker
New_macbookTech journalists who lined up at Apple's special event to get their hands on Apple Watch walked away stunned by Apple's all-new MacBook. It is widely being hailed – or harped on – as Apple's new one-port wonder. The fact it has only one physical data port is apparently quite jarring to many tech journalists. Those stunned by Apple's move may also drive a Honda Prelude, think sushi is all the rage, and are still trading Pokemon cards. The verdict is in: This is not a computer for those still living in the '90s.
Giving benefit of the doubt, perhaps the media is simply not doing their job. Rather than talk to what one physical port represents; which is that a single USB port is fine for 95% of everyone's workflow, because we live in a wireless world. Instead, they've taken the easy road, simply mirroring thoughts they think the masses might make. It's a safe, lazy position, one that identifies with the reader in stead of talking to the bold realities of where technology is today.
It wasn't until recently that a majority of consumers realized they could actually live, and no longer needed, an optical drive. Consumers are often slow to catch on. But for tech journalists to blast away at the most amazing laptop to hit the market since the original MacBook Air, it was quite revealing. Their one-port worry commentators are showing everyone just how stuck they are in the past. The new MacBook was their wake up call, but apparently many slept right through it.
Ports are no longer physical things, they are mostly wireless technologies. 4G LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth, deploying Airdrop, Handoff, iCloud and Airplay are all ports and types of communications that flow within them. A port and it's data is not about the physical, it's about every type of connection technology available, and Apple's new MacBook comes equipped with state-of-the-art port aplomb.
Evidently journalists, which roughly 95%+ of them use MacBook laptops, still communicate with USB thumb drives, hunt down the nearest Ethernet port, or look to deliver their latest column to their editor via a burned CD. For those still connecting with these methods, this is why Apple still has the legacy 13" MacBook with optical drive in the lineup. For those living in 2015, there is the all-new MacBook. Many of Apple's customers live and work in the now, so why did they leave the legacy MacBook Pro and MacBook Air in the lineup?
Apple CEO Tim Cook is a wicked smart guy. He's not merely a supply chain genius and operational guru, he understands how to maximize sales in a way his predecessor Steve Jobs just wasn't all that interested in. Jobs would have likely killed the MacBook Air, replacing it with only the new MacBook. Consumers would eventually catch onto the port thing and buy it, and most importantly the lineup would have stayed simplified.
Cook is more in touch with that fact that people are slow to catch onto new ideas, and he's left the multi-port MacBook Air's in place, providing a variety of price points and choice. As a result, Apple now plays the consumer bell curve to maximum effect. Early adopters will swarm the new MacBook, taking full advantage of the latest tech. The early majority will start to buy into the new MacBook in a year or so, and the laggards will get onboard this nearly launched MacBook once another all-new leap forward MacBook hits the shelves. Apple has more choices of laptops to choose from than at any point in its history, which will give rival PC makers fits while Apple maximizes MacBook sales.
The new MacBook may have only one physical port, but would it be too much in asking journalists to take the effort in mentioning that 95% (or more) of all our communications, file transfers and entertainment consumption are done via other ports, the wireless type, without need of physical connections? Is that too much to ask or expect? Evidently so. May they continue to enjoy their USB thumb drives and optical ports, because Apple – and more people than they think – are ready to move forward with the new MacBook. After all, it is 2015.
I am getting one to replace my four year old MacBoik Air. I cannot wait!
Yikes -— MacBook Air
They just need a home server!
Looks like the Air will be phased out. This is thinner. As soon as there’s a 15 inch version, it’ll takeover as their top selling laptop.
I’m impressed by the Retina display, no fan, all-day (8-9 hour battery), and weight (2 pounds). A home run for us Mac fans.
The lack of a USB is a bit of a pain but I’m sure there’s a workaround (an expensive one).
If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.
I actually love my Air. Easy to carry. Perfect size.
I’d never had anything smaller than a 15-inch laptop, but now those seem bulky to me. 13 is perfect.
The new MacBooks are impressive. I’m debating on upgrading.
9 to 10 Hours — ten watching steaming movies.
Yeah, those MacBoiks really do need replacing. . . especially on FreeRepublic threads. LOL!
9 to 10. Even better.
I’ll treat myself to one later this year if all goes well financially.
I can’t say I like the gold. I might go for space grey though - just so I can easily tell it apart from my other Macs.
"I found an answer. According to an article at Techtimes.com, the new $1299 Macbook comes bundled with a 29W USB-C charger adapter and a two-meter USB-C Charge Cable, which has two USB-C connectors on both ends and supports USB 2 for syncing and transferring data between two USB-C devices. Each costs $29 to replace, if necessary. A USB-C to older USB adapter costs $19 (supports USB 3.1 Gen 1).So if I were to buy the new Macbook, it will only cost me $19 more to connect other USB devices (already have cheap USB hubs). Still need to find out about lightning and firewire connects.
Patrick Norton and Shannon Morse on this week’s TekThing were talking about the lack of ports on the new Macbook.
I’ve actually run into this problem already on other machines and so far there is no good solution AFAIK.
Oh sure I can buy a hub but does the hub work as both a charging port and an I/O port at the same time?
Best solution I have is the Winbook TW700 or it’s big brother. IIRC it runs about $70.
QUIET is VERY important for where the machine is placed so no fan is imperative. It needs to connect via USB to several devices including a personal weather station console that runs 24/7/365. It also needs bluetooth, wifi and the ability to connect to a PTZ IPcam as well as other devices.
Come to think of it I’m not aware of an Apple program that runs my PWS software.(Cumulus) The software reports to WeatherUnderground and other weather websites.
If anyone knows if there is Apple software available I’d like to know.
“steaming movies”
Like “Rochelle Rochelle’s Lap Top”?
‘She knew any man could peel the Apple. Her man would eat the core.’
Starring Scarlet Johansen as the zaftig robot, Nicholas Cage as the human robot. Irwin Mainway, producer. Steve Job’s ghost as spiritual advisor. A Cultlike production.
ROTFLMAO
Terrible grammar and spelling—I couldn’t make it all the way through.
Sumpin' tells me you gonna NEED a FAN! Or a bucket of cold water...or both.
/S
More than one port if you trust all that wireless connectivity stuff.
Sure...uh huh. Thinking MacBoink no doubt. Next Apple product?
I just started using two-factor authentication with my password manager. It is a tiny physical key that plugs into the USB port and has a button to generate a 30 character one time password good for 30 seconds. I love the security and peace of mind it provides. I guess that rules out this new MacBook. Of course, I just bought my third MacBook 15 inch last October, so I’m good for another 4 or 5 years anyway.
Check out Yubikey.
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