Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Apple Stops Selling 2015 MacBook Pro With Old-Style Keyboard, Legacy Ports (arstechnica.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the out-with-the-old-in-with-the-new dept.

After announcing new MacBook Pro models today, Apple has removed the 2015 MacBook Pro from the Mac section of its website. Ars Technica reports: Beloved by many, the 2015 MacBook Pro had a number of features that have since been changed or have disappeared entirely from new MacBook Pro models. Arguably the most polarizing among these tweaks is the butterfly keyboard -- the 2015 MacBook Pro predates that mechanism, making its traditional keyboard a preferred alternative for many users. The 2015 MacBook Pro also contained legacy ports that Apple has since abandoned in the newest models: USB-A, HDMI, and Thunderbolt 2 ports, and an SD card slot. All of the newest MacBook Pros exclusively feature Thunderbolt 3 ports, which some will appreciate but all will scowl at when they're forced to buy multiple dongles to connect legacy accessories. Currently, Apple has a few 2015 MacBook Pro models listed in its online clearance section, but it's likely that Apple will not have more to sell after those are gone.

9 of 114 comments (clear)

  1. Courageous by cinghiale · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's courageous of them to stop selling products for which there is continuing demand.

  2. Those aren't legacy ports by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    They are "current" ports.
    USB-C ports are "ports of the future."

    Now, VGA video would be a "legacy" port.

    1. Re: Those aren't legacy ports by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Because it doesn't have DRM bullshit. It's analog and it WORKS.

      The first time you watch a meeting get delayed because someone's laptop and the projector refuse to get along, you'll understand why VGA is still necessary.

  3. Comfortable keyboards are for chumps by yuriklastalov · · Score: 5, Insightful

    How long until the keyboard is just a giant touch pad with courageous gestures to enter text?

    All text entry will be done with swiping. You'll thank us later.

    1. Re:Comfortable keyboards are for chumps by Solandri · · Score: 3, Informative

      The Onion beat you to that punchline almost a decade ago.

  4. MacBook Pro mid-2015 here by AlanObject · · Score: 3, Funny

    I for one welcome our new USB-C overlords.

  5. I wonder why by ruddk · · Score: 4, Funny

    I wonder why Tim Cook is so crazy about dongles.

    --
    L'Idiot
    1. Re:I wonder why by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 3, Funny

      I wonder why Tim Cook is so crazy about dongles.

      There's a joke there which I am fighting not to make...

      --
      #DeleteChrome
  6. And on the flip side by sit1963nz · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Apple now has nothing I want to buy.

    I have been a Mac user since the 1980's. My 2011MBP has died, I went looking and came away with the realisation that Apple does not produce anything that I would pay for, nothing!

    Sorry Apple, I want Ethernet, USB-A, Audio, Thunderbolt 2 as well as 3, I want an SD card reader, I want a real keyboard with no wank bar at the top, I want a Mag-safe connector. I want to be able to upgrade the RAM myself, as well as the SSD storage, I have no intention of paying your "retail + 200%" prices.

    I want better battery life, do I care if it will be thicker than last years model...hell no, that would actually be appreciated as the extra weight means it will not feel like its about to flip over on its back

    Will it happen, I doubt it. Apple is like a teenager, so bloody busy looking at their small screen they can not see or hear what is happening around them.

    So... the next mission is to figure out what a reasonable laptop with Linux on it will be....

    And for all the Mac developers I had bought software off over the last 30+ years.... cheers, thanks, but I have to leave now.