I thought Thunderbolt could now use USB-C plugs, so it could be 4 of those, but with different tiny eentsy-weeny icons.
The first detail I'll be reading when they're available is, how many different adapters will have to be combined to get my setup working?
As far as "combining adapters" (as in stacking one adapter into another), I would say, "zero". If you are talking about "cables", depending on your "Setup", maybe none. Or one, if you want to charge your laptop, two if you want a second or third monitor.
Honestly, if your "setup" requires a bunch of wired peripherals, then I would suggest a USB-C hub. There are several available with different combinations of connectors/interfaces. That way, you only "consume" one USB-C connector on the laptop, and have the ease of simply detaching one cable when you want your laptop to stop acting like a desktop and be mobile.
Deep learning and scientific calculation are also dependent on nVidia GPUs, and I seldom hear anyone suggesting Apple for that use case. Maybe a MacBook for SSH.
Well, maybe if you realized that nVidia supports Apple's F/OSS OpenCL Project on all CUDA-compatible GPUs, you would realize that there may just possibly be people doing things with things that you know nothing about.
An adapter may be better than nothing, but it is still a step backwards. Unless it is pulled out straight, there will still be significant torque and strain on the connecter. MagSafe was fine as is. This is just another senseless reduction of functionality by Apple.
It all depends on how strong the magnets are in either case. and quite frankly, the magnets in the "cable version" (like the Griffin "BreakSafe"), can be (should be) much weaker than ones in the MagSafe connector; because they won't have to directly resist all the torquing that results from the laptop being pushed around on YOUR "laptop", as you naturally move around.
I have a 2013 non-retina MacBook Pro with original, more "powerful" MagSafe; and the cable is just stiff-enough to want-to yank the connector out (no big whoop, since a laptop has a built-in Uninterruptable Power Supply). But if I were to replace that with a Griffin BreakSafe cable (assuming my MacBook Pro also grew USB-C ports), the cable near the laptop would be able to flex like normal, but if it somehow got yanked, the magnetic connector would disengage before any harm could come to the laptop, or its built-in connector.
I trip it ALL the time. My wife does it, too. My daughter does it as well (she's a 3 year old).
I will not be upgrading to a new MacBook if MagSafe is dropped, because for the amount of money I'd spend on a MacBook Pro, I might as well get a more powerful laptop that isn't made of bendy metal (which BTW sucks!), and run Linux on it.
And if you want to run Linux on your MacBook Pro, you can do that, too. I wouild suggest doing it with Parallels Desktop of VMWare Fusion, so you can keep macOS around so you actually have access to decent software; but whatever.
Courage is it? Forced obsolescence is more like it. Thanks Apple.
IF Apple is to be accused of "Forced Obsolecence" for moving from USB-A to USB-C, then so is the rest of the industry.
USB-C has several distinct advantages, even over the most-recent iteration of "classic" USB (USB 3.0). And it is but a simple adapter away from "Compatibility". So quitcherwhining, eh?
Apple needs to stop thinking of its macbook as a hipster toy used to show off to other cafe patrons, but as a real computer doing real work.
Oh, FFS!
What do you think all macOS Developers at Apple carry around to do their work on?
By the way, that's NOT the OS "Freaking Out". It is it ADAPTING to the new monitor resolution, rather than just drawing windows and content out into off-screen-space-land when you switch to a lower resolution, like Windows used to do before MS took a clue from Apple and started resizing windows and content based on screen size changes, too.
And as far as "listening to customers" goes, I think that Apple actually has a better track record of that than most. People hated scroll-bar direction-changes. Apple said "You can now have it either way". People hated Final Cut Pro X. They allowed them to continue purchasing FCP 5. People hated them removing "Save As...". That came back. The list goes on...
Of COURSE not every single gripe and grievance gets reversed; but Apple obviously listens, and really considers, User Feedback. And when complaints start to pile-up, they almost always come up with a reasonable compromise, that usually results in more users being happy, rather than less. Take the scroll-direction thing for example: When they changed the default scroll direction in OS X to match iOS, some people whined quite loudly about the "iOS-ification" of OS X. I didn't like it, either. But then I got an iPad. And realized that I was having to stop and think everytime I switched back and forth between my iPad and MacBook Pro, and wanted to scroll a window. Instant annoyance factor!. But I remembered the Scroll Direction Option in OS X, and flipped it to match iOS, and voila! Now I could switch back and forth without that little "mental speedbump". Not a huge thing; but certainly a "thing"...
If the choice is a new MBP and half a dozen adapters, of which I'd only be able to use a couple at a time, or another manufacturer's device, then I guess I'm learning to love Linux on the desktop...
Half a dozen adapters would still fit in a standard sandwich-sized plastic baggie; so let's not overstate the problem, shall we?
And if you really think that LINUX is the answer to your "compatibility" issues, LOL, go right ahead. Apple and macOS will still be here when you come back...
Yes, we will have to go back to the USB SD Card reader to transfer files. Except, no, wait, we will also need a USB-C adapter to hold the USB SD card adapter. I am guessing there are not too many USB-C SD card readers out there
Your guess would be incorrect. In fact, USB-C is fast becoming "The New USB" as far as Popularity goes.
That would be yet another fucking dongle for mac owners to have to carry around for no good reason. (first was the ethernet dongle)
Those Ethernet "Dongles" (as you call them) are far from useless, since they provide a seldom-used (but still used) function in a laptop with good WiFi.
And Mac owners are generally OK with "Adapter World". In the end, it actually provides more flexibility for individual needs, without overly-complicating base designs or unnecessarily increasing hardware costs.
nd the only thing replacing all that lost hardware functionality is a set of soft-reconfigurable action buttons at the top of the keyboard. Whee.
...and a set of multiple, multi-use, ultra-high-speed buses that can be easily adapted to pretty much any interface standard available.
IOW, you have utterly and completely failed to embrace the whole concept: That by exchanging a few, dedicated-use ports for a few multi-use ports, one of which (USB-C) is poised to become the Next Big Thing in peripheral interfaces, and which allows Apple to diplomatically and adroitly get out from under the Albatross that TB is turning out to be (unfortunately!), Apple will be releasing a new line of products that is much more "future proof" than some of its recent Mac products have been.
This will likely also result in a standardization toward using USB-C on the next iteration of iOS mobile devices, too; with appropriate "Lightning over USB-C" adapters being used until the switchover is complete.
At least, that's what I hope they have planned...
Now as far as MagSafe goes: I am sad to see that go away; but I have read (on Slashdot, in fact) that there are some technical issues with the "hot swap" nature of the connector, especially from contact arc-damage when disconnecting.
Unless Apple is doing some sort of quasi RAID like read/write access against all available memory chips (vs treating them like a sequential memory space which may end earlier rather than later depending on what memory capacity you selected at purchase time)... why should a higher capacity device have faster read/write times than a lower capacity of the same generation?
If anything, this sounds like another example of Apple attempting to balkinize the market in a way favorable to them and those who are most willing and/or able to pay them the most for devices.
Oh get over yourself.
If Apple wanted to use this to push people into the larger, more expensive, storage option, THEY WOULD HAVE ANNOUNCED IT, or at least put it in the Tech Specs on the Product Page of their website.
I would imagine that the two chips have different write speeds, and Apple had already purchased a shitpot full of the slower ones, and was simply burning through their existing inventory.
As someone else said, most of the time you are READING data (which appears to be essentially the same on the two memories); so in real-world operations, so long as your life doesn't consist of running memory speed tests, you more than likely wouldn't notice the difference unless you have the two phones side-by-side, comparing them.
The design of the Note 7 is copyrighted, just as any other product. To reproduce a likeness of a piece of "art" without permission is infringing (just ask the US Post Office). How accurate was it? Could it be identified as a Note 7? If so, then it's a by right thing - it IS infringing.
It is a generic, thin, rounded-rectangle with a black "face". I can't even remember if it says "Samsung" on it.
But since every single Smartphone looks identical to the iPhone of the same generation, it really could have been any Smartphone, if not for the context.
IOW, it was overreaching on the part of Samsung to issue a DMCA Order. And definitely within the bounds of a "satirical work".
But the cool thing is, now they have breathed new life into an internet meme that had all but died-out... Hahahahaha!!!
You know, everyone at Slashdot that keeps harping on how litigious and "controlling" Apple is, needs to take a hard look at a company (Samsung) that really DOESN'T have a sense of humor (nor decency).
When Apple brought out Final Cut Pro X, the Conan O'Brien Show (which is apparently "cut" on FCP) did about a 10 minute sketch, supposedly depicting technical glitches that were caused by the transition to FCPX. Apple didn't sue. Didn't make Conan issue a retraction. Didn't anything. Instead, they went back to the labs, and fairly quickly addressed most, if not all, of the concerns, and even let customers continue to purchase FCP 5, so that their workflows wouldn't be affected while they fixed FCPX.
When "Antennagate" happened, heck, not only were there SEVERAL YouTube videos about it, I think that someone even wrote a frickin' SONG about the issue. Did Apple rush out with its army of lawyers and issue DMCA Takedown Notices? No. They grinned and bore it along with everyone else. Then they went back to the labs and fixed the problem.
That's just two things I can remember off the top of my head. I'm sure there are other examples.
Aesthetics is a legitimate thing to have a preference on; I mean, let's be honest, that's the reason behind like 80% of Apple purchases
While I agree that aesthetics is a legitimate thing to have a preference on, I utterly disagree that that is "the" reason behind even 20% of Apple purchases, let alone 80%.
And for you to state something so ridiculous just underscores the fact that you simply do not understand what makes Apple products so desirable. For example:
Jacobs Medial Center at UC San Diego Health is rolling-out a revolutionary Patient Care System using iPads and Apple TV. Do you think they spent all that Development time and money so their patients can choose TV channels more easily?
And I am sure that it is the pretty case designs that are causing increased employee demand at Lego for Apple products in their workplace. Afterall, they don't have anything better to do at their jobs than play with Legos all day, right? They don't have any real work to do...
No. Of course 80% of those purchases and development were based on Apple's aesthetics.
By the way, that was just from TWO days' worth of articles from TWO sites. Wonder why NONE of those stories appeared on Slashdot, when it breathlessly announces every time Microsoft or Google so much as blows a fart in their general direction The anti-Apple bias on this site is palpable, and nauseating.
I'd guess (s)he is referring to the design of the MacBook keyboards (which I think it also on the new wireless keyboard) that have been out for quite some time.
Ok, well, they are far from silent, nor "like typing on a piece of glass". The keys are short-throw, to be sure; but hardly ZERO throw.
But I guess to some people, if its not a Model "M", then its not really a keyboard (rolls eyes)...
With live people, those live people will be able to make live decisions, on the spot. There will be much more of a dynamic operation with live people, whereas currently, they're setting most things up to statically unfold.
Slashdot Mirror
I thought Thunderbolt could now use USB-C plugs, so it could be 4 of those, but with different tiny eentsy-weeny icons.
The first detail I'll be reading when they're available is, how many different adapters will have to be combined to get my setup working?
As far as "combining adapters" (as in stacking one adapter into another), I would say, "zero". If you are talking about "cables", depending on your "Setup", maybe none. Or one, if you want to charge your laptop, two if you want a second or third monitor.
Honestly, if your "setup" requires a bunch of wired peripherals, then I would suggest a USB-C hub. There are several available with different combinations of connectors/interfaces. That way, you only "consume" one USB-C connector on the laptop, and have the ease of simply detaching one cable when you want your laptop to stop acting like a desktop and be mobile.
Deep learning and scientific calculation are also dependent on nVidia GPUs, and I seldom hear anyone suggesting Apple for that use case. Maybe a MacBook for SSH.
Well, maybe if you realized that nVidia supports Apple's F/OSS OpenCL Project on all CUDA-compatible GPUs, you would realize that there may just possibly be people doing things with things that you know nothing about.
only 2 ports and no power jack?
How fucking thing does this $1200+ laptop need to be and I can't get an NVIDA or ATI video card without paying at least $2000+
What? You are bitching about the hardware specs of a product NOT EVEN RELEASED?!?
The Hate is strong in this one...
I think apple is really starting to create an opportunity in the market for someone else to start making laptops.
Yes I know there are loads of crappy windows ones. But something good like a macbook pro/air with headphone jack and USB ports.
And that legally runs macOS?
An adapter may be better than nothing, but it is still a step backwards. Unless it is pulled out straight, there will still be significant torque and strain on the connecter. MagSafe was fine as is. This is just another senseless reduction of functionality by Apple.
It all depends on how strong the magnets are in either case. and quite frankly, the magnets in the "cable version" (like the Griffin "BreakSafe"), can be (should be) much weaker than ones in the MagSafe connector; because they won't have to directly resist all the torquing that results from the laptop being pushed around on YOUR "laptop", as you naturally move around.
I have a 2013 non-retina MacBook Pro with original, more "powerful" MagSafe; and the cable is just stiff-enough to want-to yank the connector out (no big whoop, since a laptop has a built-in Uninterruptable Power Supply). But if I were to replace that with a Griffin BreakSafe cable (assuming my MacBook Pro also grew USB-C ports), the cable near the laptop would be able to flex like normal, but if it somehow got yanked, the magnetic connector would disengage before any harm could come to the laptop, or its built-in connector.
Best of both worlds, IMHO.
I trip it ALL the time. My wife does it, too. My daughter does it as well (she's a 3 year old).
I will not be upgrading to a new MacBook if MagSafe is dropped, because for the amount of money I'd spend on a MacBook Pro, I might as well get a more powerful laptop that isn't made of bendy metal (which BTW sucks!), and run Linux on it.
Here. Your worries are over. Upgrade at will...
And if you want to run Linux on your MacBook Pro, you can do that, too. I wouild suggest doing it with Parallels Desktop of VMWare Fusion, so you can keep macOS around so you actually have access to decent software; but whatever.
What I think we techies forget is that Apple doesn't care about us, they have always focused on the non-technical consumers.
Only because they outnumber us techies about 1,000,000:1
And that is most likely a very conservative ratio, seriously.
They already sell these on Amazon. Look for "breakaway usb-c cable"
Oh yeah, right! Like those breakaway headphone cables I've seen.
Kinda pricey; but looks like it would be much cheaper than a new laptop!
Oh, and speaking of accessories for the new MacBooks, this might be becoming more popular, too...
First they came for the ethernet port, but I didn't speak up because I could live without one.
That's actually pretty funny...
My computer is so new and cutting edge, I've removed the Apple! They're on their way out!
Apple: Proudly going out of business for over 40 years!
Courage is it? Forced obsolescence is more like it. Thanks Apple.
IF Apple is to be accused of "Forced Obsolecence" for moving from USB-A to USB-C, then so is the rest of the industry.
USB-C has several distinct advantages, even over the most-recent iteration of "classic" USB (USB 3.0). And it is but a simple adapter away from "Compatibility". So quitcherwhining, eh?
Apple needs to stop thinking of its macbook as a hipster toy used to show off to other cafe patrons, but as a real computer doing real work.
Oh, FFS!
What do you think all macOS Developers at Apple carry around to do their work on?
By the way, that's NOT the OS "Freaking Out". It is it ADAPTING to the new monitor resolution, rather than just drawing windows and content out into off-screen-space-land when you switch to a lower resolution, like Windows used to do before MS took a clue from Apple and started resizing windows and content based on screen size changes, too.
And as far as "listening to customers" goes, I think that Apple actually has a better track record of that than most. People hated scroll-bar direction-changes. Apple said "You can now have it either way". People hated Final Cut Pro X. They allowed them to continue purchasing FCP 5. People hated them removing "Save As...". That came back. The list goes on...
Of COURSE not every single gripe and grievance gets reversed; but Apple obviously listens, and really considers, User Feedback. And when complaints start to pile-up, they almost always come up with a reasonable compromise, that usually results in more users being happy, rather than less. Take the scroll-direction thing for example: When they changed the default scroll direction in OS X to match iOS, some people whined quite loudly about the "iOS-ification" of OS X. I didn't like it, either. But then I got an iPad. And realized that I was having to stop and think everytime I switched back and forth between my iPad and MacBook Pro, and wanted to scroll a window. Instant annoyance factor!. But I remembered the Scroll Direction Option in OS X, and flipped it to match iOS, and voila! Now I could switch back and forth without that little "mental speedbump". Not a huge thing; but certainly a "thing"...
If the choice is a new MBP and half a dozen adapters, of which I'd only be able to use a couple at a time, or another manufacturer's device, then I guess I'm learning to love Linux on the desktop...
Half a dozen adapters would still fit in a standard sandwich-sized plastic baggie; so let's not overstate the problem, shall we?
And if you really think that LINUX is the answer to your "compatibility" issues, LOL, go right ahead. Apple and macOS will still be here when you come back...
Yes, we will have to go back to the USB SD Card reader to transfer files. Except, no, wait, we will also need a USB-C adapter to hold the USB SD card adapter. I am guessing there are not too many USB-C SD card readers out there
Your guess would be incorrect. In fact, USB-C is fast becoming "The New USB" as far as Popularity goes.
That would be yet another fucking dongle for mac owners to have to carry around for no good reason. (first was the ethernet dongle)
Those Ethernet "Dongles" (as you call them) are far from useless, since they provide a seldom-used (but still used) function in a laptop with good WiFi.
And Mac owners are generally OK with "Adapter World". In the end, it actually provides more flexibility for individual needs, without overly-complicating base designs or unnecessarily increasing hardware costs.
nd the only thing replacing all that lost hardware functionality is a set of soft-reconfigurable action buttons at the top of the keyboard. Whee.
...and a set of multiple, multi-use, ultra-high-speed buses that can be easily adapted to pretty much any interface standard available.
IOW, you have utterly and completely failed to embrace the whole concept: That by exchanging a few, dedicated-use ports for a few multi-use ports, one of which (USB-C) is poised to become the Next Big Thing in peripheral interfaces, and which allows Apple to diplomatically and adroitly get out from under the Albatross that TB is turning out to be (unfortunately!), Apple will be releasing a new line of products that is much more "future proof" than some of its recent Mac products have been.
This will likely also result in a standardization toward using USB-C on the next iteration of iOS mobile devices, too; with appropriate "Lightning over USB-C" adapters being used until the switchover is complete.
At least, that's what I hope they have planned...
Now as far as MagSafe goes: I am sad to see that go away; but I have read (on Slashdot, in fact) that there are some technical issues with the "hot swap" nature of the connector, especially from contact arc-damage when disconnecting.
They probably *still* use the same asinine file system as always HFS+ And that one is completely inadequate for flash.
One of the many reasons Apple is developing APFS.
Unless Apple is doing some sort of quasi RAID like read/write access against all available memory chips (vs treating them like a sequential memory space which may end earlier rather than later depending on what memory capacity you selected at purchase time)... why should a higher capacity device have faster read/write times than a lower capacity of the same generation?
If anything, this sounds like another example of Apple attempting to balkinize the market in a way favorable to them and those who are most willing and/or able to pay them the most for devices.
Oh get over yourself.
If Apple wanted to use this to push people into the larger, more expensive, storage option, THEY WOULD HAVE ANNOUNCED IT, or at least put it in the Tech Specs on the Product Page of their website.
I would imagine that the two chips have different write speeds, and Apple had already purchased a shitpot full of the slower ones, and was simply burning through their existing inventory.
As someone else said, most of the time you are READING data (which appears to be essentially the same on the two memories); so in real-world operations, so long as your life doesn't consist of running memory speed tests, you more than likely wouldn't notice the difference unless you have the two phones side-by-side, comparing them.
The design of the Note 7 is copyrighted, just as any other product. To reproduce a likeness of a piece of "art" without permission is infringing (just ask the US Post Office). How accurate was it? Could it be identified as a Note 7? If so, then it's a by right thing - it IS infringing.
It is a generic, thin, rounded-rectangle with a black "face". I can't even remember if it says "Samsung" on it.
But since every single Smartphone looks identical to the iPhone of the same generation, it really could have been any Smartphone, if not for the context.
IOW, it was overreaching on the part of Samsung to issue a DMCA Order. And definitely within the bounds of a "satirical work".
But the cool thing is, now they have breathed new life into an internet meme that had all but died-out... Hahahahaha!!!
You know, everyone at Slashdot that keeps harping on how litigious and "controlling" Apple is, needs to take a hard look at a company (Samsung) that really DOESN'T have a sense of humor (nor decency).
When Apple brought out Final Cut Pro X, the Conan O'Brien Show (which is apparently "cut" on FCP) did about a 10 minute sketch, supposedly depicting technical glitches that were caused by the transition to FCPX. Apple didn't sue. Didn't make Conan issue a retraction. Didn't anything. Instead, they went back to the labs, and fairly quickly addressed most, if not all, of the concerns, and even let customers continue to purchase FCP 5, so that their workflows wouldn't be affected while they fixed FCPX.
When "Antennagate" happened, heck, not only were there SEVERAL YouTube videos about it, I think that someone even wrote a frickin' SONG about the issue. Did Apple rush out with its army of lawyers and issue DMCA Takedown Notices? No. They grinned and bore it along with everyone else. Then they went back to the labs and fixed the problem.
That's just two things I can remember off the top of my head. I'm sure there are other examples.
Aesthetics is a legitimate thing to have a preference on; I mean, let's be honest, that's the reason behind like 80% of Apple purchases
While I agree that aesthetics is a legitimate thing to have a preference on, I utterly disagree that that is "the" reason behind even 20% of Apple purchases, let alone 80%.
And for you to state something so ridiculous just underscores the fact that you simply do not understand what makes Apple products so desirable. For example:
IBM is busily deploying 1,300 ADDITIONAL Macs PER WEEK to go along with the 90,000 they have already. Do you think they are doing that because they LOOK PRETTY?
Shawnee Heights School District has gone from 100% Microsoft to "mostly Apple" in five years. Do you think it was the ROUNDED CORNERS?
Jacobs Medial Center at UC San Diego Health is rolling-out a revolutionary Patient Care System using iPads and Apple TV. Do you think they spent all that Development time and money so their patients can choose TV channels more easily?
And I suppose it is Aesthetics that brings record attendance from IT and business professionals to the Seventh Annual Jamf Nation User Conference to discuss Apple deployment in the Enterprise.
And I am sure that it is the pretty case designs that are causing increased employee demand at Lego for Apple products in their workplace. Afterall, they don't have anything better to do at their jobs than play with Legos all day, right? They don't have any real work to do...
No. Of course 80% of those purchases and development were based on Apple's aesthetics.
By the way, that was just from TWO days' worth of articles from TWO sites. Wonder why NONE of those stories appeared on Slashdot, when it breathlessly announces every time Microsoft or Google so much as blows a fart in their general direction The anti-Apple bias on this site is palpable, and nauseating.
You're as pathetic as Slashdot. Give it a rest.
I'd guess (s)he is referring to the design of the MacBook keyboards (which I think it also on the new wireless keyboard) that have been out for quite some time.
Ok, well, they are far from silent, nor "like typing on a piece of glass". The keys are short-throw, to be sure; but hardly ZERO throw.
But I guess to some people, if its not a Model "M", then its not really a keyboard (rolls eyes)...
Mostly lack of competition, but also Intel not selling their TB bridge chips to just anyone.
WHAT? You have to LICENSE the damned I/F Chips?!?
FFS! Way to kill a nascient standard!
with close to zero key throw,
I imagine they're whisper silent, almost as if they were just a piece of glass.
Besides people will only be typing short security-unimportant tweets on the damn things anyway, since real long-form documents will be a pain to type.
Oh, so you've seen the new keyboards that AREN'T OUT YET???
With live people, those live people will be able to make live decisions, on the spot. There will be much more of a dynamic operation with live people, whereas currently, they're setting most things up to statically unfold.
As long as they're, you know, still alive...