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Connector madness with Apple’s new release
Sure, Apple has somewhat of a cult-like following. However, even these fans have to question how Apple can launch a laptop from which you can’t even charge your iPhone without a dongle.
The company has stripped its new MacBook Pro’s of its previous connections and fitted the new models with 4 Thunderbolt 3 (USB C) ports – However, they have thankfully kept the headphone jack (I’m looking at you iPhone 7).
But this is rather interesting. Apple has in the past received criticism for not complying with connection standards in regards to its iPhone. And with the launch of the iPhone 7 we were presented with a dongle for connecting your headphones into the Lightning jack – stepping even further away from what is easy for the user. Apple's new move to start using an open USB-C standard will however cause some headaches for its users.
Looking at the new computers, I see dongles everywhere – one to connect your iPhone (which is just absurd – no Apple to Apple direct plug), one for an HDMI port, one to connect your keyboard (not all of us use Bluetooth). And of course, Apple has its own dongles to do the job. Lets have a look.
At the moment, I’m running a MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014). The power cord is plugged into its designated place (I will miss the MagSafe), my screen is connected to one of the Thunderbolt 2 ports, my phone is occupying one of the USB ports, headphones are plugged in and my keyboard is running up to the USB port on the right side (my keyboard also offers two more USB ports).
Having this set up with the new MacBook Pro with just four Thunderbold 3/USB C ports would looks something like this:
- Power would take up one USB-C port (three to go).
- I would have to buy one of Apple’s $49 dollar USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 dongles to plug in my screen (two to go).
- One $19 dollar USB-C to USB adapter to plug in my keyboard.