Comment by trb8 | Hacker News Reader

Comment by trb8 | Hacker News Reader

Parent Full thread

> I feel like the odd one out.

You're not. I have the late 2016 model. It replaced my ~2013-2014 model and I consider it an improvement.

The Touch Bar / touch-id is a (mostly irrelevant) improvement over a row of keys that I never used.

I think my computer would be worse if it dedicated space to a SD card slot reader. I've never used it.

I wouldn't mind a USB-A port. But I have only wanted to plug something in twice over the last year and the adapter was fine.

I really don't see why I want an HDMI port. I have never used it once over the last decade I have owned Mac laptops.

I get that Marco wants this stuff. He runs some complicated portable podcast setup that pretty much requires every port on the old laptop. But I can't really tell the difference between him and the people that did not want Apple to remove the ethernet port. Or the floppy drive. Or the VGA port. Or DVI. Or the DVD-ROM drive.

The only port removal issue that I suspect hits a sizable number of users is the iPhone cord still being USB-A.

>SD card slot reader

Expansion, not sure how many people realise this - I have a 128GB card and make heavy use of the extra storage on top of my internal 256GB SSD.

I agree, but the keyboard is what gets me the most. I can get used to the feel, but it is simply too unreliable for a $2k computer. A spec of dust can bring it down for crying out loud.

Yes. It's ridiculous.

I’ve had a new MBP since it came out and also had a 12” MB too with virtually the same keyboard and never had a keyboard problem with dust. I wonder what I’m doing different?

You know it's an issue when apple releases an official guide on cleaning the keyboard for users with unresponsive keys due to dust.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205662

I totally agree, though a MacBook Pro (note the Pro) with all these ports is a legitimate option. It's a similar situation as with the old Mac Pro and the new Mac Pro. Luckily they realized the problem. Honestly, Apple has the funds to offer both options: An ultra lightweight laptop series called 'MacBook' and a 'MacBook Pro' series with all these ports like USB-A, USB-C, SD-Card and HDMI that the pros need.

> I wouldn't mind a USB-A port.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but this is a non-issue because of the existence of USB wires that have USB-C on one end and USB-A on the other, isn't that right?

Basically, any device which is USB-A works just fine if you simply use a USB-C<->USB-A wire.

The main reason to want an HDMI port appears to be that the external HDMI adapters are flakey as hell and simply do not work as consistently as the built in port. We have some LCD flatscreens in the conference rooms at the office, and one of the brands (which we've had since 2013) causes the brans new MBPs to panic.

On the USB-A port thing, what reason does anyone have for plugging their phone into their computer anymore, though? Everything about iOS and macOS now supports wireless sync and file transfer. I can't think of a single thing that I'd even need that for...

If you have a long commute, it’s nice to have a 4lb battery strapped to your back

What does that have to do with having a USB-A port on the computer?

I'm a fairly happy MBP 2016 user. I would love to have a single USB-A port. And that is because of the logitech unifying receiver[1], the Elecom wireless trackball dongle[2], or the plantronics voyager uc adapter[3]. These are all USB-A and fit almost flush with the laptop, unless you have to attach a usb-c adapter, in which case you have to stick out 2" with a ridid adapter, or a 6" flexible cable adapter.

Now you're probably thing "but what about bluetooth"? And I'd agree. In fact, I have almost no need anymore for the unifying receiver. Except my elecom trackball isn't bluetooth, and up until this year's Logitech MX Ergo, bluetooth trackballs just were not an option. I still prefer the Elecom over the MX Ergo.

And the plantronics headset? I've gone through so many bluetooth headsets, and this is really the best one I've ever found that lets me switch between phone and PC. However - computer bluetooth leaves something to be desired for VOIP windows and mac). That's where their UC adapter comes in - it makes voice conferences heavenly sounding.

Anyways, these are small nitpicks. When I'm at my desk, my laptop is docked and the various accessories live in the dock. It's really only when I travel or want to use that headset to take a zoom call on my computer from the couch that I find myself missing it. I'd love to just leave that tiny dongle live in the laptop all the time instead of retrieving it (plus usb-c to usb-a adapter) as I'm setting up for the call.

[1]: https://www.amazon.com/Unifying-receiver-keyboard-Logitech-c... [2]: https://www.amazon.com/ELECOM-M-XT3DRBK-Wireless-Trackball-f... [3]: http://www.qtooth.com/plantronics-voyager-legend-uc-bluetoot...

I use these https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3... to alleviate the 'sticking out' problem.

Surprised Logitech doesn’t sell a $10 USB-C unifying receiver.

tethering while working on the train

I use my notebook all the time to charge my iphone. Especially if I happen to be using the phone as a hotspot whilst out and about.

>On the USB-A port thing, what reason does anyone have for plugging their phone into their computer anymore, though?

I'm a mobile dev. Also to charge it.

You can charge any modern smartphone (except iPhone) with the USB-C cable coming from your laptop charger

Reply on news.ycombinator.com