Michal Marek Although the new 12-inch MacBook with Retina display is a revolutionary device in its own way, its use is somewhat limited by the absence of any ports. However, the limited possibilities of a single USB-C connector can be expanded with additional accessories, and products are slowly coming to the market that are definitely worth paying attention to if you are solving the problems of early-adopters with USB-C.
The first product is the Hub+, which will apparently go into production thanks to funds from Kickstarter campaign. Its designers needed to raise $35 to realize their plans. However, they have already crossed the $000 mark, so there shouldn't be any obstacles in their implementation.
Hub+ will be available in three colors corresponding to the color variants of the MacBooks - in space gray, silver and gold. When plugged into the MacBook, the adapter offers connectivity expansion by two more USB-C ports, 3 classic USB-A connectors, a Mini DisplayPort and a slot for an SDXC card.
On Kickstarter, the Hub+ can be pre-ordered for $79 (1 crowns), while the retail price is planned to be $700 more. In addition to the 20mm adapter, there is also a 9mm version on offer, which also has a battery, which you can use to partially charge a MacBook or any other device that can be charged via USB.
The second interesting model is the OWC "desktop" adapter for $129 (3 crowns), which can already be pre-order now, while it should be delivered to customers during October. The dock from OWC is more suitable for a desk, it is large and offers a variety of ports. It is also available in all three colors to match the MacBook.
The dock from OWC has four USB-A ports, one USB-C port, an SD card reader, an HDMI connector with 4K support, a Gigabit Ethernet connector and audio connectors for input and output. An 80w power cable is also included with the dock, which will enable power supply for your MacBook and all connected USB devices.
Conquer? Maybe the author, a UK student, can't be serious...
Elegance and practicality alone. Why have a device on my body when I can have boxes on my desk and in my bag.
I wondered where users would put their hands.
– I haven't used the USB stick in months
- I don't connect other devices that connect via USB (mouse and keyboard) to the laptop at all - I don't need them and I have an MBP.
I need to consider what I want to buy. if I need all this, I will not buy a new MacBook, but I will buy an MBP. but if I need to be mobile 95% of the time, I don't need high performance, every gram will help me and the device suits me, so why not? what do you all have against it? I know if I want a big family car, I'll buy it and I won't comment on every roadster being impractical just because it doesn't suit me personally.
I have nothing against what you write and I agree. The problem is that what is being addressed in the article is exactly that I buy something light, that has no ports and "it should be enough for me" and then I suddenly buy unsightly and impractical stuff that negates the meaning of what I have he bought Sure, I don't have to buy it, but why is it even made? Probably because someone wants it. If it is not needed, then as a Macbook lover it is useless to me, if I need it, then I bought the wrong Macbook and should have bought the Air or the Pro version.
Thanks to its features, the Macbook is ideal for use in the field, i.e. everywhere except the "work desk" - wherever it is (home, work, school). A dock is a port where you may or may not dock and expand your connection with the outside world. It depends on the use of the machine, if it is the only machine you have, etc. The Dock is therefore an option, just like the Macbook. Both have their place in the market.
I would see it as the new Macbook is for a certain group of people. I can imagine, for example, a student who needs to be mobile during the day, running between lecture halls or even driving around the city between buildings and taking notes on the MB. But then he would like to sit down in the evening and work on the seminar at the table where he has a mouse and maybe two monitors connected. The second case is, for example, a person who moves with his computer between his home and two workplaces, in short, he will have a monitor, mouse, keyboard + this adapter at each of them, he comes, plugs it in and is done. He doesn't have to deal with anything.
The student doesn't have 40000 to play with!!!
In Prague, yes. Not elsewhere. Own experience. While studying, the first iPod, Mac, iPhone, iPad.
Well, maybe not in the Czech Republic (even though I bought my first iPhone and MBA during my studies), but abroad it's a little different. For example, in America, Apple toys are widely used by students.
I totally agree with Swenak. Is this progress?
Really useless for an ultraportable Macbook. Or do they already do this for the iPad as well? :)
I go to school, take notes in lectures all day, chat with my friends, etc. In the evening, I come home, plug in one cable and have a speaker, second monitor, keyboard, mouse, external drive, camera... It doesn't seem so bad to me.
I thought about him. But in the end I'm going for an MBP with Retina today. Incomparable performance for the same money. When I buy a Mac, I want it to last me 5-6 years, so I want a powerful machine. But paying 40 for a Mac that won't keep up in two years seems like a bad investment to me.
But if someone has the income, enthusiasm and use for it, then why not... Especially if it makes you happy. Otherwise, with the reduction, I perceive it as David below. It's fine, plug one reduction into the computer and you're done.
So, either Apple is right, that one port is enough, or it is lying and confusing and I have to buy a lot of accessories in order for it to work.
The whole discussion about the new Macbook is due to the fact that there is no MacBook Air with Retina (the golden mean for people like me who do not edit video, but still work on a laptop). Ad USB flash drive: there are some countries where using the Internet to transfer 500MB of data is in most cases unthinkable (from my own experience in Italy, Spain, both in the corporate and academic worlds). (Nevertheless, I decided to order a new Macbook due to mobility, so when it gets to me, I will give all my impressions.)