Pt | 2021.10

[LDS]

I am SO glad there is a HDMI connector on these new machines. I'm sure it will ruffle the feathers of the many "pros" who purchased a laptop computer by accident, confusing it for a desktop...

But the whole vision connection thing has been a right mess for the last decade thanks to Apple. There isn't an IT or tech services department, live event tech, student, educator, meeting room, conference, etc on the planet that hasn't experienced the frustration of Apple multimedia connectors.

TB4 also supports HUBS fothermuckers! Thunderbolt HUBS! The old Macbook Pros had two thunderbolt busses with two TB ports each. These new ones have three thunderbolt busses that support three TB ports each(!)... and I don't need to waste an entire TB bus just plugging in an external monitor in anymore.

What a revelation.

[Eric Lambert]

Originally Posted by LDS

There isn't an IT or tech services department, live event tech, student, educator, meeting room, conference, etc on the planet that hasn't experienced the frustration of Apple multimedia connectors.

Yes, our "Adapter Drawer" is massive!

In Apple's pursuit to make things simple, they've created these connection issues you've described. I'm so happy to see that some genius in the boardroom convinced the others to bring a few ports back to laptops.

[Mark Ziebarth]

Originally Posted by Frank Kruse

2 years ago: Why did they drop the HDMI out?!?! FFS!!
Now: Why did they drop the USB-C port for an HDMI port and put the converter into the machine?! FFS!!

(people forget that they actually freed up one port because you can charge via magsafe so the amount of USABLE (!!) USB-C ports is still exactly the same but now you get an onboard HDMI port.

Before: 3 USB-C (one occupied by PSU) and another by a cable to HDMI. So in fact 2 usable ports!!
Now: 3 USB-C that are available when the PSU and a screen are plugged in.


To be honest even 4 USB-C are way below what you need to turn a laptop into a usable professional work station so in any case you need a 300$ Caldigit Dock regardless.

This is what it’s like. Three thunderbolt ports offer enough connectivity if you use docks, hubs etc. Even with my rusty old cheesegrater I use USB-hubs. I guess there will never be a mac which offers enough connectivity to satisfy all my needs without any adapters, docks or hubs.
Let’s hope Avid is fast in updating Pro Tools for Monterey, otherwise I‘ll have to wait even longer for a new macbook.

Best

Mark

[Tweakhead]

Originally Posted by Mark Ziebarth

snip . . . otherwise I‘ll have to wait even longer for a new macbook.

at least by then you can get notch v2

[off the wall]

Originally Posted by Tweakhead

at least by then you can get notch v2

I really don't get the notch hate. It's actually very cool that they've shoved the menubar up to an area that was just a blank bezel. You have more screen real estate now.

[Mark Ziebarth]

Originally Posted by off the wall

I really don't get the notch hate. It's actually very cool that they've shoved the menubar up to an area that was just a blank bezel. You have more screen real estate now.

It’s more screen space not less that’s how I look at it as well…

[Tweakhead]

how is it "hate" ?
I simply suggested v2 would be better.

[K Roche]

Originally Posted by off the wall

I really don't get the notch hate. It's actually very cool that they've shoved the menubar up to an area that was just a blank bezel. You have more screen real estate now.

Me either, I can hardly think of anything that is less important, especially since it will basically only matter on the desk top in finder, and even then will likely disappear from consciousness within seconds after booting up.

[off the wall]

Originally Posted by Tweakhead

how is it "hate" ?
I simply suggested v2 would be better.

Sorry, nothing specifically related you your comment, I just threw you indiscriminately in with all the anti-notchers.

[Eric Lambert]

Originally Posted by Tweakhead

how is it "hate" ?
I simply suggested v2 would be better.

I would say that previous anti-notch posts were clearly classified as hate.

I think we're learning from hands-on reviews that the notch is an issue for about 30 seconds, then it drifts away into the background. It's a tiny downside to having a screen-to-screen image, placed at a location at the top-middle where very little is ever relevant. A non-issue in practical use.