topic Re: 2016 New MacBook Pro in Electronics

2016 New MacBook Pro

Lilysmom — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 19:12:16 GMT

I was just reading about the new MacBook Pro with the touch bar technology. It is a significant makeover. touch Bar replaces function keys. No USB ports, using USB-C so you need dongles, no escape key, new shallow keyboard, fingerprint technology. Price is up there, 13" Pro, 8G RAM, 256 GB storage $1799, 15" 16G, 256 GB is $2399. The headphone jack remains.

I read a review on CNET. You can still buy a 13" MacBook Pro with everything but the touch bar.

I found the touch bar concept vague until I watched a video of it.

Any my thoughts beyond Wow, expensive?😀 LM

Re: 2016 New MacBook Pro

Mz iMac — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 19:49:06 GMT

The new MBP is even more expensive when you consider all the adapters & dongles you will need to purchase so your USB, FW, etc devices can be used.

Re: 2016 New MacBook Pro

Lilysmom — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 19:54:13 GMT

@Mz iMac, I was thinking the same thing about the dongles. I didn't like the touch bar idea until I saw the video. My next computer will be a MacBook. I am pretty sure I will go for the touch bar. I waited for this version because it is the biggest update done in ten years.

It may affect which iPad I choose next. If I go all out on the computer, I probably will not opt for the iPad Pro. I think I will pick the computer first and then decide on the iPad. LM

Re: 2016 New MacBook Pro

Mz iMac — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 20:05:53 GMT

A tricked out 15" new MBP cost just as much as a 27" iMac!!!!

And lets not forget regarding the new MBP, you will need to purchase to carry all your dongles, adapters, etc.

My 2008 MBP is still going strong. I am keeping it until it falls apart or dies. Whichever comes first.

I also have a late 2012 iMac 27". It's good for another 10-15 yrs.

Re: 2016 New MacBook Pro

tockerman — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 20:07:23 GMT

brought my first mac back in feb and love it. has the renta secreen and the picture is great you cannot beat it. and no more virus?

Re: 2016 New MacBook Pro

Kachina624 — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 22:38:26 GMT

I don't know why anyone even buys computers these days unless they need it for business or maybe it's just a habit. I find pads to be so much more convenient and easy to use. I hold mine in the palm of my hand with a velcro holder, kick back in my recliner and peck away. I have no interest in ever owning another computer.

Re: 2016 New MacBook Pro

Jordan2 — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 22:42:17 GMT

@Mz iMac wrote:
The new MBP is even more expensive when you consider all the adapters & dongles you will need to purchase so your USB, FW, etc devices can be used.

@Mz iMac, I have been waiting for the MBP to come out, I have been thinking about getting one. I'm not tech savvy so forgive me for asking, but what is a dongle?

Re: 2016 New MacBook Pro

Mz iMac — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 22:55:56 GMT

@Jordan2

A dongle is a small piece of hardware that connects to another device to provide it with additional functionality.

Examples

Re: 2016 New MacBook Pro

glb613 — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 23:39:51 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
I don't know why anyone even buys computers these days unless they need it for business or maybe it's just a habit. I find pads to be so much more convenient and easy to use. I hold mine in the palm of my hand with a velcro holder, kick back in my recliner and peck away. I have no interest in ever owning another computer.

I have an iPad I never use excpet when I travel. I like a big screen and use my iMac 90% of the time. You may find a tablet easy to use and more convenient but, I don't. Isn't it great there are all types of device and many different sizes?

Re: 2016 New MacBook Pro

Mz iMac — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 01:47:45 GMT

@Kachina624

I do not own any mobile devices (iPads, cell phones, etc). I love the convenience of my 15" screen MBP & my 27" iMac because I use a keyboard and a mouse & prefer watching movies & videos in full screen mode.

Fingerprint cootie smudges all over mobile device screens gives me the heebie geebies.

At my age (66), I do not see the point of trying to use and/or do something and/or anything on some tiny screen.

When I travel, my iPod Nano suits me just fine.

Re: 2016 New MacBook Pro

Lilysmom — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 10:22:15 GMT

I read an article that said budget another $200 for all the dongles you will need with the new MacBook. Yikes!!! Amazon's price for dongles is better than Apple's.

I use the computer for books, music and browsing although not as frequently. I still use spreadsheets. My current laptop is a 17" HP. I would opt for the 13" laptop. I wouldn't opt for the iPad Pro if I did the MacBook. My iPad 3 is going on 6 years old and no longer takes updates. LM

Re: 2016 New MacBook Pro

glb613 — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 10:33:41 GMT

I'm not happy about no USB port. I use a mouse with my MacBook plus external hard drives and flash drives. I have too many photos to store in the icloud free of charge and don't want to pay for storage. I guess it's a good thing I use my iMac for almost everything.

Re: 2016 New MacBook Pro

Lilysmom — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 10:40:09 GMT

@glb613, so what dongles would one need?

one for a mouse;

one for USB (music)

one for HDMI; (for Apple TV? Thought there was an app for Apple TV)

one for printer? or have wifi printer?

one for camera?

Anything else? LM

Re: 2016 New MacBook Pro

glb613 — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 11:46:49 GMT

@Lilysmom wrote:
@glb613, so what dongles would one need?

one for a mouse;
one for USB (music)
one for HDMI; (for Apple TV? Thought there was an app for Apple TV)
one for printer? or have wifi printer?
one for camera?

Anything else? LM

I'd need to use a Bluetooth mouse since I hate using a touchpad. One USB dongle would be enough. I have a wireless printer and Apple TV is also wireless. If Apple plans on keeping the SD slot, you don't need to connect your camera.

I'm not sure how the dongle connects since I haven't looked at one. I wonder if this move is to make the computer thinner and lighter or to force people to use iCloud storage.

Re: 2016 New MacBook Pro

violann — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 13:05:28 GMT

So does that mean that you can't back up an iPad to your laptop harddrive without a dongle?

Re: 2016 New MacBook Pro

glb613 — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 13:45:01 GMT

@violann wrote:
So does that mean that you can't back up an iPad to your laptop harddrive without a dongle?

I decided to go and look at the new MacBook and you don't need a new dongle or adapter for every device. You only need one adapter for each type of connection. If you have USB devices, you need 1 USB to Thunderbolt adapter. The exception is if you want to connect 2 devices at the same time.

Re: 2016 New MacBook Pro

Lilysmom — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 13:45:56 GMT

@glb613, the SD card slot is gone. It is dongle everything. I have the impression this points to the way of the future. You will probably note that the newer iPads and iPhones don't connect like the old ones either. I am thinking they will connect to the new MacBook without a dongle.

Apple must be planning on making a bundle on dongles...

Re: 2016 New MacBook Pro

Lilysmom — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 13:48:37 GMT

@glb613 wrote:
@violann wrote:
So does that mean that you can't back up an iPad to your laptop harddrive without a dongle?
I decided to go and look at the new MacBook and you don't need a new dongle or adapter for every device. You only need one adapter for each type of connection. If you have USB devices, you need 1 USB to Thunderbolt adapter. The exception is if you want to connect 2 devices at the same time.

@violann @glb613, I am assuming if your iPad is an older one like mine, you need a dongle to back up iPad.

Re: 2016 New MacBook Pro

glb613 — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 15:50:59 GMT

@Lilysmom wrote:
@glb613 wrote:
@violann wrote:
So does that mean that you can't back up an iPad to your laptop harddrive without a dongle?
I decided to go and look at the new MacBook and you don't need a new dongle or adapter for every device. You only need one adapter for each type of connection. If you have USB devices, you need 1 USB to Thunderbolt adapter. The exception is if you want to connect 2 devices at the same time.
@violann @glb613, I am assuming if your iPad is an older one like mine, you need a dongle to back up iPad.

You need an adapter so the USB port can connect. Go the the Macbook website and see for yourself.

Re: 2016 New MacBook Pro

Mz iMac — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 22:52:24 GMT

@Lilysmom wrote:
@glb613, so what dongles would one need?

one for a mouse;
one for USB (music)
one for HDMI; (for Apple TV? Thought there was an app for Apple TV)
one for printer? or have wifi printer?
one for camera?

Anything else? LM

External backup drive (In case you run out of space on the MBP internal drive, iCloud and/or Dropbox).