On one hand, it sucks that MacBooks only have 2 ports on 13" models and 3 on 15" models (4 for M1)
On the other, all of the ports do charging, they’re all 40gbps USB4/Thunderbolt3, they all do Displayport and HDMI. All the ports do everything. On most other laptops that just isn’t the case.
Back in the intel-days, lack of ports was a real concern, but I can’t say that I’ve ever felt this with M1.
In fact, most of the common gripes with Mac hardware choices were resolved with M1. A sufficient amount of ports, real keys instead of a small touch screen for Escape- and Function-keys, and no undue focus on making the device as thin as possible at the expense of performance.
Add the fact that they are ridiculously fast and you’ve got yourself a very competent development machine.
I’d still hesitate at paying full retail price for one for personal use, but as a work device? I will gladly use one.
Honestly 3 ports is enough. And you have the separate MagSafe port too, which means all 3 are typically free. I can’t think of a good reason to have 3 devices regularly hooked up to a Mac laptop. Mouse, keyboard, external hard drive? And mouse/keyboard can be wired to each other and/or wireless?
How about headset, flash drive, extra monitors, Ethernet cable, charging cable, phone charging/data transfer, controller, and even a better webcam and microphone.
You are looking for solutions on a problem that shouldn’t even exist in such an expensive device.
I never needed more because I just had a dock. My monitor, keyboard, mouse, and Ethernet cable stayed in the same place, so I’d just bring my laptop home and plug in a thunderbolt dock, and I’d have every peripheral I needed. And I’m someone who tries to use wired stuff over wireless whenever convenient.
It’s a two way sword.
On one hand, it sucks that MacBooks only have 2 ports on 13" models and 3 on 15" models (4 for M1)
On the other, all of the ports do charging, they’re all 40gbps USB4/Thunderbolt3, they all do Displayport and HDMI. All the ports do everything. On most other laptops that just isn’t the case.
M1 16’’ has:
Back in the intel-days, lack of ports was a real concern, but I can’t say that I’ve ever felt this with M1.
In fact, most of the common gripes with Mac hardware choices were resolved with M1. A sufficient amount of ports, real keys instead of a small touch screen for Escape- and Function-keys, and no undue focus on making the device as thin as possible at the expense of performance.
Add the fact that they are ridiculously fast and you’ve got yourself a very competent development machine.
I’d still hesitate at paying full retail price for one for personal use, but as a work device? I will gladly use one.
I have about as many USB-C ports as a Mac, and they also do everything.
But I also have on top of that: HDMI, Ethernet, audio jack and 2x USB-A
On a laptop that is 1/3th the price of the cheapest Mac.
How are we pronouncing this?
What’s the laptop? Always looking for some cheap.well built machines.
A 333€ laptop has all that? How’s the battery life?
Are we gaming during our commute now or something though? If you’re at home you’ll have some sort of port hub.
Honestly 3 ports is enough. And you have the separate MagSafe port too, which means all 3 are typically free. I can’t think of a good reason to have 3 devices regularly hooked up to a Mac laptop. Mouse, keyboard, external hard drive? And mouse/keyboard can be wired to each other and/or wireless?
How about headset, flash drive, extra monitors, Ethernet cable, charging cable, phone charging/data transfer, controller, and even a better webcam and microphone.
You are looking for solutions on a problem that shouldn’t even exist in such an expensive device.
Even a dongle is just a workaround.
Sorry to inform you, but your imagination is rather deficient.
I never needed more because I just had a dock. My monitor, keyboard, mouse, and Ethernet cable stayed in the same place, so I’d just bring my laptop home and plug in a thunderbolt dock, and I’d have every peripheral I needed. And I’m someone who tries to use wired stuff over wireless whenever convenient.
Great, you mean exactly like everyone else does while still having all those ports as well?