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.
In most first person game I’ll use the controller for movement and general aiming. If there’s a situation where I need precise aiming, such as a sniper rifle or multiple fast shots, I’ll have my controller in my left hand and mouse in my right.
Some Trackmania players switch between keyboards, controllers or steering wheels based on the current track for example. Also, navigating some menues is better with mouse or keyboard, but laptop inbuilt controls should be enough for that.
That port joke sure is a dead horse …
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?
A 333€ laptop has all that? How’s the battery life?
What’s the laptop? Always looking for some cheap.well built machines.
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?
why would anybody need a mouse + keyboard and a controller at the same time
Are you too poor to get a laptop where you can keep everything plugged in?
In most first person game I’ll use the controller for movement and general aiming. If there’s a situation where I need precise aiming, such as a sniper rifle or multiple fast shots, I’ll have my controller in my left hand and mouse in my right.
Some Trackmania players switch between keyboards, controllers or steering wheels based on the current track for example. Also, navigating some menues is better with mouse or keyboard, but laptop inbuilt controls should be enough for that.