Why is this such a hard concept for people to understand? Not everyone works in a location blanketed by high speed wifi. Some people have to connect to secure networks. Dongles suck. A retina display doesn't do squat when you can't get to your data.
Apple products gained so much ground over the last decade because they were able to impress both the barristas at starbucks and technical people who value performance.
OK. So Apple loses the market which meets all of the following criteria:
1. No access to WiFi at critical times
2. Needs Ethernet all the time (not just in the office since if it's only in the office, they can leave the adapter attached to the Ethernet cable)
3. Unwilling to use a TB-Ethernet adapter when traveling
4. Willing to change to a different OS and hardware supplier to avoid the inconvenience of carrying an adapter.
Somehow, I doubt that involves very many people. After all, the MacBook Air is selling extremely well.
Oh, and of course, this is just a rumor. There's no real evidence that Apple's going to drop Ethernet, anyway.
I think that the ethernet port will be standard equipment. It will be right next to the MagSafe port at the rear of the lower casing, just as it is today. Or, with the optical drive gone, move to the rear on the opposite side.
At my company, if I bring in my own laptop and I want to connect to the network, I HAVE to use a hard line. Using their wireless is a security risk; you can only use it if your machine's software has been installed and configured by a controlled image file.
If a Macbook Pro is truly intended for "Professional" users, then they can't ditch the wired ethernet port.
P.S. Doesn't bother me either way, I don't use my own laptop at work, but I find it interesting that so many people debate this feature.
I think that the ethernet port will be standard equipment. It will be right next to the MagSafe port at the rear of the lower casing, just as it is today. Or, with the optical drive gone, move to the rear on the opposite side.
I don't see them keeping an Ethernet port, but that's me.
Oh, years back? aught seven maybe? Apple got patents for collapsible ports. They knew back then that Ethernet is the only thing keeping computers from getting thinner (well, that and FireWire 800, but that's basically moot now), and so they created thinner versions of the ports.
Thunderbolt makes those patents unnecessary now, but they were interesting to see.
I don't see them keeping an Ethernet port, but that's me.
Oh, years back? aught seven maybe? Apple got patents for collapsible ports. They knew back then that Ethernet is the only thing keeping computers from getting thinner (well, that and FireWire 800, but that's basically moot now), and so they created thinner versions of the ports.
Thunderbolt makes those patents unnecessary now, but they were interesting to see.
The rear lower case for the new 15" MacBook Pro will be nearly as thick as the rear lower case of the current model. It will need to be to accommodate an adequate heat-sink for the Core i7 processor and GPU. Adding the ethernet port is a no brainer - really.
A built-in RJ-45 jack is the make-it-or-break-it feature for you regardless of whatever else they do? Even if the next MBPs have Retina Displays?
Retina displays would be pretty useless without an Ethernet port for many uses. I'm not sure why people don't grasp this, Ethernet is as critical as a decent GPU is to some Pro users.
Apple or some third party can make a Thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter without losing a bit of speed. Anyone who is willing to give up all of Apple's goodness will be biting their nose to spite their face. They deserve everything they get. It no skin off our nose.
The problem is you guys just don't understand how critical it is to have Ethernet built in. Some places demand it as part of their security policies. Others need the port to easily hook up to infrastructure where that is the deaf to interface.
Beyond all of that why would anybody want a UNIX based computer without strong networking capability? Ethernet and UNIX go together like chile and hot dogs.
Retina displays would be pretty useless without an Ethernet port for many uses. I'm not sure why people don't grasp this, Ethernet is as critical as a decent GPU is to some Pro users.
And a bicycle is as critical to some people as a steak dinner. That doesn't mean that they're related in any way.
Relating Ethernet to a good GPU is just plain silly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wizard69
The problem is you guys just don't understand how critical it is to have Ethernet built in. Some places demand it as part of their security policies. Others need the port to easily hook up to infrastructure where that is the deaf to interface.
Beyond all of that why would anybody want a UNIX based computer without strong networking capability? Ethernet and UNIX go together like chile and hot dogs.
Then you buy an adapter. Problem solved.
Are you still up in arms because the Mac pro doesn't have SCSI or a floppy drive or an RS232 port, too?
Are you still up in arms because the Mac pro doesn't have SCSI or a floppy drive or an RS232 port, too?
i don't think wizard69 was talking about those things.
and you mentioned about buying an adapter as a workaround for not having an Ethernet port. care to elaborate? i have done work at the US Department of Defense and Northrup Grumman (in Long Island, NY) a few years ago and there's no chance of anyone bringing it a portable, pocket-sized device that hasn't been approved by the security team. and, yes, smartphones, USB keys, portable storage media, et cetera all had to be relinquished to security personnel in the building lobby.
i don't think wizard69 was talking about those things.
and you mentioned about buying an adapter as a workaround for not having an Ethernet port. care to elaborate? i have done work at the US Department of Defense and Northrup Grumman (in Long Island, NY) a few years ago and there's no chance of anyone bringing it a portable, pocket-sized device that hasn't been approved by the security team. and, yes, smartphones, USB keys, portable storage media, et cetera all had to be relinquished to security personnel in the building lobby.
Sounds like something to take up w/the purchasing department. If they order it in, then it's already at work when you get there.
Again, defense contractors are not the norm for buying a MBP. Niche of a niche is not something Apple is going to worry about.
Sounds like something to take up w/the purchasing department. If they order it in, then it's already at work when you get there.
regardless of industry in which data security is a high priority, there will have to tangible benefits of supporting notebooks that lack an Ethernet port.
i've been keen on getting a MacBook (Pro or otherwise) a quite some time; perhaps the new Pros will make an attractive purchase, for personal use, this year.
Correct, so if it hasn't got an ethernet port I'll not be buying a new air-like mac book pro, but instead go for an asus zenbook (A version with 1080p screen)
zenbook doesn't have an ethernet port...
anyone who would buy an ultrabook and run windows vs an Air with os x is just nuts...now if you were going to run Ubuntu then good luck and thumbs up!
I think that works great for very portable users with the MBA that also want a desktop display but I think it gets hard to swallow for every MBP user. Apple's build quality and OS X are strong but I think that could hurt Apple a bit.
I see no reason why they can't use the tapered design and still have the back sides be a little bit thicker to accommodate the typical port array. Actually, eve more ports once that ODD is gone.
Literally the only time I recall using the ethernet port on my MBP was to configure routers which required a wired connection for security or only had console port for configuration. That is the thing about routers - you can't really bring a desktop out to the datacenter. If it is going to be 'Pro' it needs both ethernet and ODD, IMO.
anyone who would buy an ultrabook and run windows vs an Air with os x is just nuts...now if you were going to run Ubuntu then good luck and thumbs up!
Good point.
I just assumed that mausz knew what he was talking about so I didn't check, but it looks like he's just a troll.
Instead of a MBP with thunderbolt-ethernet or USB-ethernet, he'd choose a silly little netbook with far less processing power, an inferior screen AND a USB-ethernet adapter.
regardless of industry in which data security is a high priority, there will have to tangible benefits of supporting notebooks that lack an Ethernet port.
i've been keen on getting a MacBook (Pro or otherwise) a quite some time; perhaps the new Pros will make an attractive purchase, for personal use, this year.
a thinner version of the current pro with good processing power is good enough for me. a current pro w quad core is very good as is anyway.
Literally the only time I recall using the ethernet port on my MBP was to configure routers which required a wired connection for security or only had console port for configuration. That is the thing about routers - you can't really bring a desktop out to the datacenter. If it is going to be 'Pro' it needs both ethernet and ODD, IMO.
a lot of IT, especially network gurus are stuck with nasty machines cuz they need ethernet ports and worse...serial.
I just assumed that mausz knew what he was talking about so I didn't check, but it looks like he's just a troll.
Instead of a MBP with thunderbolt-ethernet or USB-ethernet, he'd choose a silly little netbook with far less processing power, an inferior screen AND a USB-ethernet adapter.
ROTFLMAO.
i had high hopes for the Asus Zenbook as a great Ubuntu machine...sadly the zenbook had too many issues even with Windows much less a linux distro. Although asus is releasing an updated zenbook to deal with problems they provided (ha) linux still has a hard time with touch/gesture pads and power management (supposedly kernel 3.2+ will have some of this worked out but i ain't holding my breath)
plus Asus and a LOT of the other companies are f****** terrible about showing off some 'super, amazing, innovative' product that shows up a YEAR later and buggy)
The problem is you guys just don't understand how critical it is to have Ethernet built in. Some places demand it as part of their security policies. Others need the port to easily hook up to infrastructure where that is the deaf to interface.
Beyond all of that why would anybody want a UNIX based computer without strong networking capability? Ethernet and UNIX go together like chile and hot dogs.
a lot of IT, especially network gurus are stuck with nasty machines cuz they need ethernet ports and worse...serial.
Yeah. I used to have Fedora Core and Windows running on two different Sony Vaio laptops just because sometimes you needed Unix and sometimes Windows for Remote Desktop. Thankfully most modern network equipment bailed on DB9 pin serial. At least I don't run across it any longer. I put Team Viewer on the Win boxes and use mostly ssh or occasionally vnc for the Linux boxes so the MBP works well but you do need the ethernet. Whether the thunderbolt to ethernet or USB to ethernet converters work with ethernet to serial cross over console cables from Cisco, I do not know.
Comments
Why is this such a hard concept for people to understand? Not everyone works in a location blanketed by high speed wifi. Some people have to connect to secure networks. Dongles suck. A retina display doesn't do squat when you can't get to your data.
Apple products gained so much ground over the last decade because they were able to impress both the barristas at starbucks and technical people who value performance.
OK. So Apple loses the market which meets all of the following criteria:
1. No access to WiFi at critical times
2. Needs Ethernet all the time (not just in the office since if it's only in the office, they can leave the adapter attached to the Ethernet cable)
3. Unwilling to use a TB-Ethernet adapter when traveling
4. Willing to change to a different OS and hardware supplier to avoid the inconvenience of carrying an adapter.
Somehow, I doubt that involves very many people. After all, the MacBook Air is selling extremely well.
Oh, and of course, this is just a rumor. There's no real evidence that Apple's going to drop Ethernet, anyway.
If a Macbook Pro is truly intended for "Professional" users, then they can't ditch the wired ethernet port.
P.S. Doesn't bother me either way, I don't use my own laptop at work, but I find it interesting that so many people debate this feature.
I think that the ethernet port will be standard equipment. It will be right next to the MagSafe port at the rear of the lower casing, just as it is today. Or, with the optical drive gone, move to the rear on the opposite side.
I don't see them keeping an Ethernet port, but that's me.
Oh, years back? aught seven maybe? Apple got patents for collapsible ports. They knew back then that Ethernet is the only thing keeping computers from getting thinner (well, that and FireWire 800, but that's basically moot now), and so they created thinner versions of the ports.
Thunderbolt makes those patents unnecessary now, but they were interesting to see.
I don't see them keeping an Ethernet port, but that's me.
Oh, years back? aught seven maybe? Apple got patents for collapsible ports. They knew back then that Ethernet is the only thing keeping computers from getting thinner (well, that and FireWire 800, but that's basically moot now), and so they created thinner versions of the ports.
Thunderbolt makes those patents unnecessary now, but they were interesting to see.
The rear lower case for the new 15" MacBook Pro will be nearly as thick as the rear lower case of the current model. It will need to be to accommodate an adequate heat-sink for the Core i7 processor and GPU. Adding the ethernet port is a no brainer - really.
A built-in RJ-45 jack is the make-it-or-break-it feature for you regardless of whatever else they do? Even if the next MBPs have Retina Displays?
Retina displays would be pretty useless without an Ethernet port for many uses. I'm not sure why people don't grasp this, Ethernet is as critical as a decent GPU is to some Pro users.
Apple or some third party can make a Thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter without losing a bit of speed. Anyone who is willing to give up all of Apple's goodness will be biting their nose to spite their face. They deserve everything they get. It no skin off our nose.
The problem is you guys just don't understand how critical it is to have Ethernet built in. Some places demand it as part of their security policies. Others need the port to easily hook up to infrastructure where that is the deaf to interface.
Beyond all of that why would anybody want a UNIX based computer without strong networking capability? Ethernet and UNIX go together like chile and hot dogs.
Retina displays would be pretty useless without an Ethernet port for many uses. I'm not sure why people don't grasp this, Ethernet is as critical as a decent GPU is to some Pro users.
And a bicycle is as critical to some people as a steak dinner. That doesn't mean that they're related in any way.
Relating Ethernet to a good GPU is just plain silly.
The problem is you guys just don't understand how critical it is to have Ethernet built in. Some places demand it as part of their security policies. Others need the port to easily hook up to infrastructure where that is the deaf to interface.
Beyond all of that why would anybody want a UNIX based computer without strong networking capability? Ethernet and UNIX go together like chile and hot dogs.
Then you buy an adapter. Problem solved.
Are you still up in arms because the Mac pro doesn't have SCSI or a floppy drive or an RS232 port, too?
Yes, Apple might eventually release a 15" MacBook Air, but I think the Pro will appear first.
Are you still up in arms because the Mac pro doesn't have SCSI or a floppy drive or an RS232 port, too?
i don't think wizard69 was talking about those things.
and you mentioned about buying an adapter as a workaround for not having an Ethernet port. care to elaborate? i have done work at the US Department of Defense and Northrup Grumman (in Long Island, NY) a few years ago and there's no chance of anyone bringing it a portable, pocket-sized device that hasn't been approved by the security team. and, yes, smartphones, USB keys, portable storage media, et cetera all had to be relinquished to security personnel in the building lobby.
i don't think wizard69 was talking about those things.
and you mentioned about buying an adapter as a workaround for not having an Ethernet port. care to elaborate? i have done work at the US Department of Defense and Northrup Grumman (in Long Island, NY) a few years ago and there's no chance of anyone bringing it a portable, pocket-sized device that hasn't been approved by the security team. and, yes, smartphones, USB keys, portable storage media, et cetera all had to be relinquished to security personnel in the building lobby.
Sounds like something to take up w/the purchasing department. If they order it in, then it's already at work when you get there.
Again, defense contractors are not the norm for buying a MBP. Niche of a niche is not something Apple is going to worry about.
Sounds like something to take up w/the purchasing department. If they order it in, then it's already at work when you get there.
regardless of industry in which data security is a high priority, there will have to tangible benefits of supporting notebooks that lack an Ethernet port.
i've been keen on getting a MacBook (Pro or otherwise) a quite some time; perhaps the new Pros will make an attractive purchase, for personal use, this year.
Correct, so if it hasn't got an ethernet port I'll not be buying a new air-like mac book pro, but instead go for an asus zenbook (A version with 1080p screen)
zenbook doesn't have an ethernet port...
anyone who would buy an ultrabook and run windows vs an Air with os x is just nuts...now if you were going to run Ubuntu then good luck and thumbs up!
I think that works great for very portable users with the MBA that also want a desktop display but I think it gets hard to swallow for every MBP user. Apple's build quality and OS X are strong but I think that could hurt Apple a bit.
I see no reason why they can't use the tapered design and still have the back sides be a little bit thicker to accommodate the typical port array. Actually, eve more ports once that ODD is gone.
Literally the only time I recall using the ethernet port on my MBP was to configure routers which required a wired connection for security or only had console port for configuration. That is the thing about routers - you can't really bring a desktop out to the datacenter. If it is going to be 'Pro' it needs both ethernet and ODD, IMO.
zenbook doesn't have an ethernet port...
anyone who would buy an ultrabook and run windows vs an Air with os x is just nuts...now if you were going to run Ubuntu then good luck and thumbs up!
Good point.
I just assumed that mausz knew what he was talking about so I didn't check, but it looks like he's just a troll.
Instead of a MBP with thunderbolt-ethernet or USB-ethernet, he'd choose a silly little netbook with far less processing power, an inferior screen AND a USB-ethernet adapter.
ROTFLMAO.
regardless of industry in which data security is a high priority, there will have to tangible benefits of supporting notebooks that lack an Ethernet port.
i've been keen on getting a MacBook (Pro or otherwise) a quite some time; perhaps the new Pros will make an attractive purchase, for personal use, this year.
a thinner version of the current pro with good processing power is good enough for me. a current pro w quad core is very good as is anyway.
Literally the only time I recall using the ethernet port on my MBP was to configure routers which required a wired connection for security or only had console port for configuration. That is the thing about routers - you can't really bring a desktop out to the datacenter. If it is going to be 'Pro' it needs both ethernet and ODD, IMO.
a lot of IT, especially network gurus are stuck with nasty machines cuz they need ethernet ports and worse...serial.
Good point.
I just assumed that mausz knew what he was talking about so I didn't check, but it looks like he's just a troll.
Instead of a MBP with thunderbolt-ethernet or USB-ethernet, he'd choose a silly little netbook with far less processing power, an inferior screen AND a USB-ethernet adapter.
ROTFLMAO.
i had high hopes for the Asus Zenbook as a great Ubuntu machine...sadly the zenbook had too many issues even with Windows much less a linux distro. Although asus is releasing an updated zenbook to deal with problems they provided (ha) linux still has a hard time with touch/gesture pads and power management (supposedly kernel 3.2+ will have some of this worked out but i ain't holding my breath)
plus Asus and a LOT of the other companies are f****** terrible about showing off some 'super, amazing, innovative' product that shows up a YEAR later and buggy)
The problem is you guys just don't understand how critical it is to have Ethernet built in. Some places demand it as part of their security policies. Others need the port to easily hook up to infrastructure where that is the deaf to interface.
Beyond all of that why would anybody want a UNIX based computer without strong networking capability? Ethernet and UNIX go together like chile and hot dogs.
hot dogs are big in Chile?
he he.
a lot of IT, especially network gurus are stuck with nasty machines cuz they need ethernet ports and worse...serial.
Yeah. I used to have Fedora Core and Windows running on two different Sony Vaio laptops just because sometimes you needed Unix and sometimes Windows for Remote Desktop. Thankfully most modern network equipment bailed on DB9 pin serial. At least I don't run across it any longer. I put Team Viewer on the Win boxes and use mostly ssh or occasionally vnc for the Linux boxes so the MBP works well but you do need the ethernet. Whether the thunderbolt to ethernet or USB to ethernet converters work with ethernet to serial cross over console cables from Cisco, I do not know.