New Apple 12 inch MacBook set to launch on Apr 10, will feature one USB type C port ( USB-C for short )
Video is courtesy of the APPLE YouTube channel
Apple’s latest 12 inch MacBook is set to launch in a couple of days. April 10 to be exact. New unit, but with the old MacBook name.Lots of new technology in it. The biggest thing is IMHO the USB Type C port ( USB-C ).
Recall that Apple has the “Lightning” charging port on it’s IOS Tablet line. The old MacBooks used the MagSafe charging port. The new 12″ MacBook will have “only one port”, that being the USB-C port.
The beauty of the USB-C port is that it really is many ports all rolled up into one. It will be used to charge the new 12″ MacBook. It also has both Digital and Analog video output capability by supporting HDMI (digital), VGA (analog) and DisplayPort 1.2 connections via adapters.
The new Apple 12″ MacBook has not yet launched, but Apple has available assorted USB-C based adapters. No other Apple products will use USB-C (yet).
First up is the Apple USB-C Power Adapter, which is rated at only 29 Watts.
The USB-C charging cable is extra.
You get an HDMI port to mirror your new 12″ MacBook display to a large screen TV, to a large monitor or projector. The TV hookup could go to an Audio/Video Receiver first, to get high quality sound, as HDMI also carries sound signals along with a video signal. As for the video you can almost get 4K Video. The specs states display in up to 1080p at 60Hz or UHD (3840×2160) at 30Hz are supported by the HDMI port on the USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter.
The Apple Adapter also has a standard female USB 3.1 port where one can attach standard USB sticks and USB hard Drives for example.
The third port is also a USB-C port to attach the MacBook charger.
The female USB 3.1 and USB-C connections are also on the USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter.
I’m focusing on USB-C because I believe that it will be a game changer. I have been in computer stores and have already heard customers ask Sales Reps about USB-C.
I have also read about Google’s new Chromebook Pixel which will feature USB-C ports.
Belkin produces a huge number of accessories. They now have a line of USB-C cables available.
This a huge amount of industry support for USB-C. There are also “rumours” that USB-C was actually developed by Apple. Maybe someone versed in Patents can confirm this.
Even if USB-C was released to become a “Standard”, Apple could still earn huge amounts assuming that they had filed patents for USB-C. Patent payments could be considerably smaller for something which becomes a “Standard”, but if there is volume then the sums received to use said Patents could be rather interesting. Again only a rumour that Apple had created USB-C.
Anyhow, Apple’s new 12 inch MacBook will be launched on April 10. Like other Apple products, there will be a huge number of people wanting the latest and greatest (and the smallest MacBook in this case) from Apple. I may write a review article once the new 12″ MacBook has launched. This post is really to give everyone a heads up on USB-C, which I believe will become a major standard going forward.
Posted by: Vincent Banial for Uniquely Toronto
http://www.uniquelytoronto.com
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