No USB port(s) on new MacBook Pros

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Level 1

9 points

No USB port(s) on new MacBook Pros

I'm about ready to order a new 14" MacBook Pro, but I'm a little disconcerted by the ports. My late 2013 model has two Thunderbolt ports that I've never used even once for anything, while it has two USB ports, one on each side, that I've constantly used and continue to use all the time. Moreover, all the devices I've recently purchased – a Seagate disk, a crypto wallet, a backup battery – are USB. Since manufacturers are still producing USB devices, why hasn't Apple maintained at least one USB port? And what am I supposed to do with my USB devices? I have ten cables, and if I bought adapters for all of them at $20 a pop that could run me $200. Of course I don't have to buy adapters for all of them, but if I don't it looks like I'll have an adapter always hanging out of the laptop, which would be awkward, inelegant and a drag – or I'd always have to be rummaging for the adapter and switching it from cable to cable. So why did Apple drop USB, and what exactly should I do about it? I just now realized there may be an adapter that sits in a Thunderbolt port, which I suppose would be preferable to adapter cables but still something of a drag. If this question has already been answered, as seems likely, please refer me to the answer and excuse me for not finding it myself, thanks.

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.14

Posted on Mar 18, 2022 11:59 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

roy_mccoy Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 18, 2022 1:42 PM in response to muguy

Thanks, but then there's the same question: particularly if the connection is the same or congruent electronically, and given that current devices are still USB, why didn't Apple leave at least one physical USB port? It's not like there isn't plenty of room on the sides. I don't want even one Thunderbolt port, let alone three of them. If this doesn't wind up actually being a deal-breaker, it's close to it. People have always wanted their Macs to be elegant – unnecessarily dangling dongles and adapters are anything but.

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Answer 2

roy_mccoy Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 18, 2022 12:16 PM in response to muguy

Thanks muguy. I'm still confused, however, because the MBP product description says "Three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI port, SDXC card slot, MagSafe 3 port", with no mention of USB. I suspect I would need more than one adapter, a docking station doesn't seem right for my home desk, and chaining devices doesn't sound like an attractive prospect either. It looks like this is turning into a deal-breaker, as my old Mac is still running okay – just a little slow on the videos sometimes – and it doesn't need any adapters, docking station or chaining.

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Answer 3

Mar 18, 2022 12:24 PM in response to roy_mccoy

For ORDINARY peripherals, (not high-end displays) use something like this, 2 for US$10:

https://www.amazon.com/Syntech-Adapter-Thunderbolt-Compatible-MacBook/dp/B07CVX3516/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=usb%2Bto%2Busb%2Bc&qid=1647630668&sr=8-3&th=1

For high-end displays you will need to find adapters/cables rated for higher speeds.

.

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Answer 4

Mar 18, 2022 12:17 PM in response to roy_mccoy

roy_mccoy wrote:

I'm about ready to order a new 14" MacBook Pro, but I'm a little disconcerted by the ports. My late 2013 model has two Thunderbolt ports that I've never used even once for anything, while it has two USB ports, one on each side, that I've constantly used and continue to use all the time. Moreover, all the devices I've recently purchased – a Seagate disk, a crypto wallet, a backup battery – are USB. Since manufacturers are still producing USB devices, why hasn't Apple maintained at least one USB port? And what am I supposed to do with my USB devices? I have ten cables, and if I bought adapters for all of them at $20 a pop that could run me $200. Of course I don't have to buy adapters for all of them, but if I don't it looks like I'll have an adapter always hanging out of the laptop, which would be awkward, inelegant and a drag – or I'd always have to be rummaging for the adapter and switching it from cable to cable. So why did Apple drop USB, and what exactly should I do about it? I just now realized there may be an adapter that sits in a Thunderbolt port, which I suppose would be preferable to adapter cables but still something of a drag. If this question has already been answered, as seems likely, please refer me to the answer and excuse me for not finding it myself, thanks.

The most basic and the most useful for all your old USB devices—

USB-C to USB Adapter - Apple

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https://contactretail.apple.com/Help

* Shop with a Specialist

Browse and shop our products in a one-on-one session with a Specialist at an Apple Store and find what’s right for you.

Shop with a Specialist - Apple

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Answer 5

roy_mccoy Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 18, 2022 1:53 PM in response to roy_mccoy

Oh, but wait: I can buy ten of these for fifty bucks and put them on all my cables, so they won't be sticking out the sides of the Mac unattached to anything. That's better, if still not ideal for the owner of USB devices.

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Answer 6

roy_mccoy Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 18, 2022 6:19 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Ah, so the Thunderbolt ports are backwards-compatible with an adapter, but USB connections are significantly slower even though going through Thunderbolt ports. And I suppose the reason manufacturers and dealers are still making and selling USB devices is that everyone doesn't have the latest Thunderbolt connections on their computers. I guess obsolete ports could also be considered inelegant ... so okay, I'm placated and know what adapters to get, thanks!

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