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Last week, Microsoft unveiled a brand new range of laptops without compatibility with the latest standard in USB-C accessory connection.
In other words, these laptops can meet the specifications of 2018, but are as advanced as the devices marketed in 2015.
Meanwhile, Microsoft's direct competitor, Apple, has an opposite approach: to give users USB-C, and nothing else, to force them to move forward. Indeed, the current ranges of Apple's MacBook and MacBook Pro are entirely dedicated to USB-C, with barely a traditional USB port in sight.
Interestingly, no technology giant has the right. At all.
My colleague Matt Weinberger shared his concerns with Apple's USB-C strategy previously. It means dongles and frustration for anyone who is not ready to move. Even Apple is not ready, judging by the fact that it contains the usual USB cable with its latest iPhone, rather than a newer USB-C cable.
Today, I am focusing a little more on Microsoft 's decision to completely abandon USB – C.
What is USB-C?
In short, USB-C is a new standard that uses a single cable to connect everything from headphones to external monitors, flash drives and even wall chargers. Everything uses a single standard port for all devices.
USB-C also supports the "Thunderbolt 3" standard, which began commercialization in late 2015. It provides ultra-fast data speeds for the most rugged accessories, such as external graphics cards (eGPU ) and Thunderbolt 3. external hard drives use to streamline their workflow. It has theoretical data transfer speeds of up to 5 GBper second, which is significantly faster than previous USB generations, the last of which (USB 3.2) could reach speeds of up to 2.5 gigabytes per second.
I do not expect most people to immediately adopt the USB-C / Thunderbolt 3, but I wonder why anyone would buy a laptop in 2018 that would not allow it to prepare for the future because USB-C is becoming more common.
What is surprising is that Microsoft is the most "strange" among his peers. There is a wide variety of third-party Windows 10 laptops shipped with old-style USB ports similar to those of the new range of Surface laptops, as well as the newest USB-C. It's just a strange decision.
Last year, Pete Kyriacou, Technical Manager at Microsoft, told Verge that the USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 were still baffling many people.
Kyriacou has a good point. he East confusing even a year later. USB-C cables are all alike, but some work with Thunderbolt 3 accessories, others do not. Unless you are aware, you will never be able to understand everything. You could say that the problems of USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 are still being solved.
In an interview with reporter Lance Ulanoff about the big event, Microsoft Surface's boss, Panos Panay, explained: USB-C is on Microsoft's radar. But that will not abandon the traditional USB from so early.
What is Microsoft and Apple wrong?
Nevertheless, completely omitting the latest technology because it creates confusion, especially when it is not a necessity, is a bit like helicopter management from Microsoft. It's not like nothing is broken if I connect the wrong USB-C cable to the wrong USB-C port. Let me run my own life, Mom Microsoft and Dad Microsoft.
In addition, Microsoft apparently thinks that the USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 are not too confusing for buyers of Microsoft's Surface Studio 2 to $ 3,499. The new Microsoft office incorporates the latest technologies.
To be honest, I have not tried the new Surface Pro 6 or Surface Laptop 2 yet, beyond a few minutes with them when Microsoft announced earlier in the week. And when I go, something tells me that USB-C / Thunderbolt 3 serial ports on my 2016 MacBook Pro will not fail. Almost all the accessories I own and use are directly connected to the Surface laptop line.
But what about those who at Already adopted USB-C devices, especially professionals who appreciate Thunderbolt 3's super-fast transmission speeds for their heavy-duty accessories? Microsoft does not offer a laptop that can meet their needs. This could completely alienate a crowd of avant-garde users. In other words, it is not pro enough for professionals or early adopters.
This also completely alienates those who wish to adopt USB-C / Thunderbolt 3 while they own a Surface Pro 6 or a Surface 2 laptop. Say you own the Surface Pro 6 and need a new external hard drive. You would be forced to buy a slower model that uses older technology.
The solution is certainly not to buy a MacBook Pro USB-C only. Apple was too aggressive in abandoning more traditional ports and forcibly feeding USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 to the usual users. His also pro, and the tipping too much towards USB-C seems more and more like a firefight by the company.
Even though it's nice to plug all my usual USB accessories into a single adapter and USB-C port, it can be very painful to be able to rely on technology. It's fine if you are a professional who uses the latest technology, but maybe not so good for the rest of us.
For those who ask, my answer will probably be to look elsewhere at the third-party laptops provided with the ports of your choice, as well as those you may want in the near future, so that you can progressively switch to the latest technologies at a pace comfortable for you.
And it's a pity, because the new Surface Pro 6 and Surface Laptop 2 could have been among the best laptops on the market. Plus, they look really, really good in the new matte black color option.
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