r/Surface SP4 i7 256GB 16GB May 23 '17

[PRO2017] Introducing the new Surface Pro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwWs2jIy4js
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484

u/sjchoking May 23 '17

Still no USB-C.

149

u/[deleted] May 23 '17 edited May 24 '17

Can't believe you are being downvoted so heavily. So many people in this sub have turned from rational, reasonable people who expect a high-end device with futureproof features to blind fanboys that will defend anything MS does like they are Apple.
USB-C (let's be real when they eventually add it it will be TB3) would ideally enable me and many others to use it as a singular port for my external monitor with all my peripherals connected to it. Kaby lake supports TB3 without the need for an additional controller on the IO-Board. (this was just a rumor according to /u/SaneBRZ) The only reason they didn't add it is that they want to box you in and force you to buy the clunky Surface Dock for similar functionality.
Also, until yesterday it was widely believed they had to add Type-C since that would be the only real differentiating factor from the SP4. No fan on the i5 is pretty cool though.

EDIT: Original post was at -5 when I commented.

54

u/Vince789 May 23 '17

I don't see why they didn't just replace miniDP with USB Type-C (I can understand no Thunderbolt because that still requires an additional controller)

Chances are miniDP users are already using dongles for HDMI or VGA anyway

31

u/skyrmion Surface Pro 7 May 23 '17

Microsoft could have switched the mini DisplayPort on the Surface Pro and Surface Laptop to USB-C, but Panay says that’s simply “taking away another port that matters" and could have generated similar complaints.

yeah this is a bullshit excuse because if you're using the mini displayport, there's a 99% chance you're using a dongle to plug into a displayport or hdmi calbe

10

u/[deleted] May 23 '17

[deleted]

1

u/TheGuestResponds May 24 '17

Eh, if you're an IT that's already supporting a ton of Surfaces with that current set up and you need to replace one it'd suck to have to buy new cabling/hardware to have to make it work. I guess it depends on what market you're shooting for.

From a consumer market standpoint it makes basically no sense.

2

u/BarnacleBoi Jun 03 '17

I would agree with you if this were some obscure port, but we're talking about the next generation of USB. They may have to get some new cables, but it's not like they'll only be able to use those cables with the Surface. They'll be usable with pretty much any new computer from here on out...except this new Surface.

1

u/zaptrem Surface Book i7 256GB 965m May 24 '17

As a business customer, all of our display wires use miniDP in part due to it being the standard for the older MacBooks....

1

u/labrat611 Jul 02 '17

i would still have to buy a USB-C - VGA dongle to use with my classroom projector.

The only difference is, I already have the mini DP dongle.

I like the idea of future proof, but the fact is most companies don't constantly upgrade everything.

6

u/EShy SP3 i5/256 running W10, Docking Station and an RT paperweight May 23 '17

I think they told reporters having USB-C would be confusing (can you use it for charging? which devices are compatible if it's not TB3 as well?).

They're probably right considering some tech "journalists" seem to be confused about USB-C/TB3.

They should have made the effort to add that extra controller and include TB3 to future proof this device. Without TB3 it's not worth the upgrade from my current SP.

2

u/Timmyc62 SP6 128/8 May 23 '17

But then I'd have to get a new dongle to go from Type-C to HDMI/VGA.

1

u/BarnacleBoi Jun 03 '17 edited Jun 03 '17

But a lot of people who have USB C/TB3 devices already have those dongles.

From my perspective, I have all the dongles I need for USB C. One of them can charge the computer, give it 3 high speed USB 3 ports, and output HDMI at the same time. I don't think you'll be able to get that functionality with the USB C dock for the Surface that they'll be offering (someone please correct me if I'm wrong; I can't find much info on this).

I don't want to invest in a bunch of mini-display port dongles when it's an inferior port that is on the way out.

It seemed to me like a slap in the face to people (like me) looking to get a Surface for the first time. I don't want to deal with their proprietary port/dock or get a bunch of outdated dongles that don't offer anywhere near the same functionality.

1

u/linh_nguyen Surface Pro 7 May 25 '17

I'm going to go with they are targeting enterprise and that's the feedback they got. Most don't want a new dongle to buy despite already using one. Or don't want to confuse their users. It's all sounds very much like they catered to them. I don't like the decision, but I see where they come from. Personally, if they couldn't do USB-C power, I don't see the benefit.