Apple has slashed the prices of peripherals aimed at its new MacBook Pro amid the backlash over the device's limited compatibility and underwhelming specs.
The computer maker's decision to scrap several ports in the latest MacBook Pro and focus on the emerging, but not widely supported, USB-C format has left even some ardent Apple fans struggling to embrace the laptop.
Tech blogs have criticised the company over the specs of the MacBook Pro, which had been hotly anticipated after going years without a substantial upgrade. The Verge called the MacBook Pro "more expensive and less compatible than ever before". Tech blog 9to5Mac has seen "heated debates" around articles on the USB-C decision. Ars Technica said "using one of the new Pros is going to plunge you into cable and dongle hell".
Apple ditched the range of ports on the previous MacBook Pro, which boasted pair of USB 3 ports, two Thunderbolt 2 ports, an SD card reader and an HDMI port, with the 2016 model offering only 'Thunderbolt 3' (USB-C) ports, which must also accommodate charging after Apple scrapped the MagSafe2 connection. The 2016 MacBook Pro comes with two or four USB-C ports, depending on spec.
The company has retained the 3.5mm headphone jack, which was removed from the iPhone 7 to much admonishment.
Apple has now slashed the prices of the new LG monitors and the dongles required to connect myriad devices to the pair of USB-C ports in the new MacBook Pro.
A USB-C to USB adapter is $12, a USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter costs $45 and the USB-C to iPhone Lightning Cable is $25; Apple has come under particular criticism due to the fact its latest iPhone 7 can't connect to the MacBook Pro out of the box.
In what could be seen as a make-good for aggrieved customers, Apple has also cut the prices of USB-C-compatible 4K and 5K displays, with the discount effective 27 October to 31 December 2016.
The LG UltraFine 4K Display now costs $756.95 while the LG UltraFine 5K Display – which was announced on-stage at the Mac event on 27 October – will cost $1416.95 when it launches in December. The displays can connect to a MacBook with a single Thunderbolt 3 cable.
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