@Koa
This was a shock to me in 2016, back then apple was definitely a trend setter and perhaps a little ahead of themselves.
But in 2025 they were right. Simply people rarely use usb A any longer. For data storage there’s cloud which is faster, more reliable and accessible. USB devices aren’t also super common, most are wireless. There are ofc more unique devices people use, that’s where dongle city starts.
@Frey
Rarely use USB A any longer?
I currently have 6 USB A devices connected to my laptop (yes., I have a USB hub so some are connected to it) and a single USB C device.
I currently have 6 USB A devices connected to my laptop (yes., I have a USB hub so some are connected to it) and a single USB C device.
I’m not saying nobody uses them. I’m saying the majority of laptop users now do not. Most laptop users use no external devices.
I personally and most of my peers do not use storage devices any longer. I personally still use a headset and mouse but both are wireless.
@Frey
If you never connect anything to your laptop, you are probably using it more like a tablet than like a PC (IMHO).
Ren said:
@Frey
If you never connect anything to your laptop, you are probably using it more like a tablet than like a PC (IMHO).
Let’s be real here: usb hubs and kvm switches are way better for connecting laptops to peripherals and external monitors via a single usb-c cable, including power and internet. You can be more productive and comfortable at a desk, take work laptops home with you not having to do a whole
routine to (un)plug stuff, switch between multiple desks / stations, or just quickly take it with you on the couch. Bluetooth mice and headphones are becoming the norm, while new wireless devices tend to have usb-c ports for charging.
For hooking up a bunch of devices to tinker with, e.g. raspberries, arduinos, etc., a nice hub is still probably more comfortable, than having 6 cables sticking left and right out of your laptop.
Now that doesn’t mean that having a couple of usb-a ports isn’t nice to have. However, if you are buying a $2000 machine, then buying some quality cables / hubs is reasonable. I see people so often buying expensive laptops, smartphones, monitors etc., but then they cheap out on buying a new cable, or maybe they need a slightly longer one for their new setup, extra ones for other rooms or their car, and they simply don’t buy it.
Ren said:
@Frey
If you never connect anything to your laptop, you are probably using it more like a tablet than like a PC (IMHO).
Im a software engineering graduate and use it for development. So id say I use it very much like a laptop.
I do connect it to a usb c monitor on occasion, use the laptop keyboard and a wireless mouse/ headset.
I have friends that are video editors and music production. Video editing requires connecting to camera storage/SD cards, external storage can be handled by network NAS. Music production requires connecting to a lot of usb devices and recording equipment.
@Koa
Don’t feel bad for needing USB-A. It’s totally understandable. Unfortunately though, you will have to look at other options, since Apple refuses to support USB-A, despite having enough space to do so on their machines.
@Drew
For things that don’t need high speeds usb a is more durable and less of a hastle as those devices usually have usb a connector. If laptop has space i rather have 2-3 USB a and 2 usb c than 2-3 usb c total.
usb-c port are still usb ports
Ari said:
usb-c port are still usb ports
I didn’t know that man 
I meant the chunkyish rectangle ones
If you want something durable, go check out thinkpad T series and X series. They have all the ports you need.
This is a dual USB A and USB C flash drive. It may help you during your transition.
https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-256GB-Ultra-Drive-Type-C/dp/B06XC1WGQR
Technically it has USB ports but it’s USB-C ports. I get your sentiment, I hate how everything is switching to USB-C for everything, and not giving at least a few USB-A ports as well. USB-A ports and those traditional ports like USB-B and miniUSB were durable, I never had any of those break on me, yet I’ve had USB-C port failure from use over time. Barrel jack chargers using at least a 5.5mm barrel for laptops also never broke (thinner ones I’ve had failures though). I think the industry is going the wrong way. Those USB-C ports aren’t designed well enough to work long term and for repeated use (despite what the specs say).
@Amal
I feel like apple went too much ahead of its time, USB A is very much alive in 2025 and will keep alive for a long time before every it goes extinct from devices, at this point people are almost 10 years buying USB C to USB A dongles to pair with their macbooks lol
They haven’t had USB A ports for years.
I just got an Air and mine has USB C ports. I wanted to use files on old flash drives (aka thumb drives) and just bought an adapter. Works fine. The adapter came in a 4 pack and I think I paid $5 on Amazon.
Get USB-C, welcome to the present.
you are forced to buy a usb c hub
dont waste your money on a macbook
When I got my first macbook with usb-c only, I bought myself a usb-a to usb-c connector. I didn’t use it a single time.