So in effect, you could have a USB chipset that doesn't speak USB at all - totally replacing the data lanes with another protocol.
> Meanwhile with the introduction of USB Alternate Mode functionality – the ability for USB Type-C to carry other protocols along with (or instead of) USB Superspeed data – has made USB more flexible than ever
@bmike plus it won't be unheard of for that model of Intel chip since HP released a laptop with the same chip and it has two USB-C TB3 ports. Motherboard makers have released TB3 enabling firmware updates. I want to see a tear down of the new MacBook. If it has the alpine ridge chipset then it almost has to happen. Maybe OS X needs an update as well in order to support TB3.
@bmike If we see a Mac Pro update I don't think it will include TB3 since Skylake Xeons aren't ready yet. MBP ports will be the same except DP TB2 ports will be replaced with USB-C TB3 ports. Finally I think the TB3 display will have an integrate GPU since the DP standard for 5K isn't ready yet and MacBook and MBP 13 can't power a 5K display.
@SteveMoser You've nailed it. There are a lot of moving parts to align (hence the long delay for a MacPro bump and a display change).
Apple's bending the reality inside the iMac with 4k/5k by using non-standard protocols and/or data rate/signalling on the GPU to display driver and cables. (using standard cables of course)
They are out ahead of the capabilities of a stand alone display or computer to connect over industry standard ports.
