OTOH, since 2005 they've changed the connector _once_, and the adapter is seamless enough that I still use 2006 and 2008 model chargers without giving it a second thought.

It was a good run. I enjoyed being able to have a suite of adapters scattered about home and work.

The power connector had a good run but they couldn't get the video connector right! Every new generation Apple laptop I buy has a different video adaptor.

I've had similar - my 2007 MBP had full DVI. My 2011 MBP has Thunderbolt. My next one will have USB-C.

But what is the alternative you'd prefer? They still ship with that massive DVI connector?

Frankly, one they stopped using an apple-proprietary connector (ADC, which was basically DVI + USB + Power in a single cable, 14 years before USB-C) in 2004, there's not much to complain about.

Since they dropped ADC, they've used combinations of DVI, Mini DisplayPort, HDMI, Thunderbolt1 & 2, USB-C, and now Thunderbolt 3.

Those are all industry standard ports. Some are influenced by Apple, but none are limited to Apple.

But displays have advanced rapidly as well and have constantly increasing data requirements. The new MBP can drive a 5K monitor at 60Hz (two, even!), and that much bandwith requires TB3.

I don't think you did either since there wasn't a question. javajosh didn't ask a question.