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2021 MacBook Pro Rumored to Feature More Ports: Here's a Look at What Previous Models Offered
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MagSafe sounds like a given, but I’d be willing to bet the others would be HDMI and an SD card a lot.
HDMI, whether Apple likes it or not, is still an industry standard. I recall how long it took them to actually implement it in the first place, and they were very hasty removing it from that generation MBP. Over the last 5 years at least, literally every single external display or projector that I have used for presentations have used HDMI.
An SD card slot is surely a given too. I don’t think anyone could keep a straight face after Phil Schiller claimed that SD wasn’t “a pro port” after being quizzed about its omission. Yes, CF cards are a preferred choice for top professionals, but SD cards are used by everyone and anyone.
USB-3 is an interesting one. On the one hand a single port would make sense, given they’re included even on the Mac Pro, but it will depend on how thin they want the chassis to be be. And given that it has many consumer applications, it would be strange to add it to the MBP but omit it on the MBA due to its size.
Let’s wait and see...
HDMI, whether Apple likes it or not, is still an industry standard. I recall how long it took them to actually implement it in the first place, and they were very hasty removing it from that generation MBP. Over the last 5 years at least, literally every single external display or projector that I have used for presentations have used HDMI.
An SD card slot is surely a given too. I don’t think anyone could keep a straight face after Phil Schiller claimed that SD wasn’t “a pro port” after being quizzed about its omission. Yes, CF cards are a preferred choice for top professionals, but SD cards are used by everyone and anyone.
USB-3 is an interesting one. On the one hand a single port would make sense, given they’re included even on the Mac Pro, but it will depend on how thin they want the chassis to be be. And given that it has many consumer applications, it would be strange to add it to the MBP but omit it on the MBA due to its size.
Let’s wait and see...
Jony Ive is the classic designer who thinks everything minimalism is better while ignoring user experience.
This was fine until Jobs, the voice for user experience, passed away and no one could challenge Ive.
I work in tech companies and develop products. Every designer will naturally gravitate towards beauty over user experience unless you challenge them. Beauty doesn't mean jack if the experience is worse for people. This is also why companies are turning the traditional role of a designer into a hybrid role between design and user research.
HDMI is pointless - so many projectors in schools and offices still run on VGA so HDMI doesn't help. May as well just get a USB-C to HDMI/DP/VGA dongle and be covered for everything. If they can incorporate DP2.0 and HDMI2.1 over USB-C then all the better (although is likely overkill for most people). USB-C in monitors is becoming more widespread - in another few years it will probably be standard in new monitors.
Likewise, optical audio over the headphone jack is a nice idea, but does anyone really imagine using it?
I wouldn't mind USB-A but it does seem like a step back - keyboard/mice via bluetooth are normally a better option, most external hard drives can be equipped with USB-C cables so it just leaves USB sticks.
The only one I'd welcome is the return of the SD card slot.
It's strange, Apple jumped the gun on committing to USB-C (or, more likely fired the starting gun on getting it going) and in 2021 we are finally in a position where USB-C is more accepted with peripherals supporting it, so why go back now?
Likewise, optical audio over the headphone jack is a nice idea, but does anyone really imagine using it?
I wouldn't mind USB-A but it does seem like a step back - keyboard/mice via bluetooth are normally a better option, most external hard drives can be equipped with USB-C cables so it just leaves USB sticks.
The only one I'd welcome is the return of the SD card slot.
It's strange, Apple jumped the gun on committing to USB-C (or, more likely fired the starting gun on getting it going) and in 2021 we are finally in a position where USB-C is more accepted with peripherals supporting it, so why go back now?
Classic. Take something away (ports), force everyone to adapt and purchase accessories (dongle life) - add thing back = everyone rejoices and thanks Apple!
Yea, USB-C is more accepted now. Unfortunately, nearly everything existing and new still using USB-A/HDMI.
It's probably going to take another 10 years before you could be safe without a dongle. Might as well put the damn ports back.
I don't understand this at all.
Needing and using lots of ports on a mobile device does not make any sense whatsoever.
99% of the purpose of the laptop format is work away from a desk, where the things you might plug it into are. If you are the person who uses a laptop at a desk instead of a desktop which was meant for the desk...any of a hundred excellent hubs can connect your laptop to a wealth of peripherals with a single cable, which is better.
Needing and using lots of ports on a mobile device does not make any sense whatsoever.
99% of the purpose of the laptop format is work away from a desk, where the things you might plug it into are. If you are the person who uses a laptop at a desk instead of a desktop which was meant for the desk...any of a hundred excellent hubs can connect your laptop to a wealth of peripherals with a single cable, which is better.
I certainly hope that there will not be a proprietary MagSafe charging solution coming, as much as I liked MagSafe on my old MBA, usb-c is the way to go
I think its pretty clear that USB-A and HDMI are not going anywhere despite the tech bubble's push to eradicate them. USB-C failed to take over. It has had the time. 10 more years won't make a difference, we'll be on to other things by then.
Exactly, why in the hell would they walk back on that now?? Charging with USB-C, a cable I can use in any port on either side of the machine, or to charge other devices, is infinitely better than MagSafe ever was. Bringing it back would be huge regression.
I dunno - why are so many accessory makers still launching new hubs with legacy ports? Why are even Apple still including USB-A ports on the iMac, Mac Pro and even the brand new Mac Mini? Why can't I buy a hub with 12 USB-C ports?
ANS: Maybe because there is demand for it? Maybe because there are still a ton of USB-A/B devices on the market, not to mention all the perfectly good "legacy" devices around.
Maybe because the majority of devices that do have USB-C don't actually gain anything from using it and (unless you bought them from Apple) come with a USB-A cable anyway.
Maybe because until USB-4 takes off (if it ever does), the only USB you get from a USB-C port is the same single USB 3.1 stream that you get from USB-A (...Apple doesn't implement 3.1 gen 2 10Gbps over USB-A, but others do) - which is fast enough for all but the highest-end devices.
Maybe because the higher power delivery modes offered by USB-C are optional, so few devices use more power than can be delivered by USB-A.
Maybe because - on a 13 or 16" laptop which has plenty of space for ports - combining disparate functions like power, USB/Thunderbolt I/O and video (which don't need to compete for the same CPU resources) into a limited number of "universal" ports is just a pointless recipe for endless compatibility problems and needing unnecessary docks & dongles.
I fail to understand what permutation of misconceptions leads people to think that it is better to waste one of only 2-4 potential 40Gbps ports to connect a charger, DisplayPort display, or pointing device... Maybe if laptops were coming out with 6+ USB-C ports and USB-C had really delivered one cable for everything... but it turns out that laptop CPUs rarely have enough spare PCIe or DisplayPort lanes to support that number of full-featured ports, and we have a confusing dumpster fire of visually identical but functionally different cables...
Oh yes, and let's replace a magnetic break-away power connector (the most likely thing to trail across the floor, and the one connection that a laptop can afford to have pulled out unexpectedly) with a plug... and meanwhile, replace the plug for your 20 Gbps drive array that desperately needed some sort of retaining clip (which you really shouldn't have trailing across the floor even if you could have a cable that long and really don't want to pull out accidentally) with an even smaller and easier-to-pull out one. Magical.
Funnily, in the few areas where USB-C is better - like, as a single multifunction connector on a phone that lacks space for multiple ports, or as a replacement for the fiddly and fugly USB B connectors on peripherals like mice and trackpads - Apple have mainly stuck with Lightning. Duh.
Oh well. Worse is the new better.
Your assumption about laptops is completely wrong.
99% of the purpose of a laptop is to work on a desk! Not away from it.
People buy laptops so they have the flexibility of working in the office, then taking them home to work or taking them to a client's office for a day.
Pretty much this.
Low to mid end monitors still use HDMI 2.0. Super high-end monitors now use HDMI 2.1. So when do monitors use USB-C? Pretty much a few niche monitors.
HDMI is not going away, no matter how much Apple wants it to.
LOL, 1mm awesome. I think Magsafe makes far more sense for a laptop than an phone. I end up tossing my watch across the floor every time I pick up my phone with Apples MagSafe Duo Charger, poor dog has to dodge it every time.
I don't mind the touch bar, but please finally make a keyboard with configurable LED keys, it is 2021, I have been promised this for almost two decades.
THANK YOU!
The disdain for a simple single USB-A port is ridiculous around here...
Folks - they have USB-A ports that can do 3.2 Gen 2 ... while remaining backwards compatible with the WORLD of USB-A stuff that is out there and used every day by zillions of us.
It would be a *huge* QoL improvement to have one back on the laptops - at least the larger one if nothing else.
We are trying to get stuff done with these things -- not play Dongle Spaghetti and hope it all works.
You don’t need all those ports.
Here’s an additional $200 dock you’ll need.
One port to rule them all? Great, but let’s get more of them.
Here’s an additional $200 dock you’ll need.
One port to rule them all? Great, but let’s get more of them.
Darth Tulhu
macrumors 68020
I'm still on a 2011 machine (17" MBP), and can integrate easily to most environments I come across.
I could have used this machine in 2016 though.
USB-C has become more ubiquitous, but I'm glad to see Apple making better decisions for more flexible machines.
Maybe they're really going after the Enterprise?
Ten years later, I'm at the point where an iPad will suffice for me when my 17 finally dies, as I do not (and never did) use Macs for work.
I could have used this machine in 2016 though.
USB-C has become more ubiquitous, but I'm glad to see Apple making better decisions for more flexible machines.
Maybe they're really going after the Enterprise?
Ten years later, I'm at the point where an iPad will suffice for me when my 17 finally dies, as I do not (and never did) use Macs for work.
Honestly, to me this article (or better, these predictions) read like "2002 iMac refresh to include floppy drive after years of absence".
I'm with you on all of that. I've been really using the Touch Bar a lot on my 16" and could definitely use more Thunderbolt ports.