Apple Surveying MacBook Pro Users About Headphone Jack and Other Ports

[smacrumon]

This survey has nothing to do with genuine interest in customer's views, but more about damage control regarding removing ports.

I'd be genuinely surprised that a product set for an October launch hasn't been finalized regarding the design for production yet.

 

[pika2000]

The problem with legacy ports on laptops is not from the user/consumer end, it's about the interface with most of the offices out there. Go to any university or office meeting rooms, and I bet majority still uses VGA projectors. What's the solution for audio? Analog 3.5mm jack. That's the bottleneck, and also explains why most enterprise focused laptops are still sporting VGA ports. Few starts to switch to HDMI, but still a wired solution. Very few have Widi enabled TVs, and extremely rare ones use Airplay. Majority is still comfortable with plain old VGA, and they are not going to change anytime soon.

So from consumer standpoint, I don't think this is a big deal. But a "Pro" laptop will most likely interact with legacy tech in the real world.

 

[peterdevries]

Oh **** off Apple, its allready thin enough.

No it isn't. It is a laptop and meant to be carried around. The 15" MBP is seriously heavy.

 

[JoeG4]

Introducing the new 15" MacBook Pro

No DGPU, a dual core low power i7, and soldered on everything! It's the lightest, thinnest 15" workstation yet!

 

[oldmacs]

Remove it Apple, and push the industry towards a better solution.

There is nothing wrong with the current solution. if they really wanted to do something good they should have gone with USB-C as a headphone standard.
[doublepost=1473924975][/doublepost]

No it isn't. It is a laptop and meant to be carried around. The 15" MBP is seriously heavy.

There comes a point where you remove so much that it will become an absolute joke. Apple should build the MacBook Air with a Retina display in 15 inches with beefed up specs.

Removing the headphone port won't even make it that noticeably lighter.

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

We will se some kind of update soon.

 

[deany]

Looks like a lot of folk feel more passionate about this than the iPhone.
I'd be astounded if they do drop the 3.5 mm on the MacBook Pro 2016 but if they didn't its almost saying we are unsure on our decision on the dropping of 3.5 mm on their biggest seller - the iPhone.
Difficult one.
My bet is:
• Keep 3.5mm
• add lightning sound only capability - I don't think "trickle charge" is viable or even possible.??

So in effect add a female lightning port

 

[1madman1]

I've *never* used the Thunderbolt port or HDMI, while I use both the headphone jack and SD card slot more than even USB.

 

[Chicane-UK]

This survey has nothing to do with genuine interest in customer's views, but more about damage control regarding removing ports.

I'd be genuinely surprised that a product set for an October launch hasn't been finalized regarding the design for production yet.

I would expect this is for the next generation of MacBook Pro, AFTER the expected forthcoming redesign has shipped. There's no way they'd still be deciding on the ports for a system this close to the dates we expect to see them.

 

[vmistery]

Perhaps on all the new ones being released later in the year they will jus fill them with glue

 

[oldmacs]

also Magsafe is one of the best parts of the MacBook - Apple is slowly taking away the great little touches that made the MacBook awesome - Like the battery indicator, the trackpad (I still dislike the force touch one) and now apparently Magsafe?

I was so excited when Apple added HDMI to the pro - Older MacBook Pros used to get laughed at by many because you need dongle just to connect to a screen. Why remove it or the SD card slot? They should get rid of the Pro moniker if this all eventuates.

 

[Branflaakes]

I for one will join him. I've already replaced my 5k iMac with a Windows 10 Machine I built. I haven't purchased a new iPad since I lost my 3rd Gen iPad because they canabilized the mute switch off of it. iPhone is the only thing Apple has going that's worth having.

I don't understand how Apple can call this a pro machine. Pro's need an Ethernet port, USB 3 ports, USB C ports, headphone ports and SD card slots and high end dedicated graphics with hdmi port.

I'm a network admin and carrying dongles around for everything I do does nothing for the clean lines of the MBP Johnny Ive is shooting for.

My next laptop will be an HP that has all the ports I need is thinner, faster and is cast in aluminum.

Apple doesn't understand that now that everyone has caught up to them, the only difference is software that "just works" Now that they have let that motto go and the software go with it they have no advantage. Pulling ports doesn't make me say "I have to have that!"

We don't want thin, we want products that make our lives easier. Dongles don't make our lives easier. 32gb iPhones don't make our lives easier. IMovie doesn't make our lives easier, Final Cut Pro doesn't make our lives easier, thin slippery glass phones don't make our lives easier, ringtone drm doesn't make our lives easier, iTunes and the Music app and the AppStore interfaces don't make our lives easier. Apple making Mac Pro's obsolete because they won't write a firmware update doesn't make our lives easier. AirPlay drop outs don't make our lives easier. Photos app doesn't make our lives easier. Obsoleting 3rd gen Apple tv's doesn't make our lives easier, Apple pulling digital signatures for iPad software updates causing bricked iPads doesn't make our lives easier.

You know what made our lives easier? the original iPod, a $99 a year .mac subscription. The original iLife suite (iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb) Well performing PowerMac G4's that were well priced in three simple models Good,Better, best. Final Cut Pro in the early days, the original no App Store iPhone, The original Mac Mini priced at $499. These things simply just worked. Most of them are gone or Apple has lost any value they once had by making horrible changes for the sake of change.

Yep I'll continue to dump Apple products until they can restore some confidence that they care for their customers needs.

That's... great. So, when are you gonna make the switch instead of trying to speak for the masses? You don't want thin, you want a myriad of ports, you want this that blah blah blah. Key word, you. Sure, others too, but not "we" without clearly stating whom. To be honest you're probably over the age of 30, not that there's anything wrong with that, but Apple is marketed not to you, nor does it market to the Pro market. It's marketed towards 20-somethings whom are less tech-savvy judging by recent decisions including app permissions changed in MacOS, as well as its general direction with thinness, device aesthetics, emojis, watch bands, new colors, etc etc.

For some annoying reason, though, the misconception of the "Pro" moniker never dies down. Pro does not mean professional. It means a more computationally powerful version of the device WITHOUT the pro moniker. The Macbook. Just like how nobody would argue Surface Pro is for professionals. It's merely a more powerful Surface. Get that in your heads and stop the cognitive dissonance. Frankly, Apple hasn't even tried to market the MBP to traditional professionals, rather the average prosumer who doesn't need a plethora of ports or connectivity. Macbook Pro is simply a more powerful Macbook, not a workstation device marketed towards Professionals. You have the Dell Precision Mobile Workstation as well as the Lenovo Thinkpad line for your intensive needs. The average "Traditional Professional" around Macrumors is sounding a lot like a lost dog that Apple itself doesn't want, but it keeps barking and sitting at Apple's doorstep. Go move to Dell or Lenovo.

 

[doelcm82]

Please, think it through. The headphone jack is likely the cheapest piece of electronics in the entire laptop. In addition as part of the other electronics connectors they source from their suppliers it is probably likely that they pay only a fraction of the cost or nothing at all for these things.

If Apple would want to cut costs on the MBP there are far better and more effective ways to do so. Examples? 1. Eliminate MagSafe 2. Replace the bottom of the laptop with hard shell plastic 3. Revert to non custom made components.

These are all things that save percentages on a laptop, while the cost of a headphone jack is somewhere in the percentages of a percentage.

I did think it through. The post I was replying to said that Apple could make millions by removing the port. If that's true, then that means most customers either don't care or like the direction Apple is going.

If any of your suggestions would end up making the MBP more popular or just as popular with less cost to Apple, then Apple should follow them, too.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

For me I use the headphone port and want to keep the MagSafe that's a brilliant piece of design that should never be lost.

 

[SirRahikkala]

I use headphones jack almost daily and I think most amateur and semi-pro music makers too. Its totally different than plugging mac to USB DAC for serious work. You still use headphones while NOT working at studio environment. Not to mention, do people remember that MAC/OSX bluetooth audio is still crap and drops connection all the time. This has been constant issue last couple years. Just look at the apple support forums.

Another thing about the SD card slot, there is no wireless option to replace image transfer. I don't not one PRO photographer use cable to transfer images or external card readers. Not to mention rest of us. It's just so fast and does not require wi-fi which is slow to begin with since 802.11AC is not available in cameras. Check out the market, most of the cameras does not have wifi at all. There are plenty of those models but they still are minority. Pro photographer in field, does not have time to start setting up wifi connection and waiting to get connected and move 70-80 meg files over the wireless.

I don't give a **** if they remove ports etc. from the 12" macbook which already is consumer model. Apple can use lube with them but why is it that Macbook "Pro" is lacking performance, hardware updates and now might lose important ports. That is not "Pro" anymore, just the price is. I have 2015 Macbook Retina and I am already looking for other options. There are thinner machines with headphone jack and SD card slot. If the thinning is the reason behind Apples decisions of cutting ports, then they should hire better engineers since others do it already.

 

[mikecorp]

I would use even thunderbolt, but devices are too expensive. Blutooth headphones will do. Ditch ports!! Leave 2x USB, UHS2 card reader, and thunderbolt. And me personally. I live MAGSAFE. don't you dare to replace it with USB-c

 

[nahkampfwombi]

Headphone jack? Nah. I don't need it that much. Even though I would like to keep it.
90% I'm using bluetooth. But for some situations I really enjoy my hifi-headphones.

Anyways .... a SD-Card slot is much more important to me. I really don't want to carry a darn USB-To-SD-Card reader with me all the time. Its annoying me way too much with my MBA 11".

But who am I .... just a regular normal user without any pro-ambitions.
Still waiting for the 13".

 

[tech3475]

It's at times like this I'm glad I'm not so tied to the Apple platform I can't move back to windows based machines when I need to buy a new laptop if they remove the ports I use regularly.

Apple can keep their courage, I'll go with what's most convenient to me.

 

[shanson27]

Do you ever use the Headphone port on your Macbook pro

Yes
No
Not Sure

 

[Chicane-UK]

Not to mention, do people remember that MAC/OSX bluetooth audio is still crap and drops connection all the time. This has been constant issue last couple years. Just look at the apple support forums.

I switched to a Magic Mouse / Magic Keyboard a few months ago and I've certainly experienced more than my fair share of random disconnects of both devices - usually once every couple of weeks I'll be working away and suddenly get one or both devices show as disconnected, then they mysteriously re-pair again about 20 seconds later.

So if I had Bluetooth audio into that mix, I wouldn't be too pleased. More than happy to stick with wired headphones for now thanks.

 

[gnasher729]

SD card slot is perfect for adding a 128 GB or 256 GB card that is used for Time Machine backup.

SD card slot is also perfect for adding a 128 GB or 256 GB card containing a moderately sized library of movies, or a large library of music and audio books.

As far as the headphone jack is concerned: Not now, but I will when I get an iPhone 7. I need _somewhere_ to plug in my headphones.

 

[MH01]

Dear Apple . I don't need any ports....over to you .
[doublepost=1473926822][/doublepost]

I switched to a Magic Mouse / Magic Keyboard a few months ago and I've certainly experienced more than my fair share of random disconnects of both devices - usually once every couple of weeks I'll be working away and suddenly get one or both devices show as disconnected, then they mysteriously re-pair again about 20 seconds later.

So if I had Bluetooth audio into that mix, I wouldn't be too pleased. More than happy to stick with wired headphones for now thanks.

I get that on my Mac Pro all the time. I've given up and went wired , since 2013 Apple has never fixed the BT issues on it.

 

[mw360]

SD card slot is perfect for adding a 128 GB or 256 GB card that is used for Time Machine backup.

SD card slot is also perfect for adding a 128 GB or 256 GB card containing a moderately sized library of movies, or a large library of music and audio books.

SD card is perfect for avoiding paying for some Apple hardware and services. Might as well paint a bullseye on it.

 

[gnasher729]

Newer camera models have WiFi data transfer, so this maybe Apple's way of nudging photo professionals to upgrade their camera gear as well?

I don't know about cameras, but I tried syncing my iPhone 5s with iTunes using WiFi, and it was _bloody slow_. Unacceptably slow. Horribly slow compared to plugging the phone into the Mac.

 

[dylin]

I am a pro and you are including me in the 'we'.....
I don't need 32gb ram, an Ethernet port, USB 3 ports and also a headphone port. Nor do I need a physical mute switch on my iPad as you can hold the volume for that extra millisecond and it mutes. And I do want thinner and lighter with reasonable power.

Obviously your personal needs are different though and is probably time to jump ship.

This.

Posts like this are what people need to understand that professional use is what you make of your product.

But like I stated earlier in this thread, most people with laptops and they usually use it for documents, web browsing and music. Pretty much any of the entry level macs can do that with ease.
[doublepost=1473927198][/doublepost]

I for one will join him. I've already replaced my 5k iMac with a Windows 10 Machine I built. I haven't purchased a new iPad since I lost my 3rd Gen iPad because they canabilized the mute switch off of it. iPhone is the only thing Apple has going that's worth having.

I don't understand how Apple can call this a pro machine. Pro's need an Ethernet port, USB 3 ports, USB C ports, headphone ports and SD card slots and high end dedicated graphics with hdmi port.

I'm a network admin and carrying dongles around for everything I do does nothing for the clean lines of the MBP Johnny Ive is shooting for.

My next laptop will be an HP that has all the ports I need is thinner, faster and is cast in aluminum.

Apple doesn't understand that now that everyone has caught up to them, the only difference is software that "just works" Now that they have let that motto go and the software go with it they have no advantage. Pulling ports doesn't make me say "I have to have that!"

We don't want thin, we want products that make our lives easier. Dongles don't make our lives easier. 32gb iPhones don't make our lives easier. IMovie doesn't make our lives easier, Final Cut Pro doesn't make our lives easier, thin slippery glass phones don't make our lives easier, ringtone drm doesn't make our lives easier, iTunes and the Music app and the AppStore interfaces don't make our lives easier. Apple making Mac Pro's obsolete because they won't write a firmware update doesn't make our lives easier. AirPlay drop outs don't make our lives easier. Photos app doesn't make our lives easier. Obsoleting 3rd gen Apple tv's doesn't make our lives easier, Apple pulling digital signatures for iPad software updates causing bricked iPads doesn't make our lives easier.

You know what made our lives easier? the original iPod, a $99 a year .mac subscription. The original iLife suite (iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb) Well performing PowerMac G4's that were well priced in three simple models Good,Better, best. Final Cut Pro in the early days, the original no App Store iPhone, The original Mac Mini priced at $499. These things simply just worked. Most of them are gone or Apple has lost any value they once had by making horrible changes for the sake of change.

Yep I'll continue to dump Apple products until they can restore some confidence that they care for their customers needs.

I guess it's safe to say you'll either likely use windows now, or even give Linux a shot. Honestly, but are great and since you don't seem to fond of most of the applications made by Apple, this is a good time as any to get a high end windows workstation.