Apple Surveying MacBook Pro Users About Headphone Jack and Other Ports

[Mac 128]

I use my headphone jack often enough. I don't want to be restricted to yet another device that requires charging. The same goes for the iphone7 - will not purchase that until the headphone jack returns on iPhone8 or I move off this ecosystem...

Way too many devices are requiring charging, unique docks/cables - it's nuts... Standardize on something and stop messing with consumers.

So you'd rather be restricted by wires?

Funny, I'm the exact opposite. I'd rather charge my headphones once a day in a ritual I'm already doing now, rather than fight the battle of constant cable management throughout the day. But that's just me. Fortunately you have a choice. Use an adapter, or switch to another platform.

 

[spc337]

So you'd rather be restricted by wires?

Funny, I'm the exact opposite. I'd rather charge my headphones once a day in a ritual I'm already doing now, rather than fight the battle of constant cable management throughout the day. But that's just me. Fortunately you have a choice. Use an adapter, or switch to another platform.

I don't have a choice. For the iPhone, I can either charge it or use an adapter to use headphones I already own. I would much rather use my wired headphones as they don't affect battery life as much as BT options do.

There is no real estate issue on a Mac Book. I could at least accept their need for space in the iPhone but only if battery life was far better for both the phone and the accessories.. The Apple Watch can't even last a full day without a recharge - crazy. I don't always remember to plug in everything every night.

The reliability and ALWAYs available wired head phone is an important part of my work life. So yes, I'll trade one charging cable/dock for one wired headphone. The choice many want to make is - Should I use my BT headset (assuming it is charged and has enough for a long conference call) or should I plug in my trusty headset without having to find an adapter first which precludes charging the phone at the same time..

Again, as this is a Mac Book thread, the trade off of real estate doesn't exist..

 

[MagnusVonMagnum]

So you'd rather be restricted by wires?

If it means better sound quality, yes. Bluetooth is LOW-FI.

 

[cdpage]

Yep, I just answered this survey in the last hour. I have took screenshots of all the questions.

they worth sharing?

 

[kyykesko]

Get rid of that useless Thunderbolt port and get us USB-C, users of TB are more of a minority than the headphone jack ones...

Yes, for those who use their computers just to play games and use facebook. I've got plenty of external TB disk stacks, TB dock, TB sound card and a lot of other stuff that relies of a reasonably fast interface. Remember the "pro" in the name. There's plenty of macbooks already available for those who write their poems, play games, idle in facebook all day and waste their days away on forums like these.

The rest of us use it as a tool to work. Do I want my workhorse to have dongles hanging left and right of it just to be able to connect the stuff I need? No, not really. I _can_ live without the headphone port in the mac because let's face it - I DO have the external sound card whenever I need to actually output some quality audio. I use the headphone jack every now and then even on my mac but that wouldn't be the worst thing they could take away. At least one current type thunderbolt and one USB-A is a must. I don't really use the HDMI that often, but then again I've got a JetDrive in the SD card slot because it's the only way to get enough storage on this thing. Give me 2TB SSD for a reasonable price (oh sorry, forgot it's Apple) and I can survive. Most probably it'll be a 512G max or a 1TB for extra $1k in the price.

Then again, none of that matters if they stuff in the useless touchscreen like keyboard they have in the 12" macbook. I'm not going to use that. Even for a second.

I'm pretty sure they're also trying to find enough people who think the battery life is ok so they can find a way to justify thinning it further and reducing the battery life when the battery life is nothing to write home about even in the 15" model right now. Make it thicker. Make it last one full work day WHILE ACTUALLY WORKING and we're getting somewhere. Just unplugged, 89% battery atm. Just using facebook, reading news and writing this. And Photos is open in the background because I've got ~700 new images and videos I need to sort out from my last shooting trip. Apparently less than 4 hours remaining. "Pro" indeed.

 

[jnpy!$4g3cwk]

The rest of us use it as a tool to work. Do I want my workhorse to have dongles hanging left and right of it just to be able to connect the stuff I need? No, not really. I _can_ live without the headphone port in the mac because let's face it - I DO have the external sound card whenever I need to actually output some quality audio. I use the headphone jack every now and then even on my mac but that wouldn't be the worst thing they could take away. At least one current type thunderbolt and one USB-A is a must. I don't really use the HDMI that often, but then again I've got a JetDrive in the SD card slot because it's the only way to get enough storage on this thing. Give me 2TB SSD for a reasonable price (oh sorry, forgot it's Apple) and I can survive. Most probably it'll be a 512G max or a 1TB for extra $1k in the price.

Today's 2013 MBP port report: 4 hours with 2 TB used, TB MDP to external display + TB Ethernet, needed 3 TB - for extra monitor, + 2 USB-A in use keyboard/mouse, 1 multiple use (lightning cable, storage, etc.) -- needed 3 USB-A.
Magsafe power attached.

4 hours portable use meetings, etc., builtin keyboard/mouse/display, magsafe power on/off. Yeah, I did have the dongles hanging off the side.

Today, did not use SD card slot, HDMI (but, could have), or headphone port.

To replace other ports, would need a lightweight, portable, USB-C powered dock with Ethernet, 3 USB-A, and some kind of HDMI port in the dock, or, a dongle. Need a method to connect to some peripherals while on battery power.

Then again, none of that matters if they stuff in the useless touchscreen like keyboard they have in the 12" macbook. I'm not going to use that. Even for a second.

I'm pretty sure they're also trying to find enough people who think the battery life is ok so they can find a way to justify thinning it further and reducing the battery life when the battery life is nothing to write home about even in the 15" model right now. Make it thicker.

Yes. Please make them thicker, heavier, with better cooling and more battery.

The late 2007- mid 2010 (Santa Rosa, unibody, etc.) 17" with the high-res 1920x1200 display was still the most versatile for its time. Too bad mine finally died. Everymac says, eg.,

The "MagSafe" power connector and integrated iSight video camera also remain (the previously bundled Apple Remote is a US$19 extra).

"Connectivity likewise includes the same ExpressCard/34 slot, AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Gigabit Ethernet, FireWire "400" port, Firewire "800" port, three USB 2.0 ports, optical digital audio in/out, and DVI out (Bluetooth has been upgraded to the 2.1+EDR standard)."

Why can't we have 3 USB-A 3.0 ports now for keyboard/mouse, attached storage, and (e.g. USB-lightning), builting Gigabit Ethernet, a couple of mDP monitor ports, and a couple of high-speed ports (could be USB-C)? Just like in 2007-2009. And a swappable battery. Why is that asking too much?

 

[Val-kyrie]

Today's 2013 MBP port report: 4 hours with 2 TB used, TB MDP to external display + TB Ethernet, needed 3 TB - for extra monitor, + 2 USB-A in use keyboard/mouse, 1 multiple use (lightning cable, storage, etc.) -- needed 3 USB-A.
Magsafe power attached.

4 hours portable use meetings, etc., builtin keyboard/mouse/display, magsafe power on/off. Yeah, I did have the dongles hanging off the side.

Today, did not use SD card slot, HDMI (but, could have), or headphone port.

To replace other ports, would need a lightweight, portable, USB-C powered dock with Ethernet, 3 USB-A, and some kind of HDMI port in the dock, or, a dongle. Need a method to connect to some peripherals while on battery power.



Yes. Please make them thicker, heavier, with better cooling and more battery.

The late 2007- mid 2010 (Santa Rosa, unibody, etc.) 17" with the high-res 1920x1200 display was still the most versatile for its time. Too bad mine finally died. Everymac says, eg.,

The "MagSafe" power connector and integrated iSight video camera also remain (the previously bundled Apple Remote is a US$19 extra).

"Connectivity likewise includes the same ExpressCard/34 slot, AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Gigabit Ethernet, FireWire "400" port, Firewire "800" port, three USB 2.0 ports, optical digital audio in/out, and DVI out (Bluetooth has been upgraded to the 2.1+EDR standard)."

Why can't we have 3 USB-A 3.0 ports now for keyboard/mouse, attached storage, and (e.g. USB-lightning), builting Gigabit Ethernet, a couple of mDP monitor ports, and a couple of high-speed ports (could be USB-C)? Just like in 2007-2009. And a swappable battery. Why is that asking too much?

Actually, if Apple left the current port scheme alone and simply converted the TB 2 ports to USB-C / TB 3 ports, that would work for me. Although I could really use a native Gig-E port, I doubt Apple will put it back.

 

[dj23andMe]

Audio port remove it. FFS don't remove Magsafe.

 

[JamesPDX]

Fun fact: audio production is not the only profession in the world. Plenty of professionals use MacBook Pros for development work and might want to listen to music while they do it or chat to a co-worker.

yeah because

Haha yeah because "Pros" use 3.5mm headphone ports? LOL
Most pros use proper audio interfaces with decent DACs and amplifiers, connected via 6.5mm ports to their headphones.
Consumers otoh mostly use 3.5mm... go figure

Currently, most professional headphones ship with a 3.5mm TRS and a threaded 3.5mm female to 1/4" TRS male connector. My Direct Sound Extreme Isolation headphones are like this, as well as my AKG-240's. The AD/DA is in the audio interface: Apogee, RME, Avid, Focusrite, Antelope, Cranesong, etc. It came about this way so that you could do what we used to call a "car stereo mix test" on an iPod or an iPhone.

For long sessions and dialog editing? Nothing beats the Panasonic RP-HT21 for comfort and clarity. They're they best "cheap" headphones on the planet for the money. I use them more than my AKG's. It's a shame that they discontinued the ones that folded-up and had an in-line volume control. And what's it's connector? 3.5mm TRS. (1/8", really.)

BTW, I've never seen an SSL, Neve, or Harrison console with USB-C i/o only. Nor a Les Paul without a 1/4" output. Wait'll people start snapping-off that center data tab from the USB-C. The design spec looks "inside-out" compared to connectors done right: the XLR, the TRS, the RJ45, the Thunderbolt 2, and the locking BNC.

 

[jnpy!$4g3cwk]

Audio port remove it. FFS don't remove Magsafe.

Don't remove any of the ports. The Macbook is the portless Mac. But, I agree with you about Magsafe. Please keep magsafe.

 

[loon3y]

Get rid of that useless Thunderbolt port and get us USB-C, users of TB are more of a minority than the headphone jack ones...

Thunderbolt is great..........




For connecting it to docks. Now if I can afford a thunderbolt External SSD and all my friends and clients had a thunder bolt port (well if they have macs they do) then it'll be good
[doublepost=1474567533][/doublepost]Just wait until audio companies use wireless technology. That headphone jack is gonna be clutch, especially if u don't use it regularly


Come travel, porn, your significant (or not) other is sleeping, and if your unlucky enough sleeping kids. It'll be god send

 

[itsasony]

Can't wait until Schiller said that Apple removed the headphone jack from the Mac because of "courage"! /s

This is what happens when people are so full of themselves that they don't care about what others want.

Exactly. Ask what your customers want while youre asking how you can solve our problems. But dont start making new problems. A dongle for audio is a new problem.

 

[jnpy!$4g3cwk]

Thunderbolt is great.......... For connecting it to docks.

Absolutely. I still want the other ports. But, if USB-C is the future, then, they need to include a lightweight, portable USB-C dock, powered by the USB-C port and not an external power supply. Not very aesthetic, but, as long as I can carry it across the room with the dock attached, I can make do.

 

[maflynn]

SD slot, and headphones are a features that I use and if apple dropped the SD slot, I'd not be looking to buy from them.

 

[Mac 128]

SD slot, and headphones are a features that I use and if apple dropped the SD slot, I'd not be looking to buy from them.

The leaked MBP case would strongly suggest there's no SD slot, nor any room to add one. There was a headphone jack though.

I suspect the only Macs left with an SD slot will be the MB Air, which likely won't ever get a Retina update, and the iMac. Maybe the mini depending on how big a refresh it gets.

 

[maflynn]

The leaked MBP case would strongly suggest there's no SD slot, nor any room to add one. There was a headphone jack though.

The SD card is a show stopper for me. I use that all the time, while there are work arounds (USB card reader), I think its something that gives me some serious pause

 

[jnpy!$4g3cwk]

The SD card is a show stopper for me. I use that all the time, while there are work arounds (USB card reader), I think its something that gives me some serious pause

The SD slot I have used, but, I also have a USB adapter around somewhere, and, that one wouldn't be a big deal to me. But, it does get right back to the issue of what the MBP is for. If you take away all the ports, take away the dGPU, then you just have a more expensive "client". If all I need is an internet "client", I can just buy the cheapest Windows laptop out there that has a usable track pad. (Is there one?)

 

[maflynn]

take away the dGPU, then you just have a more expensive "client".

Good point, where do they draw the line, and remove a lot of the power, and ability of the laptop. When does it become just a thin client to connect to the internet

 

[jnpy!$4g3cwk]

Good point, where do they draw the line, and remove a lot of the power, and ability of the laptop. When does it become just a thin client to connect to the internet

Exactly. And, Apple already has two Mac product lines that are variations of that. (Not to mention the iPad.)

Why morph the Pro product line into just another thin client? It make no sense. They might just as well discontinue it-- if no one is buying MBPs? Any way to know how many of each product line they sell? And, what the total revenue for each line is?

 

[MagnusVonMagnum]

Exactly. And, Apple already has two Mac product lines that are variations of that. (Not to mention the iPad.)

Why morph the Pro product line into just another thin client? It make no sense. They might just as well discontinue it-- if no one is buying MBPs? Any way to know how many of each product line they sell? And, what the total revenue for each line is?

Apple is run by a MORON. Sorry, but they are just skating along on the work of Steve Jobs and without his guidance, they are stuck in a THIN THIN THIN *RUT*. The sad thing is people keep buying their overpriced products. I stand by the fact that my Windows 10 Phone cost 1/20th the price of the iPhone (1/6 with the addition of a 200GB SD card) and I don't miss a damn thing from Apple. I switched from AppleTV to FireTV 4K running KODI and I can even still sync all my rooms with audio (just use the "REMOTE" app on an old iPod Touch I leaved docked nearby and Airplay speaker mode and it's just like I still have AppleTV. In fact, if Amazon hadn't buggered their Miracast support in an update, I could even send video from the Windows Phone to the FireTV as well.

I see nothing compelling about current Apple products. They are always behind (slow 3D GPUs, slow 3D drivers, no 4K video support in AppleTV, etc. etc.) and OBSESSED with "THIN" over every possible function. My 2008 MBP was a thing of beauty with every possible port I could ever need built-in plus it was the fastest non-gaming style notebook at the time running Windows own Vista even! Now they're doing away with every freaking port and "dongling" EVERYTHING. It's horrible. If Microsoft would back off on the data-mining/stealing bullcrap with Windows 10, I would consider ditching the Mac as well. They are heading in the wrong direction with every new product. We don't need to lose every port. The products are thin enough. The "PRO" products should be about FUNCTIONALITY FIRST and they are just turning them into TOYS. Screw it. The Mac Pro hasn't been updated since it came out and it's a fracking JOKE at those prices (that never drop even when it's 3 years out of date). I'll say again. Apple is run by MORONS (or is it morons that buy Apple products? They're still making money so I'm suspecting the latter, really. I'm starting to think I need to take a good look in the mirror at myself even. The Mac is the only thing I haven't switched from at this point. Other than the GPU, the 2012 Mac Mini Server was a great product. The "newer" one is a joke (like all Apple products lately).

What's new in Sierra? Siri (that should have been there in Yosemite even; that's how far they are behind everyone else). Apple payments (but you still need your phone or watch). That's it. It's a waste of time (but it still ditched support for a lot of older Macs despite no real features other than Siri).

 

[Oh Yeah]

It would make sense to add the digital Lightning port to the MBP for headphones and other (future) accessories. They could include a dongle like with the iPhone 7 to help with the transition, which for me would be fine. A digital port for audio really makes more sense than hanging on to an archaic analog, low-res port. Or maybe keep the headphone jack and complement it with a lightning port, then maybe in 4 years when they redesign the MBP, remove the jack then. By then the old analog jack will still be in use by a fraction of the current market.

I personally wouldn't mind it if they dumped the audio jack. It would speed up the Lightning port accessory market significantly. Sure, it would be painfully initially, but like everything else, it won't be long and no one will miss it (being built in). Think CD/DVD drive, FireWire, floppy disk (gasp), etc. Everyone pitched a fit when those were no longer built in but still supported externally.

Could you imagine what the MBP would look like if they never removed any built in accessories?!?!? Yeah, that's what I thought.

 

[jujufreeze]

Of course we still use our headphone jack.
If you're in the market for a "Pro" PC that "features a headphone jack, sd port, every port you need in a modern computer- no dongles necessary!" - literally a selling point if Apple continues down this path. Ridiculous.

 

[BenTrovato]

I don't understand how removing ports from the Pro is of concern. It's like Apple decided Pro means charge more for standard features. Pro at one time gave desktop quality features/ports/accessories to a mobile platform. If they keep removing ports, it'll be no different than an iPad - and then Apple will be right, the iPad replaces the laptop, but only because they made the laptop so useless that the iPad is now better.

 

[MagnusVonMagnum]

It would make sense to add the digital Lightning port to the MBP for headphones and other (future) accessories. They could include a dongle like with the iPhone 7 to help with the transition, which for me would be fine. A digital port for audio really makes more sense than hanging on to an archaic analog, low-res port.

God, it's like talking in circles. The headphone jack on the Macbook Pro IS a digital mini-Toslink jack too! And for your information (I've said this multiple times already in this thread), there is nothing "archaic" (almost every headphone on earth uses it so how can it be archaic?) or "low-res" (it's 100% full-range analog and can decode 24/96 at the jack in OS X). So the jack is neither low-res or archaic and it already handles digital output as well. That's 3/3 wrong.

Or maybe keep the headphone jack and complement it with a lightning port, then maybe in 4 years when they redesign the MBP, remove the jack then. By then the old analog jack will still be in use by a fraction of the current market.

I personally wouldn't mind it if they dumped the audio jack. It would speed up the Lightning port accessory market significantly.

What Lightning port market??? Apple is the ONLY smart phone maker that uses "Lightning". Everyone else on the planet is moving to USB-C and it's size derivatives. It makes NO SENSE to keep that pointless Lightning port. Almost all of them are USB 2 speeds (SLOOOOW) and they are incompatible with the rest of the world. Do we really want to see headphones that are USB-C, Lightning, 3.5mm and Bluetooth? Why the HELL would we want to go from ONE standard (3.5mm on everything on earth including Bluetooth when wired) to 3 or 4 jacks that require dongles that can be easily lost??? WTF is the point??? Why would you want to have a DAC in every pair of headphones when you can have just one in the phone? As much as an iPhone costs (>$700) the damn phone SHOULD have a very high quality DAC and headphone op-amp in it! The quality will be all over the place with it in headphones and cheap headphones will have cheap crap in them, making them even worse sounding than they would as just passive models PLUS you have to then have either batteries or a powered cable.

It's absolutely the height of stupidity for Apple to remove that jack except for the fact they own a headphone makers (Beats) and therefore have a financial incentive to remove functionality so you are pressured to buy Apple headphones to go with your Apple phone instead of having all the choice in the world. And let me tell you Beats headphones are not very high fidelity. They are bass-heavy garbage compared to a real HiFi headphone maker like Sennheiser or Grado or even high-end Koss.

Sure, it would be painfully initially, but like everything else, it won't be long and no one
will miss it (being built in).

That's 100% BS nonsense. You mean sheeple that just buy 100% Apple products and don't think for themselves about anything "won't miss it" since they will never use anything but the cheap garbage ear buds that come with their iPhone.

Anyone that needs a line-out jack for decent computer speakers is going to miss it. Anyone that already has quality headphones is going to miss it. Any included dongles will be easily lost.

Think CD/DVD drive, FireWire, floppy disk (gasp), etc. Everyone pitched a fit when those were no longer built in but still supported externally.

All of those things were outdated technology. There's nothing outdated about the 3.5mm jack as it's tiny and carries a full-range audio signal. By keeping the DAC and op-amp in the phone, you don't need a powered device or batteries in your headphones and that keeps the cost lower for all headphones. There is no reason a $700+ iPHone can't have a quality DAC and headphone amp in it and the idea that they somehow couldn't fit that jack on the larger model iPhone without sacrificing something else is pure BS.

Could you imagine what the MBP would look like if they never removed any built in accessories?!?!? Yeah, that's what I thought.

I don't know WTF you're thinking as everything you said is asinine. Personally, I think my 2008 MBP had a fine array of ports on it. I never needed a dongle or hub to do anything with it. And since it had an expansion port to boot, I was able to insert a $10 USB3 expansion card and have USB3 speeds on it when 2010 models couldn't do a damn thing. Sometimes removing things is a stupid idea, especially when it's just removing things for removing things sake.

Removing Firewire makes sense as it's replaced by something better (e.g. USB3 or Thunderbolt). Removing the Ethernet port made less sense as it requires a dongle to attach anything and it's still widely used (i.e. you now have a problem that didn't need to exist). Removing the expansion port and replacing it with an SD card reader means things like E-Sata are now unavailable or require an expensive Thunderbolt device (typically cost 50%-400% more than expansion cards) whereas anyone could plug a memory card reader into that port if they needed an SD card reader. Other than full sized DVI going to mini display port (and later combined with Thunderbolt), I'm not aware of any other ports that Apple removed in the past decade from the Macbook Pro. So what would it look like? It would look like the 2008 Macbook Pro, the BEST Macbook Pro Apple ever made (not comparing CPU/GPU speeds).

Removing the headphone jack creates other issues. It's also the line-out jack so when you dock a Macbook to real quality speakers, you'll need some kind of adapter again instead of just plugging them right in. You can plug a Macbook Pro straight into a receiver with that jack and a mini-Toslink cable and have Dolby Digital 5.1/7.1 or DTS output even if you don't have an HDMI connection available. Why would you want to when there's HDMI? Well, the speakers on most computer monitors (that will typically get the HDMI connection) pretty much SUCK TO HIGH HEAVEN. A great computer speaker like the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 sub/sat combo needs a 3.5mm jack connection so get your dongles out....

 

[[AUT] Thomas]

Overconfidence comes before the fall.
Apple has already abandoned "Pro" (meaning "Professional") some time ago. They discontinued Aperture and released the crippled "photos" instead. The Mac Pro... well... isn't anywhere near "Pro" compared to the old Mac Pros. Server and SAN have been discontinued entirely, except for software, which I excpect will be discontinued shortly as well.
The trend is obvious. If you are using Apple professionally I'd highly recommend to start looking into alternatives sooner than later.