Bloomberg: Next MacBook Pro to Feature SD Card Reader

[Odaily]

Last week, reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo outlined his expectations for new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models later this year, including the return of the MagSafe charging connector, the removal of the Touch Bar, a new flat-edged design, and the return of more ports built into the notebooks for expanded connectivity.

A concept of a modern MacBook Pro with an SD card reader​

Kuo did not specify which ports might be making a comeback, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today reported that the next MacBook Pro models will feature an SD card reader for transferring photos shot with a digital camera and other files:The latest MacBook Pro models only have Thunderbolt ports, forcing photographers to use an adapter or dock to gain access to an SD card reader.

In his research note last week, Kuo mentioned that "most users may not need to purchase additional dongles" for the next MacBook Pro, so it is possible that an SD card reader will not be the only port that returns. As recently as 2015, the MacBook Pro was also equipped with an HDMI port and USB-A ports, but it would certainly be surprising to see the latter make a comeback given the tech industry's transition to USB-C.

Kuo expects the new MacBook Pro models to launch in the third quarter, which spans July through September. They would replace the higher-end 13-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models released in May 2020 and November 2019, respectively. The base model 13-inch MacBook Pro was already updated with Apple's custom M1 chip a few months ago.

Article Link: Bloomberg: Next MacBook Pro to Feature SD Card Reader

Who needs them I have dongles

 

[jicon]

Suspect gen 2 of a redesign will be decent. Magsafe, 3 or more USB-C, HDMI out, ability to drive two monitors, optical audio out, more than one thunderbolt controller, and finally a decent video camera... I could happily work with that. Apple being Apple though... one or more of those won't happen.

 

[skitidetdu]

I don't think this will be happening. Why would they bring back a port that is arguably little used by anybody but photographers?

Because maybe a majority are photographers and video creators?

 

[az431]

Would the departure of Ive have something to do with bringing back "old" ports? I can imagine that making this decision against him would piss him off in the quest of as few ports as possible and an excuse to leave ship.

What's the difference? People complain when the ports are removed, then complain again when they're added back.

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

As much as we may want USB-C to be the “everything port,” it just hasn’t materialized like that. There are many other standard ports that are not going away anytime soon due to other products they serve (cameras, TVs, consoles, etc), and so you need dongles and adapters. It took that elegant look of “just one port” and made it mess for the end user. Not to mention it’s just a waste to manufacture, package, and ship a 3” dongle that could have just been a port from the get-go. If these companies are serious enough to remove power bricks to be more eco-friendly (if you buy that reasoning, anyway), then these dongles need to die as well, wherever possible. I suspect Apple will promote this port addition as just that.

 

[edwrap]

As recently as 2015, the MacBook Pro was also equipped with an HDMI port and USB-A ports, but it would certainly be surprising to see the latter make a comeback given the tech industry's transition to USB-C.

The tech industry has transitioned to USB-C for charging. For actual peripherals that normal people want to plug into their computer, almost everything you can buy today - flash drives, hard drives, wireless keyboards/mice, webcams, etc. - are primarily still USB-A. And that’s not including everything that people already own, which are also mostly USB-A.

I’m trying to think of a device I own that plugs into a computer with USB-C. Oculus Quest? But even that works fine with a USB-A cable, and doesn’t work with Macs anyway.

 

[Mousse]

Introducing the new Macbook Pro.

View attachment 1717581

Whoa! Is that a SCSI port or a parallel port? They're exactly the same external format.

I remember because way back when Mac's had SCSI ports I had a customer bring in a machine with the complaint that it wouldn't print. I check it out. No issues. Customer took the machine back and complained the printer port still didn't work. Checked it again; no issues again. 3rd time I when on site to troubleshoot the problem. Found it, y'all. Most common problem I encountered back in the day: the dread PEBCAK. They had a printer (parallel port) connected to SCSI port on the Mac. I talked the boss into waiving the on-site fee.

Anyhow, I wouldn't mind if they started making the MacBook a bit thicker. I don't care if it adds a pound or two. I'm from the era when a portable computer weighed 35lbs and a laptop weighed 7lbs. If people who complain that a 4-5lbs computer is heavy, it wouldn't hurt to hit the gym every now and then.😘

 

[az431]

I don't think this will be happening. Why would they bring back a port that is arguably little used by anybody but photographers?

Because your conclusion is based on an incorrect assumption.

 

[1rottenapple]

I am shocked.

This must be the lack of Johnny Ive as reasons for these prosumer pivots.

 

[GlamCheese666]

Wow. They finally see why Steve Jobs himself hailed MagSafe as the only sensible option? It only took them being stuck at home in a pandemic to see why he was right?? 🙃🙃

 

[az431]

Wow what an innovation

You post the same thing every time. Do you have anything useful to add?

 

[1rottenapple]

Is it a coincidence that Jonny Ive is no longer in charge of design at Apple and useful ports suddenly start returning?

Yes!!!!! Agree

 

[antnythr]

I don't think this will be happening. Why would they bring back a port that is arguably little used by anybody but photographers?

I'm sure a large portion of Mac owners are photographers, so there's a good chance many of those people would find the port helpful.

 

[nicfle]

Introducing the new Macbook Pro.

View attachment 1717581

Sorry, are the Firewire 400 ports on the other side? 800 is great, but there are us that don't want to use an adaptor for that.

I bet Apple will add "Magic" front of every new port name. "We present the Magic SD card reader, the Magic Display port, the Magic serial port, the Magic optical drive.."

 

[swingerofbirch]

Really want USB-A as well, as there is no USB-C equivalent to the flush ultra-fit thumb drives that you can permanently leave in and are so convenient. USB-A is at the top of my list for that reason.

SD card reader is great, too. Not sure if it's common to all SD card readers or just the Mac laptops I've had, but they give me trouble over time where I really have to jam the card in there to get it to recognize it. I'm on a very old Mac at this point, though, which could be why.

 

[tcphoto1]

I am a freelance photographer and use a Mid'15 MBP for tethering cameras on location. Apple has a history of ignoring the pros needs, remember the matte display, user upgradable RAM and SSD? I need those plus a USB-A for camera and mini-display for external display so my clients can view images as we shoot. I would gladly upgrade to a new MBP if I didn't have to keep track of multiple dongles or hubs. I don't prioritize smaller, lighter over speed and functionality.

 

[alexandr]

back to the future...

 

[CWallace]

Nope the coincidence is the shift to Apple Silicon which no longer allows them to have 4 TB ports.

The M1 does have two TB controllers so it should be able to support four ports when Apple is ready (MBP 14/16 and iMac).



Adding SD/CF makes sense to me. HDMI less so, but it does save a USB-C to HDMI dongle. I do not expect to see USB-A coming back.

 

[Webster's Mac]

Last week, reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo outlined his expectations for new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models later this year, including the return of the MagSafe charging connector, the removal of the Touch Bar, a new flat-edged design, and the return of more ports built into the notebooks for expanded connectivity.

A concept of a modern MacBook Pro with an SD card reader​

Kuo did not specify which ports might be making a comeback, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today reported that the next MacBook Pro models will feature an SD card reader for transferring photos shot with a digital camera and other files:The latest MacBook Pro models only have Thunderbolt ports, forcing photographers to use an adapter or dock to gain access to an SD card reader.

In his research note last week, Kuo mentioned that "most users may not need to purchase additional dongles" for the next MacBook Pro, so it is possible that an SD card reader will not be the only port that returns. As recently as 2015, the MacBook Pro was also equipped with an HDMI port and USB-A ports, but it would certainly be surprising to see the latter make a comeback given the tech industry's transition to USB-C.

Kuo expects the new MacBook Pro models to launch in the third quarter, which spans July through September. They would replace the higher-end 13-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models released in May 2020 and November 2019, respectively. The base model 13-inch MacBook Pro was already updated with Apple's custom M1 chip a few months ago.

Article Link: Bloomberg: Next MacBook Pro to Feature SD Card Reader

So this will basically be the 2015 MBP with different color choices and Apple silicon? Because honestly, the biggest drawback on my 2015 is the heat and performance. So this will be a near-perfect machine. I'll happily buy

 

[gmanist1000]

Either Apple is backtracking all of their decisions since 2016, or they have sent out the specs for the late 2015 MacBooks as decoys to find leaks.

Jony Ive is gone

 

[bookofxero]

Either Apple is backtracking all of their decisions since 2016, or they have sent out the specs for the late 2015 MacBooks as decoys to find leaks.

I was thinking something very similar. Apple seems more likely to argue that the iPhone 12 Pro Max obviates the need for other cameras and equipment than reintroduce ports.

 

[bookofxero]

Consumer grade cameras are indeed using SD, so SD on the Air and CFExpress on the Pro.

That still sounds unlikely. "You don't need a camera - use the money to buy the latest iPhone instead!" Sounds more like Apple to me.

 

[AngerDanger]

So this will basically be the 2015 MBP with different color choices and Apple silicon? Because honestly, the biggest drawback on my 2015 is the heat and performance. So this will be a near-perfect machine. I'll happily buy

It'll presumably have USB-C ports as well and a design that does away with the tapering on the bottom and top.

 

[iJustines]

So this will basically be the 2015 MBP with different color choices and Apple silicon? Because honestly, the biggest drawback on my 2015 is the heat and performance. So this will be a near-perfect machine. I'll happily buy

Apple needs to do more than restoring innovative hardware features like a lit Apple logo, user-replaceable SSD from the 2015 model and reduce the price for the base model.

 

[ccsicecoke]

Thank God!

Have been hold out from buying MacBooks since 2015, because of lack of SD card reader

Take my money now Apple!