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Does someone find the "new ports" the same useless as me ?

Mactech20 said:
I think it's because USB A is truly on its way out. There shouldn't be any new products made with USB A since USB C does everything USB A does but better. Buying a couple new cables that convert it isn't that big of a deal. I kind of get killing USB A, it's the 30 pin connector of the era. Everyone screamed about 30 pin being removed in 2012 but give it a couple more years and we won't really even remember USB A imo.
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Well for the example I gave of a flush USB-A flash drive, there really is no USB-C replacement.

If you're not sure what it looks like:

You can leave it in permanently for constant backups or extra storage. It's very convenient.

I have searched long and far for anything like that with USB-C and it's just not possible to make it due to the size of the connector. All the USB-C flash drives stick out far enough that it wouldn't be convenient to leave in.
 
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Micka88 said:
After few years of USB-C only Apple added back some old pre-historic ports. I personally find them quite useless, while the fourth removed USB-C is often missing (for more external discs etc.).

HDMI is useless since there are cables HDMI- USB-C working perfectly (so it brings no advantage)

SD card: it is much quicker and easier to connect the camera via USB-C cable (not speaking of the fact that when you have 2 and more SD cards in the camera you see them all together.

Mag Safe charging connector: makes no sense at all (plus keeps disconnecting as soon as you move with the laptop)

The only thing that would be really useful is the normal USB connector which for some strange reasons is not there ... (because many older devices have only this connector and one has to look for a reduction all the time)

So I don't find this old stone age connectors renovation useful at all.
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HDMI would be better suited for a MacBook Air or other lower cost notebook used in education. Back in high school we went through mini display port to HDMI dongles like cigarettes. I used to use the SD card slot more when basic point and shoot cameras were much better than the iPhone's camera, but I just AirDrop photos now. I suppose for professionals, they'd probably just connect the camera directly.

I actually am glad MagSafe is back. I have it on my current machine (Mid 2014 MBP) and it has saved me quite a few times with an energetic dog.

I guess I'd have been fine with MagSafe and 4 Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports (and headphone jack)
 
swingerofbirch said:
Well for the example I gave of a flush USB-A flash drive, there really is no USB-C replacement.

If you're not sure what it looks like:

You can leave it in permanently for constant backups or extra storage. It's very convenient.

I have searched long and far for anything like that with USB-C and it's just not possible to make it due to the size of the connector. All the USB-C flash drives stick out far enough that it wouldn't be convenient to leave in.
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Perhaps Apple figured folks would use the newly returned SD card reader for this purpose.
 
UGH. This argument again. There wasn’t enough bandwidth for 4 thunderbolt 4 ports. It was either 3 full speed ports and a slow one, or use the other lanes for HDMI and SD reader.
 
Micka88 said:
After few years of USB-C only Apple added back some old pre-historic ports. I personally find them quite useless, while the fourth removed USB-C is often missing (for more external discs etc.).

HDMI is useless since there are cables HDMI- USB-C working perfectly (so it brings no advantage)

SD card: it is much quicker and easier to connect the camera via USB-C cable (not speaking of the fact that when you have 2 and more SD cards in the camera you see them all together.

Mag Safe charging connector: makes no sense at all (plus keeps disconnecting as soon as you move with the laptop)

The only thing that would be really useful is the normal USB connector which for some strange reasons is not there ... (because many older devices have only this connector and one has to look for a reduction all the time)

So I don't find this old stone age connectors renovation useful at all.
Click to expand...

Well, there are also USB-A-to-USB-C cables/adapters, so that's no different than your HDMI point. I much prefer MagSafe because it's easier to connect and of course prevents the laptop from damage. It also keeps you from having to use a USB-C port for power (or having to use an adapter with a power pass thru). SD cars are used in more than just cameras, and some cameras (such as dash cams) are permanently mounted and you can't just carry it to your laptop. Of course, there's an SD-to-USB-C adapter you could use, but a dedicated SD port saves you a bit of time and again frees up a USB-C port.

In summary: 1. You can't please all the people all the time, and 2. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it (or have to use an adapter). I don't really see the downside.
 
swingerofbirch said:
There is no equivalent "flush" USB-C flash drive (the ones that barely protrude from the computer like wireless receiver dongles).
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Not that I've seen yet either, but they do make some pretty darn small ones. In fact, many would be equivalent except that they seem to normally make them with both USB-A and C, so the USB-A part will protrude further than the kind that you're referring to, but still pretty nice:

 
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I have an M1 MacBook Pro, so my opinions don’t have much merit. But I recently got a nice 24 inch DELL UHD monitor, but I had buy a compatible USB C cable off Amazon just to get it to work with my MacBook Pro; even the monitor came with a display port to HMDMI cable. It would also free up one extra port if I had a 2021 MBP for my external hard disk. Also, I always preferred magsafe just for its novel design.

The SD card reader is something I just never used at all even on my 2015. So, that’s the most useless one for me. But for photographers and videographers it’s understandably useful.
 
HDMI and card slot are just extra ventilation and another way for more DUST to clog up my new MBP thanks alot Tim and co. sic> o_O
 
Micka88 said:
After few years of USB-C only Apple added back some old pre-historic ports. I personally find them quite useless, while the fourth removed USB-C is often missing (for more external discs etc.).

HDMI is useless since there are cables HDMI- USB-C working perfectly (so it brings no advantage)

SD card: it is much quicker and easier to connect the camera via USB-C cable (not speaking of the fact that when you have 2 and more SD cards in the camera you see them all together.

Mag Safe charging connector: makes no sense at all (plus keeps disconnecting as soon as you move with the laptop)

The only thing that would be really useful is the normal USB connector which for some strange reasons is not there ... (because many older devices have only this connector and one has to look for a reduction all the time)

So I don't find this old stone age connectors renovation useful at all.
Click to expand...

HDMI is not useless, especially when connecting to TVs, and most standard monitors still don't have USB-C ports.

The average user doesn't have a camera that has a USB-C port. Most cameras are Micro USB ports, which means you'll need a cord that's Micro USB to USB-A or C. And since I only have just one or two of those cords myself, I keep them
tucked away unless I really need it. For me it's easier to just pop the SD card out of my camera. Also I use SD cards for other reasons like, normal storage, drones, security cameras, and etc.

The new Mag Safe is very sturdy, and yet easy to take off. The likelihood of the Mag Safe accidentally disconnecting during normal movement is extremely slim. This is nothing like the older Mag Safe.

USB-A port would have completely eliminated the use of any dongle or adaptor for me, which I still need for my MIDI controllers. I would have been fine sacrificing one USB-C port for USB-A. Myself, and I'm sure most users, have never needed to use all 3 USB-C ports at once.
 
Micka88 said:
After few years of USB-C only Apple added back some old pre-historic ports. I personally find them quite useless, while the fourth removed USB-C is often missing (for more external discs etc.).

HDMI is useless since there are cables HDMI- USB-C working perfectly (so it brings no advantage)

SD card: it is much quicker and easier to connect the camera via USB-C cable (not speaking of the fact that when you have 2 and more SD cards in the camera you see them all together.

Mag Safe charging connector: makes no sense at all (plus keeps disconnecting as soon as you move with the laptop)

The only thing that would be really useful is the normal USB connector which for some strange reasons is not there ... (because many older devices have only this connector and one has to look for a reduction all the time)

So I don't find this old stone age connectors renovation useful at all.
Click to expand...
The ports that Apple brought back are not pre-historic.

- HDMI is a current industry standard for video output. Many devices still have exclusively HDMI output (even new devices such as PS5). More importantly, every single monitor, every projector released in the past 15 years has a HDMI port. If you're presenting a talk anywhere with your own laptop, chances are there is a HDMI cable provided. Every presenter using a post-2015 MacBook had to bring dongles for this very basic user case.

- Same thing with SD cards. It's an industry standard for photo and video cameras. When dealing with multiple cameras/cards, its still the easiest to just take the card out and plug it in your MacBook than start dealing with connecting it via WiFi etc.

- Mag Safe: Of course it is not a standard port. However, it was a real "Apple-like" thing in the past and it always felt like cost-cutting that they removed this port.

The one port missing is USB-A. I am missing it as I'm having lots of old peripherals, that now need an adapter. However apple probably was thinking that USB-A really is not a current port anymore. While HDMI and SD-cards are still the latest standard, USB-A is on the way out. Also, adapters from USB-A to C really don't create much trouble, it's much less of an issue compared to USB-C to HDMI adapters.
 
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iDron said:
The ports that Apple brought back are not pre-historic.

- HDMI is a current industry standard for video output. Many devices still have exclusively HDMI output (even new devices such as PS5). More importantly, every single monitor, every projector released in the past 15 years has a HDMI port. If you're presenting a talk anywhere with your own laptop, chances are there is a HDMI cable provided. Every presenter using a post-2015 MacBook had to bring dongles for this very basic user case.

- Same thing with SD cards. It's an industry standard for photo and video cameras. When dealing with multiple cameras/cards, its still the easiest to just take the card out and plug it in your MacBook than start dealing with connecting it via WiFi etc.

- Mag Safe: Of course it is not a standard port. However, it was a real "Apple-like" thing in the past and it always felt like cost-cutting that they removed this port.

The one port missing is USB-A. I am missing it as I'm having lots of old peripherals, that now need an adapter. However apple probably was thinking that USB-A really is not a current port anymore. While HDMI and SD-cards are still the latest standard, USB-A is on the way out. Also, adapters from USB-A to C really don't create much trouble, it's much less of an issue compared to USB-C to HDMI adapters.
Click to expand...

Also keep in mind that Apple probably assumes most of their "pro" users already bought 300-500 dollar docks for their setups. The ports built into the new MBP are purely for convenience/on-the-go use.

Doing a photoshoot and want to tether your camera for a quick calibration while on location? Built-in HDMI don't worry.

Need to empty your SD card mid shoot without running back to your desk to grab your dock? Built-in SD card!

Have to give a last minute presentation that you weren't totally prepped for and didn't bring your dongles with you? Don't worry, HDMI.

They're there for those "oh-****-I-need-to-figure-something-out-fast moments", not for when you're in your office/studio with all your tools.
 
Micka88 said:
After few years of USB-C only Apple added back some old pre-historic ports. I personally find them quite useless, while the fourth removed USB-C is often missing (for more external discs etc.).

HDMI is useless since there are cables HDMI- USB-C working perfectly (so it brings no advantage)

SD card: it is much quicker and easier to connect the camera via USB-C cable (not speaking of the fact that when you have 2 and more SD cards in the camera you see them all together.

Mag Safe charging connector: makes no sense at all (plus keeps disconnecting as soon as you move with the laptop)

The only thing that would be really useful is the normal USB connector which for some strange reasons is not there ... (because many older devices have only this connector and one has to look for a reduction all the time)

So I don't find this old stone age connectors renovation useful at all.
Click to expand...
You aren't loosing anything so it really doesn't mater. don't use them.
 
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marinersaptcomplex said:
Also keep in mind that Apple probably assumes most of their "pro" users already bought 300-500 dollar docks for their setups. The ports built into the new MBP are purely for convenience/on-the-go use.
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I refuse to spend so much money on silly docks. It's almost always ******, badly designed and overpriced hardware. Plus it is basically 300USD just to get your current setup running. A new computer or display might render the dock useless, or even a software update. My girlfriend bought a M1 MacBook Air and wanted to connect 2 displays. We bought the display not realizing that it won't work. I found these really complicated work arounds that need a 200-300USD dock. Really, who does that, buying a dock the third of the price of your computer and more expensive than the display?

In the end, we found a good offer for a Mac mini for about 400USD. I feel a lot happier spending 400 on a mac mini that supports 2 screens than 250 on an adapter, and you might have the hassle of re-installing stuff every time you update something.

This is what I find great about the new M1 Pro/Max laptops. Things are once again designed to just work out of the box. Supports multiple displays natively, supports SD-cards etc. One might want to use a dock, but probably just to have charging, display and a few USB peripherals via one port. Such docks are often a lot cheaper though, and I'm fine with spending 30-50 bucks on an adapter!
 
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Darth Tulhu said:
So, to sum all the threads about this subject:

Some people have a use for the added ports and welcome the change.
+
Some people don't have a use for the added ports and resent the change.
=
You can't make EVERYONE happy, even when you don't leave anyone out.
Click to expand...
The only way to make everyone happy is to have configurable ports when ordering.
The only problem is that, with Apple pricing, each port "upgrade" would be $100, and we would have endless threads debating how many ports you should get to "future-proof" your MacBook. :)
 
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Darth Tulhu said:
So, to sum all the threads about this subject:

Some people have a use for the added ports and welcome the change.
+
Some people don't have a use for the added ports and resent the change.
=
You can't make EVERYONE happy, even when you don't leave anyone out.
Click to expand...
The thing is compared to previous models you are gaining so much more. There may be one less physical USB-C port but there are also additional TB controllers.

The new M1 Pro and Max MBP have three thunderbolt buses each capable of 40Gb/s. A total of 120 GB/s split over 3 ports. On the Intel based MBPs there are only 2 TB controllers on the 4 port models. Ports on each side share bandwidth from each of the two controllers. A total of 80 GB/s split over 4 ports.

So in reality there is no compromise. its win win on both sides.
 
wilberforce said:
The only way to make everyone happy is to have configurable ports when ordering.

The only problem is that, with Apple pricing, each port "upgrade" would be $100, and we would have endless threads debating how many ports you should get to "future-proof" your MacBook. :)
Click to expand...

I like how Framework does it. The laptop has 4 empty slots... and you can choose which ports you want on a given day! HDMI? Sure! USB-A? Go ahead!

Of course Apple would never do this... but I like the flexibility. :)

csm_MG_4301_e501c898f1.jpg
 
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Ooooh jesus, was that existing anti-port thread not good enough for you? Why starting the same nonsense again, based on your personal use-case?

forums.macrumors.com

M1 Max MBP has all these unnecessary ports….WTF?!

The hdmi and sd card port on these is totally unnecessary. WTF?! Everyone already bought connectors for these items over the last 5 years. MagSafe was a mess. Yeah it was branded well but I didnt like it because my cables were always ruined and I had to spend a lot of money replacing it. Imo...
forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com

The demand for the return of useful ports was much higher than the demand for keeping everything ultra-minimalistic. Hence Apple listened and now we have a good selection of ports. Btw, each of those three USB-C ports has now its own full TB controller. Nobody lost anything and like 90% of all people won.
 
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I find a bit funny hearing that everybody keeps stumbling over the cable all the time and that's why "mag safe" keeps saving lives ... It could be maybe enough just to have less mess around and also to look around when walking ? :) Macbook could also slip from your hands when carrying, maybe MacAirbag is missing ? You can also split some tea or coffee on it, so maybe Mac instant plastic shield would be great ? Etc ? :))

Anyway - not adding USB-A port (while returning to "vintage" macbook ports) is a huge user unfriendly mistake I think. I would not be surprised if it comes (as big loud upgrade for 2022 Macbooks :))
 
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