Forthcoming Ports

[sethmacbookuser]

According to a Friday posting, the next MacBook Pro is going to add a MagSafe connector, an HDMI port, and an SD card reader.

I understand that a lot of people are frustrated with having to use adapters in order to be able to transfer information from their devices, but I still wonder why. I imagine it will add to the cost of production (or force Apple to sacrifice performance in other areas).

I'm less tech-inclined than most people, and I'm already using Bluetooth to connect my devices. Don't most cameras have Bluetooth now anyway? Are SD card readers that essential? Quite frankly, I wonder why MacBooks still have headphone jacks. As far as the MagSafe connector, is it really that important to be able to charge quickly for people? Most of the time, if I'm in a position to charge my MacBook, I've got the time to charge it with my USB-C. And what's the real advantage of the HDMI port? I use USB-C to connect to my monitor, but if I had a monitor that only connected via HDMI, would an adapter be that problematic?

It seems to me that this is going to cost all the consumers (whether in price or in sacrificed performance) and benefit a few people only marginally. It also interferes with Apple's preference for simplicity which is one of the most important things that allows it to stand out.

Another question is this: when we order our Macs, we can customize our processor, our RAM, our graphics card, our hard drive size, and our keyboard. So, why would it be so difficult for Apple to allow purchasers to customize our ports? Standard could be the 4 USB configuration, but Apple could allow people to choose an SD card reader as an option, etc.

At least that's how it seems to me. Some of you may understand the technical aspects and the economics better than I do.

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[Pakaku]

I don't see why Apple can't include the same number of USB C ports plus the ones that are rumored to be returning. There's a lot of room on both sides for more than just a couple of tiny USB C ports.

Magsafe is about safety, not charging speed, although speed is fine to have as well. Trip over your USB-C cable and chances are it's not going to just pop out as easily as a magnetic connection. Also, at least when it comes to the older Macbooks, the cable has an LED that tells you if it's charging (orange light) or fully charged (green light) which is very convenient at a glance vs. opening it up to check. Lets hope Apple's big nostalgia-trip brings back something like that.

As for things like transferring over bluetooth, uhh, no thank you, that sounds sluggish as hell to me. Plugging in an SD card would be way faster and I don't have to rely on my camera having bluetooth.

 

[joptimus]

I don't see why Apple can't include the same number of USB C ports plus the ones that are rumored to be returning. There's a lot of room on both sides for more than just a couple of tiny USB C ports.

Magsafe is about safety, not charging speed, although speed is fine to have as well. Trip over your USB-C cable and chances are it's not going to just pop out as easily as a magnetic connection. Also, at least when it comes to the older Macbooks, the cable has an LED that tells you if it's charging (orange light) or fully charged (green light) which is very convenient at a glance vs. opening it up to check. Lets hope Apple's big nostalgia-trip brings back something like that.

As for things like transferring over bluetooth, uhh, no thank you, that sounds sluggish as hell to me. Plugging in an SD card would be way faster and I don't have to rely on my camera having bluetooth.

Fully agree.
Speed and convenience. Wireless connections are not there yet, especially cameras. Also: Do you want to drain your camera battery while transferring data? I don't.