Headphone jack on left side?! WHY!?

[PruneTracy]

Sorry to be a complainer, but I just realized my incoming 16" MBP has the headphone jack on the left side, along with power and 2 USB-C ports... so my numerous USB-C hubs from my 2016 MBP would block the headphone jack... and I use this for recording a lot....

It's not the end of the world. In fact, I'd prefer the audio jack on the left, but it also means re-purchasing corded hubs as opposed to the ones that sit flush to the chassis.

 

[Carlson-online]

There's also a USB-C on the right of the device aswell, so your hub can go into that one ?

 

[usagora]

In addition to what @Carlson-online said, couldn't you simply purchase a USB-C extension cable like this and continue to use your current hub (just not flush-mounted)?

AINOPE USB C Extension Cable, (6.6ft/2M/10Gbps/100W), USB C 3.2 Extender Fast Transfer Type C Extender Charging Compatible with PSVR2/USB C Hub/MacBook Air M2 Pro/iPad Pro/Magsafe Charger/Dell XPS

usb c extension cable usb c extension cord usb c female to male usb type c extension cable 6.6ft extension cord with usb c usb c cable extender usb c extension usb c extender usb-c extension cable usb-c extension type c extension cable usb type c extension cable extension cord usb c extension cor...

www.amazon.com

Also, you could use a 3.5mm to USB-C headphone adapter with the USB-C port that's on the right side of the MBP, though of course that ties up that USB-C port.

 

[Dave Pearce]

It never really bothered me until you said it lol.
I guess having the cable on the left means it doesn't get tangled with a mouse cable (if using one). Does seem a bit 'wrong' now you come to mention it though.

 

[jabbr]

Most headphones with a single terminating cable are on the left channel, so I think it makes sense to have the port on left side.

 

[Nermal]

Isn't having it on the left, well, "normal"? I've had four Apple laptops in my life (2002 iBook, 2006 MBP, 2011 MBP, 2015 MBP) and all four had the headphone socket on the left. If anything my 2020 iMac is the outlier, having it on the right when facing the computer.

 

[NT1440]

My quick guess is because most people are right handed and using a mouse with a headphone cord in the way is kind of annoying?

 

[ignatius345]

My quick guess is because most people are right handed and using a mouse with a headphone cord in the way is kind of annoying?

It's on the left on the M1 iMac as well. I assume it's for the same reason?

 

[PruneTracy]

There's also a USB-C on the right of the device aswell, so your hub can go into that one ?

I should have clarified. My hub has power and input, so it needs two ports to plug in to. That’s what makes it block the jack.

 

[PruneTracy]

In addition to what @Carlson-online said, couldn't you simply purchase a USB-C extension cable like this and continue to use your current hub (just not flush-mounted)?

AINOPE USB C Extension Cable, (6.6ft/2M/10Gbps/100W), USB C 3.2 Extender Fast Transfer Type C Extender Charging Compatible with PSVR2/USB C Hub/MacBook Air M2 Pro/iPad Pro/Magsafe Charger/Dell XPS

usb c extension cable usb c extension cord usb c female to male usb type c extension cable 6.6ft extension cord with usb c usb c cable extender usb c extension usb c extender usb-c extension cable usb-c extension type c extension cable usb type c extension cable extension cord usb c extension cor...

www.amazon.com

Also, you could use a 3.5mm to USB-C headphone adapter with the USB-C port that's on the right side of the MBP, though of course that ties up that USB-C port.

Sorry- I should have clarified. Mine has two ports so needs a side with two ports for input and power.

It’s this one: https://satechi.net/products/pro-hub-max?variant=39774105600088

 

[usagora]

Sorry- I should have clarified. Mine has two ports so needs a side with two ports for input and power.

It’s this one: https://satechi.net/products/pro-hub-max?variant=39774105600088

Wait, that hub has an audio jack...so what am I missing? Why can't you just use that?

 

[usagora]

Isn't having it on the left, well, "normal"? I've had four Apple laptops in my life (2002 iBook, 2006 MBP, 2011 MBP, 2015 MBP) and all four had the headphone socket on the left. If anything my 2020 iMac is the outlier, having it on the right when facing the computer.

My 2020 M1 MBA has it on the right. My 2012 MBA had it on the left.

 

[PruneTracy]

Wait, that hub has an audio jack...so what am I missing? Why can't you just use that?

View attachment 2148356

You're absolute right. Which made me double check mine - I have previous gen, which doesn't have headphone jack. So it's not the exact one, but same concept. Sorry for confusion.

 

[usagora]

You're absolute right. Which made me double check mine - I have previous gen, which doesn't have headphone jack. So it's not the exact one, but same concept. Sorry for confusion.

In that case, you could either upgrade to the newest version or buy two of the aforementioned cables (one for power, one for data) and use your existing hub with those cables. Or you could use the USB-C port on your current hub (or on the right side of the MBP) with a USB-C to 3.5mm audio adapter.

 

[VaruLV]

Wait, that hub has an audio jack...so what am I missing? Why can't you just use that?

View attachment 2148356

Audio chip in that hub might be subpar quality or at least lover quality than the one in MBP, hence its important for those who work with audio.
Sure, external audio card can help, but still, having native 3.5mm with high quality output is nothing to sneeze at.

 

[usagora]

Audio chip in that hub might be subpar quality or at least lover quality than the one in MBP, hence its important for those who work with audio.
Sure, external audio card can help, but still, having native 3.5mm with high quality output is nothing to sneeze at.

Well, they've now clarified they have an older model without that jack. And there's no way to know its quality until they try it. I highly doubt it is subpar. At the end of the day, the fact remains there's nothing they can do about the built-in jack location and there are multiple workarounds to this. They'll just have to try one or more and see what works best for their situation.

 

[VaruLV]

Dock's audio output quality depends on chips inside the dock, one can either look up specification on model website or ask manufacturer.
For some its nothing, for others its quite a big deal to have good audio outpout through USB-C/TB port-dock combo.

 

[usagora]

Dock's audio output quality depends on chips inside the dock, one can either look up specification on model website or ask manufacturer.
For some its nothing, for others its quite a big deal to have good audio outpout through USB-C/TB port-dock combo.

It looks like it's a simple pass-thru. I don't think it's actually doing any processing on the audio, though of course I don't know for 100% sure: