Kuo: New MacBook Pro Models With HDMI Port and SD Card Reader to Launch Later This Year

[Stella]

The limitation I’m referring to is one display has to be via hdmi.

so the 2018 intel mini is advertised as “up to 3” but only supports two if you use USB-c or tb or DisplayPort displays.

the 2020 m1 mini is advertised as “up to 2” but only supports one if you use USB-c or tb or DisplayPort displays.

If the limitation is HDMI, then why do the MacBook M1 models only support ONE external display connected to TB / USB when there's multiple ( two ) TB ports? You could add a dongle for the power + extra display connection for two displays, but that configuration isn't supported. The issue is probably related to the M1 CPU.

Seems like your theory is incorrect.

 

[brownpaw]

Knowing Apple it'll actually be a mini-HDMI or micro-HDMI port, so you'll still need a cable that's far less ubiquitous than normal full-size HDMI->HDMI.

 

[Stephen.R]

If the limitation is HDMI, then why do the MacBook silicons only support ONE external display connected to TB?

Seems like your theory is incorrect.

Because they have one display built in?

to clarify: the limitation is that Apple routes one display output to hdmi exclusively on the Mac mini.

the igpu in the intel models supported 3 displays total one is hard wired to hdmi so that leaves two for DisplayPort over whatever connector (or hdmi or dvi or whatever adapter).

the m1 gpu supports 2 displays total so on the mini where one is hard wired to hdmi that means one dp (or whatever adapter you use)

on the m1 MacBooks one display is built in, and it has no hdmi port, so the other stream is available on whichever USB-c port you wish for whatever DisplayPort/adapter you wish to use.

 

[Ethosik]

The limitation I’m referring to is one display has to be via hdmi.

so the 2018 intel mini is advertised as “up to 3” but only supports two if you use USB-c or tb or DisplayPort displays.

the 2020 m1 mini is advertised as “up to 2” but only supports one if you use USB-c or tb or DisplayPort displays.

You said the same limitation is in place on Intel CPUs, but this is false. I cannot have three displays on my M1 Mac mini even though it DOES have two thunderbolt controllers JUST like the Intel mini did.

 

[Romeo_Nightfall]

No Touch Bar. no sale. Can’t go back to static function row 🤮

You would buy anything apple gives you!

 

[theISHkid]

I'm always interested to find out what people do with their computers work/school/etc when topics like this come up.
It's really interesting to hear someone say they don't use certain products like USB-A. I work in an office and need to use multiple USB-A ports on a daily basis. I use an SD card 4-5 times a week. I use an ethernet cable 3-4 times a month. And I use a dvd drive once a month. I have old peripherals using older technology like FW800 and one new hard drive using USB-C.

Most of my coworkers are on PC's and only use USB-A and SD.

I would never expect Apple to add a DVD/Blu Ray drive because I use it still. I wasn't even upset when they got rid of ethernet since I didn't use it that often. And back in 2016 when they took out the SD slot it kind of made sense to me... everything back then wasn't just SD... there were many popular flash drives so it made sense not to just put in one even if it was the most popular. But taking out all of the USB-A ports... not even leaving one... that's a decision I just never understood. And I'm fascinated by the people that can somehow just get by on USB-C and nothing else at all.

 

[Stephen.R]

You said the same limitation is in place on Intel CPUs, but this is false. I cannot have three displays on my M1 Mac mini even though it DOES have two thunderbolt controllers JUST like the Intel mini did.

The same limitation as in, one display output is hard wired to hdmi.

how many times do I have to explain this concept?

 

[Ethosik]

tell that to people with a Mac mini who are forced to use HDMI for one of the video outputs.

Seriously. Is there anything unique to HDMI that this port is REQUIRED? Its just a connector to the SoC right? So why can't it be used with a Thunderbolt connector?

However, the act of the HDMI present DOES take away from the other ports, like you said. HDMI is wired up so something has to give.

 

[Stella]

the m1 gpu supports 2 displays total so on the mini where one is hard wired to hdmi that means one dp (or whatever adapter you use)

Right, so, there's a limitation on the M1 CPU of having more than 2 monitors. Thank you for confirming.

If the limitation is HDMI, then why do the MacBook M1 models only support ONE external display connected to TB / USB when there's multiple ( two ) TB ports? You could add a dongle for the power + extra display connection for two displays, but that configuration isn't supported. The issue is probably related to the M1 CPU.

updated for clarity.

 

[Stephen.R]

Seriously. Is there anything unique to HDMI that this port is REQUIRED? Its just a connector to the SoC right? So why can't it be used with a Thunderbolt connector?

However, the act of the HDMI present DOES take away from the other ports, like you said. HDMI is wired up so something has to give.

A USB-c port can connect to a hdmi device just fine with HDMI alt mode and an appropriate cable or adapter.

I doubt that mode supports Ethernet over hdmi, but I also doubt apple’s hdmi ports ever support that either because basically everything in hdmi is optional and who needs a 100mbit Ethernet link to their tv or projector?

 

[gregmancuso]

Until sub $200 USB-C monitors become a norm, HDMI is still very "in".

Maybe not sub-$200, but a quick look found two options at $225 (one Dell and one Phillips).

And for all of this about a USB-C to HDMI dongle being required - who really cares? Assuming you are using a notebook, the monitor never leaves your house. Leave the dongle attached to the HDMI cable and go on your way. When you get home plug the USB-C end of the dongle into your notebook. Really no different than having to plug one USB-C cable or one HDMI cable. And, may people who are looking at actively using every port type at all times most likely has a dock already. So, one cable to the dock and done.

If you are talking a Mac Mini, then once the cable is plugged in - dongle or not - you don't unplug it. So, again, who really cares. Unless there is just a need to complain about something.

Yes, not everyone's use case is the same as the next, but there really are only so many options.

 

[Ethosik]

The same limitation as in, one display output is hard wired to hdmi.

how many times do I have to explain this concept?

We are talking about different limitations. And perhaps an HDMI port requires less connections than a Thunderbolt port?

 

[MacWanker]

I wonder how easy/difficult it would be to load my entire iTunes library onto a permanently-inserted SD card. That would sure free up a ton of space on my internal drive.

I have a 256GB Transcend JetDrive Lite in my 2015 macbook air, and I use it for exactly this - just for my iTunes library.
That is where I have put the XML file, and all the music files and folders. No music is on the mac itself.
Works perfectly and quickly - just sits there, all flush and inconspicuous doing it's thing and has been that way for over five years and no issues whatsoever.

 

[seanbperiod]

You can get e.g. USB C to lightning cables. You can plug-in current iPhones and iPads to USB C ports.

The iPhone SE 2 comes with USB A cable.

 

[Stephen.R]

Right, so, there's a limitation on the M1 CPU. Thank you for confirming.

You’re missing the point. Again.

intel minis support three displays total. One must be via hdmi because it’s hardwired.

m1 minis support two displays total. One must be via hdmi because it’s hardwired.


that the m1 supports fewer total displays is a limitation but it’s not at all what I’m talking about.

I’m talking about the hdmi port that you want as a convenience, meaning that one less DisplayPort displays can be connected.

a hdmi display can connect to a USB-c port with a cheap, ubiquitous adapter.

There is no such thing as a cheap ubiquitous adapter t connect a DisplayPort display to a hdmi port

 

[Stephen.R]

We are talking about different limitations. And perhaps an HDMI port requires less connections than a Thunderbolt port?

Less connections to what?

we know the m1 can put out two DisplayPort streams because the m1 MacBooks support external DisplayPort (eg USB-c/tb3) and basically every man and his dog uses edp (embedded DisplayPort) for built in display panels

 

[Ethosik]

Given the blurring of lines between “Pro” and non-pro (MBA, Mac Mini) at this point, the “Pro” designation is really silly. The only real “Pro” options IMHO are determined by price, not function...those options whose price tag exceeds $3000....

How about Apple replace the Pro and non-Pro lines with Minimalist and Realist options. I’ll take my MacBook slightly heavier and thicker, with headphone jack, MagSafe, at least 1 USB-A port, and upgradeable RAM/storage/battery at minimum. A touchbar is fine as long as the function & ESC keys remain.

Same for phones. How about an iPhone 14 Minimalist, and an iPhone 14 Realist that doesn’t need a case in order to survive a 4 foot drop?

People just need to stop with the "Pro" arguments.

Is the Surface "Pro" really a "Pro" system? I can't put 128GB of RAM in it. I can't run my workflow that needs 8+GB of dedicated GPU power that my RTX has.

"Pro" just means "Enhanced". Seriously, I don't know why this same argument has been coming up for basically a decade plus now.

 

[Ethosik]

Less connections to what?

we know the m1 can put out two DisplayPort streams because the m1 MacBooks support external DisplayPort (eg USB-c/tb3) and basically every man and his dog uses edp (embedded DisplayPort) for built in display panels

Pinouts/Connections to the SoC. Thunderbolt should require more with the extra bandwidth compared to HDMI.

 

[name99]

bringing back the sd slot is such a stupid idea. for professional cameras, plenty of them use CFAST cards and a lot of them are moving over to USB-C SSDs. have you seen the cost and max size of high performing SD cards to record 4k/6k/8k ProRes RAW/Blackmagic RAW footage?

let's move on from SD. Apple was right to remove them. rather have an extra USB4/Thunderbolt 4 port.

this is one of those situations where Apple should tell everyone to shut up and be glad they're removing the Touch Bar at least.

Ah, the wonderful internet where everyone thinks every product revolves around them!

SD cards can now run at 90MB/s (very reasonably priced, large, usable for many purposes) or ~300MB/s (expensive, max out at 256GB right now but fast). Why does this matter?
Because it means that you can buy a Mac with smaller amounts of the max-performance flash that Apple provides, and make up the difference with an SD card that sits permanently in the SD slot. Run your mac off 256GB or so, and put your movies and music on a 512GB or 1TB SD card.
It works well, it's very convenient for many use cases. Yes, your movies and music can only be accessed at a "measly" 90MB/s or so rather than the 3GB/s of an internal drive. If that's a problem for you, you're probably using your movies and music in a highly unorthodox fashion...

 

[Stephen.R]

Pinouts/Connections to the SoC. Thunderbolt should require more with the extra bandwidth compared to HDMI.

... this isn’t about how many thunderbolt ports the machine supports.

The m1 Macs all have 2 tb3 ports, but only route one DisplayPort stream for them to use.

If anything adding hdmi requires more pin outs because it’s not just sending another dp stream over the existing channels to the tb3 ports.

 

[Suckfest 9001]

I am sorry, the potential of an actual professional using an iPhone for their SUPER DETAILS music work that NEEDS a physical connection is very very very very low compared to the general users like us that just want to listen to music. Connected or wireless makes no difference for 99% of the people on iPhone. For the 1%, there is the adapter available for that.

And if that still doesn't work for you, then get the correct hardware you need. Maybe you shouldn't be working on your million dollar album project on your iPhone to begin with? Use actual music equipment instead and a computer.

Hello xWhiplash,
This thread is actually about MacBooks. Just making sure you’re aware.

Have a good day

 

[Ethosik]

... this isn’t about how many thunderbolt ports the machine supports.

The m1 Macs all have 2 tb3 ports, but only route one DisplayPort stream for them to use.

If anything adding hdmi requires more pin outs because it’s not just sending another dp stream over the existing channels to the tb3 ports.

Did I bring up "number of thunderbolt ports"....no. Perhaps allowing both thunderbolt ports to output to both displays is too much for the SoC currently. Therefore, HDMI which requires less bandwidth is NEEDED for the secondary display.

 

[Stephen.R]

I don’t see it happening anyway, but I’ve got $20 that says if Apple added back type a USB ports, some of the whiners would complain that it’s only a 3.x port (because the USB-c ports are advertised as usb4)

 

[Ethosik]

Hello xWhiplash,
This thread is actually about MacBooks. Just making sure you’re aware.

Have a good day

Uh Macs have headphone jacks. Even the newest one. What is this?

 

[OnawaAfrica]

Is there a way to like your comment twice? This really deserves greater recognition. Touch bar is trash.

TOUCHBAR IS GREAT