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

[Tozovac]

They phased out DVD drives when nobody really used them anymore, and there was a long transition phase during which Macs had both DVD drives and other connectivity. iPhones never supported Flash from the start, and it wasn't common on other phones before, so no existing use cases were affected.

The USB-C transition was, you all have to use this new port that no Mac ever included before, right now, and neither the market nor the port itself is really ready, so we sell expensive dongles so you can reverse the change.

One big thing that I think is overlooked when anyone “justifies” removing any oft-used port with the “Apple removed optical drives” example is: Apple in parallel also quickly made downloading of music & apps onto the computer very easy and convenient, and technically with no added cost to the user: Buy cd’s of music or apps, vs. pay & download music or apps. In a way, the discussion is more about electrons than hard/durable goods.

To this day, no packages from Apple have yet to arrive at my door with free dongles or free replacement USB-A to USB-C cables, or free replacement USB-C equipped hard drives, music/midi interfaces, etc. devices that use (and will use for years to come) USB-A inputs. The durable/hard goods in my office & music room have plenty of life left and are not cheap to replace, and they’re readily available in many offices & places I travel to. Buying dongles/cables/adapters/new hardware is not just about different electrons...implementing the change to a USB-C only MacBook has real costs, both monetary as well as the extra hassle to handle/store/tote/replace the new hardware. That’s the major difference. The optical drive example is a hard one to compare to removing MagSafe or headphone jack or USB port. Apple had hits with innovations like the iPod, iPad, Airpods, MagSafe, pretty computers, and removing the optical drive. Apple still has big misses, like removing certain
ubiquitous hardware/ports, and all the Jony Ive-pleasing flat/vague design since iOS7.

 

[nothere]

Some Mac enthusiasts seem to have gotten really mad at Apple for planning to make the device too accessible to a wider range of users. I really can't say I'm surprised at the snobbery.

 

[Tdotplay]

I think that Im the only one who actually likes the idea of the Touch Bar. Agreed, they could have done way more with it.

 

[hot-gril]

Some Mac enthusiasts seem to have gotten really mad at Apple for planning to make the device too accessible to a wider range of users. I really can't say I'm surprised at the snobbery.

Don't worry, they'll start defending it once Apple actually does it.

 

[hot-gril]

I was really hoping for USB-A. I don't care if it's ugly. If you're adding back SD and HDMI go all the way with an I-don't-care-if-it's-ugly MBP. (BTW, I don't think it's ugly, but I assume Apple thinks USB-A is ugly.)

There are no USB-C devices that can replicate the functionality of an always-in flush USB-A flash drive.

On a laptop, it's common not to need to plug in USB peripherals on the go, and USB dongles work reliably when you need them. HDMI is something you often need unexpectedly, and the HDMI dongles are always flaky, so there's no winning. I have to reboot my work laptop sometimes just to make that one work.

Even though I never use USB-C for anything but adapting to other ports, and I'd rather just have all the old ports, needing a dongle for USB isn't a dealbreaker to me like lack of HDMI is.

 

[nothere]

Don't worry, they'll start defending it once Apple actually does it.

Yeah. I guess that puts this convo into context for me. A couple of people complaining about the changes on this forum isn't going to change what Apple does. And when they do it, the same people will just accept it as the best choice eventually.

 

[Fomalhaut]

No, they don’t. I’ve been a professional photographer for 16 years. The vast majority of cameras on the market still use SD cards. Probably 90%, even most the high end ones recently released.

Just make it an SD / CFast Type-A hybrid slot like the Sony A7Siii and we're good.

 

[Lemon Olive]

As expected, lot of people being distracted by this, which is Apple's intention here.

The M1 Mac mini dropped from 4 TB ports down to 2. That's no accident.

In the next round of machines Apple plans to update, those are (well, were) also machines with 4 TB ports. My guess is that those will also be reduced to 2 TB ports, which is why the new/old ports will be making a comeback, not the other way around. This isn't because Apple has decided after 5 years that we need ports we got rid of 5 years ago. It is because Apple is needing to reduce the number of TB ports, and has to fill in the gap.

I don't know if its a limitation with Apple Silicon design, or a licensing issue, but M1 Macs are distinctly different in that they have 2 TB controllers and 2 ports (as opposed to 1 controller for every 2 ports in Intel Macs). The end result is both sets of Macs have the same number of Thunderbolt controllers, but half the ports for M1.

 

[Lemon Olive]

Why? Just why do we need this?

Because Apple isn't shipping M-series Macs with 4 TB ports. Only 2. So something has to fill in the gap.

Why? IDK. Ask Apple. They did it with the M1 Mac mini, and it appears the MacBook Pro is the next victim. My guess is iMac will get similarly neutered.

 

[Lemon Olive]

A person could put a 1TB micro SD card in there for TM backups.

That's a neat idea.

 

[Lemon Olive]

So a 2021 notebook needs a dongle?

Really, if you are working in a professional environment with other people, even if you operate more than 90% MacBooks in the company, every MacBook is carried around with a dongle.

Every. Single. One.

Is that so? The purpose of my laptop is definitely not to plug things in to it. The purpose of it is to work away from my desk. When I'm at my desk, I would plug things into it that stay on the desk (if I didn't already have a desktop for the desk).

 

[macrem]

I think that Im the only one who actually likes the idea of the Touch Bar. Agreed, they could have done way more with it.

I may be the only other one 😆 If only Apple would make a new Silicon MBA with Touch Bar.

 

[The_Martini_Cat]

I think it is nice they are taking a bit longer because ANTICIPATION IS EVERYTHING! When I got my mid2012 (no that is not 2021) that I am using right now, I did not anticipate this M1X! Which will be flat black!! I have to say, if I can use this forthcoming macbook pro for another nine years, that would be, like, tears of joy.

 

[Fomalhaut]

I don't get it. How will they fit the HDMI connector in that body? USB-C can barely fit. It's not thick enough. And if it's gonna be mini HDMI then it seems to me completely pointless because you're gonna need reduction in most cases anyway 😕

I have to say I'm personally pretty happy with just 4 USB-C ... bought myself a USB-C monitor with USB hub and got used it pretty quickly 😊

They can use a mini or micro HDMI connector...into which you can connect a mini/micro-to-full-size HDMI adapter...easy!

 

[TheDailyApple]

So the slot is really only important for people who care so much about their photos that they need to back up on the spot, otherwise they'd just store the cards away. I won't question the pros' methods, but that does seem niche enough to warrant the answer being "get a USB SD card reader."

I usually take out the card simply because I find it easier than using a cable. The size of my camera can be a little unwieldy when connected with a cable and takes up too much desk space for my liking. But at that point it comes down to personal preferences and work habits.

 

[Darth Tulhu]

It only took FIVE YEARS for Apple to come to its senses.

Except now this appears unnecessarily regressive at first glance; I would have thought that Mac users have already adapted to the BS (as I type this on a 2011 17").

Still, not complaining; It's just that for me, it may be a little too late.

I'll be living the iPadOS life once they finally release the new ones this year.

 

[Lerenard3000]

Macbook se

 

[Fomalhaut]

Carry a Usb-c to HDMI or Displayport Cable. Dongles are for losers.

That doesn't help for meeting room projectors. You generally can't connect directly to the projector (if ceiling mounted). You get a cable sticking out the table with an HDMI, and sometimes adapters for mini-DP, USB-C or even VGA. You still need adapters to cope with non-USB-C cables.

 

[SFjohn]

Congratulations!
I’m relieved to know that your usage reflects every other Mac owner.

He spoke for himself. He didn’t imply that he was speaking for a majority. Your reply and the likes you got were like they were coming from the mean girls high school cheer leading squad. Just pathetic.

 

[SFjohn]

In terms of numbers, you are right… only people who present at customers, in group meetings or in the public – in a way, a pre-COVID scenario – really need that.

The issue is:

These people are multiplicators, which is a huge issue in a mixed environment:

It is quite detrimental for the brand, if the Mac guys at the table always have to attach a dongle to attach the HDMI projector or meeting room monitor while the rest of the world just plugs the HDMI in.

It's just silly and it makes your new shiny MacBook Pro look like an overdesigned toy, instead of a working machine.

Personally I’ve seen this as well, but my reaction is that it makes the projector and institution look outdated and cheap. Fine if your teaching grade school, but business? Meh.

 

[SFjohn]

So the touchbar itself is a great concept, the problem is Apple refuses to give it the software customization it was meant to have and they've never mentioned it since they released the MacBook Pros in 2016. I'd like them to go back to having it optional on both the 16" and 13/14" Macbook Pros, but we'll see.


The description here seems to much like they are going to just rerelease the 2015 Macbook Pros with the new M series processors, no touch bar, ports including freaking MagSafe is all specs from those old Macbooks and makes no sense for Apple to move towards.

I find that it works intuitively as it is. If you want more customization you can purchase software for it. But it’s going to cost you $6.50 OMG!

 

[GizmoDVD]

Bring back useless ports a USB-C can do. Great. Makes total sense!

 

[SFjohn]

more places where the dust can get in!

Or liquids…

 

[SFjohn]

The touch bar sleeps after a while, requiring a press to wake it up. On my 2016 one, I've had some background tab start creating noise during a meeting, and the touch bar wouldn't respond for a few seconds.

That’s not usual for a Touchbar, hope you had Apple fix your machine.

 

[Stephen.R]

They have 4 thunderbolt controllers. All 4 ports support 40gbps. Where as the Intel and M1 Mac mini only have two controllers. Just the Intel version had two extra ports but still only two controllers.

No, they don’t. They use the same twin, two port controller setup as the mini.