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

[Lemon Olive]

I have heard this theory a couple of times now, and there may be something to it.

I would be surprised to see an HDMI port return, and greatly surprised if USB-A ports came back to Mac laptops, but it is certainly conceivable if there are only 2 TB3 ports on the next models. Especially if you could still only connect a single external monitor via TB3, which would need HDMI in order to connect 2 monitors.

I find this rumor of a return to "legacy ports" to be dubious, but certainly possible if Apple has a technical limitation that can't be solved any other way. That would be a pretty big ball for Apple to drop with the design of Apple Silicon if it comes to pass.

My view is that HDMI and SD card slots are convenient (no dongles for commonly used peripherals), but not essential. They could be justified however because HDMI and SD are likely to be relevant and widely-used standards for the next 5 years at least, even if TB/USB-C is superior and becomes the eventual successor.

Including USB-A seems to be a step backward because it's now an obsolescent technology, albeit widely used (and will continue to be for many years due to its ubiquity)

It is definitely a regression, no matter how much the blog crowd wants to cheer for limited legacy ports.

 

[Lemon Olive]

I don't want a fat laptop. Ethernet ports are too big, is there such a thing as a mini-ethernet port?

But see, even asking that question defeats the purpose. You don't even know if it exists, which means if it did, it would incredibly uncommon. What use is that to anyone?

No niche ports. Either have standard, common ports that people are familiar with, or universal ports that can adapt to be anything.

 

[Stephen.R]

I remember after my first iMac things shifted to USB-A very quickly. There wasn't a really extended transition period. This time it just hasn't happened. It's definitely still in limbo with two standards.

Plenty of PCs still include ps2 and serial ports, two decades later.

You’re right that there are two standards for USB. The one that defines type A has literally been superseded by one that only defines type-C.

 

[Lemon Olive]

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.

Apple isn't deciding after 5 years to walk back on USB-C/TB.

It is pretty clear now, having seen the M1 Mac mini go from 4 ports to 2, and hearing the next M-series MacBookPro is doing the same, that this isn't Apple saying "oh we just don't need at all that." There is some technical limitation with Apple Silicon Macs.

Adding back the legacy ports is a necessity in order to fill the gap left.

 

[Stephen.R]

If you spent as much effort into bellyaching about your HDMI problem that no ones really cares about, as figuring out how to search in Amazon, then you'd easily find these cheap HDMI -> DP / USBC adapters, on Amazon.com

Those adapters convert from usb-c to hdmi, and they’re cheap and simple because USB-c has support for sending a native hdmi signal using an “alt mode”.

they are not bidirectional and will not allow a DisplayPort or USB-c display to run from a hdmi port on a computer.

but thanks for proving what I suspected: you have no clue what you’re talking about, you just want hdmi, **** anyone else’s use case.

 

[pshufd]

I guess this is just saying that these two things are a given (HDMI and SD). It sounds like MagSafe is a given as well. I would still like to see USB-A, even if it's only one port; for me to use a mouse in a pinch (I haven't found any BlueTooth Mice that I really like).

I would really like to get a MacBook Air right now and was thinking of waiting until March to see what they launch but it looks like it won't be a MacBook Pro. It's hard to justify a new laptop given that the one I use for mobile works fine. I would just mainly go for the battery life and it's hard to justify. A 14-inch Pro would be perfect - the ports I want along with long battery life. The performance of the M1 would be fine for me.

 

[Stella]

Those adapters convert from usb-c to hdmi, and they’re cheap and simple because USB-c has support for sending a native hdmi signal using an “alt mode”.

they are not bidirectional and will not allow a DisplayPort or USB-c display to run from a hdmi port on a computer.

but thanks for proving what I suspected: you have no clue what you’re talking about, you just want hdmi, **** anyone else’s use case.

These adapters are suitable for the majority of people. If you need more then you'll have to suck it up and buy the hub powered adapter. Like I thought, you hadn't communicated your requirements fully, so it's a constant moving target: you now disclose you need bi-directional adapters. :-\

Apple have done their market research and deemed that HDMI port is suitable for the target market of the Mac mini.

Again, consider that the Mac mini really isn't the machine you need, and something else will be more appropriate.

 

[DexBell]

The Canon 1Dxiii uses CF Express. The Nikon D6 use CF Express. The Sony A1 use CF Express(Type A instead of Type B because Sony). Even the consumer models below them like the Canon R5 and Nikon Z7ii use CFExpress. Anything below these probably have WiFi transfer or a USB-C that is more than sufficient for that level of user.

You found 3 examples out of hundreds, that’s why I said 90%, and I have an R5, it has an SD card slot alongside the CFE as does the Z7 II. Most pros I know are still shooting with older cameras that use SD cards, very few upgrade to the latest and greatest outside of enthusiasts, we like our proven workhorses. SD cards are still very much the industry standard and will be for at least another 3-5 years.

 

[swingerofbirch]

Plenty of PCs still include ps2 and serial ports, two decades later.

You’re right that there are two standards for USB. The one that defines type A has literally been superseded by one that only defines type-C.

I meant that the marketplace for USB peripherals changed very fast in the late 90s versus now. The computers, including Windows, have moved toward USB-C, but not the entire ecosystem. Hard drives, wireless mouse receivers, etc. Apple's first USB-C Macs came out in 2015, and until last year even Apple's standard charging cable it shipped with iPhones was USB-A.

 

[name99]

not sure what you're accusing me of there. i've done that exact scenario in the past with one of these https://www.amazon.com/MiniDrive-Retina-13-Adaptor-Expansion/dp/B017HOBQ8Q

today it's no longer needed. very few customers who don't own a camera need to do something like this

And yet you still insist that you know how much storage other people want and how they want to use it? Amazing!

 

[hot-gril]

It's not so much for on the go, but I always leave a USB-A flush flash drive plugged in for backups. It doesn't snag on anything—barely sticks out at all. I have put it in my backpack with no concerns about it snagging, but even just at home it's nice to just leave it in and not worry about it catching on things or falling out as you move the computer around. That's the one thing I have not seen be able to be accomplished with USB-C.

I'm surprised nothing like that exists for USB-C since my security key is already flush like that. But you can also accomplish this with a flush microSD card adapter and card, which is what I do.

 

[farewelwilliams]

Yes. I'm betting that removing all the ports was a Jony Ive idea. Now that he's gone, Apple can finally make a good laptop again.

Removing all the ports in 2016 was 10 years too early. We've got a solid 5-6 more years of HDMI/USB-A/SD Card. It's the right call to bring back ports.

Doubt it was exclusively Jony's idea. If Jony had it his way, he would have removed the headphone jack. But market research told Apple, people still use the headphone jack for desktop audio.

 

[farewelwilliams]

And yet you still insist that you know how much storage other people want and how they want to use it? Amazing!

"Want" does not equal to "need".

People still wanted a physical keyboard when the iPhone 1 came out. Look at where we are today.

 

[ruka.snow]

You found 3 examples out of hundreds, that’s why I said 90%, and I have an R5, it has an SD card slot alongside the CFE as does the Z7 II. Most pros I know are still shooting with older cameras that use SD cards, very few upgrade to the latest and greatest outside of enthusiasts, we like our proven workhorses. SD cards are still very much the industry standard and will be for at least another 3-5 years.

You do indeed have a SD backup option on the R5 and Z7ii. However, why would you want to unload your images via the backup card instead of the 5-10x faster main card?

And as I said before, the pro cameras of the past used CF exclusively and didn’t even have a SD backup. The bulk of point and shoot cameras and the consumer crop cameras have had SD slots, but again just plug in direct with USB or wirelessly transfer.

 

[Stephen.R]

These adapters are suitable for the majority of people. If you need more then you'll have to suck it up and buy the hub powered adapter. Like I thought, you hadn't communicated your requirements fully, so it's a constant moving target: you now disclose you need bi-directional adapters. :-\

Apple have done their market research and deemed that HDMI port is suitable for the target market of the Mac mini.

Again, consider that the Mac mini really isn't the machine you need, and something else will be more appropriate.

It is really hard to believe this post is meant seriously, but it's been deemed 'legitimate' so when in Rome..


It's not about me "needing a bidirectional adapter". When I said that adapters FROM a HDMI source/computer TO a DisplayPort or USB-C display are neither cheaply available nor portable, you replied that they are, and linked to several adapters that go FROM a USB-C source/computer TO a HDMI display.

I only mentioned "they are not bidirectional" because if they had been bidirectional adapters, they would work for either use-case. But they aren't, so they don't. All you've done is highlight their ubiquitous and cheap nature, which is why there is no need for a dedicated HDMI port. Just the same as why there's no need for a dedicated ethernet port: USB-C to Ethernet (or TB3 to 10G Ethernet) are things that are possible and exist for those that need them. Ethernet to <anything else> is not a thing that exists or is possible.


The mini isn't the computer being discussed here, is it? It's merely an example, or evidence of Apple's previous and still current approach to a hardwired HDMI port in a device with an integrated GPU.

Why is it so hard for you or others to admit that any Mac - which would include a hypothetical Arm MBP16 with a physical HDMI port - that has any of its display outputs hardwired to a physical HDMI port, is less capable and thus less useful to potential owners, than one which has those outputs routable to any of the USB-C/TB3/USB 4 ports, which can be cheaply adapted to HDMI?

You can even say "yes that is the case, but I still want HDMI". People have different priorities.

Lastly, if your logic on the Mac mini is that Apple have done market testing, and thus the product is "suitable for the target market", that means there's nothing wrong with the current TB3-only Macbook Pro's. They've obviously done their market research and deemed that TB3 is suitable for the target market.

You can't have it both ways. Either they are capable of making mistakes in every device, or every device they produce is perfectly matched to it's "intended market".

 

[pshufd]

It is really hard to believe this post is meant seriously, but it's been deemed 'legitimate' so when in Rome..


It's not about me "needing a bidirectional adapter". When I said that adapters FROM a HDMI source/computer TO a DisplayPort or USB-C display are neither cheaply available nor portable, you replied that they are, and linked to several adapters that go FROM a USB-C source/computer TO a HDMI display.

I only mentioned "they are not bidirectional" because if they had been bidirectional adapters, they would work for either use-case. But they aren't, so they don't. All you've done is highlight their ubiquitous and cheap nature, which is why there is no need for a dedicated HDMI port. Just the same as why there's no need for a dedicated ethernet port: USB-C to Ethernet (or TB3 to 10G Ethernet) are things that are possible and exist for those that need them. Ethernet to <anything else> is not a thing that exists or is possible.


The mini isn't the computer being discussed here, is it? It's merely an example, or evidence of Apple's previous and still current approach to a hardwired HDMI port in a device with an integrated GPU.

Why is it so hard for you or others to admit that any Mac - which would include a hypothetical Arm MBP16 with a physical HDMI port - that has any of its display outputs hardwired to a physical HDMI port, is less capable and thus less useful to potential owners, than one which has those outputs routable to any of the USB-C/TB3/USB 4 ports, which can be cheaply adapted to HDMI?

You can even say "yes that is the case, but I still want HDMI". People have different priorities.

Lastly, if your logic on the Mac mini is that Apple have done market testing, and thus the product is "suitable for the target market", that means there's nothing wrong with the current TB3-only Macbook Pro's. They've obviously done their market research and deemed that TB3 is suitable for the target market.

You can't have it both ways. Either they are capable of making mistakes in every device, or every device they produce is perfectly matched to it's "intended market".

I built a system last year and have had monitor glitches. The monitors worked but they would reset randomly. I finally figured out what was causing the glitches. I was using MDP to DP cables to do DP to MDP. It worked almost all the time except for the resets. Fortunately my video card also has HDMI ports so I was able to use an HDMI cable from computer to monitor and it has been glitch-free since. I did also have a MDP to HDMI cable which I tried - I plugged the HDMI into the computer and the MDP into the monitor - the monitor saw the cable but the computer didn't see the monitor. The Uni-Direction cable thing can be a nuisance of a problem.

The most universal connector in my view is HDMI. Fortunately my 2014 and 2015 MacBook Pros have HDMI ports.

 

[Stephen.R]

I built a system last year and have had monitor glitches.

Anecdotal evidence is anecdotal.

Go read all the threads on MR about users who have issues with HDMI attached displays, that work better when connected via DisplayPort.

The most universal connector in my view is HDMI.

Well it's a good thing USB-C has HDMI alt-mode and can drive a HDMI display with a simple cable isn't it?

I don't understand this type of argument at all. USB-C doesn't prevent you from using HDMI displays, at all. Heck, a TB3 port will run two HDMI displays if that's your thing.

But why, given the following two choices, are you saying "well I want to use HDMI, so everyone else should too":

• USB-C ports, that can drive a USB-C native, DisplayPort (via cable/adapter) or HDMI (via cable adapter) display; or
• Hardwired HDMI port, that can drive a HDMI display, or a HDMI TV... or maybe a DisplayPort display if you buy an active converter (i.e. a box that needs AC power)

 

[pshufd]

Anecdotal evidence is anecdotal.

Go read all the threads on MR about users who have issues with HDMI attached displays, that work better when connected via DisplayPort.

Well it's a good thing USB-C has HDMI alt-mode and can drive a HDMI display with a simple cable isn't it?

I don't understand this type of argument at all. USB-C doesn't prevent you from using HDMI displays, at all. Heck, a TB3 port will run two HDMI displays if that's your thing.

But why, given the following two choices, are you saying "well I want to use HDMI, so everyone else should too":

• USB-C ports, that can drive a USB-C native, DisplayPort (via cable/adapter) or HDMI (via cable adapter) display; or
• Hardwired HDMI port, that can drive a HDMI display, or a HDMI TV... or maybe a DisplayPort display if you buy an active converter (i.e. a box that needs AC power)

My problems were with DisplayPort.

HDMI worked fine.

I don't really have USB-C stuff. I'm outfitted with older equipment so I don't have a box full of USB-C cables. I have a few devices that came with USB-C but they fortunately included USB-A adapters.

The original argument was about bidirection cables.

My perspective is that if you don't make what I want, then I won't buy your product.

You know, capitalism.

Apparently Apple has figured that out and will be adding HDMI ports to their MacBook Pros.

So that they can catch up with the Mac Mini.

 

[MacBH928]

“PRO” means nothing. It might as well say “Neato”. The “PRO” part hasn’t meant anything in well over a decade.

well, thats Apple's fault. Thats what the PRO lineup should be. I don't know what made them think to make the PRO line the main consumer line. Air should be the thinnest, Macbook should be the regular, and MacBook PRO should be the beefy one. Thats logic.

Macbook AIR being heavier than plain Macbook is...is... I don't know what sense that makes.

 

[Stephen.R]

My problems were with DisplayPort.

For all we know, your problems were caused by a crap display, or a dodgy video card, or anything. That's my point: it's anecdotal, and we have no actual idea what the problem was.

The original argument was about bidirection cables.

No it really ****ing wasn't. It was about a USB-C port being able to drive any type of display in common use via a very cheap, ubiquitous adapter or cable, and HDMI being limited to driving HDMI displays.

The only reason "bidirectional" came up, is because the other poster somehow thought (or is trolling about) a USB-C to HDMI adapter would allow a HDMI port to power a USB-C display. I then commented to say that they won't do that, because they're not bidirectional.

So that they can catch up with the Mac Mini.

How is hobbling a product "catching up"?

You understand how ridiculous this argument is right?

 

[seek3r]

as long as it has 4 USB C/TB4 slots we good

and can still charge via those ports! I'm not giving up my single-cable-for-everything thunderbolt docks! Also I like having cheaper (and better) charger and cable options, and one charging standard that's shared between most of my devices these days

 

[pshufd]

For all we know, your problems were caused by a crap display, or a dodgy video card, or anything. That's my point: it's anecdotal, and we have no actual idea what the problem was.



No it really ****ing wasn't. It was about a USB-C port being able to drive any type of display in common use via a very cheap, ubiquitous adapter or cable, and HDMI being limited to driving HDMI displays.

The only reason "bidirectional" came up, is because the other poster somehow thought (or is trolling about) a USB-C to HDMI adapter would allow a HDMI port to power a USB-C display. I then commented to say that they won't do that, because they're not bidirectional.


How is hobbling a product "catching up"?

You understand how ridiculous this argument is right?

Yes, your argument is ridiculous.

A bunch of people have money.

They want a particular feature.

Apple wants their money.

So they put in the desired feature.

 

[Stephen.R]

<pictures>

Great, you bought some products. Your anecdote of worse performance with DisplayPort is literally that: an anecdote. Just as if I said "I personally have issue X with HDMI but not with DisplayPort" that would be an anecdote.

Yes, your argument is ridiculous.

Really? I thought you of all people would actually be able to make a reasoned argument.

A bunch of people have money.

They want a particular feature.

Apple wants their money.

So they put in the desired feature.

Apple wants their money.. but also wants to make it harder, if not impossible for them to use Apple's accessory products, which cost more than the product in question? Really? What kind of weird mental hoops do you have to go through to justify this ****?

 

[pshufd]

Great, you bought some products. Your anecdote of worse performance with DisplayPort is literally that: an anecdote. Just as if I said "I personally have issue X with HDMI but not with DisplayPort" that would be an anecdote.

Really? I thought you of all people would actually be able to make a reasoned argument.

Apple wants their money.. but also wants to make it harder, if not impossible for them to use Apple's accessory products, which cost more than the product in question? Really? What kind of weird mental hoops do you have to go through to justify this ****?

Apple wants their money.

But lost their way.

Now they see that the path to getting their money is to add HDMI ports

Very simple.

If you use a uni-directional cable the wrong way, what do you think will happen? It will just work correctly?

 

[Stephen.R]

Now they see that the path to getting their money is to add HDMI ports

Sure ok. If you say so. It's not like every display Apple has sold - both first and third party - for the last decade is based on DisplayPort rather than HDMI.

If you use a uni-directional cable the wrong way, what do you think will happen? It will just work correctly?

I dunno, if you completely fail to comprehend, or deliberately misconstrue other people's posts, what do you think will happen? They will just keep reading your crap?