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

[Stephen.R]

I use optical drives (which aren't nearly as obsolete as Apple thinks they are)

You’re presumably referring to the “PC industry”. If we take the average PC as a guide, PS2, DSub VGA and Parallel ports are probably not “obsolete” either.

It’s time to move on. I’m sure there are niche purposes where optical discs actually make sense but I’m also sure those very much are niche purposes. Note that I’m not saying people don’t use optical discs. I’m saying they’re hardly ever the best tool for the job. 0 surprises most PC manufacturers still include them, leading from the rear as usual. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if those same manufacturers also include 3.5” floppy drives too.

It is really not an issue! You don’t need to worry about a fat laptop. Apple should add the port, and seriously, it will not add much to the heft, you will still be able to carry it with you just as easily

Ethernet ports on laptops is almost certainly a niche requirement in 2021. A good portion of those who want it, likely want 10G anyway. Tb3 ports provide for that, even dual 10G if you want. Or in a dock, so it’s a one cable connection for power, video, Ethernet, etc.


FYI this is how the end of your post comes off to others:

A small hub or adapter is not an issue! You don’t need to worry about it. It doesn’t add much to your bag, you will be able to carry it just as easily.

 

[Shirasaki]

SD card is slow... I hope they can have something like CFAST or CFEXPRESS.... I have enough dongles and docks, don't really think I need HDMI or SD cards back. please make it as light and slim as possible. less ports, and water proof.

To make sure a MacBook is waterproof, keyboard has to go, and no hinge design cause that rotating parts leak water af. Oh and no ports. Not even USB-C. Also it needs to support wireless charging.

Hmm, wonder what device that would be.

 

[Shirasaki]

Oh, USB-C being a mess may as well be “a thing of the past” for some. I have heard about USB 2.0 in the form of USB-C. Yes, the port has the same shape, but the electrical wiring can be different and it doesn’t have to be USB 3.0 or 4.0, or whatever newer standard it might be. Non-compliant cables or ports can render device work non-optimally at best, or destroy the device they are connected to at worst.

Apple can get all their USB ports to support whatever protocol Apple see fit, but that does not guarantee device inter-compatibility within or outside of Apple World. I can’t wait to see those “FULL ON USB-C” dudes react to news articles about incompatible USB-C devices and frustrating customer reports.

 

[danielsutton]

Buy a USB-C to Ethernet adapter and be happy. 99% of people won’t use the built in one. Ever.

I currently use a Thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter, and it is a pain in the @$$! Ethernet connectors have a nice latch on them that keeps the cable securely in place. Thunderbolt and USB-C connectors do not have a latch and can pull out too easily. I would very much like to see an Ethernet port on the new MacBook Pros!!

 

[danielsutton]

Your image of the HDMI port is vertical! This makes it look narrower than it really is. The real port is horizontal, I have one on my Mid-2012 MacBook Pro with Retina Display, so I should know!!

 

[Mac... nificent]

Ethernet ports will not make the laptops too fat. It is not all that much bigger than an HDMI port and would not add to the weight of the machine much at all.

LOL. Ethernet ports are much bigger than the current thickness of many laptops. What Apple really needs to do is to make a new flatter, leaner-style ethernet port. Just take the same pins and flatten them out.

 

[danielsutton]

LOL. Ethernet ports are much bigger than the current thickness of many laptops. What Apple really needs to do is to make a new flatter, leaner-style ethernet port. Just take the same pins and flatten them out.

That is not a bad idea! The whole industry could standardize on a redesigned Ethernet connector, and it would allow for thinner laptops.

 

[anshuvorty]

That is not a bad idea! The whole industry could standardize on a redesigned Ethernet connector, and it would allow for thinner laptops.

Although this sounds great in concept, I don't think it is going to work out practically and realistically. Just look a the USB-C standard. Everyone thought it was such a great idea - a reversible connector and it can combined with Thunderbolt 3 and other standards to make it a one-stop-shop for all your connectivity needs, but yet there is still such confusion over the connector to this day!

 

[Abazigal]

That is not a bad idea! The whole industry could standardize on a redesigned Ethernet connector, and it would allow for thinner laptops.

It's called a USB-C to Ethernet adaptor.

Come to think about it - is there a reason why the ethernet jack could not be redesigned into a usb c shape, rather than retain its existing design?

 

[smoking monkey]

I hope to see one on the new MacBook computers. For everyone else, it really would not take up much space, and it would not add much to the weight or size of the machines.

You may as well be hoping for a SCSI port. No way on a laptop. More than likely on Desktop.

USB-A might be too big for a port? How thick are the sides?

I think USB A and HDMI are a similar sized port in regards to height. It's not happening though... alas!

 

[chucker23n1]

What Apple really needs to do is to make a new flatter, leaner-style ethernet port. Just take the same pins and flatten them out.

Apple used to take that approach with mini-DVI, micro-DVI, mini-DisplayPort, etc.

The problem is… now you still need an adapter or dongle. So you don’t actually gain much, because the “there probably won’t be a mini-Ethernet plug where you’re at” problem isn’t solved. In fact, it’s worse, because it’s more likely these days that a USB-C plug will be there.

They can either put a full-size Ethernet port in there (very unlikely — it’s more than thrice as thick as USB-C, and we haven’t had it since before the rMBPs), or they might as well just use USB-C.

(They can use a door mechanism, an expandable port, etc., but, please, no.)

 

[Mac... nificent]

or they might as well just use USB-C.

I think the higher-end laptops (M1x) will probably have 4 USB-Cs. A good opportunity to use one of them like this....

 

[Michael Scrip]

USB-A might be too big for a port? How thick are the sides?

If an HDMI port can fit... a USB-A port could too. They are roughly the same height. It all depends on how thick the sides are and how much tolerance Apple allows. You don't want the aluminum too thin around the ports.

But as others have said... USB-A probably isn't coming back. No rumors about it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[lilkwarrior]

DisplayPort 1.4 has the bandwidth to run 8k@60hz. Their existing 6k display is DisplayPort over Tb3/USB-c.

if you want next gen display support, DisplayPort 2.0 allows for 16K displays, or 3 10K displays.

Adopting hdmi for high end computer displays is like going to McDonald’s for fine dining.

I'm well aware of Displayport 2.0 & it being considered with the display capabilities of USB4. Accordingly, I didn't mention it because it's covered by going USB4 with their Macbooks.

HDMI 2.1 covers general devices common in pro blackboards & etc that only have HDMI.

 

[Stephen.R]

I didn't mention it because it's covered by going USB4 with their Macbooks.

Your post seemed to suggest that Apple would (a) add HDMI 2.1 ports (despite only putting 2.0 ports on the M1 mini) and (b) use said HDMI ports for additional 6K displays, ignoring that they already sell a 6K display, and that it works with a port that they've been using for 4.5 years.

 

[lilkwarrior]

Your post seemed to suggest that Apple would (a) add HDMI 2.1 ports (despite only putting 2.0 ports on the M1 mini) and (b) use said HDMI ports for additional 6K displays, ignoring that they already sell a 6K display, and that it works with a port that they've been using for 4.5 years.

I have Apple's Pro Display XDR (I'm using it now to reply to your thread; I switch between it, a 4K@120 display, & a 4K–5120x2160–Ultrawide monitor on my PC/Mac Pro/Macbook Pro).

Apple had to do a hack in order for the Pro Display XDR being able to work as it does via Thunderbolt 3 because standardized connections were behind supporting 6K@60hz when the Pro Display XDR launched.

Having USB4 & HDMI 2.1 enables displays like the Pro Display XDR from others be easily supported that *cannot* happen on existing Macbook Pros.

DisplayPort 2.0 accounts for USB-C & USB4 accounted for its capabilities to support 16K.

The Mac Mini bit you pointed out is irrelevant. You don't use the HDMi 2.0 port for full resolution on the Pro Display XDR. You're not getting 6K@60hz that way. HDMI 2.0 maxes out at 4K@60hz.


HDM1 2.1 parts are now readily available. Modern game consoles (i.e. PS5 & Xbox Series X) & panels have HDMI 2.1 as early as 2019; similar to USB-C & USB-A, some manufacturers cut costs using HDMI 2.0 to cut costs with modern devices since outside of maybe not needing it for low-end resolution/audio use cases.

 

[Stephen.R]

I have Apple's Pro Display XDR (I'm using it now to reply to your thread; I switch between it, a 4K@120 display, & a 4K–5120x2160–Ultrawide monitor on my PC/Mac Pro/Macbook Pro).

Apple had to do a hack in order for the Pro Display XDR being able to work as it does via Thunderbolt 3 because standardized connections were behind supporting 6K@60hz when the Pro Display XDR launched.

Having USB4 & HDMI 2.1 enables displays like the Pro Display XDR from others be easily supported that *cannot* happen on existing Macbook Pros.

DisplayPort 2.0 accounts for USB-C & USB4 accounted for its capabilities to support 16K.

The Mac Mini bit you pointed out is irrelevant. You don't use the HDMi 2.0 port for full resolution on the Pro Display XDR. You're not getting 6K@60hz that way. HDMI 2.0 maxes out at 4K@60hz.

I'm not even sure what you're trying to say any more. You don't seem to have understood the point I was making, and I don't care enough to try and explain again.

HDM1 2.1 parts are now readily available. Modern game consoles (i.e. PS5 & Xbox Series X) & panels have HDMI 2.1 as early as 2019; similar to USB-C & USB-A, some manufacturers cut costs using HDMI 2.0 to cut costs with modern devices since outside of maybe not needing it for low-end resolution/audio use cases.

It's hardly surprising game consoles support HDMI... they're intended to be connected to televisions. High end/very high resolution computer displays essentially all use DP (whether via a native DP port, or TB3, or USB-C Alt Mode) as their 'full resolution' protocol, and if HDMI even gets a look in (it usually doesn't) it's limited to 4K.

 

[Michael566]

Apple plans to release two new MacBook Pro models equipped with an HDMI port and SD card reader in the second half of 2021, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who outlined his expectations in a research note obtained by MacRumors. The return of an SD card reader was first reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman last month.

"We predict that Apple's two new MacBook Pro models in 2H21 will have several significant design and specification changes," wrote Kuo. "Some of the practical changes for users are equipping with the SD card reader and HDMI port."

Last month, Kuo said Apple is planning all-new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with several changes, including the return of the classic MagSafe charging connector with a breakaway power cable, the removal of the Touch Bar, a new flat-edged design, and the return of more ports built into the notebooks for expanded connectivity. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman echoed many of these details in his reporting.

Kuo said Taiwan's Genesys Logic will be the exclusive supplier of the SD card reader in the 2021 MacBook Pro models.

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

I hope the new graphics cards are ok. Pretty sure they’ll toast Nvidia and AMD’s high end cards 🤔

 

[sfrugger]

I’m very pro Touch Bar. I use it all the time!

 

[BuddyTronic]

What company has a low profile SD card that is flush to the housing of the new 2021 MacBook Pro?

Transcend JetDrive was one - what are some others?

Any links to high capacity thingies? Or do we need to wait a few months for retailers to realize these are needed again? It's kind of "retro old school" - but those zero profile SD cards were nice and convenient.

 

[pshufd]

What company has a low profile SD card that is flush to the housing of the new 2021 MacBook Pro?

Transcend JetDrive was one - what are some others?

Any links to high capacity thingies? Or do we need to wait a few months for retailers to realize these are needed again? It's kind of "retro old school" - but those zero profile SD cards were nice and convenient.

There's another brand but it's a sleeve. We have one of them in the house but I don't recall the brand. They are specific to the laptop though so you might have to wait until they come out with one specifically for the new MacBook Pros.

 

[Tozovac]

What company has a low profile SD card that is flush to the housing of the new 2021 MacBook Pro?

Transcend JetDrive was one - what are some others?

Any links to high capacity thingies? Or do we need to wait a few months for retailers to realize these are needed again? It's kind of "retro old school" - but those zero profile SD cards were nice and convenient.

And cheap. I bought a 256 transcend jet drive for $180 several years ago. Now I think they’re under $70 on Amazon.

Anyone yet know the depth of the new SD slot? Sure hoping my MBA-specific jetdrive fits flush with the new macbooks, for a quick, easy, convenient memory camel. Odds are it won’t

 

[pshufd]

The other brand is BaseQi

 

[danvalor]

What company has a low profile SD card that is flush to the housing of the new 2021 MacBook Pro?

Transcend JetDrive was one - what are some others?

Any links to high capacity thingies? Or do we need to wait a few months for retailers to realize these are needed again? It's kind of "retro old school" - but those zero profile SD cards were nice and convenient.

Wow this post took me back a decade to setting up my 17” for school and installing an ExpressCard into the expandable area, then a SD adapter into that, and then a microSD into that. It was flush but looked like a cross section of a russian doll. So if you cant find one look into micro adapters

 

[pshufd]

Wow this post took me back a decade to setting up my 17” for school and installing an ExpressCard into the expandable area, then a SD adapter into that, and then a microSD into that. It was flush but looked like a cross section of a russian doll. So if you cant find one look into micro adapters

I did that as well. I don't recall the brand but I bought a 48 GB drive and used it for a boot drive along with the HDD. I eventually replaced the HDD with an SSD. I think that I still have the ExpressCard drive though I don't know if I have a device to use it with.

It was the Wintec FileMate SolidGo 48 GB Expresscard. I think that they came in 128 GB too.