sarge
macrumors 6502a
Silicon Valley, killing off 'professionals' since 2009.
Amateurs, identifying as professionals since the beginning of time.
Kuo: New MacBook Pro Models With HDMI Port and SD Card Reader to Launch Later This Year
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Kilibee
macrumors regular
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.
fourthtunz
macrumors 68000
It all depends on how use your mac! I have a 1TB internal drive and its overloaded. Having an SD card allow you to keep that stuff handy without having to connect another drive. Ok Im lazy but I think the SD is really handy.
keepevets
macrumors newbie
you know a usb-c to hdmi wire is like $10 right?
Gabebear
macrumors regular
2 universal ports per side is a pretty much my ideal... maybe update to 3-4 universal ports per side?
The biggest update to ports will be when a Mac supports Displayport2.0 (Displayport updated have lagged since 2016). Displayport2.0 GPUs/monitors should start shipping this year. https://www.tomshardware.com/news/where-is-displayport-20
DisplayPort2.0 supports:
*** I only included resolutions that support 10bit/HDR, you can get higher resolutions if you sacrifice color quality/range.
The biggest update to ports will be when a Mac supports Displayport2.0 (Displayport updated have lagged since 2016). Displayport2.0 GPUs/monitors should start shipping this year. https://www.tomshardware.com/news/where-is-displayport-20
DisplayPort2.0 supports:
- two 4K screens @144hz per port without compression
- three 4K screens @90hz per port without compression
- one 10K screen @60hz without compression
- two 8K screens @120hz per port with compression (expect support to be limited... optional in spec)
- one 16K screen @60hz with compression (expect support to be limited... optional in spec)
- one 4K screen @120hz without compression
- two 4K screens @60hz without compression
- one 5K screen @60hz without compression
- one 8K screen @60hz with compression (current support very limited)
*** I only included resolutions that support 10bit/HDR, you can get higher resolutions if you sacrifice color quality/range.
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jlocker
macrumors 65816
I find it interesting about all the talk about SD cards, removing the Touch Bar and Magsafe. What is more important is a better and workable GPU with M processors, Multi-treading of the processor, larger and faster SSD storage. More Thunderbolt 4 controllers for devices and larger memory options for the MacBook Pro systems.
If raw power is what drives you, forget about portability and go for a maxed out M1 Mac Pro when it launches.
When you go for a portable form factor such as a notebook, you have to account for things like accessibility and mobility
Stephen.R
Suspended
This is unrelated to Apple CPUs. The same limitation was placed on the 2018 Intel Mac mini.
It's part of the reason I'm anti-HDMI port. "Up to 3 displays" is not really helpful for anyone who cares about the picture quality when one of them has to connect via HDMI.
Stephen.R
Suspended
And if you want to use three displays that aren't HDMI, e.g. say three of the 4K UltraFine displays Apple sold until very recently, you're **** outta luck.
Stephen.R
Suspended
Given the number of potential ports that a "dongle" can provide, it's not even close to realistic to suggest that no one needs an adapter or hub, if the computer has a HDMI port or an SD slot or whatever. It's never going to cater to every possible scenario - it's never even going to have enough USB Type-A ports for many people - so why saddle it with only-one-thing-ever ports, when a can-literally-become-anything-that-works-over-PCIe port exists?
MistrSynistr
macrumors 68000
Anyone who uses SD cards wants an SD card reader on their laptop.
You need to understand that Mirrorless and DSLR cameras are expensive as hell, and will work for eons, there is no reason to upgrade them constantly and most Photographers (and whoever else) will be using these for 10+ years to come.
You need to understand that Mirrorless and DSLR cameras are expensive as hell, and will work for eons, there is no reason to upgrade them constantly and most Photographers (and whoever else) will be using these for 10+ years to come.
Stephen.R
Suspended
Replying again to word this another way:
With a HDMI port, it's marginally more convenient for you to plug your display in, but it's literally impossible for someone else to plug 3 non-HDMI displays in.
With the feed that runs the HDMI port available over a TB3/USB-C port, it's (possibly) slightly less convenient for you (you'll need a different cable, or an adapter), but it's usable by someone else who wants to use 3 non-HDMI displays.
This is the aspect that most people who argue for legacy ports mostly never admit or acknowledge, and often just outright deny. That special-use port, is not used by everyone, and it's entirely possible (if not literally already happening) that accomodating that special use port, detracts from more flexible capability.
"Ok you can have two USB-A and a fast card reader.... oh but by the way you lose a TB3/USB-C port".
You (as a group, not specifically @Stella) want something specific because it's marginally more convenient. Some of us want something that's as flexible as possible, to any number of scenarios/future uses. I've got a 2011 MBP sitting around here. Do you know how many useful ports it has in 2021? Two. Gigabit Ethernet, and Thunderbolt 1. The USB ports are too slow for anything useful, Firewire devices are basically not produced any more, most ExpressCards use the bigger form factor.
It's usable (or was until the GPU **** itself) purely because the TB1 port offered PCIe lanes externally, which could run a dock, with other/newer/more high speed ports.
danielsutton
macrumors 6502
I want to see an Ethernet port on the new machines. Yes, it may seem contradictory to put an Ethernet port on a mobile machine since W-Fi exists, but it makes sense to include this port. Many people are using laptops now as their primary machines, and when they are at home or at the office (or anywhere else for an extended period of time), they use their laptops at the desk. Wired connections are always faster and more reliable, and when at the desk, it would be idea to have an Ethernet cable plugged into the machine without the use of a dongle. Ethernet cables have a latch on the connector which holds the cable firmly in place when it is plugged in. When connected to a dongle, the connector on the dongle does not have such a latch mechanism and can easily pull out of the port. Allowing the cable to plug directly into the computer would make for a more solid connection. I would appreciate it tremendously as I am sure many other people would as well.
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
These are the ports that I would like to see on the new machines:
* Ethernet port
* USB-C ports (4 or more!)
* SD card slot
* HDMI port
* 3.5 mm headphone jack (yes there are people who still use these kinds of headphones)
* MagSafe charging port (already confirmed to be on the new machines)
Basically, the new machines should have as many ports as possible. In recent years Apple seems to have wanted to do away with ports to make for a thinner and lighter machine, but this has hampered the usability of the computers. When used at a desk, it is a hassle to not be able to plug devices physically into the computer. Allowing for more direct connections would alleviate these issues.
Are there any other ports that you would like to see added to the new machines this year? Please feel free to make additions to my list! I am not asking for anything to be taken away, I just want more options for myself and everyone. Options are always better!!
Anyone who works with networks wants an ethernet port
Anyone who does presentations wants an HDMI and a VGA port
Anyone who works legacy hardware wants legacy USB ports
The list goes on
Having an adapter is a minor inconvenience, nowadays you have super tiny adapters that you can put in your laptop/camera case.
In real life, the only USB c thing is rarely an issue. I go out with a small 30$ dongle in my laptop bag.
Tozovac
macrumors 68040
In my opinion, the hate may be more about the functionality that’s lost with the removal of the f-keys and, initially, the esc key. A touchbar might be downright glorious if introduced atop the function keys that are super useful on their own to many due to their quick, available functionality at all time, and via tactile buttons that are easy (sometimes without having to look) to access and enact instantly.
In fact, it’s Apple’s frequent all-or-nothing “adding something by taking something away” routine that is downright infuriating to me at times, and maybe to many others. Too often the “new improvement” seems to blindly overlook certain noticeable negative trade-offs felt by many that then overshadows any gains provided by said new technology. Add touchbar, eliminate function keys. Add multi-function usb-c ports, eliminate MagSafe & the ever still ubiquitous USB-A ports. Add additional water-proofing, eliminate the highly useful and advantageous to many headphone jack (wireless will NEVER work for prosumer multi-track recording). Add thinness, introduce godawful butterfly keyboard and phase out replaceable/upgradeable batteries, storage, and RAM. Introduce a reinvented flat, monochromatic mobile device user interface aesthetic that appealed to a certain Sir Jony Ive and made for good Marketing, but which introduced many new solutions to non-problems via reimagining almost all the interface methods into a blander/simpler appearance and hiding certain frequently-used controls off-screen in favor of a cleaner, more uniform workspace, losing some of the it-just-works intuitiveness but worse, often increasing the number of steps/taps required to do what used to be right out in front and obvious. Add Face ID, eliminate Touch ID and its advantages in certain situations over Face ID. Add a crazily capable camera system, eliminate the ability to lay the phone flat on the desktop due to the blind adherence to less is more. Add a gloriously symmetrical keyboard, eliminate the ability to easily use the arrow keys w/o having to look.
It’s hard to overlook when Apple’s latest wheel reinvention is really just a cool-looking square.
CJ Dorschel
Cancelled
Great! Now do the Mac Pro.
Just sayin...
macrumors 6502
Ming Chi make any mention of a touch screen?
Kilibee
macrumors regular
This is certainly not the expectation.
The realistic expectation is to avoid that everybody needs a dongle.
From a marketing perspective:
Avoid demonstrating the need for a dongle where the competition works without one.
Stephen.R
Suspended
People were using docking stations to get "one connection when at the desk" twenty years ago. Two decades ago.
I use wired ethernet when I can. That doesn't mean I think it should be a dedicated port on the laptop. It does one thing, and one thing only, so use a hub or dock or adapter that gives you the single-use ports you want.
Rumoured. It's rumoured to be on new machines. These are all rumours. The only confirmation with Apple, is when Tim Cook says "We think you're going to love it" and it appears on Apple.co,
Stephen.R
Suspended
So which special people get to have the single-use, useless-to-others port they want, and who gets ****ed over with a port they can't use, and just as likely less capability to accomodate said port?
jumpcutking
macrumors demi-god
Creatives rejoice - dongle pain is over... except Ethernet.
Stella
macrumors G3
The 2020 Mac Mini only officially supports 2 monitors ( in fact, all Apple Silicon machines only support officially 2 displays ) , so you talking about having three monitors attached to the Mac mini is irrelevant, in this context. Since almost all monitors have an HDMI connection, having an HDMI output on the Mac mini is just common sense, and one less dongle required.
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