MacBook and MacBook Pro Port Speculation

[namethisfile]

Good points!
..but i have a theory for that as well..

When you look at the pictures from the left side of both MB and MBP (the side with all connectionsas it seams so far) there is this "mysterious port" visible on the MBP, and for me the most logical for it wold be HDMI or DisplayPort (e-sata is almost out of the question)

In that case (if the small port beside the USB is infact a FW400 4-pin) you do have external display option.

..and since this "mysterious port doesn't show on the left-side pictures of the MB this would mean that there is no external video option for MB..right??!

There is however speculations that this mysterious port exist EVEN on the MB, and is visible on another picture!

When the cases are upside down you can clearly see that on the MB there is, at the exact same place as on the MBP, something that could be a similar "mysterious port" (looks like a full-sized dvi with a screw on each side of it).

You can see it from the inside (case upside down) but not from the outside (the picture of the left side) because it might just not have been carved out!
(Just as the powerbutton is carved out on the MB and not on the MBP!)

There is however something there on the MB!

So if this is true, BOTH MB and MBP WILL HAVE (atleast) FW400 AND DISPLAYPORT/HDMI.

...and the world would be a much better and happier place!

Attaching two pictures to explain what i mean..

//Johan - Sweden

i think that port next to the USB ports is a miniDVI port of somekind. and, not a FW port. if you squint hard enough at the external pictures of the case, there are icons clearly visible for for each port. and, the icon is not a FW icon, but a display icon.

plus, the reports points to exclusions of a FW port.

sad but true.

 

[Aperture]

i think that port next to the USB ports is a miniDVI port of somekind. and, not a FW port. if you squint hard enough at the external pictures of the case, there are icons clearly visible for for each port. and, the icon is not a FW icon, but a display icon.

plus, the reports points to exclusions of a FW port.

sad but true.

I just noticed that... the icon indeed represents a display output.

 

[marbles]

If Apple really does remove FireWire they will be giving up two major advantages of the platform: target disk mode and migration manager.

As some have already mentioned there are some pieces of hardware that don't work through FireWire bridges, they must be connected directly to the computer. If the MBP has only a single FW port some serious content creators are going to be screwed.

As realistic as those case parts look I really hope they're not the real thing.

Probably just some pre production shells , surely Apple will add firewire , or this could all be part of the Apple marketing dept strategy to get the forums buzzing with talk of , they're doing a good job

 

[Halldorf]

i think that port next to the USB ports is a miniDVI port of somekind. and, not a FW port. if you squint hard enough at the external pictures of the case, there are icons clearly visible for for each port. and, the icon is not a FW icon, but a display icon.

plus, the reports points to exclusions of a FW port.

sad but true.

Se my earlier reply on page 24:

https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/6402604/


..and by the way .. mini-DVI (aswell as micro-DVI, mini-HDMI etc is alot bigger than to fit in that hole, so it could'nt be it!)

The only logical thing for me would be that it is a 4-pin FW400 and that the video-out icon just is missplaced due to an early prototype or something like that..

But then again, see the link above for my earlier reply for the full theory!

//Johan - Sweden

 

[vixapphire]

TOMORROW....FINALLY! We'll stop playing Nostradamus....the suspense is going to kill me.

Yeah, finally...

I'm eager to get onto the "early 2009 revision" predictions, and am getting tired of being blocked by the October 08 rollout!

 

[Nepenthe]

long time lurker first time poster here.

i dont know if anyone has seen this yet but this was on the wiki for displayport

"Supporters

There are several companies stated to support DisplayPort: AMD, Analogix, Apple[citation needed], ASRock, ASUSTeK,Dell, Genesis Microchip, Hewlett-Packard, Hosiden Corporation, Intel, Integrated Device Technology, JAE, Lenovo, Luxtera, Molex, NVIDIA, NXP Semiconductors, Palit Microsystems Palit, Parade Technologies, Philips, Quantum Data, Samsung, Sparkle, Texas Instruments, and Tyco Electronics."

and it really does look like a displayport.

I cheked that Wiki earlier today and did not see Apple in the list. Lol.

 

[Krevnik]

Again, good points. Assuming the mystery port is indeed on both models I am betting that we will see a 4 pin Firewire + DisplayPort combo on both. I've found 4 pin Firewire to be more mainstream and will welcome the change.

Unfortunately, I can't accept a 4-pin Firewire port. I've been considering selling off the Air for a MacBook so I can have a single FW400 port with power so I can hook up certain astrophotography cameras. If FW is pulled from the design, I am kinda screwed. I can't even easily grab a small PC laptop and get a powered FW port.

And a 15" becomes a bit unwieldy in the field.

 

[Aperture]

Unfortunately, I can't accept a 4-pin Firewire port. I've been considering selling off the Air for a MacBook so I can have a single FW400 port with power so I can hook up certain astrophotography cameras. If FW is pulled from the design, I am kinda screwed. I can't even easily grab a small PC laptop and get a powered FW port.

And a 15" becomes a bit unwieldy in the field.

For average users (the people Apple is trying to target with the Macbook) I would say a 4 pin would be more beneficial. Most camcorders come with a 4 pin standard.

 

[Krevnik]

For average users (the people Apple is trying to target with the Macbook) I would say a 4 pin would be more beneficial. Most camcorders come with a 4 pin standard.

Cheaper, yes... beneficial, no. The only difference between a 4-pin and 6-pin port is if power is available.

A 6-pin to 4-pin cable isn't that expensive, and allows those who need a powered port to use one. It was one of the reasons why Apple kept the 6-pin port for so long as it is.

 

[MowingDevil]

I'm fairly sure that even the Mac Pro has a single FW bus (for its 4 ports).

The express card solution has two problems. First it does not supply power, so you have to have extra wires and power brick making you less mobile. Secondly the card pops out of the slot way too easily on the current MBP (at least my card does), and if attached to the Duet, that's instant kernel panic.

No power? Easy to slip out? Useless for what I need then.

 

[macshill]

Fingerprint reader = gimmick.

People say the same about the tablet, but others will argue it's gold to them.

 

[Belly-laughs]

Good points!
..but i have a theory for that as well..

Attaching two pictures to explain what i mean..

//Johan - Sweden

Just one problem with that theory; there´s no sign of a port on the outside of the MacBook case, only a bracket on the inside.

 

[MowingDevil]

What we are looking at may be JUST the $799 MacBook (that doesn't have firewire). Visualize it this way

13":
$799 - No firewire
$899 - Same specs + slightly better video/0.1 Ghz processor upgrade + firewire
$999 - ^ Same spec + HDD space + RAM

And so on...

What, like The Secret?

 

[macshill]

Looking at the width of the ports, the taped over "mystery" hole appears like an HDMI out on the Macbook Pro casing..... Here's hoping! 30" HD support!

Bring on tomorrow

I could picture Apple purposely leaking these pix and leaving us begging to know about that last port because it WILL be just that. The surprise big goody for the world.

 

[chickenninja]

notebook docking station ... thats funny, maybe in 10 years when the notebook fits in your pocket. if your goona use a docking station then the screen size of that station better be pretty fantastic. I dont see putting your laptop into your monitor being anymore cool than laying it beside it and having 2 screens. or even clamshell mode. i say nay but if they do make one they might as well make it magsafe

 

[Piplodocus]

On the Pro (higher end) side, I think we will see much of the same but with a few changes. A speed bump to introduce a 2.83 and possibly a 3.0GHz model to the line. Screen size likely to stay the same but the aspect ratio may change to 16:9. I predict Apple will keep dual-link support alive for support to drive 30" monitors. Blu-Ray support will be an option on the higher end models, some models shipping with Blu-Ray drives. Multi-touch large trackpads will be on Pro models now. Hard Drive 500GB and up to 750GB optional. SSD is available as BTO option at up to 128GB but with a hefty pricetag. Also updated video cards, LED-lit displays on all units, Matte displays still an option. Units will be thinner and cases will integrate several materials, possibly combining elements of aluminum + black (likely keyboards will be black)

Sounds great as I want a laptop that's powerful enough and has enough storage to be a desktop replacement but I've been pondering what drives? You mention 500GB or option of 750GB? How? 2 drives? The current 500GB drives are 5400rpm, have good continual access speed but are very slow at random read/write. I don't know about 750GB at all!

If you're right I'll be over the moon as it's more than I hope to expect. I think it might just be 320GB 7200rpm though. IF they could fit a pair in giving 640GB (320GB system and apps, 320GB music files/samples or video etc, or operate them as a RAID) then I'd be a VERY happy bunny, but I won't hold my breath. :/

 

[Halldorf]

Just one problem with that theory; there´s no sign of a port on the outside of the MacBook case, only a bracket on the inside.

yes i know, but as i said, it could be that simple that it is a port-hole even on the MB, but its just not been carved out (and thats why you don't see it from the outside).

Look for example on the pictures thats circulating for the moment..on some, the power-button is carved out (its a hole) and om some its not (it has plastic in the hole, and that its not the button itself!)

I know that all my theory's could be far away from the truth, but we will know for certain tomorrow (at last)
..i just hope that there is FW400 (alongside with FW800) on the MBP and a real HDMI or DisplayPort connection!

Fingers crossed!

//Johan - Sweden

 

[mdriftmeyer]

When you say mystery port, I'm assuming you're talking about the one that's taped up? or the one that's labeled as a display port? cause either way I'm pretty sure you're wrong, there's obviously some kind of new display port between the audio in and the USB, why would they need another one that's a DisplayPort? why not just put the DisplayPort where the one labeled as a display port is? and if you're refering to the one labeled as a display port as being DisplayPort....it's too small to be one, although it's possible it's a mini-DisplayPort

To support DVI via miniDVI they can use the smaller port.

To support DisplayPort moving forward they use the taped up port.

Less cables and more on-board video out options, not to mention drive a video/audio signal at much higher bandwidths for that DisplayPort allow for more options not available with DVI.

 

[dm10003]

With all due respect Arn, a large number of those 1400 posts go something like this:

omg this is sweet, i cant wait!!!​

;-)

ibjosuha

last month half of the posts read, "i want one! "

 

[Belly-laughs]

yes i know, but as i said, it could be that simple that it is a port-hole even on the MB, but its just not been carved out (and thats why you don't see it from the outside).

Look for example on the pictures thats circulating for the moment..on some, the power-button is carved out (its a hole) and om some its not (it has plastic in the hole, and that its not the button itself!)

I know that all my theory's could be far away from the truth, but we will know for certain tomorrow (at last)
..i just hope that there is FW400 (alongside with FW800) on the MBP and a real HDMI or DisplayPort connection!

Fingers crossed!

//Johan - Sweden

In line with your thinking we can hope they´ll be carving out more connection ports on the right hand side too

 

[Halldorf]

In line with your thinking we can hope they´ll be carving out more connection ports on the right hand side too

Good said!

 

[fleshman03]

Just one problem with that theory; there´s no sign of a port on the outside of the MacBook case, only a bracket on the inside.

Whatever it is, it must be a pro feature. HDMI, Firewire, Dock and something unknown are the options.

It looks too big for firewire. It's not curved like HDMI should have. Not to mention it would be the second display adaptor on the unit.

Here's one for the dock! (It looks a bit like the one in the patent and could be a pro-only feature.)

Edit: Perhaps something to do with the Mother Board and graphics that would be the reason for a pro-only feature?

 

[GeeYouEye]

Damn, I was really hoping to get a MacBook with discrete graphics, but even if one comes out, a lack of FireWire is a deal-breaker for me. Stuck getting a MacBook Pro, I guess.

The third port on the MBP is clearly FW800, and it's pretty clear there's no FW400.

On the plus side, this laptop is going to be THIN! There's several mm above and below the Ethernet and FW800 ports currently, which are the tallest ports. It looks like there's 1mm tops on each side on this design.

As for the "mystery port" and hole, I'm guessing battery latch and charge status.

That said, I'm really hoping this was just an early discarded prototype. I really like my full-sized DVI-I port and 2 FW ports.

 

[fleshman03]

As for the "mystery port" and hole, I'm guessing battery latch and charge status.

How many people would put their laptop in a bag and have the battery fall out? Not to mention lights on the side are not exactly an Apple thing.

 

[Belly-laughs]