New iMac Tidbits: Headphone Jack on Side, Ethernet Port on Power Adapter, Spatial Audio and WiFi 6 Support, No SD Card Slot

[MarvinMartian]

Try $8.50. $8.50! And that lets you use SD as well as various subtypes of SD.

Sacrificing the design of the machine for a small group who were still using it when the alternative is that those people may need to spend $10 (with tax, etc.) isn’t keeping Apple awake at night. They happily suggest you spend $30 or $40 on their own adapters to replace other ports, after all.

On the other end of the spectrum is this one for $249

OWC 11-Port Thunderbolt Dock with Thunderbolt cable

Add three Thunderbolt and four USB ports, Ethernet, audio, and card reader functionality to all M1/M2 Macs, Thunderbolt-equipped Macs, and Thunderbolt 4 PCs.

eshop.macsales.com

 

[ikramerica]

On the other end of the spectrum is this one for $249

OWC 11-Port Thunderbolt Dock with Thunderbolt cable

Add three Thunderbolt and four USB ports, Ethernet, audio, and card reader functionality to all M1/M2 Macs, Thunderbolt-equipped Macs, and Thunderbolt 4 PCs.

eshop.macsales.com

That’s a different beast.

I have a CalDigit TB dock for my 2012 MBP. I love it. Have USB Hardware Key, HDMI monitor, Enet, eSATA Voyager bare drive hot dock, a lightning cable and a USB3 time machine drive all connected to it and it’s just on the back of my desk out of the way.

 

[Apple4U]

Apple yesterday announced a completely redesigned 24-inch iMac with the M1 Apple silicon chip. The new iMac, the first major redesign of the Mac desktop computer since 2012, has several changes compared to the previous generation.

In the aftermath of the event, a few new features and tidbits may have slipped under the radar, so we’ve compiled this list of some of the less-talked-about features and changes of the new 24-inch iMac.

First Mac with Built-In Spatial Audio

The 24-inch iMac is the first Mac to feature built-in Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos. This is enabled by six brand new high-fidelity speakers that work in junction with force-canceling woofers. Apple says in tandem, the new speakers and woofers create "the best speakers in any Mac." Spatial Audio is available on compatible iPhone and iPad devices with Dolby Atmos content, and now it's coming to the Mac for the first time.

First iMac with WiFi 6

The M1 Apple silicon MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini released in November were the first Macs to support the new and faster WiFi 6 protocol. With M1 now on the iMac, the 24-inch iMac becomes the first Mac desktop computer to support WiFi 6.

Headphone Jack on The Side

The new 24-inch iMac features a radically thinner design compared to the previous generation. While visually pleasing, this new design did present a challenge for where to place the 3.5mm headphone jack. Typically, the headphone jack would be placed on the back of the iMac, but with the new 24-inch model, the jack is placed on the left side.

Ethernet Port on Power Adapter

Another problem the new thin design of the iMac presented was where to place the Ethernet port. Apple's solution to the dilemma is to place the Ethernet port directly into the power adapter. Apple says this new "cool new innovation" means users can keep their desks less cluttered, while still enjoying the benefits of Ethernet.

No SD Card Slot

Previous generation iMac models featured an SD card slot reader on the rear. The new design of the 24-inch iMac made this a challenge. In theory, Apple could have easily placed the SD card reader on the side, like the headphone jack, but instead, it instead decided to remove it entirely.

Of course, these are just a few of the many new features coming with the 24-inch iMac. You can learn more about the new iMac and everything else Apple announced at its "Spring Loaded" event using our roundup.

Article Link: New iMac Tidbits: Headphone Jack on Side, Ethernet Port on Power Adapter, Spatial Audio and WiFi 6 Support, No SD Card Slot

Seems ominous that Apple do not appear to have released any new iMacs for independent assessment. Even their own specifications is not really specific about performance.

 

[Apple4U]

All this talk about "Pro", and well a Pro made need this port or that but not the average person. So what is a "Pro"? Ins't a pro anyone who works in a profession? I cut gemstones, so I'm a professional lapidary. I use my current iMac Retina 5k late 2014 27" to build my website, run my accounting software Quickbooks, a FileMaker Database for record of my stones, a 3d cad system to design my stones, and Capture One to edit the images of my stones. I'm not a professional photographer, but I images of the stones almost every day. Currently every USB port on my iMac and there are 4 of them are being used, and I wish I have 6 of them. I have a digital shipping scale, a back up drive, a DVD drive that is currently not plugged in since I don't have 6 ports, a cable to tether a digital camera to Capture One, and a cable to attache an iPhone to transfer video. And I use the SD card reader every day to transfer images from either my Nikon D750 or Olympus OMD camera.

So one of these new iMacs simply won't work for me unless I buy some dongles and extra ports. So this clean look of a mac with no ports ends up in a desktop full of dongles and multi hub splitters. But boy it's a pretty thin machine! Give me a thin phone that fits in my pocket, the desktop machine hasn't moved in years. How about some ports on the front of the machine!

I'm afraid your comment illustrates you don't really use your computer effectively. You should never keep items plugged in unless you are actually using them. How many times have you needed to use all these USB devices at the same time? If you want 6 devices permanently plugged in to the USB and a SD reader, its cheap and easy to get ONE hub, but its never good to have USB devices plugged in for occasional use if you don't use them at the same time.

My Nikon D750 also has a USB connection and doesn't the Olympus OMD also have USB take off? So why are you also counting another USB cable for Capture One?

With regards your comment on professional users, I think you have a good point as anyone who uses an iMac for their business whatever it is, is a professional user and some may only use basic accounting software, which could be run easily.

Perhaps we should all distinguish between professional users inasmuch as there are those requiring medium to low performance, but where the machine does exactly what the professional user wants, whereas some require very high level performance for CPU OR GPU intensive tasks.

 

[Apple4U]

I don't get the point of this device. If you're not going to add in more ports, built-in Ethernet, etc - why even make a desktop? The bigger display, some colors, and better speakers? Those are really the only selling point over just getting a MacBook Air. Same number and/or lack of ports, less portable, same number of dongles needed. I've used Macs personally and professionally for over 30 years, and this is by far the least functional, worst thought out design for a desktop I have seen them deliver to date. Imagine trying to use this in a school setting. No USB-A = no wired keyboard without a dongle that will get stolen. Same for the ethernet power brick - I can imagine watching as these walk away. Couple all that with the lack of firmware password, and I don't think the M1 iMac is going to survive in schools or universities.

"What's a computer?"

Perhaps for the future the iMac will only have 1 port, but come with its own hub serving ethernet, sd card, speakers, USB and can then be positioned wherever a user requires it, just one cable to the hub from the Mac.

 

[Apple4U]

I know it’s a dongle to buy, but SD card readers literally cost $8-10 at Amazon and Walmart. And those read multiple formats.

Perhaps the answer is for Apple to put only ONE connection port on its devices, but that port connects to a multi function hub serving ethernet, USB, SD, etc., then users can place the hub wherever they require it, discrete or otherwise. One port on the back of the iMac could connect internally to multiple without degradation of performance, leaving even cleaner lines on the iMac

 

[jjrtiger]

The chin is still ruining it for me. It looks like an iMac that's been de-branded by an editor of an advertisement/TV/movie. Yuck.

 

[ericwn]

I’ve stared at it for a while now... all I can see is that f&@£&£g white bezel!
The spiel about “focusing on your work “ or whatever they say is bull

Any bezel talk is rubbish. Be them white or black, highly reflective bezels are an eyesore. So are glossy displays but that hasn’t stopped the mainstream to accept these things no matter what unfortunately.

 

[ericwn]

Perhaps this is a way of Apple teasing Jony Ive about how bad things are without him.

I started missing him after trying the AirPods Max case for a moment. Bet I’m not alone.

 

[ericwn]

Looking right now at an iMac plugged into set of Klipsch Promedia speakers. Also use the SD card slot regularly to offload photos from a Nikon D3500. But, I'm sure this will also be condescendingly dismissed as "an edge case."

Well if that user don’t see you with it it’s certainly going down that route.
One has to appreciate the MR anecdotes for what they are.

 

[ericwn]

Perhaps for the future the iMac will only have 1 port, but come with its own hub serving ethernet, sd card, speakers, USB and can then be positioned wherever a user requires it, just one cable to the hub from the Mac.

A digital hub for the digital hub? Just heard Steve spinning in the grave.

 

[PrecisionGem]

I'm afraid your comment illustrates you don't really use your computer effectively. You should never keep items plugged in unless you are actually using them. How many times have you needed to use all these USB devices at the same time? If you want 6 devices permanently plugged in to the USB and a SD reader, its cheap and easy to get ONE hub, but its never good to have USB devices plugged in for occasional use if you don't use them at the same time.

My Nikon D750 also has a USB connection and doesn't the Olympus OMD also have USB take off? So why are you also counting another USB cable for Capture One?

With regards your comment on professional users, I think you have a good point as anyone who uses an iMac for their business whatever it is, is a professional user and some may only use basic accounting software, which could be run easily.

Perhaps we should all distinguish between professional users inasmuch as there are those requiring medium to low performance, but where the machine does exactly what the professional user wants, whereas some require very high level performance for CPU OR GPU intensive tasks.

I wasn't aware it was harmful to have items plugged into a usb port unless you are using them. What is the actual problem with doing this? It would seem a pain in the neck to keep reaching behind the computer, finding the right cable and then plugging it in.

I think Apple thinks they are creating a very clean uncluttered look with out ports, but in practice you are left with a desk full of clutter. If the iMac had 12 different ports of various types lined up across the back, who would see it unless you went behind the computer?

I had a Dell Workstation from work at home for a few years, it had maybe a total of 12 or more various ports, some on the back, and some one the front. The ports on the front were very handing to occasionally plugging in memory stick to transfer files. Apple was smart enough to do something like this on the new Mac Pro, with 2 ports on the top along with a host on the rear.

 

[ericwn]

I wasn't aware it was harmful to have items plugged into a usb port unless you are using them. What is the actual problem with doing this? It would seem a pain in the neck to keep reaching behind the computer, finding the right cable and then plugging it in.

I think Apple thinks they are creating a very clean uncluttered look with out ports, but in practice you are left with a desk full of clutter. If the iMac had 12 different ports of various types lined up across the back, who would see it unless you went behind the computer?

I had a Dell Workstation from work at home for a few years, it had maybe a total of 12 or more various ports, some on the back, and some one the front. The ports on the front were very handing to occasionally plugging in memory stick to transfer files. Apple was smart enough to do something like this on the new Mac Pro, with 2 ports on the top along with a host on the rear.

There’s nothing wrong with having things attached to your computer. They’re made to work with accessories.
Take the strong worded opinionated craziness in forums with a huge grain of salt.

 

[Brien]

I see it more as Apple embracing the flat edge design of the iPad and (now) iPhone and their desire to have as many products share the same design language as possible.

I agree but it make it 2cm thicker, no more chin or need fo put ports on the power adapter.

I do think it means flat edge Watch sooner than later.

 

[Brien]

Me either. So loose features and functionality for the sake of thinness on a stationary desktop device. If you buy that, then I have a new thinner sleek kitchen stove that has one burner instead of 4. Since most young woke people only use one burner to boil water for heating prepackaged food, eventually all stoves will catch up and only feature one burner that is turned on from your iPhone. No physical knobs needed on the front of the stove!

Actually the ‘no knobs’ thing is already happening. 🤷

 

[deevey]

With regards your comment on professional users, I think you have a good point as anyone who uses an iMac for their business whatever it is, is a professional user and some may only use basic accounting software, which could be run easily.

Apparently you aren't allowed to be a professional and use an Apple computer unless it involves the creative arts. Didn't you get the memo ?

 

[nihil0]

The Z7ii and D850 have a second slot which is also referred to as the backup slot for SD. The primary slot is XQD/CF Express and once an SD card goes in the camera slows down because you care more about redundancy. The pro models such as the D6 and upcoming Z9 are dual CF Express B.

Sony is moving to CF Express A and was using SD even on their A9 with all kinds of issues, seemingly waiting for CF Express Type A cards instead of using the XQD format and CF Express A.

Its presence in the older Sony bodies and as secondary/backup slots in Canon and Nikon bodies does not change its status as a consumer format. It was designed for consumer cameras and therefore present in everything from a point and shoot to APSC format DSLR's like the once-popular Canon Rebel line.

You can't shoot 20 - 30 fps 45/50 MP images on SD cards. And even dual SD cards are less reliable than a single durable CF Express card.

You don't need to educate me, I know my way around photography. But saying that SD cards are only meant for consumers is false statement. Also, not every professional photographer needs to shot 30 fps 50 MP images.