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Ha! If next year MBP14/16 feature only M2 Pro/Max updates, then no one will be willing to buy; if it includes HDMI 2.1, and Face ID, that will be much more attracting.
It’s obvious that it’s all set for FaceID in the next refresh or two. Apple will never give you everything in the first iteration.

M2 Pro/Max will allow them to thin the chassis down in the usual cycle of improvements.
 
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HDMI 2.1 is starting to become common on TVs, that's why Apple TV has it.

DisplayPort is more common on computer monitors; that's what TB4 support; DP 1.4 should support up to 120hz at 4k (non-HDR) or 6K at 60hz. They are starting to come with HDMI 2.1 ports for high-refresh monitors that is gaming-focused.

That's why the M1 Pro can support two Apple Display Pro XDR at 6k at 60hz.

I suspect if XDR comes with ProMotion, we'll need DP 2.0 support to enable 120hz with HDR support.
 
Ha! If next year MBP14/16 feature only M2 Pro/Max updates, then no one will be willing to buy; if it includes HDMI 2.1, and Face ID, that will be much more attracting.
This seems to be a technical limitation as other have mentioned in this thread.

By my educated estimate the update cycle works as such:

iPhone = Annually updated
iPad = Annually to every 18 months updated depending on product line at present.
Apple Silicon Mac = Every 18 months to two years.

So you will be waiting around 2023 for the next big update which makes sense hence we get a big leap in CPU and GPU performance along with other features.

I didn’t realize many projectors or LCD/LED/OLED TV require a 120Hz presentation ability. Actually does AppleTV 2021 unlocked the 120Hz output yet. This is a non-issue tbh and I am not even in the market as I am happy with my M1 MBA.
 
It‘s about the fact that a high priced, high end pro piece of technology comes with an old port.

Go to a party in a tuxedo but wearing crocs

Invite everyone to a fine $2million wedding except the parents

Make a delicious ham sandwich but smother it with mayonnaise

Hook up with a fine ass woman but right before intercourse you notice a bulge in her crotch.

last but not least you create a $2k laptop with a fantastic display, plenty of outputs but leave a notch on top and gimp out the hdmi for a savings of $0.30 tops.

Tim Apple at the helm folks. At least we got rid of thin jony ridiculousnesses.

I am not sure if you understand bandwidth channels or not, but this is not quite as easy of a solution as you guys are implying. I am not saying they couldn't have done it if they were hell bent on doing it, but it is no where as easy as a "$0.30" changeout. Others have mentioned the TB4/PCIe4 channels have limitations and since there are more ports, those bandwidths have to be split amongst the ports. "Just add more TB4/PCIe4 channels" is easy to say but not as simply to implement. Again, not saying it COULDN'T be done, but the complexity of it is certainly higher than you are indicating.

Also, from a different perspective, given most professional video workflows I am aware of and participate in, I am not really sure many professionals will care. If I am going to connect my laptop to my high end video display it won't be through the HDMI port!! xD
 
Completely a bandwidth based decision.

There are almost certainly 4 TB4/PCIe4 channels. The fourth one is likely split between the SD card and the HDMI port (and perhaps a couple other peripherals, we'll have to see what System Information says next week). HDMI 2.1 utilizes up to 48Gb, TB4 has a 40Gb channel. You do the math. Even with the SD card using only a lane or two, a lot of the HDMI 2.1 benefits wouldn't be there.

On a side note, this is a good example of "you get what you ask for". Instead of having the fourth TB4 port and the flexibility to do what we want with it, the dongle-haters have prevailed and now we lose the flexibility. SMDH.
That you could defend a dongle is beyond me. And who's to say a third thunderbolt port couldn't haven't been added on the left side of the case where there's plenty of real estate? This isn't a bandwidth issue; this is a cost issue.
 
Every device, every year... something is held back so they can entice customers to upgrade to the next model.
It's annoying but I guess it makes money.
Eh, I’m guessing it’s less that and more a bandwidth deal. Plus, are people using the HDMI for anything other than that rare PPT presentation on that random office projector? Assumed most “pros” were using Thunderbolt.
 
It's curious that Apple did not include HDMI 2.1 in the MacBook Pro models because the Apple TV 4K that was released earlier this year does have an HDMI 2.1 port.
While 2021 Apple TV 4K does have HDMI 2.1 port, Apple stripped just about every 2.1 features from the port.
 
It‘s about the fact that a high priced, high end pro piece of technology comes with an old port.
Hello, old friend.
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On a side note, this is a good example of "you get what you ask for". Instead of having the fourth TB4 port and the flexibility to do what we want with it, the dongle-haters have prevailed and now we lose the flexibility. SMDH.
Sure we lost that flexibility on the fourth TB port, but how many people realistically needs all 4 TB ports at once? On the other hand, the number of people who can finally go without an adapter if only the MacBook had HDMI and SD card reader is massive. I'd say this is a net increase in flexibility, not the other way around.
 
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