New MacBook Pro Models Include HDMI 2.0 Port Instead of HDMI 2.1

[Eidorian]

Bandwidth based decision?

Yeah the big limit on these SoCs looks like getting data off the fabric the CPU/GPU/RAM share. Funny how that really kills your power budget.

 

[Mick235711]

I don’t ever want FaceID on a laptop. Using it on the iPad Pro is a pain. I am constantly puling the entire tablet towards my face when using it on my lap.

That's why Touch ID is still preserved.

 

[allnight]

Point is - Wifi 6e devices will soon become more prevalent.

and apple will add it in their yearly update, it sucks they didnt now, but it makes more sense than the absence of hdmi 2.1.

 

[aapl owner]

Apple in 2016 removed all of the ports from its MacBook Pro models except for Thunderbolt ports, a design that persisted for years -- until today. The newly announced 2021 MacBook Pro models include an SD card slot and an HDMI port alongside three Thunderbolt ports.

As noted in Apple's technical specifications for the new machine, the HDMI port is unfortunately not top of the line -- it is an HDMI 2.0 port instead of an HDMI 2.1 port.

The HDMI 2.0 port supports a single 4K display with a resolution of up to 60Hz. HDMI 2.1 technology would have allowed the port to run a 4K display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

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.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1450166030446235650

With the Thunderbolt 4 ports, the M1 Pro MacBook Pro models overall support up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz. The M1 Max MacBook Pro models support up to three external displays with up to 6K resolution and one external display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz.

Article Link: New MacBook Pro Models Include HDMI 2.0 Port Instead of HDMI 2.1

Stop the whining there is a simple solution USB Type-C to HDMI 2.1 for $30 at Amazon.
The HDMI is so you can easily connect it to a projector/TV that is found in nearly every conference room in the country. No need for 120Hz.

https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Func...cphy=1021048&hvtargid=pla-1265312912769&psc=1

 

[Astrohunter]

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.

Wouldn’t you get the option of 120hz with hdmi 2.1?

 

[Astrohunter]

Stop the whining there is a simple solution USB Type-C to HDMI 2.1 for $30 at Amazon.
The HDMI is so you can easily connect it to a projector/TV that is found in nearly every conference room in the country. No need for 120Hz.

https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Func...cphy=1021048&hvtargid=pla-1265312912769&psc=1

Don’t know about MBP but there is no way to get 120hz out of m1 mini which is sad.

 

[Zdigital2015]

I feel I’m with you, but I think I like having Touch Bar back. I’m just now sitting down to watch the keynote but it sounds like it’s needed to support higher power delivery of the Pro/Max chips.

I miss the Touch Bar, Fn keys are useless in comparison, but Apple released it and didn’t do much with it after that, which is on them.

 

[mozumder]

It really should have been an HDMI input to connect to pro video cameras for recording.

And HDMI adapters are flaky and unreliable. It should have been a first party feature.

 

[Shirasaki]

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.

Umm, I don’t like the second half of your comment but I digress And hit a like anyways.
If apple somehow manages to slip 5 or more TB4 channels in the future, there would be better usage out of it. Btw, dongle adds point of failure, whereas built in one is generally considered better.

 

[Kar98]

I didn't realize the HDMI port was that widely used. Color me shocked.

Sorry, what?

 

[ErikGrim]

In the business world HDMI is very commonly used to hook up a projector or big screen for presentations. I think it's a must for a "pro" laptop.

It's 100% why it is there. Not to connect to your 120hz TV or whatever.

 

[ELman]

No WiFi 6e or Bluetooth 5.2 either.

 

[Arsenikdote]

I don't get why you would bring back things that have been gone for years. Everyone has adapted to life without these and it is fine, people will always complain but to me, I would gladly give up MagSafe/HDMI/SD for more USB-C.

Next apple will bring back the Newton

Although I do love them bringing back MagSafe, they never should have got rid of it in the first place. Get rid of HDMI and SD, sure, but I love me some MagSafe!

 

[j_in_tx]

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.

What does hdmi 2.1 do for consumers?

 

[Arsenikdote]

Don’t know about MBP but there is no way to get 120hz out of m1 mini which is sad.

Are you sure? Seems odd it would work on the MB Air and not the Mini, but maybe...

https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/jvzvch

 

[jdiamond]

Apple in 2016 removed all of the ports from its MacBook Pro models except for Thunderbolt ports, a design that persisted for years -- until today. The newly announced 2021 MacBook Pro models include an SD card slot and an HDMI port alongside

​

Does anyone know if Apple’s SDXC card reader will support Compact Express A cards, like the ones from Sony cameras? Supposedly it’s just a software decision.

 

[Mr Staunton]

Did somebody send the 2015 design specs to the manufacturer?

 

[hagjohn]

I figure most people with higher-end monitors have been using DisplayPort for a long time anyway?

Like the SD card slot, I see the HDMI port as a "built-in dongle". It's there to serve a specific common usage: interfacing with HDMI gear such as projectors.

You can buy a cable with different ends. It is penny pinching at best, cheap ass at worst and how many people never use the HDMI port on their laptop and is not even 2.1. An extra Thunderbolt 4 port or 2 would have been a better choice, looking forward. We pay a premium for these devices and they shouldn't be cheapening them.

 

[PlainBelliedSneetch]

…and honestly there isn’t a single need for hdmi 2.1. No one buys a Mac to game on. Seriously you think those Apple Arcade games need to be run on an HDMI 2.1 LG OLED tv? 😂

Are gamers connecting laptops/desktops to their TVs? I assumed TVs had hdmi 2.1 to support consoles.

 

[pearvsapple]

You have to be braindead to buy a Mac nowadays. They're all a one-trick pony device and moving to Arm solidified that fact. Your favorite iOS toy + Windows PC is a much better combo.

 

[hajime]

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.

Can I still use the HDMI port and one of the TB4 port to drive two 4K displays at 60Hz?

 

[j_in_tx]

Stop the whining there is a simple solution USB Type-C to HDMI 2.1 for $30 at Amazon.
The HDMI is so you can easily connect it to a projector/TV that is found in nearly every conference room in the country. No need for 120Hz.

https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Func...cphy=1021048&hvtargid=pla-1265312912769&psc=1

It’s actually for people that use it with an external monitor using hdmi without having to buy an adapter.

 

[rellimie]

I didn't even want the port, I'd rather have another TB port.

 

[lordhamster]

It’s actually for people that use it with an external monitor using hdmi without having to buy an adapter.

I get it is annoying, but I don’t about using an adapter for a home or office setup. If I can leave a small dodge on the hdmi cord, then there is functionally no difference.

Built in hdmi adapter is nice for visits to other offices for projecting, hooking up to crappy monitors or using a hotel tv as a second screen. I can do this today via an adapter, but I guess it is nice for travel. Not a big deal for my use case either way as I’ll almost certainly never use the hdmi port except in those rare circumstances. I’ll still need to take my ethernet/usb a/hdmi dongle everywhere as most conference rooms I go to have usb-a conference audio devices.

 

[toke lahti]

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.

Explanation can be very simple:
M-mbp's are FIRST GEN products.
They have been in development way longer than just an update to an existing product.