New MacBook Pro Models Lack Optical Audio Out via Headphone Jack

[Corrode]

While I haven't used the optical out in years, the number of limitations on this machine is surprising. One of the unique things about Apple products was that it did things just in case. Not anymore.

No optical out is why I won't buy a new ATV.

Why give people so many reasons not to buy??

 

[Val-kyrie]

It's becoming ever more apparent that this is just a beefed-up MacBook, and not a Pro machine. If I were a creative professional who was waiting for an update, I'd be pricing out a Windows laptop at this point.

Some already are doing just that.

This article from LinkedIn nicely summarizes Apple's changes and is reflective of the ongoing discussions on MR.

 

[Corrode]

So many seem to miss this.

This is why the SD slot disappeared from the new MBP. Want to guess at what percentage have EVER used that slot? Less than 2% of MBP users. Why include it if so few have use for it? Are we making a device that should appeal to the mass audience or just a very very small, very very specific audience?

Actual pro photographers/graphic designers/video editors etc. are probably each a niche group, but add them all together and it should be a big enough market to sell a pro laptop to. Not anymore.

 

[SvenSvenson]

I'm with Apple on this one. I wonder how many people used this feature on the previous gen. Just because it's there doesn't mean it's useful. If you call yourself a "pro" you're probably using something else for your digital I/O needs.

Well so much for connecting my 5.1 headphones to watch a film with surround sound....

 

[TheFluffyDuck]

When is apple releasing this years MacBook Pro? Im still waiting.

 

[samcraig]

Death of a thousand cuts. At this point, Apple would be better served by just posting a listing of "Things we took out". That way people could see the list, pick out the things that affect them directly, and express their displeasure. A couple of days of everyone's personal vents and this thing goes away. The constant trickle of "this is missing" only exacerbates and magnifies the negative perceptions of the latest MBP.

Apple is usually pretty darn good at product intros. They couldn't have done a worse job with this one. If one didn't know better, one could be forgiven for thinking it was some sort of self sabotage.

The art of misdirection

 

[tjleonard]

It's becoming ever more apparent that this is just a beefed-up MacBook, and not a Pro machine. If I were a creative professional who was waiting for an update, I'd be pricing out a Windows laptop at this point.

I see what you're saying but a "beefed up" mac is basically what a "professional" machine is.

 

[F1Mac]

I've never used even once the digital out on my Mac Pros. NOT ONCE. Food for thought.

 

[tjleonard]

...So what does this thing exactly do, when compared to 12" MacBook?

It can do everything the current pro can, faster.

 

[samcraig]

They do not collect user data, but do collect usage data. From this, they determine, in aggregate, which features are being used. They cannot tell that you use a particular feature, but they can tell that out of X number of devices which have this feature, Y% of users utilize the feature.

This is a feature that can be turned on or off and that you were asked about when you installed your OS on your particular device.

I was being broad in my term. However, I don't know anyone who opts in to report their usage. Everyone I know - from IT to Video Professionals to Photographers to Stay-at-Home parents have always opted out. That's anecdotal. However one has to wonder if people are paying close enough attention to that start up screen and purposely opt out - if they aren't also the ones who are more apt to need/require such features.

So many seem to miss this.

This is why the SD slot disappeared from the new MBP. Want to guess at what percentage have EVER used that slot? Less than 2% of MBP users. Why include it if so few have use for it? Are we making a device that should appeal to the mass audience or just a very very small, very very specific audience?

Please cite your source. Also - who is this "we" - do you work for Apple?

 

[Jerion]

I have to say that the optical audio out feature has caused me far more headaches than delights over the years. It's been a consistent problem child over multiple MBPs, with the jack incorrectly (and persistently) recognizing analog headphones as an optical connection. Apple likely has the usage data to backup this particular decision, and I'm with them on this one.

 

[tjleonard]

I've never used even once the digital out on my Mac Pros. NOT ONCE. Food for thought.

I've used the HDMI a handful of times. If I'm going to have an hdmi cable (which I don't carry one with me), I'll gladly find a super small dongle from USB c. The thing is, in a year or so, everyone will realize how versatile those ports are and how the others would've been a waste.

 

[zone23]

I just wonder how many of the people crying have actually used optical out from the headphone jack? Lets see a show of hands.

 

[Blaze4G]

For all who is defending Apple for this move, I have a couple questions:

1. What was the reasoning for the removal of this feature? I can only think they did it for cost cutting. What do you think?

2. So if this is in fact cost cutting how did the removal benefit the consumers? Was there a price reduction?

So you fanboys are over there defending Apple for something that only benefits Apple. Why?

You can't use the excuse that its outdated tech because the headphone jack remains.
You can't use the excuse that it reduces weight.
You can't use the excuse that it takes up too much space.

So I would love to see what creative excuses you guys come up with.

 

[Val-kyrie]

Every major product manufacturer has a product where a certain year misses the boat, this year it is the Macbook Pro 2016.

It can be added to the ever mounting list comprising of:
- 2016 - Macbook Pro 'gimped edition' or 'adapter edition'
- 2015 - iPad Pro 12.9 'No Pro apps edition'
- 2015 - iPhone battery case 'Let's not design it edition'
- 2014 - Mac Mini 'solder for solder sake edition'
- 2013 - iPad Air 'Limited RAM edition'
- 2012 - iPad 3 'zero power edition'

Also the special 2015 award for 'rip off pricing' is the official Smart Case and Covers, originally they were nice leather full cases, now the 'case' is actually a 'shell' and prices are some 30-40% more expensive.

Apple do some great products, see in my signature but the scales are tipping.

Can you elaborate on the new Smart Case? I haven't heard this.

 

[2010mini]

Not for the removal of this feature alone. For this and the dozens of other ways they've gimped a "Pro" machine to the point where the only pros it's useful for are the pro coffee shop latte sippers.

What exactly do you need that the current MBP cannot do?

 

[DTphonehome]

I see what you're saying but a "beefed up" mac is basically what a "professional" machine is.

I disagree. Professionals have distinct and separate needs from consumers. The MacBook is their consumer machine. This is also a consumer machine, with better specs. It doesn't address the needs of professionals ( expandability, versatility, long battery life, etc.).

 

[peter2]

Heck of a lot of complaints from people with ZERO USE for this ability anyways.

So many of you love to cry just to cry.

And this brilliant conclusion of yours is based on what exactly?

 

[tjleonard]

This was likely done to keep the costs down for the end user. Oh wait...

I used this functionality a few times when I was using my MacBook Pro temporarily as a streaming box to the TV. But, I'm not necessarily bemoaning its departure. However, in principle, Apple has cut back so much of the 'Pro' functionality of its Pro line that it's almost laughable. Why would I ever buy a new model to replace my 2012 rMBP? I feel like I'd be investing way too much money in a computer that was only marginally more powerful with a fraction of the day-to-day utility (i.e. ports, etc.). A 2.3GHz quad i7, 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD seems to still cost the same in 2016 as it did in 2012. What gives?

I am tempted by the portability of a MacBook, but the performance hit and the lack of ports is simply too great of a sacrifice. And, as someone else said on this thread or another, you might as well get a MacBook over a MacBook Pro at this rate - unless of course you want to spend about $3,000 to max a Pro out.

The portability is really 75% of it (arguably more). I have the current MacBook Pro and did have the 12" MacBook. The 12" MacBook needed more power (and only marginally to be honest, so my day to day wasn't terribly slow) and more than 1 USB C port. 2 would be fine even. I found the MacBook (minus the speed) amazing to use.

Unfortunately, the horsepower lacked, and keeping two laptops got to difficult with overhead of making sure both were synced up. The current pro (even 2 tb3 ports), more portable, would be a solid sale to me based off of the MacBook experience I had.

The only thing I can say, if you're on the fence, get it, try it, make up your mind, keep it or return it. I think a lot (not all) will change their minds.

 

[zone23]

This all reminds me of the android guy that said he uses his phone to backup 1GB files on a SDCard. Get with the times cause they are changing. Like it or not.

 

[DTphonehome]

What exactly do you need that the current MBP cannot do?

No need to rehash the myriad discussions on where this machine is lacking from a professional's perspective.

 

[tjleonard]

I disagree. Professionals have distinct and separate needs from consumers. The MacBook is their consumer machine. This is also a consumer machine, with better specs. It doesn't address the needs of professionals ( expandability, versatility, long battery life, etc.).

Battery life is great, laptops do not give you "expandability". Your best bet would be those USB C ports.

Professionals need beefed up machines.

 

[pietrov]

No more pro with the lack of functionalities and connection (magsafe, sd slot...), no 32Gb ram... It's an Air or a Pro?

 

[Val-kyrie]

They do not collect user data, but do collect usage data. From this, they determine, in aggregate, which features are being used. They cannot tell that you use a particular feature, but they can tell that out of X number of devices which have this feature, Y% of users utilize the feature.

This is a feature that can be turned on or off and that you were asked about when you installed your OS on your particular device.

This is my problem with the argument that usage data reflects real world use and justifies the inclusion or exclusion of a feature. The data set is skewed.

 

[pietrov]

Battery life is great, laptops do not give you "expandability". Your best bet would be those USB C ports.

Professionals need beefed up machines.

Yep, but not only battery, come on... I need 32Gb on a 13'', I need Magsafe (I'm not always on mobility)...