New MacBook Pro Models Lack Optical Audio Out via Headphone Jack

[Mac 128]

Apple appears to have removed optical audio output support from the headphone jack on its new 13-inch MacBook Pro with function keys, suggesting it is unlikely to have made the transition in the Touch Bar equipped models either.

Optical audio output is used to link Macs to home theater setups and A/V systems capable of multi-channel surround sound, by way of a mini TOSlink adapter connected to the 3.5mm jack.

The removal of optical audio was first noted by AppleInsider, after it was discovered that Apple's technical specifications for the headphone jack no longer mentions support for "audio line out (digital/analog)".

Removal of the standard was confirmed by comparing the System Profiler report on a new 13-inch MacBook Pro, which makes no mention of S/PDIF Optical Digital Audio Output, against reports on 2015 models, which do.

Support for optical audio out, as it appears on a 2015 13-inch MacBook Pro​

When queried about the removal, Apple said the feature was dropped due to a lack of customers using the functionality, noting that "plenty of USB-C zero-latency professional peripherals are available now, or coming very soon" with optical audio out connectivity.

The phasing out of the standard from the new MacBook Pro models follows a trend that began with the Apple TV. Apple ditched the optical audio port on the fourth generation Apple TV in favor of a USB-C port, preventing users from connecting headphones directly to the device.

Article Link: New MacBook Pro Models Lack Optical Audio Out via Headphone Jack

I'm sorry, what is all this "first noted" crap?

Anybody who looked at the specs on day one of the release saw that optical out was no longer listed. How did everybody not know this already? And this trend did not start with the Apple TV 4 -- it started with the MBA.

The bigger question is whether the 3.5mm headphone jack also supports audio input, either stereo, or even mono from a headset mic? Or is it just for sound output only? The website conspicuously omits the headset support language the MBA includes.

How about some real information other than what anybody can see for themselves on Apple's website?

 

[samcraig]

The source would be Apple data.

Please link me to that? You stated 2%. I'd like to see that number myself. Thanks.

 

[jonnyb098]

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.

1. Removed because very few people use it
2. Theres little benefit to anyone if you never used it in the first place.


Now my questions for you....

1. Were you planning on buying a new macbook pro?
2. If so, what equipment/requirements did you need that will be hindered by them not including optical?

 

[kstotlani]

When complaining in future, could you all please state what feature you personally are using and what you personally are using it for?

Posts lacking this information can then be seen for what they are, misguided whingeing for lack of a feature few people use and the rest of us should not still be saddled with or constrained by. I'm betting the vast majority of complaints are from people who don't use the feature or didn't even know it was there. I'd forgotten the headphone socket on mine included optical.

The old ports dropped here are dying and, compared to those now offered, crap. USB A is utterly bollocks, surpassed only by the mini and micro versions that followed. Within the lifespan of my new (on order, can't wait!) MacBook they will be useless to me and I will be pleased they are not there. For a few months at first, I'll use a dongle or two. Just the ones I will need instead of a plethora of ports I haven't used for the last 2 years.

Why should people explain to you about why they are complaining. I think you should be the one who should be quiet and maybe read all the messages. I don't use this feature but I am no expert to even be rude towards people using this. Don't understand why you guys enjoy being rude to other people without the context and when these people are not being personal to you.

 

[MI MacGuy]

I'm confused. Here I have a professional recognizable by name and surname and his statements
and here a group of anonymous internet posters downplaying this option removal

Who can i trust? But wait, in here I see a couple of Apple's sycophants, well-known through MacRumors for constantly bashing whatever opinion may not follow Apple's scripture. Guess what? I'll believe to the first one

Edit: P.S. The only fact that Phil Schiller took the time and effort to publicly address any complaint about this machine should be a clear indicator the something went bad

Ding ding ding. We have a winner.

Actual professionals used the MBP, people. Photographers, videographers, audio professionals. All of these demographics have plenty of reasons to complain and be vocal about this new machine, especially when SO many have other choices from Microsoft and others to choose from.

 

[kstotlani]

Did u buy one? Are you planning on ?? If you are then **** and stop complaining for the sake of complaining - if your not going to buy one - stop complaining for the sake of complaining


People are getting seriously over the constant belly aching.. sheesh!!
[doublepost=1478259250][/doublepost]


Good bye don't let the door hit you on the way out!

Why should people explain to you about why they are complaining. I think you should be the one who should be quiet and maybe read all the messages. I don't use this feature but I am no expert to even be rude towards people using this. Don't understand why you guys enjoy being rude to other people without the context and when these people are not being personal to you.

 

[jonnyb098]

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.

I do all three for a living (EXTRA NICHE??) and I have ZERO use for Optical audio. I'm not an audio engineer or sound mixer.

 

[robotica]

This is really frustrating...I used this feature all the time going back to the old black plastic MacBook.

Why are you doing this apple

 

[macduke]

Is that why they've had more orders for these macbooks than ANY OTHER that came before?

They sold a record number because this was the longest update cycle for the MacBook Pro that they've ever had. The history only goes back a few years, but here: https://buyersguide.macrumors.com//#Mac

So whats next, more trolls complaining about a machine they weren't going to buy anyway? YEP!

You obviously aren't talking about me. I was considering buying one. I usually upgrade every 3-4 years on average. I am no longer considering it, but will keep my mid-2012 rMBP and will be waiting for the updated 5K iMac. The unit I have spec'd currently is $3399, and that's with 8GB of RAM that I would upgrade myself to 32GB for $200 instead of $600. Apple wants Pros to be tethered to a desk, so that's where I'll be, I guess, until something better comes along.

 

[BvizioN]

I find it quite hilarious how some people rush to make their obligatory complain comment, and chances are they have never used optical audio and never had the intention to.
It's like..... hm, what's the trend thing to complain nowadays?
Oh... I know!! MacBook pro, right? because every one seem to complain so let's add our share.
Even though we never planned to buy one

 

[Zoolevation]

And what percentage of pro photographers do you believe use SD?

I'm a pro-phographer, use the slot every day. Every (pro) photographer that I know use it.

 

[jonnyb098]

They sold a record number because this was the longest update cycle for the MacBook Pro that they've ever had. The history only goes back a few years, but here: https://buyersguide.macrumors.com//#Mac

You obviously aren't talking about me. I was considering buying one. I usually upgrade every 3-4 years on average. I am no longer considering it, but will keep my mid-2012 rMBP and will be waiting for the updated 5K iMac. The unit I have spec'd currently is $3399, and that's with 8GB of RAM that I would upgrade myself to 32GB for $200 instead of $600. Apple wants Pros to be tethered to a desk, so that's where I'll be, I guess, until something better comes along.

Update cycle doesn't matter....the fact that people are still buying it in large numbers even with all the complaining from EVERYONE about EVERYTHING regarding this machine is what speaks volumes (pun intended).

And if you plan on a new iMac thats awesome. And for Apple they still get money!

 

[ob81]

Man the new MacBook Pro can't wait to Sunday comes so it can get a day off from the bad news. Sheesh.

 

[Smeaton1724]

Apple was in serious trouble at one point, and part of what saved them was marketing to creative professionals.

Now Apple has outgrown that niche and become a mass market consumer company targeting the high end.

They make highly capable machines with an elegant touch and a great ecosystem.

However, I would argue that they don' target creative professionals any more. If they did, you'd see upgradeable components, a richer variety of outputs/inputs, digital audio out, and more backwards compatibility with the existing gear that creative professionals typically own.

I would also argue that this elegant high end consumer focus, featuring machines that cannot easily be opened much less upgraded by the user, is 100% in keeping with the aesthetic of the first Mac.

My 512ke by the way still works!

Can't we just have an 'AMG' version of Macs. Make them another 30% more expensive, offer the ports and offer the power.

 

[peter2]

Maybe we should get Phil to put a CD drive back in.
Ye know, god forbid someone remove functionality (especially functionality that <5% of users require).

Removing the CD drive freed some space on a portable device. What is the benefit of the lack of optical out? For you personally?

I argue that removal of optical out is gain for no-one (except apple making more profit, provided that customers don't go elsewhere due to it) and a loss for some customers.

BTW, according to your logic, Apple itself should not exist at all. There was a long period of time when it's computers were used by <5% of the market (and even today it's not the majority of the market who uses/needs them).

 

[tonyberinson]

Oh optical is vital. Hands up who actually uses it ?

 

[Thunderhawks]

I bet most of the people moaning about it have never even used optical audio and have little clue about what it does.

You mean we can't see the songs coming out of that hole?

 

[TMRJIJ]

Steve Jobs Describing the Apple Of Today :

I think that I understand it now pretty well, he said.

What happens is like with John Sculley(Today's Tim Cook & J.Ivy). John came from PepsiCo(some silly company who just care about building thin products and nothing else). They at most would change their products once every ten years(Today's Macs). I mean, to them a new product was like a new size of a bottle, right?.

If you were a product person you couldn’t change the course of that company very much.

So, who influenced the success of PepsiCo? The sales and marketing people!

Therefore they were the ones who got promoted. Therefore they were the ones who ran the company.

Well, for PepsicCo that might have been okay.

But – it turns out that the same thing can happen in technology companies that get monopolies – like oh…Mnnn IBM and Xerox(Today's Apple). If you were a product person at IBM or Xerox(Today's Apple) – so you make a better copier or computer? So what?

When you have a monopoly market share, the company is not any more successful.

So the people that can make a company more successful are sales and marketing people(Tim Cook & Ivy). And they end up running the companies. And the product people get driven out of decision making forums. And the companies forget what it means to make great products.

So the product sensibility and the product genius, that brought them to that monopolistic position, gets rotted out by people running this companies who have no conception of a good product versus a bad product.

They have no conception of the craftsmanship(Oh Tim Cook & J.Ivy) that is required to take a good idea and turn it in to a good product.

And they really have no feeling in their hearts usually about wanting to really help the customers.

So, that’s what happened at Xerox. (Today's Apple)

Do you use optical audio out on your MBP?
Do you know anyone that does?

Do you even know what optical audio is?

How about instead blindly hating on Apple, we stay on the actual topic and discussion.

 

[69Mustang]

As others have said, the VAST majority of pros that have a need for digital optical audio do so through a I/O box other than the current headphone jack. TOSlink has been pretty much abandoned by the industry. There isn't a big need for it, even within the very niche area of digital audio editors.

My reply to your comment wasn't about the removal of the optical audio out, per se. It was about your contention of appealing to a mass audience as a justification for removal. Keeping the optical audio doesn't limit the appeal of the MBP. Removing it does, even if it is only for a very small number of customers.

Switching gears: A lot of different people have a lot of different reasons for being displeased with the MBP. Aggregated in a forum it seems like unwarranted criticism. To me, some of it is unwarranted but there are some very valid criticisms as well. When reading the comments it can be hard to separate the wheat from the chaff.

In the end, it won't matter. The Mac line will sell between 4-5 million units and Apple will continue to what they're doing until something drastically affects those numbers.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

Please link me to that? You stated 2%. I'd like to see that number myself. Thanks.

Yeah, let me link to internal Apple data. I'll get right on that bro.

 

[DavidDoyle]

The removal of this just goes to underline the malaise at Apple though, doesn't it? It's another example where the needs of some users has been dispensed with in order to achieve benefits of limited value - thinness and lightness - which towers above anything else.

- Extra memory? No can't do that, would take too much power
- Fast graphics? Hmmm no that would take up too much power. "Comparing the Pro 400s to desktop graphics cards makes you realize that for a serious workstation running demanding programs on multiple monitors, even the best 15-inch Pro will be underpowered. The specs for that card aren’t far off the old Radeon HD 7770, a desktop graphics card I bought for about $200 in 2012." - http://bgr.com/2016/10/28/macbook-pro-2016-specs-touch-bar/
- HDMI Out? SD Card? USB A? Nope.
- Digital Out? No.

I can't see how Digital Out would make the Macbook Pro thinner/lighter, so I presume it's just a cost saving exercise.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

I'm a pro-phographer, use the slot every day. Every (pro) photographer that I know use it.

LULz "pro" with a point-and-shoot with an SD card. You a true pro bro.

 

[2010mini]

The lifecycle of (quality) audio system components (receivers, DACs, amplifiers) is many, many years (think decades).

The point is: why remove functionality when the benefit of doing so is close to 0 ?

I never ever in my life used garageband and I dont know nor did I hear of a person who did. Does it mean Apple should remove the software? If at least some people use it/rely on it, let them have this value. Why so many people seem obsessed by removing things other people find useful? Does it make them feel happy simply because something they did not even register before is now removed?

Maybe I am the weird one, but I simply don't get this "remove everything" / kill choice attitude.

As I answered to the other poster who basically asked the same question. For as far back as I can remember the tech world has always complained that there are too many standards and we need to simplify it. But we will never get there if manufacturers keep dead/supplanted tech around. You question about garage band would make sense if there was new software that superior to it. Why will have the old software if you created a superior one to it?

If we want tech to move forward, we can't keep weighing down ourselves keeping old ones we already upgraded with better versions around.

 

[Sefstah]

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

It empties your wallet faster

 

[jonnyb098]

I find it quite hilarious how some people rush to make their obligatory complain comment, and chances are they have never used optical audio and never had the intention to.
It's like..... hm, what's the trend thing to complain nowadays?
Oh... I know!! MacBook pro, right? because every one seem to complain so let's add our share.
Even though we never planned to buy one

Spot on. Clearly not enough people care as it's got the most orders at launch compared to any other MB Pro. Yet the complaint department is filled today!