New MacBook Pro Models Lack Optical Audio Out via Headphone Jack

[samcraig]

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

Better yet - why not just admit you pulled that "fact" out of the air and really have no idea. And while I would never report you for such BS, you should note that as per forum rules:

1. Sources. If you claim that something's a fact, back it up with a source. If you can't produce evidence when someone asks you to cite your sources, we may remove your posts. If you started the thread, then we may remove or close the thread.

 

[peter2]

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?

Your reasoning is kind of funny: Mac market share is about 7% (that is, after years of growth). Maybe Apple should eradicate itself ;-)

 

[tonyberinson]

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

bahahaha even I am not a pro photographer and I use wifi rather than as card slot ffs

 

[kstotlani]

So much for consideration of your neighbor.

Look, its removal doesn't affect me but your attitude stinks. If you were really part of the Apple community you would care about the effect of Apple's decisions on others. When we lose users, we lose. Period.

Very well said sir.

 

[tonyberinson]

This reasoning is very funny: Mac market share is about 7% (that is, after years of growth). Maybe Apple should eradicate itself ;-)

Ah this was pre the release of the new MBP ... we all know people were waiting and the market share was bottoming out... maybe we should wait for the new numbers before making out off date statistics

 

[Zoolevation]

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

I make a living out of photography and you think I use a point-and-shoot camera?

 

[tonyberinson]

Despite all your bellyaching seems apples market share will be increasing

Thanks for macrumours... any advertising is good advertising

https://www.macrumors.com/2016/11/02/phil-schiller-new-macbook-pro-interview/

 

[djphat2000]

This is bordering on the comical.

To those who think no one uses this : Here is what Eric Persing of Spectrasonics , one of the leading developpers of pro virtual instruments in the audio world, and not exactly prone to tantrums, posted on his FB :
"APPLE HAS COMPLETELY LOST IT. I am absolutely FURIOUS about this news! This is literally a feature that our entire team at Spectrasonics utilizes EVERY DAY, dozens of times a day! The removal of optical out is INSANE! In our world of audio, this is a feature that made MacBook Pros truly a mobile/professional audio machine! Native core audio with simple digital audio output is one of the essential reasons that these laptops have always been the best for audio and music. NOW THEY'VE TAKEN IT AWAY SO THEY SAVE A PENNY!
I hate you apple! (Never thought I'd every say that)"


When you align this to what Phil Shiller said, you can't not shake your head in disbelief:
"Is it inconsistent to keep the 3.5mm headphone jack as it’s no longer on the latest iPhone?
Not at all. These are pro machines. If it was just about headphones then it doesn’t need to be there, we believe that wireless is a great solution for headphones. But many users have setups with studio monitors, amps, and other pro audio gear that do not have wireless solutions and need the 3.5mm jack."

Whatever this machine is, it's certainly ain't pro.

Geez. Did all there laptops suddenly lose there ability to connect to TOSlink?
Last I checked, all his laptops still work just fine. There wasn't a requirement to upgrade was there? If so, get an adapter dongle and done.

As for anyone that thinks Apple is making MacBook "Pro" in name only. Ask yourself this serious question. Would you rather Apple keep making laptops from 2006, or 2011, vs what you have now as an option? My only beef is with the screen size. I still want a 17" vs a 15". Aside from that, the new laptops are faster (Processors, Storage, and memory), faster PORTS (USB-C with Thunderbolt 3 and, WiFi, Bluetooth). Higher resolution and better image screen. Additional Touch bar if you wish to get it with that, that includes touch ID for better security and easier!! Better keyboard, bigger surface area for touch pad (mouse), so more use of gestures.

Every single port people are "missing" is replaceable via USB-C either now, or very soon. You can connect 2 5K displays, seriously 2 TWO 5K displays. I can't do that with my 2015 rMBP!!! Not to mention, it's thinner than my 2015 AND a bit smaller for the same screen size.
The new laptops already over sold, this one company/guy's opinion isn't enough to stop MANY more people/companies from buying it. There is always going to be someone that complains no matter what Apple does. I wish I could have waited (Purchased in March 2016), but I needed to replace my 17" 2010 (battery life, and lack of new OS features). I love unlocking my laptop with my apple watch. I love the retina display, and its overall faster feel than my previous laptop. I did upgrade it too with an SSD, but this is MUCH faster.

Just my 2c, sorry for the rant, but it will never end with people saying this stuff and always find something to complain about.

 

[JosephAW]

They had to get rid of all the good ports, slots and compatibility in order to make room for the new touch bar and its supporting chips. That's why.

 

[2499723]

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?

The loss of the SD card slot is perhaps not universally lamented, given the smallish numbers of people using it to transfer photos. My individual use was to provide a cheap and permanent way of increasing the storage capacity of my rMBP. That Nifty Mini Drive is certainly useful. Guess they'll need to be diversifying their business now!

 

[peter2]

Ah this was pre the release of the new MBP ... we all know people were waiting and the market share was bottoming out... maybe we should wait for the new numbers before making out off date statistics

 

[Hanzu Lao]

Complete cluster****.

 

[Blaze4G]

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?

Wasn't planning on buying one but would have considered it as a candidate for my future laptop if the price was not so high.

I have never used optical. However some people do. So I won't be selfish and say "I don't use it so I don't care, remove it".

It reminds me of the debate about an LED notification light in an iPhone. I would love one, but because others wouldn't use it they hope Apple would never implement it. Why be so selfish? It being their would not affect them if Apple makes it optional to turn on or off.

We live in a selfish world though so why an I expecting better.
[doublepost=1478270208][/doublepost]

That is the same answer given ever time a manufacturer removes dead/old features. We all want unified standard for tech hardware. But in order to do that we need to let things go. If manufacturers keep holding on to old standards, that future will never be realized. it's time to move forward..... let old tech go.

Lol okay so SD cards is old tech too right? Lightning portis old tech too don't you agree? Should be replaced with USB C.

 

[Corrode]

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.

You missed my point. I'm a photographer and I will miss the SD card slot. The person next to you who does the same job as you may miss something else.

The point is, despite many people saying "I never had any use for it", Apple products were for everyone because they covered the needs of mainstream and the niches. For someone who needs the optical out, the MBP is no longer a product for them. Same goes for those who need the SD card slot, 32 GB RAM, etc.

 

[tonyberinson]

Geez. Did all there laptops suddenly lose there ability to connect to TOSlink?
Last I checked, all his laptops still work just fine. There wasn't a requirement to upgrade was there? If so, get an adapter dongle and done.

As for anyone that thinks Apple is making MacBook "Pro" in name only. Ask yourself this serious question. Would you rather Apple keep making laptops from 2006, or 2011, vs what you have now as an option? My only beef is with the screen size. I still want a 17" vs a 15". Aside from that, the new laptops are faster (Processors, Storage, and memory), faster PORTS (USB-C with Thunderbolt 3 and, WiFi, Bluetooth). Higher resolution and better image screen. Additional Touch bar if you wish to get it with that, that includes touch ID for better security and easier!! Better keyboard, bigger surface area for touch pad (mouse), so more use of gestures.

Every single port people are "missing" is replaceable via USB-C either now, or very soon. You can connect 2 5K displays, seriously 2 TWO 5K displays. I can't do that with my 2015 rMBP!!! Not to mention, it's thinner than my 2015 AND a bit smaller for the same screen size.
The new laptops already over sold, this one company/guy's opinion isn't enough to stop MANY more people/companies from buying it. There is always going to be someone that complains no matter what Apple does. I wish I could have waited (Purchased in March 2016), but I needed to replace my 17" 2010 (battery life, and lack of new OS features). I love unlocking my laptop with my apple watch. I love the retina display, and its overall faster feel than my previous laptop. I did upgrade it too with an SSD, but this is MUCH faster.

Just my 2c, sorry for the rant, but it will never end with people saying this stuff and always find something to complain about.

Well said

 

[psingh01]

...And I thought the previous Retina was gimped. Aside from having a nicer screen I didn't see much benefit over the Air when coming from a much more flexible MBP 17". So for the first time I bought the Air over the Pro.

These new MacBook Airs are branded as MacBookPro and carry the price tag of a Mac Pro.

Give me a Retina MBP 17" with more ports and dual processors. A true desktop replacement.

 

[Corrode]

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

Does it matter? The point is: some do. I do.

 

[Kaibelf]

Pretty sure conversations went like this:
Our T3 isn't fully backwards compatible. Some devices won't work/They won't care... they'll get over it
We're not putting in optical audio out/they won't care... they'll get over it

and so on


So your solution is to complain about the complainers.
You realize this is a message board?
You realize that many are customers - some for years, others potential. It's not anti-Apple or useless to discuss where your potential technology shines and/or falters.

Whether one is purchasing, is undecided or is nor purchasing the device - they are entitled to throw their opinion into the ring as part of the discussion.

Might I suggest that if you are tired of the complaining, you skip threads like this and/or refrain from posting instead of suggesting others not. Exercise some self control there. My .02

1. It's not your private social network, either. The road goes both ways.
2. Apple doesn't read this forum, so if you're whining to them here it's likely accomplishing nothing.

 

[F1Mac]

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

Well good for you. Except Persing's statement reflects his particular workflow. That doesn't change the fact that *a lot* of audio pros, anonymous or not, do not use the headphone jack as a digital out on a MBP.

He's probably more pissed that Apple hasn't upgraded the rest of the pro line but this apparently is the icing on the cake for him. Besides, Spectrasonics makes amazing software, they really do, but a 3.5mm toslink connection is far from an ideal situation to output your signal. I'm sure he'll get over it somehow...

So I take it Apple abandoning this option is the deal breaker for you as a potential MBP buyer?

 

[Chupa Chupa]

They should've just invented a new category for this device, called it the "MacBook Plus", and let people know that the Pro machines are coming next year.

Realistically, they should have called the current MacBook the Air rather than launching a new line that is oh so close and then called this one the MacBook. That would have made sense and no one would have held high expectations to it for pro features.

OR Apple could have just designed this MBP as the ones in the past for max versitility and minimum complication. I mean it's not priced for value so the skimping here and there and everywhere is a huge dig.

 

[jonnyb098]

Wasn't planning on buying one but would have considered it as a candidate for my future laptop if the price was not so high.

I have never used optical. However some people do. So I won't be selfish and say "I don't use it so I don't care, remove it".

It reminds me of the debate about an LED notification light in an iPhone. I would love one, but because others wouldn't use it they hope Apple would never implement it. Why be so selfish? It being their would not affect them if Apple makes it optional to turn on or off.

We live in a selfish world though so why an I expecting better.
[doublepost=1478270208][/doublepost]
Lol okay so SD cards is old tech too right? Lightning portis old tech too don't you agree? Should be replaced with USB C.

I guess if that were the case and go by your logic, we would still be using floppy disk and watch VHS tapes. Technology has to push forward.

As far as SD cards....yes blame the camera companies. In a world where I can transfer a batch of photos wirelessly to my mac using airdrop in a matter of seconds.....I absolutely blame the camera companies. Thankfully more and more cameras are gaining wireless but are very much behind.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

So I take it Apple abandoning this toslink option is the deal breaker for you as a potential MBP buyer?

I doubt its a dealbreaker for anyone but when you add up all the other stripped out features it sure isn't a motivator to get one to buy either. Personally, the machines dependence on dongles was the deal killer for me. But when I read about all the other once native features missing it only bolsters my decision to wait it out for another cycle.

 

[jonnyb098]

You missed my point. I'm a photographer and I will miss the SD card slot. The person next to you who does the same job as you may miss something else.

The point is, despite many people saying "I never had any use for it", Apple products were for everyone because they covered the needs of mainstream and the niches. For someone who needs the optical out, the MBP is no longer a product for them. Same goes for those who need the SD card slot, 32 GB RAM, etc.

SD card has an adaptor and for those who still want optical audio, they're a very very niche group.
[doublepost=1478271464][/doublepost]

1. It's not your private social network, either. The road goes both ways.
2. Apple doesn't read this forum, so if you're whining to them here it's likely accomplishing nothing.

I wish people would quit saying apple doesn't read these sites. Macrumors has constantly published network traffic to the site from unreleased mac OS and iOS versions inside Apple. SO YES THEY ACTUALLY DO READ THE SITE.

 

[sofila]

So I take it Apple abandoning this toslink option is the deal breaker for you as a potential MBP buyer?

No. It's just that I want to understand better. Unlike some in here (and I am not referring to you) I don't have unlimited knowledge on every single aspect of computers, programming, marketing, stock markets, advertising and whole mankind behaviour. So I read and try to gather my conclusions. The presence of some Apple's shill in the group makes me wonder who can I trust more. By the way, there are a couple of fields in which I feel I am in a good position to argue, and I can't help myself noticing that some of the shills mentioned were totally wrong in smost of their previous statements during these years. And so I come with "I'm confused" and "Apple's sycophants" in the same post. It's a pity, this place is full of smart and skilled people and most of their interesting arguments are obfuscated by the usual well-known pundits.

 

[Mactendo]

Let's screw Apple again™...