Stolen MacBook Pro Schematics Confirm Apple's Plans to Add More Ports and Remove Touch Bar

[Nütztjanix]

I just don't understand why anyone would cheer for replacing a port that can do literally everything (Thunderbolt) for one that's limited to a single purpose (HDMI). Especially on a space constrained device like a notebook. If the HDMI was in addition to the four Thunderbolt ports, that would be a different story.

 

[BuddyTronic]

That's very presumptuous.

The fact most people seem to conveniently ignore in these 'debates' is that with Apple it's almost never "just add X".

In some ways it's just a harsh application of logical tradeoffs. Nothing comes for free. More weight. More cost. More complexity. Yes even 'less pretty', regardless of how much you personally value that... or fewer other ports.

There are very few instances where Apple has flat out just added more ports to a computer, where it wasn't also some other radical shift.

How many times in the earlier threads about the rumours of "more ports" did people question losing TB3 ports, or losing USB-C charging capability, or what have you. With very few exceptions, they would be pummelled with "of course they'll just add other ports no one is saying they should remove USB-C ports".

When I raised the issue that Apple has a tendency to hard-wire HDMI ports, stealing a dedicated video output (and thus making that video 'stream' completely unusable for a DisplayPort or USB-C monitor), I was: told it'd be different because it was all Intels fault before (the hardwired HDMI still exists in the M1 mini); told it was because the M1 mini is a low volume item and it just re-uses the pin outs that were really designed for an M1 MacBook{Pro,Air} (the M1 MacBooks almost certainly use eDP for their built in display, and they support 1 external display over TB3/USB-C, just as the M1 iMac does - no HDMI in sight); told that a more powerful M-series CPU/GPU would support more displays, so losing one to hard-wired HDMI is "not a big deal"; and most laughably, I was told that "most monitors have HDMI, and the Mac mini is a consumer device so it doesn't matter if it can't run two 'high end' DisplayPort or USB-C displays"... when the topic of discussion was the rumours of a future high-end MacBook Pro.


So, no. I, and many others, most certainly do not ****ing want a ****** single use port.

I had several drinks this evening but do you like it with more ports or less sports or what’s the story?

 

[BuddyTronic]

I’m saying I like it with more points

 

[BuddyTronic]

Damn I hated magsafe. Hated it! The cable was always breaking. It was also expensive to replace.

I liked it. It fell off sometimes maybe , but with kids running around it was a great compromise of broken port PCB stuff or clicking that stupid connector again.

 

[BuddyTronic]

I just don't understand why anyone would cheer for replacing a port that can do literally everything (Thunderbolt) for one that's limited to a single purpose (HDMI). Especially on a space constrained device like a notebook. If the HDMI was in addition to the four Thunderbolt ports, that would be a different story.

Honestly I’ll take whatever they make

 

[Metrosey]

So when is today’s information being posted?

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

So, no. I, and many others, most certainly do not ****ing want a ****** single use port.

This is astonishing I know, but you don’t actually need to use the ports if you don’t want them.

Not sure why you feel the need to swear repeatedly either.

 

[Nütztjanix]

This is astonishing I know, but you don’t actually need to use the ports if you don’t want them.

Not sure why you feel the need to swear repeatedly either.

Because, as it stands now, the port he doesn't use comes at the expense of a do-whatever-you-want-port he actually might use.

 

[Stephen.R]

I had several drinks this evening but do you like it with more ports or less sports or what’s the story?

I "like it" with ports I can use.

Don't drink and type.

 

[derekamoss]

This comment is worth repeating, Why is Mac Rumors posting stolen information?

They are not POSTING stolen information. They are reporting on stolen information they are not distributing any of the stolen files.

 

[BuddyTronic]

Lets just include a whole bunch of ports no one needs. There are already magsafe life attachments that can be used if people want to simulate that on a usbc device.

I should get one of those mags safe life attachments thingies.

 

[Stephen.R]

This is astonishing I know, but you don’t actually need to use the ports if you don’t want them.

Did you skip all the part before that?

Did you not read the original article/post where it says the schematic shows a MBP with 3, count them, THREE USB-C ports, plus SD and HDMI.

I have pretty much zero use for either HDMI or SD cards.. so as you suggested, I can of course not use them...

But that doesn't change that (if the claimed schematic is accurate), a 2021 laptop will have less usable/flexible ports than any 15/16" MacBook Pro since 2016.

You can make a USB-C port into a HDMI port, for about $25. There is no amount of money on earth that can make a HDMI port into a USB-C port.

Not sure why you feel the need to swear repeatedly either.

Because some of us, use Macs for our business/work, and actually understand the benefits of having multiple "can do anything" ports, and how each user can customise the computer to their own needs.

But then a different group of people, aren't happy with the most flexible computer port the world has ever seen. No no.

They need a ****ing SD card slot, and whatever other functionality is lost in the process doesn't matter.


You tell me how someone can run an external SSD RAID array, or a 10G ethernet adapter or an external PCI card, or **** it, even Apple's own god damn Pro Display from a HDMI port or an SD card slot, and I'll stop ****ing swearing about all the selfish ****ing whining from people that led to this point.

 

[Stephen.R]

you don’t actually need to use the ports if you don’t want them.

This also ignores the other topic I raised: Apple has a ****** history of hardwiring HDMI ports.

So let's say you have an M2X-Pro-Max whatever the **** it's called, and the GPU has raw support for perhaps the internal display plus 4 x 4K displays or 2 x 6K displays (I'm not saying thats what it will support but it'll be a pretty sad replacement for the Intel MBP16 if it doesn't support at least that many)..

But then they have an HDMI port, and their history on built-in HDMI ports, is to hard-wire it to one of the GPU's video streams. So suddenly it becomes... Well you can support four x 4K screens, but one of them has to be connected via HDMI because one of the video output channels is hardwired there.. If you don't use HDMI, tough luck.

Oh and you can't run a 6K Pro Display over HDMI, so you can only actually run 1 Pro Display, and then one 4K over DisplayPort.

But go on. Tell me this isn't a problem. Tell me professionals don't use multiple displays. Tell me Apple surely wouldn't do exactly what they've done with HDMI ports for the last 3 years. Tell me that you needing to <checks notes> use a different cable is more of an inconvenience than completely losing compatibility with displays that use DisplayPort/USB-C/TB3? Go on. Tell me that.


Just for ****ing once, I wish one of you would have the balls to admit "yes my convenience is more important to me, I don't care if it makes some tasks impossible for others".

If you want to complain like a 5 year old about your own favourite single use port at least own it, and admit that you just don't care how it affects others, rather than this constant dance to ignore the inconvenient side effects of wanting your own little happy port.

 

[Kilibee]

Another huge downside of MagSafe only charging would be losing the ability to charge from either side of the MacBook which depending on your position in relation to your outlet is a lifesaver.

Don‘t you think this is a tad exaggerated? If you are really scared of this, get a longer cable…

I think that I see what they did there: Basically they took one of the slow USBs and split it up for SDCard-Reader, HDMI and MagSafe.

As far as I‘m concerned, together with the rumored display an absolute dream machine.

 

[joecomo]

I am in for the Mag-Safe, but would rather have another USB-C thunderbolt instead of crappy HDMI

 

[Hieveryone]

Well darn, I was just beginning to get used to touch bar and actually really like it now. If it is gone, that is a shame!

 

[Kilibee]

But then they have an HDMI port, and their history on built-in HDMI ports, is to hard-wire it to one of the GPU's video streams. So suddenly it becomes... Well you can support four x 4K screens, but one of them has to be connected via HDMI because one of the video output channels is hardwired there.. If you don't use HDMI, tough luck.

Actually I do not think what they will do. Basically this thing is an internal dock. After going for 4 usb ports across the M1 line, I doubt they would hardwire it.

However, even if they do, it has IMO zero relevance for their sales numbers. 4 x 4K screens is a setup that affects very few people, and would result in nearly no lost sales. Having HDMI out of the box without a dongle makes live a lot easier for people on the road, plus a lot of private users. This will without doubt easily compensate for the few top pro users that you might loose on the upper end.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

You tell me how someone can run an external SSD RAID array, or a 10G ethernet adapter or an external PCI card, or **** it, even Apple's own god damn Pro Display from a HDMI port or an SD card slot, and I'll stop ****ing swearing about all the selfish ****ing whining from people that led to this point.

Apple really values your constructive feedback. I would advise you contact them directly, as I’m sure they’d love to hear your (well worded) thoughts.

 

[Kilibee]

I just don't understand why anyone would cheer for replacing a port that can do literally everything (Thunderbolt) for one that's limited to a single purpose (HDMI). Especially on a space constrained device like a notebook. If the HDMI was in addition to the four Thunderbolt ports, that would be a different story.

Well, if HDMI is what you need, and 2 Thunderbolt ports are still available, then I don‘t get why people are that upset about it. I have yet to see a single MB in the field using all 4 ports.

And please spare me the space constrained argument:
The 16 M1x whatever should have more space than the old Intels.

 

[Arctic Moose]

So, no. I, and many others, most certainly do not ****ing want a ****** single use port.

Glad I'm not the only one who would prefer four USB-C/Thunderbolt over three and some other garbage.

I have yet to see a single MB in the field using all 4 ports.

I certainly did, frequently.

Could I have managed with a hub of some sort? Sure. I prefer not to, though.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Just for ****ing once, I wish one of you would have the balls to admit "yes my convenience is more important to me, I don't care if it makes some tasks impossible for others".

If you want to complain like a 5 year old about your own favourite single use port...

It’s clear that the stress from having additional I/O options is getting a bit too much for you. Perhaps have a nap and once you’ve calmed down we can reconvene?

 

[bklement]

For the record, I didn't make up things you didn't say. That said, your reply stating breaking NDA isn't a crime does seem to deliver a message that it's ok (whether you intended to or not), in which this is totally not the case.

On hind-sight, I perhaps should not have used the word illegal. However, NDAs are legally enforceable and one cannot expect there be no consequences when intentionally breaking them.

In short: It's NOT OK to break an NDA.

Yes, you did. I've stated a fact and you started to fantasize about what I think about it's morality.

 

[Flight Plan]

No material impact until their business partners react to their lack of sufficient security.

Yeah, that's the real story here.

Apple will quickly pay I bet, they’ll come to a secret agreement, or Apple will pay black hats to target the company.

I doubt it. By publicly NOT paying, they do the most effective thing available to them: Show that they will not be threatened.

The next step is to assist prosecution of the person/company that stole the information. Apple DOES have military contracts, so paying a ransom would be out of the question anyhow.

Find them, prosecute them, throw them in a hole, and throw away the key. Set a very public example, and others will modify their behavior.

Or get truly hardcore and follow the tactic that the mob (and certain governments) do: Find them and "make them a deal they cannot refuse". And THEN close on the real deal, to which they never would have agreed anyway, because it's kind of, um...permanent. The more public, the more noisy, the more messy, the more compliance you get.

Considering that Macrumors posts largely the same information as every other Apple centric website anyway that's like saying there should only be one website dedicated to Apple news.

I'd also argue that this amounts to free publicity for Apple and that no damage is being done. This builds hype for the next machines.

This is a good opportunity for Apple to demonstrate that they cannot and will not be threatened, bought, sold, or blackmailed. There's only one way forward here, unless Apple decided to do that other thing...you know, with the horse head...

Let us drop the puritanical pretenses here

I agree. MacRumors isn't in the wrong here. And they didn't publish the ACTUAL documents. Whatever. MacRumors, if anything, is providing Apple a great opportunity to shut this down by publicly setting future expectations.

 

[Minxy]

Hmmmm. Now I‘ve read elsewhere that Apple is being blackmailed by a hacker group that is threatening to leak more info if it doesn’t pay up, I feel how this story is reported is in a bit more of a grey area. No, I don’t think it’s illegal but is the sharing of the details unethical? Maybe it does facilitate criminals, but not publishing wouldn’t kill the story either. Ultimately i would say once the cat is out of the bag, the genie out of the bottle, reporting on what’s been leaked but not showing specifics, i think it’s what most editors would do.

 

[otternonsense]

You do know the bezel is not white, right? Just watch the announcement or look at on the Apple web site. I know other people are posting that it is white but it only takes a few seconds to learn that is not the case.

You mean that white bezel?