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What ports should make a return to the 2021 Macbook Pro?

  • USB-A

    Votes: 207 36.4%
  • HDMI

    Votes: 235 41.4%
  • SD Slot

    Votes: 242 42.6%
  • Magsafe

    Votes: 337 59.3%
  • None, just keep it USB-C only

    Votes: 135 23.8%
  • Ethernet

    Votes: 97 17.1%

  • Total voters
    568

JouniS

macrumors 6502a
Nov 22, 2020
638
399
USB-A is still by far the most common connector, and I expect it to remain in frequent use for the next 5-10 years. HDMI would be nice, because the projectors in random meeting rooms don't get upgraded that often. I don't really need other ports apart from those and USB-C.
 

alien3dx

macrumors 68020
Feb 12, 2017
2,193
524
USB-A is still by far the most common connector, and I expect it to remain in frequent use for the next 5-10 years. HDMI would be nice, because the projectors in random meeting rooms don't get upgraded that often. I don't really need other ports apart from those and USB-C.
that's my issue.. if projector have usb c easier else dongle life
 

alien3dx

macrumors 68020
Feb 12, 2017
2,193
524
can't you use USB-C to HDMi cable? There is no need for HDMI to HDMI on MBP.

I think the ports will be 4 USB-C, MagSafe, 1 USB - A(maybe), 1 SD Card slot(maybe)
Now i'm using the third usb c to hdmi. 2 out upon lightning(rain) . Usb - c is versertail and scary same time because of bandwith and standard .

** if existed power regulator between usb c port i want one.
 
Last edited:

537635

macrumors 65816
Mar 7, 2009
1,154
1,041
Slovenia, EU
can't you use USB-C to HDMi cable? There is no need for HDMI to HDMI on MBP.

I think the ports will be 4 USB-C, MagSafe, 1 USB - A(maybe), 1 SD Card slot(maybe)

I really don't see Apple returning to USB-A after 6 years of USB-C. It would be a really, really, weird move. What's next? BluRay in 2022 and Firewire in 2023? Followed by VGA in 2024 and LPT in 2025.
 

Gregintosh

macrumors 68000
Jan 29, 2008
1,923
553
Chicago
can't you use USB-C to HDMi cable? There is no need for HDMI to HDMI on MBP.

For those us who travel and stay at hotels it’s nice to unplug their hdmi cable and hook it up to a laptop for watching stuff on tv. No dongle, no cable required if there’s a straight up hdmi port built in.

For me also an SD slot would be amazing particularly if the card goes in flush. Then I can get a 512gb or 1tb as card and use that for my downloads folder and to store media.
 

velocityg4

macrumors 604
Dec 19, 2004
7,336
4,726
Georgia
I'd just add micro SD. It seems most of the good cards are micro SD anyways. They just come with an SD adapter.

It at least seems the most feasible. As it shouldn't require Apple making the computer any thicker. Which they are loathe to do.

I'd only want Magsafe back. If it doesn't come at the expense of USB C charging.

HDMI, USB A and Ethernet are unrealistic. I just can't see Apple making the computers thicker. Maybe mini HDMI.

It's a bit surprising their is no micro Ethernet. The actual connector pins are quite thin. There's no need for the bulbous connector.
 

alien3dx

macrumors 68020
Feb 12, 2017
2,193
524
I'd just add micro SD. It seems most of the good cards are micro SD anyways. They just come with an SD adapter.

It at least seems the most feasible. As it shouldn't require Apple making the computer any thicker. Which they are loathe to do.

I'd only want Magsafe back. If it doesn't come at the expense of USB C charging.

HDMI, USB A and Ethernet are unrealistic. I just can't see Apple making the computers thicker. Maybe mini HDMI.

It's a bit surprising their is no micro Ethernet. The actual connector pins are quite thin. There's no need for the bulbous connector.
my ex Huawei d5 thin and have hdmi.
Most of projector is hdmi, and most of the market monitor are also hdmi . In past 3 years, quite hassle to find good usb c hub which have hdmi
 
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Falhófnir

macrumors 603
Aug 19, 2017
6,146
7,001
I guess I'd go something like this:

Left side back to front:
Magsafe
USB C
USB C
Headphone jack

Right side back to front:
USB A
USB C
SD card slot

If I had to choose just one thing to return alongside the existing 4 Thunderbolt ports, I would go for the SD card. While USB C can and probably will eventually supersede other connectors, you'll always need an adapter to read SD cards and I don't see them going anywhere for cameras in the foreseeable future.
 

537635

macrumors 65816
Mar 7, 2009
1,154
1,041
Slovenia, EU
I guess I'd go something like this:

Left side back to front:
Magsafe
USB C
USB C
Headphone jack

Right side back to front:
USB A
USB C
SD card slot

If I had to choose just one thing to return alongside the existing 4 Thunderbolt ports, I would go for the SD card. While USB C can and probably will eventually supersede other connectors, you'll always need an adapter to read SD cards and I don't see them going anywhere for cameras in the foreseeable future.

Can somebody explain to me what is the point of MagSafe on a laptop? Besides clumsy people, house pets and children tripping over cables...


Another proprietary cable and adapter that you need to carry around with you and will most probably cost €100+. With USB-C you can use your iPad charger, get a cheap Anker/Aukey charger, use the same charger for iPhone / iPad...

Maybe if Apple makes a USB-C to MagSafe cable for laptops, but still... it seems like a waste of space. Nobody will ever buy a spare MagSafe cable, if they can get a USB-C cable for 5x less.
ith
Not to mention that with USB-C you can have one cable going into external monitor (power + data). With MagSafe you will need two.
 

JouniS

macrumors 6502a
Nov 22, 2020
638
399
It's a bit surprising their is no micro Ethernet. The actual connector pins are quite thin. There's no need for the bulbous connector.
There are some small proprietary Ethernet connectors, but they never became popular. Stationary devices are usually large enough that connector size is not a problem.

Ethernet cables are infrastructure much like power cables. Because they can be very long, it's often not feasible to find a cable of exactly the right length. The connector has to be large enough that you can cut a cable and attach a connector without any special equipment.
 

cupcakes2000

macrumors 601
Apr 13, 2010
4,037
5,429
All the ports you need are already supplied via usbc/tb. No one is left with a mac full of useless ports, no one is stuck without the port they need.

You can get a dongle. Or you can get a dock. Or you can simply just change the cable to one with a usbc plug at the end.

That way, I don’t need to have pointless ports on my MacBook, and you can all pick and choose the ports you want.
 

Falhófnir

macrumors 603
Aug 19, 2017
6,146
7,001
Can somebody explain to me what is the point of MagSafe on a laptop? Besides clumsy people, house pets and children tripping over cables...


Another proprietary cable and adapter that you need to carry around with you and will most probably cost €100+. With USB-C you can use your iPad charger, get a cheap Anker/Aukey charger, use the same charger for iPhone / iPad...

Maybe if Apple makes a USB-C to MagSafe cable for laptops, but still... it seems like a waste of space. Nobody will ever buy a spare MagSafe cable, if they can get a USB-C cable for 5x less.
ith
Not to mention that with USB-C you can have one cable going into external monitor (power + data). With MagSafe you will need two.
Not really what this thread is about, probably best to take that question here.
 
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leman

macrumors Core
Oct 14, 2008
19,522
19,679
I can see a remote possibility for a card reader having a comeback, but not anything else. USB-A has been deprecated for years ago and it is not compatible with current USB standards. As to MagSafe... I am sure that the leakers have misinterpreted something. With MagSafe having been rebranded as a wireless charging technology last autumn, it would make zero sense to "revive" the old connector in any form or fashion. If "new" MagSafe comes to the Mac, it will most likely be a variant of the wireless charging, either for the laptop or for accessories.

But basically, given Apple's approach to design, I wold be VERY surprised if they suddenly reverse on the 20 years of functional minimalism and start offering an array of obsolete fixed-function ports.
 

537635

macrumors 65816
Mar 7, 2009
1,154
1,041
Slovenia, EU
I am sure that the leakers have misinterpreted something. With MagSafe having been rebranded as a wireless charging technology last autumn, it would make zero sense to "revive" the old connector in any form or fashion. If "new" MagSafe comes to the Mac, it will most likely be a variant of the wireless charging, either for the laptop or for accessories.

That's very good point!

Although this means a radical redesign of the metal chassis. Plastic or glass. I cringed a little when thought of an all-glass (like iPhone) Macbook.
 
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leman

macrumors Core
Oct 14, 2008
19,522
19,679
That's very good point!

Although this means a radical redesign of the metal chassis. Plastic or glass. I cringed a little when thought of an all-glass (like iPhone) Macbook.

Apple is too classy for plastic. Glass is a curious option, but I just don't see it working for a laptop. The trackpad is made from glass though and if feels quite nice. An unibody glass chassis would be indeed something, although I am not sure whether it's something "good" or something "bad" :D
 

Skullbussa

macrumors member
Jul 1, 2011
84
30
  • USB-A​

    No need for this with USB-C adapters already common and many new devices moving to USB-C natively, keyboard, mice, webcams.
  • HDMI​

    HDMI 2.1 is the correct answer here. Next gen monitors and TVs will need to support this.
  • SD Slot​

    This is a nice to have but not necessary. Very niche, most pro cameras can sync wirelessly.
  • Magsafe​

    Waste of time. USB-C charging is easy, ubiquitous. No more proprietary Apple connectors please.
  • Ethernet​

    Makes no sense on a portable device. Fine for USB-C hub.
 

/V\acpower

macrumors 6502a
Jul 31, 2007
631
500
USB-A is still by far the most common connector, and I expect it to remain in frequent use for the next 5-10 years. HDMI would be nice, because the projectors in random meeting rooms don't get upgraded that often. I don't really need other ports apart from those and USB-C.

USB-A can't go away, simply because it's impossible to find a USB-C Hub that simply multiply your USB-C ports, like USB-A can easily.

If you have a USB-C to Ethernet adapter, a USB-C External Drive and a USB-C Mouse, it's literally impossible to use those 3 at the same time on your 2 USB-C port MacBook Air/Pro.

But you can, with the right dongle, use those 3 + charging if they all are USB-A accessories instead.

It was a problem 4 years ago when I bought the MBP with USB C, it still is today. It's insane in my opinion that you have no way to multiply your USB C ports easily.
 

537635

macrumors 65816
Mar 7, 2009
1,154
1,041
Slovenia, EU
USB-A can't go away, simply because it's impossible to find a USB-C Hub that simply multiply your USB-C ports, like USB-A can easily.

If you have a USB-C to Ethernet adapter, a USB-C External Drive and a USB-C Mouse, it's literally impossible to use those 3 at the same time on your 2 USB-C port MacBook Air/Pro.

But you can, with the right dongle, use those 3 + charging if they all are USB-A accessories instead.

It was a problem 4 years ago when I bought the MBP with USB C, it still is today. It's insane in my opinion that you have no way to multiply your USB C ports easily.

Are you certain, that this is a technical issue?

I think it's more of practical nature. Some people need just single adapters, which are easier to carry. Those, who need more, can get USB-C to multiple ports dongles (USB-A, ethernet, HDMI for example).

Another example is LG Ultrafine 5k. It does USB-C (input) to 4x USB-C and nothing else.
 
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