Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
What ports should make a return to the 2021 Macbook Pro?
- Thread starter senttoschool
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
One USB-A, One USB-C, HDMI, Headphone, and MagSafe on one side.
Four USB-C on the other.
Still should be able to charge via USB-C.
Four USB-C on the other.
Still should be able to charge via USB-C.
I can see the sd card not coming back, as they had too many issues with the last one, but they are not just going to add one HDMI port and be done with it. I can see USB 3 or even USB 4 being added to the HDMI 2.1 port.
I don't see Apple adding back any legacy ports; it's just not going to happen. Macbooks are designed for portability, and infrequently used legacy ports shouldn't compromise the form factor. Doing so, they'd compromise portability, e.g., reducing battery life, increasing weight or thickness, etc.....
TB docks using one wire setups are the solution for pros and power users who need peripherals like mice, keyboards, monitors, external drives, and ethernet at a desk and in the field, throw a couple of adapters or a bus-powered hub into your bag with your charger, and you're good to go.
I also don't get the obsession with the old MagSafe. It was designed for the spinning disk and DVD era, which has long since passed us by. Back in the day, MagSafe was invaluable as a means of protecting an HDD from being damaged from a fall or preventing a DVD you were ripping from exploding upon impact with the ground. These are no longer factors. You don't need MagSafe with SSDs, hardly any moving parts, and 18+ hours of battery life. You're hardly ever going to be plugged in regardless.
The barrel plugs MagSafe replaced were fragile, but USB-C is way stronger and more compact. MagSafe solved the dual issues of laptops crashing to the ground and dying and barrel plugs getting damaged. Those are just not issues anymore.
TB docks using one wire setups are the solution for pros and power users who need peripherals like mice, keyboards, monitors, external drives, and ethernet at a desk and in the field, throw a couple of adapters or a bus-powered hub into your bag with your charger, and you're good to go.
I also don't get the obsession with the old MagSafe. It was designed for the spinning disk and DVD era, which has long since passed us by. Back in the day, MagSafe was invaluable as a means of protecting an HDD from being damaged from a fall or preventing a DVD you were ripping from exploding upon impact with the ground. These are no longer factors. You don't need MagSafe with SSDs, hardly any moving parts, and 18+ hours of battery life. You're hardly ever going to be plugged in regardless.
The barrel plugs MagSafe replaced were fragile, but USB-C is way stronger and more compact. MagSafe solved the dual issues of laptops crashing to the ground and dying and barrel plugs getting damaged. Those are just not issues anymore.
MagSafe protects your screen, it's very costly to replace the screen on a macbook, and believe me they break very easily.
Glass top with keyboard cutout. Trackpad and touchbar are now capacitive touch surfaces with haptic engines. Case exterior is unibody aluminum.
Wouldn't be _that_ bad, would it? Although I'd crack up if they had a system preference to let you adjust the size and position of your trackpad.
AFAIK USB4 adds back the capability to make multi-port downstream hubs. They just aren't on the market yet.
All I really need are a few more USB-C ports, 4 for base laptops, 6 for high end models. And a headphone jack.
Aside from that I don’t really need much more ports, maybe a SD card reader for professionals
Aside from that I don’t really need much more ports, maybe a SD card reader for professionals
The "I'm feeling uncomfortable because with an electron microscope I once saw a scratch on the back of my Apple Watch"-crowd would be intolerable with a glass top laptop from Apple simply existing. ?
An adjustable trackpad wouldn't be all bad, though; I actually think that the one on my MBP16 is too big, and the way I hold my hands sometimes definitely messes with how it works.
Why hdmi port ? i dont get it. There's a cable for almost everything. I need more ports USBC/TB4 ports, so i dont need to use any dongle. you can pretty much change each and every cable to end in USBC and you just need to do once. No need to lug around any dongle.
Just put USBC/TB3 x 6 ports.
4 Ports should also be fine.
2 ports is stupid. Out of which one need to be used solely for charging, i mean, why we need to use such a hi-tech port just for charging.
4 Ports should also be fine.
2 ports is stupid. Out of which one need to be used solely for charging, i mean, why we need to use such a hi-tech port just for charging.
You mean like they already have?
it's not in all their hardware, but for the ones that do need it it already exists.
Personally I only use 1/4 on my MBP16; everything else is connected via the hub at the back of my display. (With one occasional exception: My SD-card reader.)
While I agree with your response to the previous comment, I do have to point something out. As you correctly stated, every professional has different requirements, and that is exactly why there should be only USB-C ports that are Thunderbolt capable. Why would I have a single purpose port like SD card slot if I am a music producer, code writer, 3D modeller, etc?
By the way, I am a video creator and I actually use SD cards; however, me asking for an SD card slot is no different than a music producer asking for an XLR input.
sure I could compromise, and agree to some usb4 ports for those of you who want to connect legacy/type-a devices ?
Given the additional slots 4 vs 2) due to smaller size, and availability of updated usb type C for most music production and DJ gear I’m quite happy for it to remain as is.
However if they can pair MagSafe and the smart dock from the iPad, I’d be really keen on that!
Maybe toss in a removable internal ssd and option to go touchbarless I’m happy as a pig in poo
However if they can pair MagSafe and the smart dock from the iPad, I’d be really keen on that!
Maybe toss in a removable internal ssd and option to go touchbarless I’m happy as a pig in poo
Another context/voice here:
I semi-regularly use SD-cards (professionally); but I didn't ask for an SD-card slot. (Did ask for HDMI and magsafe, though.)
I was thinking the same thing. Unibody GorillaGlass topcase with keyboard and speaker holes, seamless trackpad. This sounds like something Apple would do.
If it will be a full sized HDMI 2.1, I can understand as it will be useful for years to come; however, if it will be something like mini HDMI, better to just add another USB-C as you will need a different cable anyway.
Imo every format that can be easily and cheaply used with an adaptor should be considered unnecessary.
Dated formats should make room for new formats in a 10-15 year cycle (if possible with an adaptor for transition period).
That said. I think USB-A is not a thing that new products should (!) have. There are small and cheap adaptors for USB-A stuff. I don't expect my cheap 20 years old printer to have drivers for my new Mac. Why should I expect to have a native port for it? Yes, I know USB-A is widely used, but that should not stop us from going forward.
I am sad that adaptor support for Firewire 400 and 800 is rare and expensive, but I am glad that better formats took this place.
So, in my mind there should not be a native USB-A, Ethernet, VGA or HDMI port. All of these are easylly used with a adaptor or dongle. Apple and other manufacturers lead the way and show the suppliers what is the future - not the way arround. I might be willing to see the audio jack port converted (not removed) for something better quality in the future.
Oh and for those that say good for you to say if you don't personally use those ports. Well, I use them, but for me adaptors is not a problem. I will use these for my other devises also (iPad, Nintendo Switch..). I prefer the option to ha many "universal" ports. Give me more USB-C ports and the options to choose what I use the ports for.
In my pick: ethernet adaptor (cost about 10€ ), HDMI adaptor (cost about 10€) and a USB-a adaptor (cost about 2€ €). These are regular prices of well ranked products. I guess you could find cheaper options. My point is don't get stuck in the past just because its the norm. It's not like there's no cheap, small, and convenient adaptors to choose from while you transit to newer accessories.
Dated formats should make room for new formats in a 10-15 year cycle (if possible with an adaptor for transition period).
That said. I think USB-A is not a thing that new products should (!) have. There are small and cheap adaptors for USB-A stuff. I don't expect my cheap 20 years old printer to have drivers for my new Mac. Why should I expect to have a native port for it? Yes, I know USB-A is widely used, but that should not stop us from going forward.
I am sad that adaptor support for Firewire 400 and 800 is rare and expensive, but I am glad that better formats took this place.
So, in my mind there should not be a native USB-A, Ethernet, VGA or HDMI port. All of these are easylly used with a adaptor or dongle. Apple and other manufacturers lead the way and show the suppliers what is the future - not the way arround. I might be willing to see the audio jack port converted (not removed) for something better quality in the future.
Oh and for those that say good for you to say if you don't personally use those ports. Well, I use them, but for me adaptors is not a problem. I will use these for my other devises also (iPad, Nintendo Switch..). I prefer the option to ha many "universal" ports. Give me more USB-C ports and the options to choose what I use the ports for.
In my pick: ethernet adaptor (cost about 10€ ), HDMI adaptor (cost about 10€) and a USB-a adaptor (cost about 2€ €). These are regular prices of well ranked products. I guess you could find cheaper options. My point is don't get stuck in the past just because its the norm. It's not like there's no cheap, small, and convenient adaptors to choose from while you transit to newer accessories.
Attachments
Well that's just carrying a cable vs a dongle (vs nothing)... mosts meeting rooms have a HDMI cable (male) sticking through the middle of the table that you plug into and present.
And that's the point... people want to just walk in with their Mac and not need any additional cables (not to mention I still have issues with C-HDMI cables being a big wonky, flickering, etc. - I carry an Apple adapter as well as 2 different 3rd party ones just in case... between them I generally get it sorted... right now the issue is sorted due to covid and lockdowns)
The Macbook Pro should incorporate
Ports should make the difference berween pro and non pro models.
- USB-A just because everyone uses it
- HDMI 2.0 - there are no beamers for thunderbolt
- (Mini)SD Slot - mandatory for embedded developers and photographers
- USB-C because it is the future and offers high speed
Ports should make the difference berween pro and non pro models.