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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

mrkek

macrumors newbie
Jan 9, 2021
7
1
Useless single-functionality ports take up space. Space that could be used for other things.

How much will it impact you to carry a small USB-C hub for all these ports you so desperatly need? It won't change anything on the current MacBook. This should have ZERO impact on you.
What things?
I carry a hub, but if it's built in, what's the problem?
Again, what other "things" can they put there besides ports??

Also carry a hub, is in fact an impact, you need to carry it with you.
 

svanstrom

macrumors 6502a
Feb 8, 2002
787
1,745
??
I don't understand all these people arguing USB-A should not make a return.
The argument against USB-A could be this… USB-A is most often used with devices that we would have to bring with us anyways; like keyboards and mice. So a small dongle/hub isn't unreasonable as we'd already have some sort of gear kit that we would have to bring.

A regular HDMI-cable on the other hand, that is something we find in every room where we need to connect our MBP to a display/projector of some sorts; so all we need is a port for it. No gear kit needed.

SD cards… I actually changed my vote to include this when I gave it a thunk about how an M1 MBP wouldn't have to compromise with battery life and heat management to get a few extra ports in. So I no longer think it too egotistical of me to want that port that I actually use more often than I at first thought.

Also, SD cards come in half sizes that sit flush to the side of the MBP, and nowadays come with enough storage to properly matter; so it's a great expansion port when people find their SSD too small.

MagSafe… it's saved me in the past, and I want it back. Preferably sitting flush with the side of the MBP, but still with full USB-C functionality (ie probably a recessed port, with a small removable magsafe-adapter).
 
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mrkek

macrumors newbie
Jan 9, 2021
7
1
Agreed.
If it's there, no need for hubs, if you need it, wonderful, no need for hubs, if you don't need it, just don't use it. ?‍♂️
 
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537635

macrumors 65816
Mar 7, 2009
1,154
1,041
Slovenia, EU
Reading this topic I wonder if people here arguing for return of outdated ports to laptops even use laptops. Or do they have them for desktop replacements and rant here how they want that special 5.25'' floppy drive.

I travel a lot. USB-C only setup is much simpler and easier to carry for me than MagSafe laptops of the past.

tempImagepHzC28.jpg



This is everything. HDMI 4k 60Hz (asymmetric), USB-A (asymmetric, so 4 can actually fit on a Macbook), SD/CF (maybe used once or twice), 1m USB-C cable and a GaN 61W charger. All of this costs around 60 EUR.

Behind is a standard 60W Apple charger for comparisson. It's bigger and heavier than all other stuff combined. Now remember the ancient MagSafe chargers with fused cables, those took a lot of space. 99% of the time I don't need the dongles, but if I do, they are there in my bag.
 

Project Alice

macrumors 68020
Jul 13, 2008
2,086
2,166
Post Falls, ID
Are you a time traveller from 2010? Welcome to 2021! Please make yourself at home but you will need to update your devices in due time.

There are no new phones with microUSB.
USB-A / microUSB is mostly reserved for devices, which are due for design update (like iMac, Mini, etc.).
Even most stubborn companies like Lenovo are moving to USB-C charging.

You argue that Magsafe shouldn't have been replaced with an universal port, because everybody else still used proprietary connectors? This is exactly what I was talking about before. You are stuck in the past unwilling to accept anything new or progressive. If everybody had this attitude, we would still be riding horses for transportation. I mean it was fine 200 years ago, right?
Get over yourself lol.
I'm not "unwilling to change". I just find these changes stupid.
"New or progressive" lmfao what? This has to be the most ignorant thing I've ever read on here. Might as well have just gone to the political sub section... I bet you drive a 2020 Prius and plan to replace it every year because if it isn't the newest one it sucks.
download.jpg

I never said USB-C didn't have a place, nor did I say phones still had Micro USB-Bs. I said I have more of them, personally. Probably because Android phones used them for a decade, and so do my PS3 controllers. USB C has been adopted by cell phone manufactures, and for some reason Apple on everything except the things it was designed for (lightnings ports, still?). You don't see them on Pro-end ThinkPads unless it's a Thunderbolt port, and that is a very new addition.

I knew this would trigger some big brained individual. Anyways I'm gonna step outta this thread before a mod slaps my wrist for "trolling".
 
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537635

macrumors 65816
Mar 7, 2009
1,154
1,041
Slovenia, EU
What things?
Like battery? Or smaller chassis? Things that, you know, use all the time. Unlike USB-A, HDMI and ethernet. If you do use them, you use an adapter. It's laptop, space is limited and weight is important.

It's so simple. I'm not surprised Apple was the first to do it.
 
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gpat

macrumors 68000
Mar 1, 2011
1,932
5,344
Italy
Only MagSafe really. It's the only one not being obsoleted by USB-C.
It's meaningless to debate between Ethernet, USB-A and HDMI. Either way you're gonna have to carry a multiport adapter for the missing ones.
 

JouniS

macrumors 6502a
Nov 22, 2020
638
399
Reading this topic I wonder if people here arguing for return of outdated ports to laptops even use laptops. Or do they have them for desktop replacements and rant here how they want that special 5.25'' floppy drive.

I travel a lot. USB-C only setup is much simpler and easier to carry for me than MagSafe laptops of the past.
I also travel a lot. On the average trip, I need 2-3 different plugs for the charger alone. I may also have 1-2 extension cables with different plugs for the Apple charger, because power is not always available close enough.

Because I may not have enough electric adapters (despite having a big bag of them at home) or because there is only one power outlet available, I often charge my phone and my camera from the laptop. That takes two USB-A ports and two different USB cables. I may also want to connect a printer, a projector, a USB receiver for the mouse, or an external HDD/SSD.

The assortment of cables, adapters, chargers, and accessories I carry is usually heavier than the MBP itself. Sometimes I forget to take a piece or two with me and have to buy a replacement on the trip. The setup is so complex that I would really welcome any change that reduces the need for adapters.
 

alien3dx

macrumors 68020
Feb 12, 2017
2,193
524
I also travel a lot. On the average trip, I need 2-3 different plugs for the charger alone. I may also have 1-2 extension cables with different plugs for the Apple charger, because power is not always available close enough.

Because I may not have enough electric adapters (despite having a big bag of them at home) or because there is only one power outlet available, I often charge my phone and my camera from the laptop. That takes two USB-A ports and two different USB cables. I may also want to connect a printer, a projector, a USB receiver for the mouse, or an external HDD/SSD.

The assortment of cables, adapters, chargers, and accessories I carry is usually heavier than the MBP itself. Sometimes I forget to take a piece or two with me and have to buy a replacement on the trip. The setup is so complex that I would really welcome any change that reduces the need for adapters.
Normal traveller dont just bring "gadget", paper ,extension and so on.

What good about m1 is battery , the last time era finding electric port charge laptop pretty hassle unless you 're in hotel room. I do hate open up charging cable and to find port in meeting room or customer place even thou is normal.
 

unchecked

macrumors 6502
Sep 5, 2008
450
555
Disagree with everything.

USB-C is incredibly obscure unless you own a semi new android phone. I have one device that uses it. ONE. An external 2.5" SATA enclosure. I've got more Mini USB-B cables laying around than I do C's.
I love USB C as a mobile connector. Mobile as in phones. Not laptops, not desktops. I find it asinine that its used at all on such devices.

HDMI, fine.

Magsafe should have never, ever been removed in the first place. Most laptops use proprietary power connecters; and literally every magsafe adapter can be bought for around 15 bucks.

I don't care about SD cards. I don't think they're a requirement. I've never used them anyways. They might be useful for some people I guess. But most people have a USB A adapter for them anyways.

Ethernet should be on every computer. EVERY. My phone uses Wifi, nothing else. Including if I'm sitting on my couch browsing. Ya know what "doesn't make sense on a portable device"? Having to carry around a bunch of stupid dongles instead of just the device and it's charger.
You don’t really need a whole bunch of dongles, you just one to plug in everything you need. And when you’re done, you just plug out that one dongle instead of plugging out everything.
 

DMike

macrumors member
Nov 25, 2020
31
21
San Diego, CA
Like battery? Or smaller chassis? Things that, you know, use all the time. Unlike USB-A, HDMI and ethernet. If you do use them, you use an adapter. It's laptop, space is limited and weight is important.

It's so simple. I'm not surprised Apple was the first to do it.
I use HDMI all the time while away from my desk. Just about every day at work. I need it more than I need more battery or a smaller chassis. Batteries last plenty long and the gram/mm difference is so tiny I wouldn’t notice. On the other hand, I never use USB-C away from my desk and I have never used more than one at any given time. It only replaces a docking station connection. Packing dongles adds weight and space over what I need, so that’s a bad argument. Saying it again, usage is not universal. Different people have different needs and those different needs in no way mean that they oppose technology. Based off of my needs, I could argue that no one needs a second USB-C port and any more than one is wasteful.
Edit: Also, dongles on laptops actually used as portable devices are bad. Everything that has to be plugged into a laptop while mobile is a potential point where force can be applied to the board when inadvertently packed up or in a fall situation. I have had a mouse dongle shoved hard enough into the laptop that it became stuck.
 
Last edited:
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Falhófnir

macrumors 603
Aug 19, 2017
6,146
7,001
Part of the issue is people using dongles instead of just changing their cables.
To an extent, yes I agree that can be the answer for some use cases. Certainly for the more static ones where you have full control of your set up. It becomes a problem more when you're actually taking your machine with you on the go and have to think ahead what you might need, or if something breaks or is incompatible.
 

Stephen.R

Suspended
Nov 2, 2018
4,356
4,747
Thailand
Different people have different needs
... so vendors should put just a couple of very specific-use ports on their computers???


Those different needs are literally the reason some of us are concerned about the potential reduction of TB3/USB-C ports.

But sure, "a mouse jammed so hard it got stuck" is a thing that's totally related to USB-C, because no one has ever broken a USB-A port ?‍♂️
 

Falhófnir

macrumors 603
Aug 19, 2017
6,146
7,001
It's a good observation.

I guess USB-A was just too damn good. Like Windows XP or Windows 7, which still refuse to disappear.

I see two types of people here:

1. Why fix if ain't broken.
2. I want Star Trek ASAP.


These are two radical positions. First one stays fixed in the past not appreciating the progress. Second one mindlessly gets rid of the old just for the sake of the new, without caring for function or necessity.

I'll admit I'm more towards the second option and the whole debate for me isn't really about the ports but about people who impede progress. USB-A is clearly outdated, not supported in the standards and only the sheer number of devices is holding it afloat.

Like Macromedia Flash. But it has and will die someday. And I applaude Apple for doing this decision and striving towards the future.
Pretty much agree with this, it is a very polarised debate. I would say for USB A, while I see the rationale for it returning (basically as a built-in dongle to save you the trouble) if I had to make a firm guess I would say it probably isn't one of the ports that will come back. It seems more likely it will be MagSafe, SD, and 4x USB C (from current info at least). I think it's easy to get ahead of ourselves from Kuo's report, but unless it's named specifically I think it's more unlikely to happen than likely. Ditto with the HDMI, I don't believe there's anything solid to suggest it will return. Kuo was still petty vague and didn't name anything other than MagSafe.
 

Madhatter32

macrumors 65816
Apr 17, 2020
1,478
2,949
A pro device used by people who use/need a high speed internet connection should have an ethernet port. Magsafe would be nice too.
 

ArPe

macrumors 65816
May 31, 2020
1,281
3,325
I only want MagSafe and USB-C.

Apple has a decade old patent for collapsible ports but they never used the idea. The idea allows full size USB-A and Ethernet ports to fold away in a slim laptop.
 

DMike

macrumors member
Nov 25, 2020
31
21
San Diego, CA
... so vendors should put just a couple of very specific-use ports on their computers???


Those different needs are literally the reason some of us are concerned about the potential reduction of TB3/USB-C ports.

But sure, "a mouse jammed so hard it got stuck" is a thing that's totally related to USB-C, because no one has ever broken a USB-A port ?‍♂️
“Vendors include features potential customers want in order to convince them to buy their product?” Yeah. Pretty much how the free market works. And as of now, your position of “None, just keep it USB-C” is polling at 24%, second from last. So in this particular forum poll, the majority of potential customers disagree with you. Apple might listen or not. Then everyone gets to choose to buy or not. ?‍♂️

Not USB-C specific... dongle specific. But USB-C only machines drive more dongle use for many. I’m pointing out a flaw in the idea expressed repeatedly that one just uses a dongle to replace ports.
 

537635

macrumors 65816
Mar 7, 2009
1,154
1,041
Slovenia, EU
An SD card slot is less than 3mm in thickness and barely a few centimetres in length. What other "things" did you have in mind for this awful waste of space?
I do hope you understand, that inside it is a bit more than just mere female part of the connector. Furthermore some people here wish for a flush SD card slot.

FWt5Z3IEpspj6xk2.huge.jpeg


source: iFixIt

There you go. The famous modern HDMI, USB-A and SD from 6 years ago. Quite some space, which could be put to better use 2021.

PS: Looking at the above photo it seems that USB-A and HDMI are simply impossible, unless new Macbooks are thicker. This 13 inch 2015 model seems to have just barely enough height as it is.
 

DMike

macrumors member
Nov 25, 2020
31
21
San Diego, CA
I do hope you understand, that inside it is a bit more than just mere female part of the connector. Furthermore some people here wish for a flush SD card slot.

View attachment 1718224

source: iFixIt

There you go. The famous modern HDMI, USB-A and SD from 6 years ago. Quite some space, which could be put to better use 2021.

PS: Looking at the above photo it seems that USB-A and HDMI are simply impossible, unless new Macbooks are thicker. This 13 inch 2015 model seems to have just barely enough height as it is.
Maybe the best solution (but unfortunately least likely) would be if Apple introduced a fourth product... a 16 inch MacBook Air. Those like yourself who prioritize thinness and minimalism get what you want and those of us who are willing to trade a little thickness and weight for more features get what we want.
 

Apple Knowledge Navigator

macrumors 68040
Mar 28, 2010
3,693
12,926
The famous modern HDMI, USB-A and SD from 6 years ago. Quite some space, which could be put to better use 2021.
How, exactly? The upcoming Macs with Apple Silicon are basically guaranteed to have an entirely new architecture, which will include brand new logic boards. If you're seriously telling me that they can't shrink the logic board down to accommodate a few extra ports, then somethings not right.
 

537635

macrumors 65816
Mar 7, 2009
1,154
1,041
Slovenia, EU
Maybe the best solution (but unfortunately least likely) would be if Apple introduced a fourth product... a 16 inch MacBook Air. Those like yourself who prioritize thinness and minimalism get what you want and those of us who are willing to trade a little thickness and weight for more features get what we want.
Here, I fixed it for you:

Maybe the best solution (but unfortunately least likely) would be if Apple introduced a fourth product... a 16 inch MacBook SE. Those like yourself who prioritize outdated ports and proprietary charging get what you want and those of us who are willing to accept the future get what we want.
 

DMike

macrumors member
Nov 25, 2020
31
21
San Diego, CA
Here, I fixed it for you:

Maybe the best solution (but unfortunately least likely) would be if Apple introduced a fourth product... a 16 inch MacBook SE. Those like yourself who prioritize outdated ports and proprietary charging get what you want and those of us who are willing to accept the future get what we want.
Sure, whatever you want to call it. My ego isn’t tied up in what the name of my computer is.
 

537635

macrumors 65816
Mar 7, 2009
1,154
1,041
Slovenia, EU
How, exactly? The upcoming Macs with Apple Silicon are basically guaranteed to have an entirely new architecture, which will include brand new logic boards. If you're seriously telling me that they can't shrink the logic board down to accommodate a few extra ports, then somethings not right.

Did you even look at the photo? Do you see how thick the USB-A and HDMI are? Thickness of 2015 Macbooks is the absolute minimum to fit these legacy ports.
 
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