Clearly confirming plans for additional ports and a return to MagSafe, stolen schematics from Apple supplier Quanta Computer outline Apple’s plans for the next-generation MacBook Pro models that are expected this year.
MacRumors saw the schematics after they were leaked online, and some of them feature the logic board of the next-generation MacBook Pro. On the right side of the machine, there’s a visible HDMI port, accompanied by a USB-C/Thunderbolt port and followed by an SD Card reader. The left side features two additional USB-C/Thunderbolt ports and a MagSafe charging slot, for a total of three USB-C/Thunderbolt ports instead of four as we have today.
Rumors from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Bloomberg have previously said that all of these ports will be coming to the 2021 MacBook Pro models, but the schematics both confirm the addition of the new ports and give us insight into their positioning.
The codename for the Mac is “J316,” which suggests that the logic board that we’ve seen is for the 16-inch MacBook Pro. There’s also a “J314” model that likely correlates to the 14-inch MacBook Pro [upon which] Apple is also rumored to be working.
MacDailyNews Take: All hail the imminent return of MagSafe to the MacBook Pro! It never should have been eliminated.
Users of non-MagSafe MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro users can bring back “MagSafe” themselves with an inexpensive purchase with the iSkey USB C Magnetic Adapter with LED light ($15.99 at Amazon).
Was hoping for a common USB-A port, too. Guess the dongle remains essential during this (very long) transition…
We use these often without issue:
USB-C Male to USB 3.0 Female Adapter – $8.99 for two.
That’s a nice design and a low price. Thanks for sharing the link.
And the SD card slot! I find it ridiculous to need an external card reader.
Step in the right direction, Pro computers need Pro options. 16″ with M1 here I come…
Never knocked over a MacBook in 10 years but four times in the last two.
I don’t worry about knocking over my iPad but pulling the usb-c cable out of the magic keyboard port is a biotch, I’m thinking of getting one of those magnetic adapters because what Apple created is kludge.
Jony Ive was on a rampage to make Apple products into impractical museum pieces. He was responsible for the trash-can Mac, the Apple TV Remote, and the butterfly keyboard, all of which were design tour-de-forces that no one liked and cost Apple a lot In reduced sales. Simplifying MacBooks with fewer ports with a greater reliance on dongles is the sort of thing he would do.
I do not miss Jony Ive at all, and I am not surprised that he has sunk into obscurity.