Skip to main content

Apple may pull the headphone jack from Macbooks following new survey

MacBook Air 2013 review left ports
Apple hates ports, that much has become clear in recent years. Along with the single USB Type-C ported MacBooks and the new iPhone that doesn’t have a traditional 3.5mm port, there’s now a solid hint that the company may strip the headphone jack from the next MacBook, too.

Although Apple hasn’t made any form of official announcement, it has sent a survey out to existing MacBook customers asking them if they actually make use of the headphone port on their laptop. According to some users, Apple has asked a similar question several times now, suggesting it’s really interested in how used that port actually is.

It should be said that the reason for removing the headphone jack on hardware like the iPhone is because such a move can genuinely help save space in a device that is already packed with hardware. That’s much less of a problem for something like a MacBook, though of course it still contributes to the overall size and weight — just not as much.

People have of course freaked out over the news, with many writers and commenters hoping that people answer that they of course use the headphone jack all the time, every day. Fans of wired headphones aside, though, it’s a valid question to ask. As wireless becomes more of a standard people are used to, as Bluetooth speakers and earbuds become more commonplace, will the jack really remain necessary?

For many people the answer would be yes, but it’s good to know that Apple is at least quizzing its community of users before going ahead and making a change like that.

Do you want Apple to keep the headphone jack on its Macbooks, or could you do without it?

Editors' Recommendations

Jon Martindale
Jon Martindale is the Evergreen Coordinator for Computing, overseeing a team of writers addressing all the latest how to…
Your next MacBook Air could be even faster than expected
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 laptop propped up at an angle on a desk.

Apple’s upcoming 15-inch MacBook Air could be launching sooner than expected, which is encouraging for anyone who has been waiting for this much-rumored device. But the good news doesn’t end there, as it could also get a sizeable chip upgrade that would leave rival devices in the dust.

For months, it had been suggested that Apple was working on a new 15-inch version of the MacBook Air that was going to be released at a spring event. However, now that Apple has announced it will host its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) -- but not a spring event -- it seems that the latter isn’t happening. That suggests the 15-inch MacBook Air will have to wait until WWDC before seeing the light of day.

Read more
Hoping for an OLED MacBook Pro? We’ve got some bad news
An Apple MacBook Pro 14 sits open on a table.

If you’ve been waiting for Apple to launch an OLED MacBook Pro, there’s some bad news: it might not come out for another three years. That’s a serious wait considering many of Apple’s rivals have already brought out some of the best OLED laptops on the market.

The news comes from display industry tipster Ross Young, who is well-known for having a solid track record when it comes to Apple leaks. Young tweeted a link to a Reuters article outlining Samsung’s plans for an OLED fabrication plant, adding the comment: “This fab is for 14” and 16” OLED MacBook Pros from 2026.”

Read more
From click wheels to trackpads, these are the best Apple designs of all time
macbook air

This Saturday marks Apple’s 47th birthday as a company, and it’s fair to say the company has dreamed up some incredible designs over the years. Sure, it’s had a few design howlers too, but when it comes to consistency, the designers at Apple have more wins under their belt than anyone.

Looking back at the past 47 years, these are the physical pieces of tech design that captivated us most from some of its most beloved products and show just how deep Apple's design pedigree goes.
The iMac G3’s translucent case

Read more