The MacBook Pro’s ports have returned, but there’s one glaring omission

By Luke Larsen Published October 18, 2021

The new MacBook Pro‘s increased port selection is reason to celebrate. Even Apple admitted as much during its presentation at its Unleashed event.

But it’s not perfect.

Connectivity on the new 2021 Macbook Pro. SD reader, USB-C port, HDMI port. — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Apple has brought back HDMI and a full-sized SD card slot — both of which are helpful additions to the mix of Thunderbolt 4. The SD card slot is convenient for direct transfers from a camera, while the HDMI port allows you to connect to an external display without using one of your Thunderbolt ports.

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But as is noted in the technical specifications, this version of HDMI isn’t the latest. It’s HDMI 2.0 instead of 2.1, which leaves some significant power on the table.

HDMI 2.0 can connect to a 4K display, but is limited to just 60 frames per second (fps). HDMI 2.1 ups the ante to 4K at 120 fps, or 8K at 60 fps. I know that might not sound like the end of the world, but many creator-focused or gaming laptops coming out in 2021 have included it as a standard port.

Can you call this the most advanced connectivity without HDMI 2.1? Hardly.

As MacRumors points out, it’s a particularly strange misstep since the latest Apple TV includes an HDMI 2.1 port.

To be fair, Apple is likely looking at its Pro Display XDR, which is also stuck at HDMI 2.0 and 60Hz. Apple imagines you using the MacBook Pro connected to three Pro Display XDRs (because who doesn’t have three?), not an Apple TV.

There’s a certain amount of truth to that, but when you’re spending thousands of dollars on a new laptop, you want something you know will last you for the next decade.

Lifestyle image of someone using the new Macbook Pro 2021. — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Beyond HDMI 2.1, you’ll probably also notice the lack of USB-A ports. These were far less likely to make a return, despite the fact that many accessories still don’t use USB-C.

If you’re coming from a post-2016 MacBook Pro, though, you likely aren’t complaining. You’re probably more excited about being able to connect to more displays and bring over content directly from your camera.

Apple cut back ports to only USB-C back in 2016, much to the duress of the professional community. As powerful as Thunderbolt was, the lack of convenience was the most common complaint from this era of MacBooks.

Former Senior Editor, Computing

Luke Larsen is the Senior Editor of Computing, managing all content covering laptops, monitors, PC hardware, Macs, and more.

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Computing

The long overdue MacBook Pro design refresh might land in 2026

MacBook Pro

Apple likes to stick around with each product design refresh for at least a few generations. Take for example the M4 MacBook Pro, which is still carrying the same design language that was first introduced atop the M1 series models back in 2021.
Things could finally change next year. “In terms of major new Mac designs, I don’t expect the MacBook Pro to get an overhaul until around 2026 — when the M6 model is due to come out,” says a Bloomberg report.
Apple is currently working on refreshed MacBook Air and Pro models with M5-series processors. They might, however, stick with the same aesthetic formula as their respective M4-series counterparts. It’s not bad, but not without its flaws either.

“It’s no joke to lug around. Some will appreciate the extra screen real estate, no doubt, but there’s definitely a trade-off in mobility,” said Digital Trends’ review of the current-gen MacBook Pro.
“The one eyesore in the whole experience to me is still the notch in the display. I find it quite ugly and intrusive, and the way it cuts into the menu bar can be clumsy, especially on the 14-inch model,” the review adds.

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Apple silicon has made the MacBook Pro a consumer favorite

Someone using a MacBook Pro at a desk.

Apple’s computer lineup has greatly benefitted from its update to the M4 chip in 2024. The brand introduced the M4 MacBook Pro and iMac lines in the last year– and research has further indicated that Apple’s decision to shift from Intel processors to proprietary silicon was a solid move. It has made consumers favor Apple laptops more.

According to statistics from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP), MacBook form factors, in either MacBook Pro or MacBook Air made up 86% of Apple’s PC market share in 2024. Consumers especially favored the M4 MacBook Pro at a rate of 53%, while 33% of MacBook Air models shipped during the year, and 14% of iMac models. These figures vary only slightly from the year prior; however, CIRP noted that Apple appears to have weathered any fluctuations that may have occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Computing

Here’s how Apple’s first foldable MacBook might win me over

The Zenbook Fold 17 open on a table.

Rumors have persisted for years now that Apple is working on a touchscreen MacBook, but I’ve never been truly convinced. For one thing, I don’t see how a touchscreen could improve my MacBook experience enough to justify the inevitable price rise. This is Apple we’re talking about, after all, and there’s just no way that a touchscreen MacBook will possibly come cheap.

As well as that, I’ve long agreed with Steve Jobs’ belief that adding a touchscreen to a regular MacBook is an ergonomic nightmare. Constantly reaching up to the display is a quick way to exhaust your arms, and paining its users isn’t really part of Apple’s playbook. The Mac operating system isn’t designed for touch either, and in any case, adding a touchscreen would result in all manner of greasy fingerprints on your monitor. It’s never seemed like a good idea to me.