Last week, renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo explained what he expects for new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models later this year, including the return of the MagSafe cost connector, removal of the Touch Bar, new design with horizontal edge. , and return more ports to the notebooks for extended connections.
/article-new/2021/01/2021-mbp-sd-slot-feature.jpg?resize=560%2C315&ssl=1)
Concept of a modern MacBook Pro with an SD card reader
Kuo did not specify which ports might be coming back, however BloombergMark Gurman announced today that the next MacBook Pro models will have an SD card reader for capturing photos with a digital camera and other files:
The upcoming MacBook Pro is an example of Apple’s renewed focus on Mac loyalists. The company plans to replace the SD card slot for the next MacBook Pros so users can insert memory cards from digital cameras. That feature was removed in 2016, to the detriment of professional photographers and video creators, key segments of the MacBook Pro user base.
The latest MacBook Pro models only have Thunderbolt ports, forcing designers to use a switch or dock to access an SD card reader.
In his research note last week, Kuo mentioned that “most consumers may not need to buy extra dongles” for the next MacBook Pro, so it’s possible that SD card reader is the only port that returns. As far back as 2015, the MacBook Pro was also equipped with an HDMI port and USB-A ports, but of course it would be surprising to see the latter come back as the tech industry moves to USB -C.
Kuo expects to launch the new MacBook Pro models in the third quarter, which will span July through September. They would eventually replace the 13-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models announced in May 2020 and November 2019, respectively. The base 13-inch MacBook Pro model was already updated with Apple’s standard M1 chip a few months ago.