Or else what? This is old technology and Apple sees its not widely used. There are better ways of getting digital audio in and out of your Mac.
So out of genuine curiosity, how does Apple know how often it's used? I know I always uncheck the box during setup to not allow my devices to send Apple "diagnostic and usage" information if that's their source. Granted, I seldom use it on my MBP, but I definitely use it on my minis.
Don't pat yourself on the back too hard. I've posted the same thing several times over the past couple of days in a couple of the forums. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to read the tech specs pages on Apple's web site (even though few bother to do so).
As someone has already pointed out, Apple’s explanation of why they left the headphone jack in the new MacBooks is total bullshit. Professional audio power users use USB interfaces, NOT the analog 3.5mm jack. They used to use Firewire until Apple gave up on it. Hell, even I use a USB Phono Plus interface to get vinyl LPs into my iMac. It has a built-in RIAA phono pre-amp input, standard line in/out, optical in/out, and digital coax s/pdif in. And I’m just an amateur hobbyist.
There is NO logical reason for the headphone jack to be on the new MacBooks if the iPhone 7 doesn’t.
So then what's your theory as to why they left the 3.5mm on? For the hell of it? Apple doesn't leave anything unchanged or legacy for no reason. They obviously believe a number of pro users would still find it useful. Otherwise they would've removed it like many expected them to.
Every time I read about someone saying how the new MBP isn't Pro because it doesn't have or do something they invented as a demarcation for a pro machine, I can't help but wish their parents had used a prophylactic.
As someone has already pointed out, Apple’s explanation of why they left the headphone jack in the new MacBooks is total bullshit. Professional audio power users use USB interfaces, NOT the analog 3.5mm jack. They used to use Firewire until Apple gave up on it. Hell, even I use a USB Phono Plus interface to get vinyl LPs into my iMac. It has a built-in RIAA phono pre-amp input, standard line in/out, optical in/out, and digital coax s/pdif in. And I’m just an amateur hobbyist.
There is NO logical reason for the headphone jack to be on the new MacBooks if the iPhone 7 doesn’t.
R.I.P. Apple. Before I sold me last gen MBP, I used the optical digital. This would piss me off. I can't buy another Mac until they recognize gamers and pros. All they have now are over priced consumer computers. Oh well... At least their mobile market hasn't crumbled yet. I used to be all for the Apple eco system and Apple everything, but I had the courage to use faster machines.
Same reasons as for keeping analogue output: if you are a pro or semi-pro, not a lot of pro equipment use TOSlink.
You either go fully analog, or digital audio over USB/Thunderbolt/Firewire, as of today.
Maurizio
Absolutely would miss the digital out on an ATV. One of the reasons I haven't moved to an ATV4. I use the ATV3 for Airplay from my computer and feed the digital audio out to my AV receiver. Can't do that with an ATV4.
Your post is off-topic but HDMI 1.4 on the latest Apple TV obviates the need for a separate optical Cable.
I am sure that I am not alone who has audio system without HDMI so HDMI does not solve problem.
And is not news that Apple is not interested in customers that do not keep the pace with their technological pace.
Or else what? This is old technology and Apple sees its not widely used. There are better ways of getting digital audio in and out of your Mac.
So out of genuine curiosity, how does Apple know how often it's used? I know I always uncheck the box during setup to not allow my devices to send Apple "diagnostic and usage" information if that's their source. Granted, I seldom use it on my MBP, but I definitely use it on my minis.
I'm sure Apple knows what people use and don't use. They don't just blindly make decisions.
I would be more concerned about Apple dropping the Mac mini itself. If it just doesn't sell well then there's no reason to keep it around. They don't need a cheap sub-$1000 Mac. If they can't sell Mac mini's at $499-$799 then its obvious people are willing to pay more for a Mac. The Mac mini has served its purpose anyways.
"Pro" is an Apple (in their case, anyway) marketing designation used to distinguish a particular model from its less powerful (or somehow lesser, it isn't always in terms of raw power) sibling. It doesn't denote "for professionals" in terms of market demographics or what they may or may not need, though "professionals" might have found "Pro" gear from Apple a good fit for their needs. Don't read too much into these terms.
And what's more, if we insist on pressing these terms further, Apple has been heavily targeting the "Prosumer" market for years now.
I always have to smile when I read the words 'optical audio' as when it first came out a not very technical friend commented to me "optical audio eh? Last time I 'saw' audio was in the 60's!"
When my 2013 Macbook Pro - Thunderturd Display setup dies... I'm done with Macs. This new laptop offering is sad. No MagSafe, crappy GPU offerings, a dearth of useful ports, no quad core offerings except on the 15inch, RAM limited to 16GB, and questionable removal of the escape and function keys...
If anyone is skipping this years offering, what are you purchasing instead? I'm thinking I might look at Razer... Any other good options? I could always run MacOS in a vm if needed.
you're bitching about the function keys? get fucking real. not even the garden variety trolls care about the function keys.
Absolutely would miss the digital out on an ATV. One of the reasons I haven't moved to an ATV4. I use the ATV3 for Airplay from my computer and feed the digital audio out to my AV receiver. Can't do that with an ATV4.
Your post is off-topic but HDMI 1.4 on the latest Apple TV obviates the need for a separate optical Cable.
I am sure that I am not alone who has audio system without HDMI so HDMI does not solve problem.
And is not news that Apple is not interested in customers that do not keep the pace with their technological pace.
if your receiver doesn't have hdmi you're not in the game. apple didn't keep the 5.25 floppy drive forever, either.
Comments
So then what's your theory as to why they left the 3.5mm on? For the hell of it? Apple doesn't leave anything unchanged or legacy for no reason. They obviously believe a number of pro users would still find it useful. Otherwise they would've removed it like many expected them to.
I would be more concerned about Apple dropping the Mac mini itself. If it just doesn't sell well then there's no reason to keep it around. They don't need a cheap sub-$1000 Mac. If they can't sell Mac mini's at $499-$799 then its obvious people are willing to pay more for a Mac. The Mac mini has served its purpose anyways.
And what's more, if we insist on pressing these terms further, Apple has been heavily targeting the "Prosumer" market for years now.