SD card isn't the problem, having a dedicated port for everything is. I really loved the USB-C-only approach:
Get whatever you need and plug. My camera has CF card, my drone has microSD card. So let's add them to the mix too. Also I never need the MagSafe port or never used HDMI port in my life. On the contrary, someone might need HDMI or SD slot everyday. My point is that they can't make everyone happy, and paying (not just by price but also the looks/simplicity) for ports that will never be used isn't the best thing to do.
USB-C solved this exact problem and what they did on this version is a major step back IMO, including removing the Touch Bar which had great potential for improvement.
I used a Thinkpad for over a year without noticing the microsd slot on it. I think they are so inconspicuous that most people don't even notice them.
And what is the alternative?
USBA <-> USBC <-> SDCard adapter <-> MicroSD to SD adapter
Is that convenience?
Even if they gave away usb sdcard adapters for free, it would still be trouble to go out and get one. Or carry one around with me everywhere. Just another thing to lose. Another thing dangling out of my computer putting stress on the ports.
If I'm completely honest, I think it is more emotional than practical. This craving for hyper-optimization.
And even Apple now seems to be admitting that it was not a great idea.
I can understand dongles for tablets, but this is supposed to be a laptop, a somewhat general purpose computer.
> Also I never need the MagSafe port or never used HDMI port in my life
I assure you you are in the minority on this.
MagSafe by the way is amazing. It has saved my old Macbooks more times than I can count. I've already had to get my USBC power slot replaced from tripping on it.
Having access to the ports is itself a feature. Having the peace of mind of knowing that you can go to the office or classroom and be able to use the projector or a jumpdrive, without having to worry about bringing the right adapters is a huge plus for me and I think most people.
I'd completely agree with you if MagSafe was the only solution, but my USB-C cord has been kicked accidentally multiple times in the last few years. Every time, it just snapped out perfectly either from the brick or my MacBook. Nothing got harmed, so USB-C already solves the only problem MagSafe is solving, so why have it?
And about the HDMI, I understand many people finding it a great convenience. What really should be that USB-C should replace HDMI, or at least it should be compatible in a way that they have the same form factor and can be used exchangeably. One port to rule them all would be great and the best of both worlds.
I suspect MBP battery life didn’t look so great considering the thinness, new hungrier M1 processors, dramatically increased number of pixels on the main display, and possibly the extra ports to small degree. Perhaps dropping the second display is what helped them soften the hit a little. Rarely use touch bar myself other than for adjusting volume and brightness, but in those regards it’s been incredibly convenient.
Yeah, Mr. Ive went too much into "form over function" territory. While I love the thinness of my current 16" I also admit that I'd love to have more juice with a slightly ticker/heavier body.
The Touch Bar had a great promise, but they couldn't improve it enough to make it better (uhm, haptic feedback and faster response). Don't know how much it really contributed to battery drain though.
From my understanding, any display is important contributor to battery drain, and touch bar is a pretty much always-on (while you work) high-DPI display.
I dread returning to the old way of controlling screen brightness and volume, though.
I'd completely agree with you if MagSafe was the only solution, but my USB-C cord has been kicked accidentally multiple times in the last few years. Every time, it just snapped out perfectly either from the brick or my MacBook. Nothing got harmed, so USB-C already solves the only problem MagSafe is solving, so why have it?
What if they improved it then? They could easily solve this at the cable level where part of the cable near both ends is magnetically snapping, while still providing USB and PD functionality. Having a dedicated port when they replaced it with a convenient port like USB-C which could also bring the safety of MagSafe, but instead bringing back a different port while the device can perfectly charge over USB-C ports too is a bit weird IMO.
Get whatever you need and plug. My camera has CF card, my drone has microSD card. So let's add them to the mix too. Also I never need the MagSafe port or never used HDMI port in my life. On the contrary, someone might need HDMI or SD slot everyday. My point is that they can't make everyone happy, and paying (not just by price but also the looks/simplicity) for ports that will never be used isn't the best thing to do.
USB-C solved this exact problem and what they did on this version is a major step back IMO, including removing the Touch Bar which had great potential for improvement.