The new MacBook Pro notebooks are desirable, but here's the thing that gets me about them

Note: This opinion was first published on 28th October 2016.

Just earlier today, Apple announced its eagerly anticipated new 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro notebooks. The rumors about them were mostly spot on, and there’s a lot to love and hate.

First, let’s talk about the good stuff. To begin, the 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro notebooks have been given a substantial redesign. They still have unibody aluminum chassis and are unmistakably Apple in appearance, but both models are now substantially thinner and lighter. This is great, because who doesn’t want more portability right? But also because the MacBook Pro’s PC rivals have become much slimmer and lighter over the years (HP Spectre anybody?) and Apple certainly cannot afford to look flabby in comparison.

And then there’s the big update, the new Touch Bar. First impressions from folks who were lucky enough to be at the event seem to be mostly positive.

The Verge says, “The new MacBook Pro looks and feels so good it's unreal” and “I’m sold on the Touch Bar.” 

Techcrunch says, “The Touch Bar is, in a word, neat.”

The Wall Street Journal is a bit more skeptical, calling it “cool to use, but also feels a bit like a gimmick.” 

It’s undeniably cool, and I can't wait to try it. I also think that it has a lot of potential and could open up for new ways to interact with your favorite apps. It all depends on how app developers take advantage of it.

So far so good, but the one thing that gets me most about the new MacBook Pro notebooks is the glaring omission of the good old SD card slot. 

My MacBook Pro is my primary device and I take it along with me whenever I go overseas to cover events and product launches. Photography is a big part of my work, and I like it that my current MacBook Pro (the early 2015 model) has an SD card reader. I go to the event, take photos, head back to the hotel, plug my SD card in, and I’m ready to edit my photos and start uploading my report.

I get that you cannot have traditional USB ports because they are fat, and that USB Type-C ports are the future because they are thin and versatile, but what about SD card slots? SD cards are still very much a part of the digital camera ecosystem and none of the camera makers are even thinking of ditching SD cards yet. Plus, many photographers are users and fans of MacBook Pros. Furthermore, I’m pretty sure there’s enough space for one.

But what makes this omission even more befuddling is that the new MacBook Pro notebooks still come with 3.5mm audio jacks. Yes, this is the very same jack that Apple says is ancient and decided to remove from their newest iPhones. So what gives?

If you have a newer camera with Wi-Fi connectivity, you could transfer photos wirelessly to the new MacBook Pro, but I suspect it won’t be as fast as using an SD card. So if you have an older camera or one without Wi-Fi connectivity, you will have no choice but to carry an adapter with you. 

Speaking of adapters, you’ll need one too if you want to use the new MacBook Pro notebooks to charge your iPhones. I’m sure you can appreciate the irony in this.

To be absolutely fair to Apple, they aren’t the first to pull off something like this. HP’s super sexy Spectre notebook is guilty of the same. It has three USB Type-C ports, a 3.5mm audio jack, and no SD card reader as well. But then the Spectre isn’t a professional photographer’s staple like the MacBook Pro is.

Despite all my misgivings, I suspect that I belong to the small group of users who will miss the SD card slot. I also suspect that most MacBook Pro owners will probably be content with shooting photos using their iPhones (the iPhone 7 Plus has great dual cameras) and then transferring them wirelessly using AirDrop. Nevertheless, it’s a real pity that the new MacBook Pro notebooks will not come with SD card readers. Otherwise, I think they will be damn near perfect for me.

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