2021 MacBook Pro Rumored to Feature More Ports: Here's a Look at What Previous Models Offered

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today outlined his expectations for all-new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models later this year, including the return of the classic MagSafe charging connector, the removal of the Touch Bar, a new flat-edged design, and the return of more ports built into the notebooks for expanded connectivity.

2015 macbook pro side profile article
One of the most controversial design changes to the MacBook Pro came in 2016, when Apple removed the majority of ports from the notebook, forcing users who still rely on I/O options like USB-A and HDMI to purchase adapters or docks. Apple used the removal of ports as an opportunity to tout its "thinnest and lightest MacBook Pro ever," but the decision was criticized by many users and even prompted a "dongle hell" meme.

While current MacBook Pro models are equipped with only two to four Thunderbolt ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack, it wasn't always this way. From 2012 to 2015, the 15-inch MacBook Pro offered a wider selection of I/O, including a MagSafe connector, two Thunderbolt ports, two USB-A ports, an HDMI port, an SD card reader, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

2015 macbook pro ports

2015 model of 15-inch MacBook Pro

In 2011, the 15-inch MacBook Pro offered even more connectivity options, including MagSafe, a Gigabit Ethernet port, FireWire 800, a Thunderbolt port, two USB-A ports, an SD card reader, separate audio in and audio out jacks, a CD/DVD drive, and a slot to connect a Kensington security lock. This model also had a small strip of LEDs built into the chassis that showed how much charge the battery had remaining with the push of a small button.

2011 macbook pro ports

2011 model of 15-inch MacBook Pro

For now, it remains unclear what new ports will be added to the 2021 MacBook Pro, if the rumor proves to be accurate. In his research note, obtained by MacRumors, Kuo said that the notebooks will be "equipped with more types of I/O, and most users may not need to purchase additional dongles," but he did not share anything more specific.

Kuo expects the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models to launch in the third quarter of 2021, which begins in late June.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Caution)
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Popular Stories

apple tv 4k new orange

New Apple TV Expected Later This Year With These New Features

Saturday July 12, 2025 3:09 pm PDT by
A new Apple TV is expected to be released later this year, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the next Apple TV, according to rumors. Rumors Faster Wi-Fi Support The next Apple TV will be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. He said the chip supports ...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 16 New Features

Friday July 11, 2025 12:40 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are only two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:A redesigned Dynamic Island: It has been rumored that all iPhone 17 models will have a redesigned Dynamic Island interface — it might ...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications

Apple Watch Ultra 3: What to Expect

Sunday July 13, 2025 10:30 am PDT by
The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 is nearly over, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the Apple Watch Ultra 3:Satellite connectivity for sending and receiving text messages when Wi-Fi and cellular coverage is unavailable 5G support, up from LTE on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Likely a wide-angle OLED display that ...
iphone 16 pro pro max

iPhone 17 Pro Models With BOE Displays Will Be Sold in China Only

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:59 pm PDT by
iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models with displays made by BOE will be sold exclusively in China, according to a new report. Last week, it emerged that Chinese display manufacturer BOE was aggressively ramping up its OLED production capacity for future iPhone models as part of a plan to recapture a major role in Apple's supply chain. Now, tech news aggregator Jukan Choi reports...
top stories 2025 07 12

Top Stories: iPhone 17 Pro Rumors, iOS 26 Beta 3, and More

Saturday July 12, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
The iOS 26 public beta release is quickly approaching, while developers have recently gotten their hands on a third round of betas that has seen Apple continue to tweak features, design, and functionality. We're also continuing to hear rumors about the iPhone 17 lineup that is now just about right around the corner, while Apple's latest big-budget film appears to be taking off, so read on...

Top Rated Comments

itsmeaustend Avatar
59 months ago
Totally miss those Battery indicator lights! It was a pretty useful feature...
Score: 44 Votes (Like | Disagree)
skitidetdu Avatar
59 months ago
Kept my 2015 MacBook Pro just for the extra ports. Glad to see them back!
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
59 months ago
Apple: We care about the environment so we're not going to provide power adapters with future iPhones.

Apple: We're going to remove still widely used ports like USB-A and HDMI and give you not enough USB C ports and then force users to purchase dongles and docks because... it'll be good for the environment? ?
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jav6454 Avatar
59 months ago
They should just add MagSafe, HDMI and an USB-A port.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AngerDanger Avatar
59 months ago

Well if we look at Kuo's note:


You can imagine an iPad Pro sitting on a surface will be how the base of the new MacBook Pro will be. I don't know if it will have rubber feet? I'm thinking it will sit on a table much like Gooogle's Pixelbook from a couple of years ago.



That should allow for full size HDMI (maybe HDMI 2.1?) and an SD card slot? I don't see them going back to USB-A sized ports.

Either way a right angle design on the display lid would at least hopefully mean that we'd have a better quality web cam, assuming that it's not only for the space of Mini LEDs, but could also accommodate FaceID too? One can only hope!
Probably not going back to OG Thunderbolt-style ports, but here's a mockup of what the flat edges could look like.



Attachment Image
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ccsicecoke Avatar
59 months ago
I just need the SD card slot back

Counting on slow wireless transferring of thousands of pictures is insane
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)