Technologies new MacBook Pro drops

Brad Chacos reveals five technologies Apple has dropped

Apple has never been shy about shaving off features in its quest for slimmer, faster computing. The new MacBook Pro line-up is no exception. Following in the footsteps of the radical 12in MacBook, Apple’s latest laptop culls five old standbys from its design.

1. MagSafe

The MacBook’s vaunted, brilliant MagSafe used magnets to gently attach your power cord to your

laptop, rather than relying on a hard connector jammed inside a port. MagSafe clamped on tightly enough to stay stable under normal conditions, but lightly enough to disconnect when tugged. The new MacBook Pro relies on USB-C for power instead, just like the aforementioned 12in MacBook.

2. SD card support

The SD card slot on MacBooks comes in handy for photographers and folks looking to expand their laptop’s storage – or at least it used to. The overhauled MacBook Pro ditches native SD card support as well as most other auxiliary connections. It’s streamlined down to four USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 connections and a solitary audio jack.

3. HDMI

Better pick up a USB-C to HDMI connector while you’re at it, if you plan on connecting your notebook to an external display.

4. Discrete ESC and Function keys

That swanky new OLED strip of adaptive touchscreen keys in the new MacBook Pro needed to fit in somewhere. That ‘somewhere’ is where the MacBook Escape and Function keys previously called home, just underneath the display.

5. Optical drive

“But wait!” I hear you screaming. “Apple still sells a legacy non-Retina MacBook Pro, too!” No, Apple has discontinued that as well, and with it goes the last MacBook with a built-in optical drive. Time to snag Apple’s USB SuperDrive.