The current laptops have a HDMI port. DP over USB-C doesn't require active conversion. I think you're slightly jumping at shadows here.

(Apple's _really_ problematic video dongle was the thankfully largely dead lightning to HDMI one, for phones; this was essentially an external USB video card.)

Active or not, it’s still a dongle (but a dongle or a cable for an external monitor is less of a rage concern and they have added back HDMI as mentioned). However, seriously give me just one fucking USB-A port on a “pro” device. There’s enough people in that segment that use flash sticks and need to interface to all kinds of various hardware (MIDI controllers, pro audio equipment (not every use is a rack)), all kinds of random special purpose hardware, etc. It’s a pro device it should cater to a wider range.

wow...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacBook_Pro_(Apple_silicon)#/m...

no usb-a ports sucks, but I guess it's a step in the right direction.

sort of amazing how out-of-touch they (still) are with "pro" users. who cares if you need usb-a only once a year.

People might only need the bed in their pickup truck once a year, but they buy pickup trucks, get stuff done and are fiercely loyal.