Apple has just announced Apple’s new M1 silicon-powered iMac. Among the many upgrades and upgrades is a new electric brick that has something special for the Apple range: an Ethernet port. On the surface, this seems like a stupid placement of a critical I / O port, but there is a good chance that this feature will hit future Apple laptops, where it makes a lot more sense.
The M1 iMac has a much thinner new design than the last generation and Apple probably didn’t want to make room for the Ethernet port. The only I / O ports appear to be a 3.5 mm jack and several USB-C ports. The power adapter itself has a new magnetic connector and does not use one of the computer’s USB-C ports. The Ethernet port has been downgraded to the power supply.
There are several benefits to this placement. Reduces congestion behind the computer and streamlines connectivity – elements that are even more critical in a laptop.
Apple famously shares components and accessories across the entire product line, which makes it very likely that this electric brick will reach other products. Apple started taking out the MagSafe magnetic connector when its laptops adopted USB-C in 2016 and it would be fantastic to see a similar product returning to the product line. Apple removed the Ethernet port on the MacBook Pro in 2012.
Several companies offer supplements for Apple power adapters. These, such as the Twelve South PlugBug Duo, add USB ports to adapters, but none have yet offered Ethernet.
