I'm from an older generation that misses physical media and clings to USB-A ports, yet still thinks 3.5mm headphone jacks are a redundant feature on modern laptops. These ports have been a standard feature as long as I can remember, and there was a time when my wired earphones were permanently connected to my laptop for gaming and Skype calls.
I still have my wired headphones, but they sit at the bottom of the drawer collecting dust. Most people have moved on from wired audio, and it's time to retire 3.5mm jacks from laptops and give us ports we really need.
When did 3.5mm headphone jacks first appear?
Centuries of service
The origins of the 3.5mm jack can be traced back to the 1800s when its predecessor, the 6.35mm jack, was used for connecting telephone calls. In those days, an operator had to transfer calls on a switchboard manually, and the 6.35 jack was ideal for the job thanks to its durability and its round shape, which made it easy to plug and unplug quickly.
The origins of the 3.5mm jack can be traced back to the 1800s.
The 3.5 mm jack is essentially a scaled-down version of the 6.35 mm jack and was developed in the 1950s as an earpiece connector for transistor radios. Its popularity skyrocketed in the late 1970s with the introduction of Sony's Walkman, and it soon became the standard audio port across electronic devices due to its practicality.
It's easy to see why the 3.5mm jack became popular. It is tough enough to connect and disconnect countless times, and requires no maintenance. It's also reliable and provides consistent audio quality across devices. Cost is another major factor, and. 3.5mm jacks are inexpensive to make and don’t require a secondary power source to transmit a signal.
The case for 3.5mm headphone jacks on laptops
If it aint broke, don't fix it
3.5mm ports are still included on new laptops, because many people still own and prefer wired headphones and earbuds for several reasons. For one, they are generally cheaper than wireless alternatives, though the cost increases significantly as you move into high-end audiophile-grade quality.
The plug-and-play nature of wired headphones means there's no battery limit or charging to worry about, and they just work. They also offer a lossless, lag-free listening experience for gaming.
The plug-and-play nature of wired headphones means there's no battery limit or charging to worry about, and they just work.
When it comes to overall sound quality, wired headphones usually come out ahead because they can carry the full lossless audio signal without compression. That said, the gap is now closer than ever, and superior audio performance will depend on the make and model of your chosen earbuds.
The case against 3.5mm headphone jacks on laptops
Questionable viability
They represent old technology from over a century ago, and better options are now available. Many of us thought its end had come when Apple discontinued it from the iPhone 7 in 2016, and other brands followed suit. Instead, it proved its resilience, and while 3.5mm audio has disappeared from flagship phones, it’s still a standard feature on most laptops, including the latest MacBook Air.
From a buyer's perspective, it’s more viable to buy wireless earbuds that work with their phone and laptop, not just their phone. Yes, wireless headphones have batteries and require charging, but I still find them more convenient because they lack fragile cables that get twisted and damaged.
From a buyer's perspective, it’s more viable to buy wireless earbuds that work with their phone and laptop.
Wired headphones typically offer better sound quality, but wireless alternatives make up for it with ANC and other software features that enhance their functionality.
Why should laptop brands retire 3.5mm headphone jacks?
Supply and demand
I understand the usefulness of 3.5mm ports and think they are viable on devices like projectors or speakers with enough real estate to accommodate them. However, laptops are a different story because of their slimline designs. Modern laptops are miserly with their port offerings, and if it’s a choice between including a 3.5mm port or swapping it for an extra USB-C, going with the latter makes more sense.
An extra USB-C port would offer far more versatility and would be used by more people.
An extra USB-C port would offer far more versatility and would be used by more people. It could also eliminate the need to buy a separate hub to connect peripherals. There are no disadvantages to having another USB-C port, and users who still want to use their wired headphones can still do so with an adapter.
At the end of the day, it's a case of supply and demand. These days, more people use USB-C ports than 3.5mm headphone jacks, which have served us well over the years but are destined for obsolescence.