[me4502]

The SD card argument I don't really see as too valid, as the computer isn't specifically for photographers.

That seems like a good reason to actually use an adapter, as outside of photography and similar niches, an SD card slot is not very commonly used. In the past it was used by most people, but nowadays non-enthusiast photographers don't really use much beyond their phones.

HDMI I could somewhat see as more likely due to how ubiquitous it is, but it very much feels like a step backwards.

USB-C is great because it's a port that can be anything. The world is moving more towards it in general; Apple conceding and going back to specific ports IMO would be a bad move for the industry in general.