[graeber_28927]

I don't actually know, but the FW "abuses" splitted thunderbolt connections to get to those features, which I must imagine needs beefier controllers and is more energy intense, than solving e.g. microSD in a more direct/integrated way, without thunderbolt in the middle.

[rowanG077]

microSD cards are often just using USB that's routed on the PCB.

[tracker1]

I'm frankly surprised that audio doesn't do this, even for more desktop. I'd much rather if desktop case mfg's put a $10 usb dac on the front of the case to a USB 2 header on the motherboard. Would definitely sound better.