Report: Apple Developing 15-inch Super-Slim MacBook Pro

[ojas]

For people who have slow/limited usage net connections, going disc free isn't ideal. Most of you people live in developed countries...you look at it from your point of view...you can download things super fast and download a lot.

For someone who can't do that, having a disk is obviously the only way to install large programs, unless of course companies start distributing software on a usb drive, which they don't.

So...yeah...having a optical drive isn't a bad idea...

 

[Caffeinecarl]

I like to rip CD's and burn them too. I watch movies on disc (DVD and Blu-ray), play games that require the disc in the machine, etc... Yeah, I need my optical drive. Plus, they still don't have Blu-ray. Should be second nature by now, really.

 

[Guest]

When floppies were on their way out, people complained and complained that CDs are too expensive, why are they doing this, etc, etc. In 5-10 years (hopefully less) no one in the U.S. will really miss CDs/DVDs/BluRays.

Also, Apple targets the U.S. market first and foremost, so the argument that most of the world can't download software isn't valid for their target audience. This is why Apple can can remove optical drives before most other manufacturers who have global reach for their laptops.

Finally, yes it will suck at first for the people who use CDs on a daily basis, just as it did when they were forced to change from floppies to CDs. I remember having to buy a USB floppy reader for my DESKTOP machine, but its either this or we are stuck with physical media forever.

 

[bystander]

As long as it has a USB or esata slot, you can always use an external drive to load software when needed.

 

[ojas]

[citation][nom]demonsavatar[/nom]Also, Apple targets the U.S. market first and foremost, so the argument that most of the world can't download software isn't valid for their target audience. This is why Apple can can remove optical drives before most other manufacturers who have global reach for their laptops.[/citation]

Well, then they can stop selling things outside the US, it won't be such a big loss to anybody really. Their products are more expensive outside of North America anyway.

 

[ojas]

[citation][nom]ojas[/nom]it won't be such a big loss to anybody really.[/citation]

Except Apple, of course.

 

[tipoo]

Without the ODD, the 13' should have a quad core or discreet graphics (or both!) to differentiate it from the Air. Without either, there wouldn't be much appeal over it.

 

[Guest]

As for CD's and DVD's "dying away.." I am an audiophile from way back with an extensive collection of CD's in 16/44k & 24/96...etc., that I kick back and listen to thru a killer (Levinson) 2 channel audio system that can wring out the best from redbook 16/44. I listen to my iPod through Sennheiser 650's (and sometimes with the Headroom amp) because it sucks any other way. I burn my CD's at full res (WAV etc.) not truncated MP3 files, there is a huge sonic difference. I am always trying to find ways to make something sound better while the market tries to put the kabosh on me! If Apple would offer MP3's at 24/96 or higher where the iPod can play it, i'm DONE!! Who wouldn't go for that? Right now I found a site that offers super high rez downloads but my iPod won't play them!! So there you go.

As for my Powerbook (yep it's old), I can see the argument to ditch the DVD drive and add an external. It's slow and a pain. Why do people not embrace new tech so readily? They are too overwhelmed by the onslaught of competing and differing offerings and then lose interest, so the new tech can become widely unknown.

The CD was developed with convenience first, NEVER sound quality. When the DVD/Super Audio came out, ppl were again put off by the cost and having to buy CD's all over again at 2x the price! So it died out. IF Apple keeps it competitively priced or lower, I can see a transition. For me, I need to have some kind of CD burner to get my CD's onto my iPod, thus in keeping my old Powerbook G4 (2 GB SDRAM).

I will get a new MacPro at some point, maybe when iCloud and Thunderbolt becomes widely available so I can buy stuff that will use it! The wireless factor is alluring especially at high speed. Who isn't sick of wires?

 

[acegwx]

A Macbook AirPad Pro?