I don't foresee the SSD replacing the HDD in notebooks for at least several years, but I don't see why Apple won't offer it as an option for the MBP as you can now get 128GB 2.5" SSDs for under $600 (Apple's price: $750). I wouldn't get it, but I can see it being a fairly popular option.
Yeah, realistically, I'm expecting an optional 128GB SSD for the redesigned MBPs coming in September. That would make it hard for their competitors as most 15" to 17" PC laptops don't have optional SSDs. I'll hold of judgement on whether they'll drop the internal disc drive.
Quote:
Originally Posted by solipsism
I use the MBA in my example, because the largest capacity Apple currently sells is a 80GB HDD and an 64GB SSD. Newegg currently has a 120GB HDDs (single platter only for the Air) available. When a 128GB SSD comes out (2009?) it would be the largest capacity drive available. If it isn't, it would surely jump past HDD when the 256GB version comes out a couple years later. By that time, I think Apple will completely forego HDDs in the MBA and use the now cheap 64 or 128GB SSDs for the low end models. (speculation)
A couple years for an affordable 256GB SSD for the Air? Not according to THIS article, which details Samsung's plan to offer a multi-level SSD that promises to offer equivalent performance at a "considerably" lower cost in 2009.
If Apple can get a $1000 128GB 1.8" SSD as an option for the Air in the upcoming September revisions or at Macworld '09, maybe we'll see a similar halving of the price like the original 64GB option that recently dropped to $600 after only a few months on sale. By the end of the 2009, if the 256GB multi-level SSD is cost effective, they could make the 128GB SSD standard on the Air, with the 256GB drive optional. Also, with Snow Leopard, OS X's footprint (paw print ) will be reduced thanks to better localization and perhaps the use of resolution independent vector image files, rather than the larger raster files.
Quote:
Originally Posted by solipsism
How long before 2.5" SSD "out-capacity" 2.5" HDDs in notebooks? If we are at 128GB now and we get a doubling every two years that is only 4 years before notebooks will hold 512GB and 6 years before they hold 1TB. I don't think there is any new HDD tech on the horizon that can compete with that. Any insights?
Agreed, and the truth is, SSD capacity doubling likely won't continue at a steady pace, but rather, expand progressively as prices drop and consumer demand increases at an accelerating rate.
I agree with solipsism and wobegon. It's time to drop the internal optical drive from the full notebook line. The MacBook Air has proven that internal optical disks are unneeded. I believe Steve has the vision and the guts to do it. Apple was the first computer company to drop the floppy drive. It was a good move.
I can assure you Steve does not have anything to do with it. He hires people who know much more about the area then him to make these decisions.
You're kidding me? A little kiddo Disney band has sparked some of the rowdiest crowds around? That's rich. It does suck to imagine what they have to deal with in having that sort of attraction near their homes or businesses, but it is no different anywhere else performances are made.
I used to live next to Hampden Stadium in Glasgow. Hampden, the national stadium, is widely regarded as THE venue for artists to perform when they visit Scotland.
During my stay Eminem, Oasis, and U2 played there, as well as various American Football and soccer finals. There was never any trouble, and we were surprised that even although we only lived about 100 yards away, we could hardly hear the crowd.
The only trouble we had was when a pop concert aimed at teenage girls rolled in to town. The streets were packed with drunk teenage girls, fighting, screaming, passing out in the gutters. Literally tens of thousands of them. All screaming like they were being fried alive. Mass hysteria at the prospect of simply walking down the road.
We couldn't believe how much noise they were capable of generating. And the council couldn't believe how much litter and destruction they left in their wake.
I can assure you Steve does not have anything to do with it. He hires people who know much more about the area then him to make these decisions.
I've known Steve since before Apple Computer, Inc. Decisions like this are made by Steve and Steve alone. Steve listens to advice from those he hires, but he makes such decisions himself, sometimes to the consternation of employees.
As for the idea of leaving optical drives in some laptops, that is unlikely. Steve would conclude that those who need optical drives can either use an external drive or keep using an older laptop until they no longer need the optical drive. The transition will happen quickly when it happens. The MacBook Air may be the start of the transition or it may be an exception. I suspect the former.
The trouble is right at this moment an optical drive is the solution to several problems that currently don't have universally good and accepted solutions.
I have a MBA for about half a year now and although it felt weird to not have an optical drive, I'm not missing it any more.
- Nearly all software is downloadable from the internet
- I have 4Gb and 8Gb Usb sticks that take care of all my data distribution needs
- I don't want movies and lotsa music on my MBA cause the hard drive is too small (and that DOES annoy me a lot)
- and even if I am looking for something, I can buy/download it from the internet
I was also one of the early macintosh users. The feeling of not having a 5" floppy drive was kinda similar. But then I just thought it was cool, although, as an early adapter, it did not make my life easier. Now I just shrug. Hardly any inconvenience...
I agree with solipsism and wobegon. It's time to drop the internal optical drive from the full notebook line. The MacBook Air has proven that internal optical disks are unneeded.
ROTFLMAO! The only thing the MacBook Air has proven ... is that I don't want one. It's under-spec'd, overpriced, built for money is no object people/companies, where the person's daily use is probably more appropriate for the never released Palm Foleo. Most of these people would be better off with a $500 sub-notebook based on iPhone technology.
ROTFLMAO! The only thing the MacBook Air has proven ... is that I don't want one. It's under-spec'd, overpriced, built for money is no object people/companies, where the person's daily use is probably more appropriate for the never released Palm Foleo. Most of these people would be better off with a $500 sub-notebook based on iPhone technology.
Stick a Blu-ray drive in my laptop please.
You don't seem to understand the point of the MacBook Air. It's not trying to compete with the budget MacBook or the high-end MacBook Pro. It's in the emerging ultra-light category, where portability is more valuable than processing power to the customer. For what the Air is, it's not overpriced or underpowered compared to its ultra-light competition:
If someone wants something comparable to a sub-notebook, they're often better off going with an iPhone or iPod touch, mobile WiFi devices that do what they do well, rather than dealing with a sub-notebook's anemic performance, cramped keyboard, diminutive storage space, and claustrophobic screen. For "full size" tasks like typing text documents, organizing a digital photo album, managing a music collection, people can use a "full size" computer like the MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro.
You don't seem to understand the point of the MacBook Air. It's not trying to compete with the budget MacBook or the high-end MacBook Pro. It's in the emerging ultra-light category, where portability is more valuable than processing power to the customer. For what the Air is, it's not overpriced or underpowered compared to its ultra-light competition:
If someone wants something comparable to a sub-notebook, they're often better off going with an iPhone or iPod touch, mobile WiFi devices that do what they do well, rather than dealing with a sub-notebook's anemic performance, cramped keyboard, diminutive storage space, and claustrophobic screen. For "full size" tasks like typing text documents, organizing a digital photo album, managing a music collection, people can use a "full size" computer like the MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro.
I'd save your breath. If after 7 months and copycats appearing?which just get worse with the new Intel chips being 22mm^2?there isn't anything you can do now to convince people that the machine isn't a breath-through just because it doesn't suit their needs.
For comparison the first MB had a 1.83GHz CD "Yonah" which wold be slower than than the Santa Rosa/Merom architecture in the MBA. Before that the PowerBook and iBook even more underpowered than the MBA but people still complain.
That chart is old. Since the MBA arrived there have been two companies have released competing notebooks using these exact same 22mm^2 1.6 and 1.8GHz Merom C2D chips. Besides using the same chip they also made the machine very thin, used a 13" display, and was only to put in a single platter 1.8" HDD. They also cost a more than the MBA. These are the Lenovo X300 and VooDoo 133.
MacBook Pro? It doesn't even compete up to the level of the MacBook- did you not read the reviews? See MacWorld's please.
A friend of mine who has the Air and the Black MacBook confided to me Tuesday that the Air constantly freezes up when iChating.
I guess your specifications are for something ultralight be it slow and travel between classes- whatever.
I've read about the MBA having the freezing issues. I use mine constantly and at times, it does get quite warm on the lap but never has it locked up on me. I bought mine a couple months ago. Perhaps Apple made a production change to address it? I don't know.
And yes, I did read the MBA reviews. Just like I read movie-reviews, I take it with a grain of salt. I did a lot of research and examined many laptops (Windows/Apple) before I settled on the MBA. I don't believe my standards for an ultralight are low. The speed of my MBA is plenty-fast for what I use it for. I think with the technology and performance abilities available in modern laptops, people seemed to not understand that there is a price to be paid for high-performance machines such as heat and battery-consumption. Issues that the MBA I think address very well. If your needs don't go beyond Office apps, browsing, email, iTunes, minimal weight and high mobility, then the MBA is a perfect fit.
If your needs go beyond that such as video-editing, games, or a more permanent desktop replacement then go with the other models. In my case, I have my Mac Pro desktop to take care of business when I'm at home. I have no desire to use a laptop as a desktop replacement or to play videogames on it. However, I do understand that other people do look for those features in a laptop. That is what it MBP is for.
Just because it's not appropriate for you, it doesn't mean it's not appropriate for other users. We just have different requirements just as you do. Obviously it must be selling well and filling a niche since Apple is going to continuing it in its product lineup.
I agree with solipsism and wobegon. It's time to drop the internal optical drive from the full notebook line. The MacBook Air has proven that internal optical disks are unneeded. I believe Steve has the vision and the guts to do it. Apple was the first computer company to drop the floppy drive. It was a good move.
Why drop it? I'm still using an Apple G3 Pismo PowerBook (cirra 2000) that has a removable CD/DVD-rom drive. In it's place, I can place a second battery to extend battery run time for the time that I won't be needing a CD/DVD-rom drive. Or leave it empty to save on weight.
But I guess having a removable drive no longer fits into Apple sleek design form factor.
Obviously it must be selling well and filling a niche since Apple is going to continuing it in its product lineup.
As well as others copying the design right down to the chipset, screen size, and 1.8" HDD.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidW
Why drop it? I'm still using an Apple G3 Pismo PowerBook (cirra 2000) that has a removable CD/DVD-rom drive. In it's place, I can place a second battery to extend battery run time for the time that I won't be needing a CD/DVD-rom drive. Or leave it empty to save on weight.
But I guess having a removable drive no longer fits into Apple sleek design form factor.
It takes up a lot of room for how much it gets used. The size and fact that it has to be on an edge of the case constricts the engineering options available. If they do remove the optical drive I see four possible scenarios:
....• They offer a restore DVD and offer the Air's external optical drive as an option.
....• They offer a restore DVD and offer the Air's external optical drive included with purchase.
....• They do what Dell and HP do with their low-end system's restore software: they put it on a hidden HDD partition and give you a jewel case-sized leaflet that tells you should use the supplied software to burn it to a DVD. (This takes up too much space)
....• The replace the DVD with a specialised USB flash keychain drive. (Since it would require a 16GB drive this is cost prohibitive)
PS: When doing some minor research I found this 8GB flash keychain drive from less than 4 years being sold for $1800.
My wife has had an MBA since the day it came out. I insisted that she get the external optical drive. And, she has so far used it exactly zero times.
Could have used that $99 for something else.....
I've used my external CD for my MBA only a few times. It was to load VMware/XP and the one Windows-only development app from IBM that obviously is not available for download.
My previous laptop was a Sony Vaio S360P which I loved up until a burning aroma began escaping from the fan exhaust. I used the CD in that machine maybe 5 times in the three years I've owned it.
I don't miss an internal CD drive at all. It's a waste of space in today's Internet-downloading environment and USB memory-stick world. The less mechanical items in a laptop, the better.
Next on Jobs' hit-list: Mechanical hard drives. It's not "if" but "when".
I think Apple should consider sponsoring a major music venue. Put their name and logo on an amphitheater in a major city, and sponsor major music concerts there.
I don't miss an internal CD drive at all. It's a waste of space in today's Internet-downloading environment and USB memory-stick world. The less mechanical items in a laptop, the better.
There is still a large part of the world that doesn't have fast enough internet connections to warrant this
There is still a large part of the world that doesn't have fast enough internet connections to warrant this
He the poster you replied to stated, there is a USB sticks, There is also external optical drives but I think, mpst importantly, Apple thinks about the high-end US market first. Its Bread and Butter in Mac sales.
There is still a large part of the world that doesn't have fast enough internet connections to warrant this
That's why they still offer a CD option. It's just in an external format. I bought the MBA's external CD because certain business software only comes on CD. After I loaded them, the CD-drive went back in the original case and closed the cabinet door. I'll only use it again should I have to reload the OS or WinXP for whatever reason.
That's why they still offer a CD option. It's just in an external format. I bought the MBA's external CD because certain business software only comes on CD. After I loaded them, the CD-drive went back in the original case and closed the cabinet door. I'll only use it again should I have to reload the OS or WinXP for whatever reason.
Don't forget about Remote Disc. It's not ideal, but it's pretty cool to be able to install software wirelessly. It's not fast, but it's a pretty innovative solution. I'm hoping Apple will allow Apple TV owners to connect one of those external SuperDrives they're selling as an option for MacBook Air users, making wireless Remote Disc installations possible for people who have an Apple TV, but only one computer. They could also port Mac OS X's DVD Player application to Apple TV, allowing a slightly more gradual transition from DVD to digital distribution through iTunes.
While Jobs wants to kill off disc media, this would actually help the Apple TV battle the fledgeling Blu-ray format. The Apple TV would only support DVDs, which most people have large collections of and don't want to 1) buy all of over again in digital form from iTunes, nor 2) do they know how to or see the benefits of ripping their DVD collection to digital for viewing on their Apple TV, nor 3) do they have much interest in buying a far more expensive Blu-ray player and similarly pricey BD movies, in addition to a buying a new HDTV large enough to see a major difference. Doing this would also let people use the Apple TV's very intuitive interface, as opposed to the average DVD player they may already have.
Comments
I don't foresee the SSD replacing the HDD in notebooks for at least several years, but I don't see why Apple won't offer it as an option for the MBP as you can now get 128GB 2.5" SSDs for under $600 (Apple's price: $750). I wouldn't get it, but I can see it being a fairly popular option.
Yeah, realistically, I'm expecting an optional 128GB SSD for the redesigned MBPs coming in September. That would make it hard for their competitors as most 15" to 17" PC laptops don't have optional SSDs. I'll hold of judgement on whether they'll drop the internal disc drive.
I use the MBA in my example, because the largest capacity Apple currently sells is a 80GB HDD and an 64GB SSD. Newegg currently has a 120GB HDDs (single platter only for the Air) available. When a 128GB SSD comes out (2009?) it would be the largest capacity drive available. If it isn't, it would surely jump past HDD when the 256GB version comes out a couple years later. By that time, I think Apple will completely forego HDDs in the MBA and use the now cheap 64 or 128GB SSDs for the low end models. (speculation)
A couple years for an affordable 256GB SSD for the Air? Not according to THIS article, which details Samsung's plan to offer a multi-level SSD that promises to offer equivalent performance at a "considerably" lower cost in 2009.
If Apple can get a $1000 128GB 1.8" SSD as an option for the Air in the upcoming September revisions or at Macworld '09, maybe we'll see a similar halving of the price like the original 64GB option that recently dropped to $600 after only a few months on sale. By the end of the 2009, if the 256GB multi-level SSD is cost effective, they could make the 128GB SSD standard on the Air, with the 256GB drive optional. Also, with Snow Leopard, OS X's footprint (paw print
How long before 2.5" SSD "out-capacity" 2.5" HDDs in notebooks? If we are at 128GB now and we get a doubling every two years that is only 4 years before notebooks will hold 512GB and 6 years before they hold 1TB. I don't think there is any new HDD tech on the horizon that can compete with that. Any insights?
Agreed, and the truth is, SSD capacity doubling likely won't continue at a steady pace, but rather, expand progressively as prices drop and consumer demand increases at an accelerating rate.
I agree with solipsism and wobegon. It's time to drop the internal optical drive from the full notebook line. The MacBook Air has proven that internal optical disks are unneeded. I believe Steve has the vision and the guts to do it. Apple was the first computer company to drop the floppy drive. It was a good move.
I can assure you Steve does not have anything to do with it. He hires people who know much more about the area then him to make these decisions.
Down with the squares man!
The Jonas Brothers!?
You're kidding me? A little kiddo Disney band has sparked some of the rowdiest crowds around? That's rich. It does suck to imagine what they have to deal with in having that sort of attraction near their homes or businesses, but it is no different anywhere else performances are made.
I used to live next to Hampden Stadium in Glasgow. Hampden, the national stadium, is widely regarded as THE venue for artists to perform when they visit Scotland.
During my stay Eminem, Oasis, and U2 played there, as well as various American Football and soccer finals. There was never any trouble, and we were surprised that even although we only lived about 100 yards away, we could hardly hear the crowd.
The only trouble we had was when a pop concert aimed at teenage girls rolled in to town. The streets were packed with drunk teenage girls, fighting, screaming, passing out in the gutters. Literally tens of thousands of them. All screaming like they were being fried alive. Mass hysteria at the prospect of simply walking down the road.
We couldn't believe how much noise they were capable of generating. And the council couldn't believe how much litter and destruction they left in their wake.
And all for a glimpse of Darius Denesh's cock!
http://www.stars-masculines-nues.com/darius.jpg
I can assure you Steve does not have anything to do with it. He hires people who know much more about the area then him to make these decisions.
I've known Steve since before Apple Computer, Inc. Decisions like this are made by Steve and Steve alone. Steve listens to advice from those he hires, but he makes such decisions himself, sometimes to the consternation of employees.
As for the idea of leaving optical drives in some laptops, that is unlikely. Steve would conclude that those who need optical drives can either use an external drive or keep using an older laptop until they no longer need the optical drive. The transition will happen quickly when it happens. The MacBook Air may be the start of the transition or it may be an exception. I suspect the former.
The trouble is right at this moment an optical drive is the solution to several problems that currently don't have universally good and accepted solutions.
I have a MBA for about half a year now and although it felt weird to not have an optical drive, I'm not missing it any more.
- Nearly all software is downloadable from the internet
- I have 4Gb and 8Gb Usb sticks that take care of all my data distribution needs
- I don't want movies and lotsa music on my MBA cause the hard drive is too small (and that DOES annoy me a lot)
- and even if I am looking for something, I can buy/download it from the internet
I was also one of the early macintosh users. The feeling of not having a 5" floppy drive was kinda similar. But then I just thought it was cool, although, as an early adapter, it did not make my life easier. Now I just shrug. Hardly any inconvenience...
I agree with solipsism and wobegon. It's time to drop the internal optical drive from the full notebook line. The MacBook Air has proven that internal optical disks are unneeded.
ROTFLMAO! The only thing the MacBook Air has proven ... is that I don't want one. It's under-spec'd, overpriced, built for money is no object people/companies, where the person's daily use is probably more appropriate for the never released Palm Foleo. Most of these people would be better off with a $500 sub-notebook based on iPhone technology.
Stick a Blu-ray drive in my laptop please.
ROTFLMAO! The only thing the MacBook Air has proven ... is that I don't want one. It's under-spec'd, overpriced, built for money is no object people/companies, where the person's daily use is probably more appropriate for the never released Palm Foleo. Most of these people would be better off with a $500 sub-notebook based on iPhone technology.
Stick a Blu-ray drive in my laptop please.
You don't seem to understand the point of the MacBook Air. It's not trying to compete with the budget MacBook or the high-end MacBook Pro. It's in the emerging ultra-light category, where portability is more valuable than processing power to the customer. For what the Air is, it's not overpriced or underpowered compared to its ultra-light competition:
How the MacBook Air stacks up against other ultra-light notebooks
If someone wants something comparable to a sub-notebook, they're often better off going with an iPhone or iPod touch, mobile WiFi devices that do what they do well, rather than dealing with a sub-notebook's anemic performance, cramped keyboard, diminutive storage space, and claustrophobic screen. For "full size" tasks like typing text documents, organizing a digital photo album, managing a music collection, people can use a "full size" computer like the MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro.
You don't seem to understand the point of the MacBook Air. It's not trying to compete with the budget MacBook or the high-end MacBook Pro. It's in the emerging ultra-light category, where portability is more valuable than processing power to the customer. For what the Air is, it's not overpriced or underpowered compared to its ultra-light competition:
<chart>
How the MacBook Air stacks up against other ultra-light notebooks
If someone wants something comparable to a sub-notebook, they're often better off going with an iPhone or iPod touch, mobile WiFi devices that do what they do well, rather than dealing with a sub-notebook's anemic performance, cramped keyboard, diminutive storage space, and claustrophobic screen. For "full size" tasks like typing text documents, organizing a digital photo album, managing a music collection, people can use a "full size" computer like the MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro.
I'd save your breath. If after 7 months and copycats appearing?which just get worse with the new Intel chips being 22mm^2?there isn't anything you can do now to convince people that the machine isn't a breath-through just because it doesn't suit their needs.
For comparison the first MB had a 1.83GHz CD "Yonah" which wold be slower than than the Santa Rosa/Merom architecture in the MBA. Before that the PowerBook and iBook even more underpowered than the MBA but people still complain.
That chart is old. Since the MBA arrived there have been two companies have released competing notebooks using these exact same 22mm^2 1.6 and 1.8GHz Merom C2D chips. Besides using the same chip they also made the machine very thin, used a 13" display, and was only to put in a single platter 1.8" HDD. They also cost a more than the MBA. These are the Lenovo X300 and VooDoo 133.
Comparing the "Jonas Brothers" to the Beatles?.... ha, ha, ha. I don't think so!
The comparison was about the loud screaming little girls ? not the music
Skip
MacBook Pro? It doesn't even compete up to the level of the MacBook- did you not read the reviews? See MacWorld's please.
A friend of mine who has the Air and the Black MacBook confided to me Tuesday that the Air constantly freezes up when iChating.
I guess your specifications are for something ultralight be it slow and travel between classes- whatever.
I've read about the MBA having the freezing issues. I use mine constantly and at times, it does get quite warm on the lap but never has it locked up on me. I bought mine a couple months ago. Perhaps Apple made a production change to address it? I don't know.
And yes, I did read the MBA reviews. Just like I read movie-reviews, I take it with a grain of salt. I did a lot of research and examined many laptops (Windows/Apple) before I settled on the MBA. I don't believe my standards for an ultralight are low. The speed of my MBA is plenty-fast for what I use it for. I think with the technology and performance abilities available in modern laptops, people seemed to not understand that there is a price to be paid for high-performance machines such as heat and battery-consumption. Issues that the MBA I think address very well. If your needs don't go beyond Office apps, browsing, email, iTunes, minimal weight and high mobility, then the MBA is a perfect fit.
If your needs go beyond that such as video-editing, games, or a more permanent desktop replacement then go with the other models. In my case, I have my Mac Pro desktop to take care of business when I'm at home. I have no desire to use a laptop as a desktop replacement or to play videogames on it. However, I do understand that other people do look for those features in a laptop. That is what it MBP is for.
Just because it's not appropriate for you, it doesn't mean it's not appropriate for other users. We just have different requirements just as you do. Obviously it must be selling well and filling a niche since Apple is going to continuing it in its product lineup.
Go Apple!
I agree with solipsism and wobegon. It's time to drop the internal optical drive from the full notebook line. The MacBook Air has proven that internal optical disks are unneeded. I believe Steve has the vision and the guts to do it. Apple was the first computer company to drop the floppy drive. It was a good move.
Why drop it? I'm still using an Apple G3 Pismo PowerBook (cirra 2000) that has a removable CD/DVD-rom drive. In it's place, I can place a second battery to extend battery run time for the time that I won't be needing a CD/DVD-rom drive. Or leave it empty to save on weight.
But I guess having a removable drive no longer fits into Apple sleek design form factor.
I have a MBA for about half a year now and although it felt weird to not have an optical drive, I'm not missing it any more.
......
My wife has had an MBA since the day it came out. I insisted that she get the external optical drive. And, she has so far used it exactly zero times.
Could have used that $99 for something else.....
Obviously it must be selling well and filling a niche since Apple is going to continuing it in its product lineup.
As well as others copying the design right down to the chipset, screen size, and 1.8" HDD.
Why drop it? I'm still using an Apple G3 Pismo PowerBook (cirra 2000) that has a removable CD/DVD-rom drive. In it's place, I can place a second battery to extend battery run time for the time that I won't be needing a CD/DVD-rom drive. Or leave it empty to save on weight.
But I guess having a removable drive no longer fits into Apple sleek design form factor.
It takes up a lot of room for how much it gets used. The size and fact that it has to be on an edge of the case constricts the engineering options available. If they do remove the optical drive I see four possible scenarios:
....• They offer a restore DVD and offer the Air's external optical drive as an option.
....• They offer a restore DVD and offer the Air's external optical drive included with purchase.
....• They do what Dell and HP do with their low-end system's restore software: they put it on a hidden HDD partition and give you a jewel case-sized leaflet that tells you should use the supplied software to burn it to a DVD. (This takes up too much space)
....• The replace the DVD with a specialised USB flash keychain drive. (Since it would require a 16GB drive this is cost prohibitive)
PS: When doing some minor research I found this 8GB flash keychain drive from less than 4 years being sold for $1800.PPS: DavidW, how often do you use your optical drive?
My wife has had an MBA since the day it came out. I insisted that she get the external optical drive. And, she has so far used it exactly zero times.
Could have used that $99 for something else.....
I've used my external CD for my MBA only a few times. It was to load VMware/XP and the one Windows-only development app from IBM that obviously is not available for download.
My previous laptop was a Sony Vaio S360P which I loved up until a burning aroma began escaping from the fan exhaust. I used the CD in that machine maybe 5 times in the three years I've owned it.
I don't miss an internal CD drive at all. It's a waste of space in today's Internet-downloading environment and USB memory-stick world. The less mechanical items in a laptop, the better.
Next on Jobs' hit-list: Mechanical hard drives. It's not "if" but "when".
I think Apple should consider sponsoring a major music venue. Put their name and logo on an amphitheater in a major city, and sponsor major music concerts there.
http://www.ituneslive.co.uk/
I don't miss an internal CD drive at all. It's a waste of space in today's Internet-downloading environment and USB memory-stick world. The less mechanical items in a laptop, the better.
There is still a large part of the world that doesn't have fast enough internet connections to warrant this
There is still a large part of the world that doesn't have fast enough internet connections to warrant this
He the poster you replied to stated, there is a USB sticks, There is also external optical drives but I think, mpst importantly, Apple thinks about the high-end US market first. Its Bread and Butter in Mac sales.
There is still a large part of the world that doesn't have fast enough internet connections to warrant this
That's why they still offer a CD option. It's just in an external format. I bought the MBA's external CD because certain business software only comes on CD. After I loaded them, the CD-drive went back in the original case and closed the cabinet door. I'll only use it again should I have to reload the OS or WinXP for whatever reason.
That's why they still offer a CD option. It's just in an external format. I bought the MBA's external CD because certain business software only comes on CD. After I loaded them, the CD-drive went back in the original case and closed the cabinet door. I'll only use it again should I have to reload the OS or WinXP for whatever reason.
Don't forget about Remote Disc.
While Jobs wants to kill off disc media, this would actually help the Apple TV battle the fledgeling Blu-ray format. The Apple TV would only support DVDs, which most people have large collections of and don't want to 1) buy all of over again in digital form from iTunes, nor 2) do they know how to or see the benefits of ripping their DVD collection to digital for viewing on their Apple TV, nor 3) do they have much interest in buying a far more expensive Blu-ray player and similarly pricey BD movies, in addition to a buying a new HDTV large enough to see a major difference. Doing this would also let people use the Apple TV's very intuitive interface, as opposed to the average DVD player they may already have.