All MBPs will lose optical drive within a few months

[weenerdog]

I like the OP's thinking. Maybe a tad elaborate in your 'jump to conclusions' style of reasoning but I think you have some good ideas.

I'd just like to add that I think with the introduction of the Mac App Store, Apple is pushing to eliminate optical media more than ever. People won't need CD's for installing software like iLife etc. because they can buy and download applications straight to their "Launchpad" (OSX Lion). They won't need DVD's because watching movies in HD is easy with iTunes, and now that Mac OSX comes on a pen drive, why do we need CD's!

Apple has been working for the past year to make the optical drive redundant and now they're gearing up for their 'next generation' of optical free notebooks.

I hope.

 

[Eddyisgreat]

Apple can't sell OS X as a platform with iLife,iWork, Aperture , Logic and Final Cut. Maybe Logic and Final Cut, but still. There is lots of other software out there with no solid distro method that still need to be considered.

 

[robanga]

I doubt it will happen next year, but its going away On to the diskless future.

 

[Gen]

We got a few years left with optical drives for the main lines of laptops for Apple

 

[iTattoo]

I like the OP's thinking. Maybe a tad elaborate in your 'jump to conclusions' style of reasoning but I think you have some good ideas.

I'd just like to add that I think with the introduction of the Mac App Store, Apple is pushing to eliminate optical media more than ever. People won't need CD's for installing software like iLife etc. because they can buy and download applications straight to their "Launchpad" (OSX Lion). They won't need DVD's because watching movies in HD is easy with iTunes, and now that Mac OSX comes on a pen drive, why do we need CD's!

Apple has been working for the past year to make the optical drive redundant and now they're gearing up for their 'next generation' of optical free notebooks.

I hope.

+1

I can see where the OP is going with this and it doesn't mean that the optical drive has to go away. The external is now $79 and with mass production it may go cheaper. Maybe even included in the purchase price. The vast majority only use the optical drive a few time a year. The drive could sit in the cupboard along with all the software titles and just get used for the few occurrences where it's needed and the rest of the time we are either carrying around a better spec'd laptop or a lighter one.

 

[DVD9]

+1
The external is now $79 and with mass production it may go cheaper. Maybe even included in the purchase price. The vast majority only use the optical drive a few time a year. The drive could sit in the cupboard along with all the software titles and just get used for the few occurrences where it's needed and the rest of the time we are either carrying around a better spec'd laptop or a lighter one.

You can order an external drive for less than $33, which means Apple can buy them for $15 each and include it in the box.

And once Apple drops the drive, what happens to all the software at Wal-Mart, BestBuy, Staples, music stores, etc...? That just magically disappears?

They sell software? I really didn't know.

I do know that only some Best Buy stores sell Apple computers, and Wal-Mart and Staples do not.

 

[KingYaba]

Dropping the optical drive is pretty stupid. Knowing Apple they won't let customers choose. If anything, I would have the Pro line be configurable. I would let people choose a 2nd battery or an optical drive. I would let people choose a matted screen versus glossy and choose the optional BluRay drive.

 

[Jaro65]

I also hope that the next revision of MBP will get away with the built-in optical drives. I replaced my SuperDrive with another HD and I couldn't really be happier. If I do need to use a CD or DVD, which still does happen (though rarely), I'll just connect one to a USB port. Apple could remove the SuperDrive and use the substantial empty space to: 1) provide a space for additional HD/SSD bay, and 2) to increase the battery capacity. The external SuperDrive would obviously still be offered either as part of the package or for a "nominal" fee. To many of us this would likely be the most welcome change. ...And obviously to some not so much.

 

[drjsway]

I'd just like to add that I think with the introduction of the Mac App Store, Apple is pushing to eliminate optical media more than ever. People won't need CD's for installing software like iLife etc. because they can buy and download applications straight to their "Launchpad" (OSX Lion). They won't need DVD's because watching movies in HD is easy with iTunes, and now that Mac OSX comes on a pen drive, why do we need CD's!

Good point. Didn't think about the Mac App Store. It was introduced as a Lion feature yet they're rushing it out in less than 90 days. I wonder why? Could it be to coincide with the release of the new disc-less MBPs?

This isn't like when the floppy drive got left off for the optical drive. There's nothing to replace it yet. Not cheaply or securely anyway...

CD distribution is cheap compared to a flash drive and I think you'd find a public unwilling to download every major program they need from the internet due to security scares and backup concerns. Most of us here regularly rely on the cloud, but Ma and Pa need that disc, at least for the next couple of years.

There is something to replace it: digital downloads. There are over 100 million iOS users who are willing to download every major program they need from the app store. Backup concerns? Everything is available on the cloud anytime you want it.

Plus, if you want an external SuperDrive, make it an $39 option. Why would anyone want to carry around a bulky SuperDrive 100% of the time, when it's only useful rarely and give up longer battery life/weight, something that's useful every day you use the machine.

Besides, Adobe Flash is something most people still need to view half the video on the internet and Apple had no problems refusing to support it. Jobs has always said he never listens to the consumers because they "don't know what they want or need." and Apple has always tried to force the industry to abandon technology before they're ready. I don't understand why this is so hard to believe.

 

[Tilpots]

I don't understand why this is so hard to believe.

Most people are agreeing with you on the death knell of the optical drive, myself included. What I find hard to believe is your timeline. Its unrealistic, at best, for the next update to drop the drive completely. Maybe an option, but it wont be gone altogether as you suggest.

 

[CandyCane23049]

If Apple was to drop the optical drive in the future, then I couldn't see myself getting a Mac in the future. I still use mine for watching movies and for my classes.

We have a tiny Mac lab in my school but I never seen anyone in there and I've only seen a couple of people with Macs all together in my school, everything about my college is all Windows base.

Sure I use itunes to download things but I still like having the disc or Blu-rays on my shelf as well but I guess that's just me.

 

[alphaod]

You bet on your life?

 

[drjsway]

Most people are agreeing with you on the death knell of the optical drive, myself included. What I find hard to believe is your timeline. Its unrealistic, at best, for the next update to drop the drive completely. Maybe an option, but it wont be gone altogether as you suggest.

I think it all adds up:

1. Better battery tests suggests they will be making a huge leap in battery life.
2. Mac App Store in January.
3. Marketing of MBA as "the next generation of MacBooks"

Sure I use itunes to download things but I still like having the disc or Blu-rays on my shelf as well but I guess that's just me.

It's 2010. Who still watches standard definition DVDs? Blu-ray is another story but Apple doesn't support blu-ray anyway.

 

[CandyCane23049]

I think it all adds up:

1. Better battery tests suggests they will be making a huge leap in battery life.
2. Mac App Store in January.
3. Marketing of MBA as "the next generation of MacBooks"



It's 2010. Who still watches standard definition DVDs? Blu-ray is another story but Apple doesn't support blu-ray anyway.

I still do because I wasn't going to re-buy every movie I own in Blu-ray plus one of the TV shows I collect is not on Blu-Ray yet.

I don't own a Mac now but I was thinking about getting one in the future, if they were to drop it I couldn't see myself getting one unless my habits change via school or how I watch my movies.

 

[1BadMac]

I'm surprised to see that the Air takes a pretty significant hit when doing more than just glorified word processing. Proportionally, the battery hit is substantially more per the article you referenced for both Airs when compared with the Pro's. I'm curious as to why that is? With no backlit keyboard and a supposedly more efficient processor, I would expect the hit to be less.

Still respectable when compared to the last gen Air.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/3991/apples-2010-macbook-air-11-13inch-reviewed/9

 

[iTattoo]

Good point. Didn't think about the Mac App Store. It was introduced as a Lion feature yet they're rushing it out in less than 90 days. .. (snip) ... I don't understand why this is so hard to believe.

Well this debate will come to an end soon enough. All indications are that the MBP will be updated just after Sandy Bridge (hopefully not 2 1/2 months later like last years refresh). We should know in the next 90 plus days.

I personally hope the high end MBPs go with a combination of the Air flash and a large HDD similar in concept to the high end iMac. I think the writing is on the wall for this based on Jobs comments and the path they have started down.

 

[1BadMac]

It's 2010. Who still watches standard definition DVDs? Blu-ray is another story but Apple doesn't support blu-ray anyway.

Actually, I do. I bought into both formats as well, but I have to say that I am not THAT impressed with either. Have an XBOX 360 with HD-DVD. Have a stand alone Toshiba HD-DVD player. And have a PS3 w/ Blu Ray. I think I have a total of 15 HD-DVD / Blu Ray discs. Yes, they are better, higher resolution, but the streaming HD I've been watching over XBox and iTunes suits me just fine.

For one - I can't see paying $25-30 per movie. For a while, Best Buy was doing $9.99 - $12.99 new releases on standard DVD. Considering I tend to watch a movie once, then shelve it - I didn't want to continue sinking money into the media when I could stream it.

 

[firestarter]

I'd say 50% chance of the optical drive going in the next rev.

The external is really small and light. For the amount of use an optical gets in a laptop (not very much) it makes sense to make the laptop smaller/lighter and carry the external separately.

 

[Bluisnblklungs]

I have to agree with the OP, Apple will be dropping the disc drive in the next revision at least for the MacBook family. Though I see them "dropping in" a Super Drive (in the box) for the first revision or two, but not after that. Just like Apple has done with Docks, Remotes, ect.

 

[revelated]

It's 2010. Who still watches standard definition DVDs?

I do. Many TV season boxsets are not available in Blu-ray. Even if they were, the quality factor is not enough to justify the price premium (often twice the price of the DVD. A good example of this is Smallville).

I admit, I do not use my MacBook Pro to watch many DVDs. It's not for lack of trying - I just can't stand the sound of the drive when it pulls the disk in. It's loud and sounds quite clunky, and the noise irritates me. However I want to have the optical drive available in the limited instances I do want to use it, and I don't want it to be an external accessory. Slot load was a good start. They can slim up the drive mechanism itself which gives the same effective benefit.

 

[drjsway]

I still do because I wasn't going to re-buy every movie I own in Blu-ray plus one of the TV shows I collect is not on Blu-Ray yet.

Why not rip your DVDs to hard drive? That way, you always have them.

I do. Many TV season boxsets are not available in Blu-ray. Even if they were, the quality factor is not enough to justify the price premium (often twice the price of the DVD. A good example of this is Smallville).

So you think blu-ray doesn't justify the price premium. Why not buy from iTunes? Much more convenient, no discs, same price or cheaper, and you always have your media with you.

The bottom line is, there are better, more convenient, and cheaper ways to consume media or install software. For those people who still prefer DVDs, a light external SuperDrive would be an terrific option.

Since the majority of people do not use their drive on a regular basis (some people, not at all), it makes no sense to build it into the laptop anymore when that space could be used for something more useful.

Apple knows all this and all the evidence point to the optical drive being removed. As far as betting? I would take a wager from anyone on this board.

 

[Euki]

I totally agree with you drjsway, and I hope you are correct. This is one of the reasons I'm holding off till the next revision. If I need an optical drive, I'll borrow it from my iMac. I don't want to carry an optical drive with me everywhere I go since I hardly ever use it. (I'm a creative professional and am down with the optical drive-less MBPs! Get rid of it!)

 

[CandyCane23049]

Why not rip your DVDs to hard drive? That way, you always have them.



So you think blu-ray doesn't justify the price premium. Why not buy from iTunes? Much more convenient, no discs, same price or cheaper, and you always have your media with you.

The bottom line is, there are better, more convenient, and cheaper ways to consume media or install software. For those people who still prefer DVDs, a light external SuperDrive would be an terrific option.

Since the majority of people do not use their drive on a regular basis (some people, not at all), it makes no sense to build it into the laptop anymore when that space could be used for something more useful.

Apple knows all this and all the evidence point to the optical drive being removed. As far as betting? I would take a wager from anyone on this board.

I like having them on my shelve and as far as I know all the extra features you get on a DVD/Blu-ray are not the same as itunes and + that will just take up so much space to me. Also I don't want my nieces touching my laptop at all.

Plus I still need it for my classes, the less I carry the better. My book bag is already too heavy and I just don't want to worry about another extra thing to carry with me.

 

[Jiten]

Apple won't be doing this for another few years.

A MBP13 without an optical drive is pretty much a MBA. The MBA will not sell as well as the MBA13.

The Air has the advantages of light weight and small foot print, something even the 13 MBP does not have. If the 1.4 Ghz 11 inch Air is selling like hotcakes this is an indication that means lots of customers are willing to sacrifice power for ultra portability.

 

[Blues003]

I certainly am hoping that the MBP loses the Optical Drive. Here's why I think it might happen:

- OS X can be distributed via Flash Drives (as is done with the MBA already).

- iTunes or other services are not only cheaper than buying physical media, but also more convenient, faster (you do not need to exit the house), and reliable (you do not have to deal with possibly faulty products).

- Mac Store will be an incredible center for all your Mac Software Needs. Most manufacturers of external devices also have the software they give via CD/DVD available for Download on their websites.

- Jobs pointed out 'No Optical Drive' on his last presentation, referring to 'No Optical Drive' and 'No Hard Drive' as the future of laptops.

- An external reader is light, easy to carry, and cheap. Not to mention it could also support Blu-Ray (something the current SuperDrive doesn't).


Removing the ODD could mean not only a bigger battery, but also a dedicated GPU in the lower models. Coupled with Sandy Bridge, that'd mean a 13'' MBP with a VERY attractive iX CPU price-wise, USB 3.0, a dedicated GPU (most likely NVIDIA) for the most graphic-intensive tasks, and even longer battery life.