Apple Finishing Up Work on an Ultra-Thin 15" Notebook
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I'd have to say, these are pretty sensible. Nothing too "far out" and nothing out of place honestly. Time frame look about right also. I would say 1TB SSD within a year/year half... I think I'd be crazy to say that won't happen. Sounds about right with current speed of things. Who knows, maybe 2TB will be out early 2013. I'm just curious as to whether they'll pair the SSD up with a traditional HDD. Not sure if they'll have space, probably not, if discrete are included which I would 100% turn down a secondary hdd for discrete graphics.
Rocketman
macrumors 603
Optical storage served a purpose. They provided low cost storage in an era with 1gb HD's. Now that 500gb is both common and cheap, optical only serves as sneakernet along with 16gb USB drives or retail sale for luddites and the internet unconnected.
The moment "physical send" media dealers start sending folks 5-10 titles per USB stick, DVD's and Blu-Ray will be dead. Why have 10 discs when one will do? If you say that CD's, DVD's and BR have security, so does a file on a stick with its own style of security.
Streaming sucks and always will so long as somewhat major local save is not allowed, like 25-100% I claim. I have a "fast DSL" connection at two places where I play Youtube and Apple website videos that are choppy and lossy on playing.
I watched TV in 1964 and never once saw a hiccup in audio or video. The picture had noise, but I never missed any content unlike the very latest Apple public event video over their website at the lowest available resolution over "fast" DSL.
Streaming sucks. Files rock. ATV 1 forever!
Rocketman
The moment "physical send" media dealers start sending folks 5-10 titles per USB stick, DVD's and Blu-Ray will be dead. Why have 10 discs when one will do? If you say that CD's, DVD's and BR have security, so does a file on a stick with its own style of security.
Streaming sucks and always will so long as somewhat major local save is not allowed, like 25-100% I claim. I have a "fast DSL" connection at two places where I play Youtube and Apple website videos that are choppy and lossy on playing.
I watched TV in 1964 and never once saw a hiccup in audio or video. The picture had noise, but I never missed any content unlike the very latest Apple public event video over their website at the lowest available resolution over "fast" DSL.
Streaming sucks. Files rock. ATV 1 forever!
Rocketman
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I agree - I use my ODD *several* times / week, to rip CDs, distribute photos to relatives who are not tech-savvy, etc. Unless Apple plans to offer *lossless* downloads (i.e., full CD-quality) for the same price as my several-thousand-CD collection - or for free, since I already own the media
- I can't see ditching the ODD :/And having an external, attached drive isn't really the same - not very convenient, for sure
MattInOz
macrumors 68030
By the sounds of the earning calls most of the mac growth this quarter and recent years has come from laptops. It that case it makes sense to add options as they become reasonable then let the market decide. A 15" Air like laptop would seem to be a good next step.
Drop the optical add SSD boot drive over laid on the main board maybe keep 2.5inch drive slot. Slim it down as much as that allows. Sounds like there is plenty of scope for a distinctly different model there.
If the market doesn't vote with their wallets then Apple made a bad call.
If the market goes whole hog for the new one then at that point the old one gets killed. If the market for the old one stays good the the new one expands sales then Apple are double winners.
Make no mistake that is the only market opinion Apple really cares about is the one cash.
pawelthegreat
macrumors member
That would be one sexy beast.
However, I heavily rely on optical discs for about 2 more years until I get an HDTV with an Apple TV. Speaking of which, I am very excited about the AppleTV's next refresh. No major revisions for sure but lack of rumors for it hopefully does not mean Apple is not investing some time into it.
However, I heavily rely on optical discs for about 2 more years until I get an HDTV with an Apple TV. Speaking of which, I am very excited about the AppleTV's next refresh. No major revisions for sure but lack of rumors for it hopefully does not mean Apple is not investing some time into it.
adder7712
macrumors 68000
I don't particularly care about an OD as I managed to live an entire month without touching the OD. If I ever need to install Windows, I can just simply use the OD of another PC or buy a cheap external. I got most of my games on Steam anyway.
But, I really hope this is a 15" Air. Since the "Pro" nature of the MacBook Pro, it might warrant an OD.
But, Ethernet port pl0x, I got a measly 1 bar of Wi-Fi in my room and I don't want to rely on USB tat for everything.
But, I really hope this is a 15" Air. Since the "Pro" nature of the MacBook Pro, it might warrant an OD.
But, Ethernet port pl0x, I got a measly 1 bar of Wi-Fi in my room
and I don't want to rely on USB tat for everything.I think it is a great idea. nobody uses optical drives anymore. But I really need my ethernet port
Says you. Don't assume the same for everyone. There are plenty of people who still get their contents from discs.
All this talk of streaming content from the internet and storing it on HDD is great until ISPs start to cap their download and their HDDs crash or get stolen. It's then that folks wish they have their good old plastic discs.
fried-gold
macrumors member
Unless Apple plans to offer *lossless* downloads (i.e., full CD-quality) for the same price as my several-thousand-CD collection - or for free, since I already own the media
Unless your hulking something like this http://www.headphone.com/headphone-amps/headroom-desktop-amp.php around with your laptop I wouldn't worry too much about lossless format. There is so much electrical noise in a MBP 'cos everything is all squished up. Enjoy your CDs on your separates and stream music on your MBPAir.
adder7712
macrumors 68000
I just don't get the MR community. Why does everyone laude the removal of the SuperDrive? I would still want it even if it's rarely used, it's less of a fuss to plug-in a USB CD/DVD drive.
Plus, I don't see why you would thumb down comments that are against Apple's crusade on DVD drives, ever heard of opinions?
Plus, I don't see why you would thumb down comments that are against Apple's crusade on DVD drives, ever heard of opinions?
Oh, I have a complete home stereo setup where I use the lossless rips - but it doesn't have a CD ripper, because I don't want to sit in one place and feed CDs. Much easier for me to sit in my easy chair (or out by the pool or . . . ) and do the rips there, then transfer the ripped files to the server.
My partner and I both use our MacBooks to rip - it would be a shame to lose that ease-of-use. And since I still have a couple thousand CDs to go
it may be a while before I'm willing to lose the ODD.pancakedrawer
macrumors regular
Design your own macbook
I think you could be on to something here. A range of 'Macbooks'. 11", 13", 15" and 17" shells. Processor, graphics, SSD size, monitor resolution/DPI and RAM options that mean you could have 'Pro' or 'Air' specs within the same shell.
I think Apple would still have their standard configurations to keep the costs down but people could do away with those 'outdated' peripheral forms of shopping such as in stores, and order online with a range of customisations and price/power points.
I think you could be on to something here. A range of 'Macbooks'. 11", 13", 15" and 17" shells. Processor, graphics, SSD size, monitor resolution/DPI and RAM options that mean you could have 'Pro' or 'Air' specs within the same shell.
I think Apple would still have their standard configurations to keep the costs down but people could do away with those 'outdated' peripheral forms of shopping such as in stores, and order online with a range of customisations and price/power points.
CodeSpyder
macrumors 68000
Let's hope that they come out with an external thunderbolt optical drive with major read/write speed.
Eidorian
macrumors Penryn
Even with x22/24 speeds, you are still talking about USB 2.0 saturation at best.
I do not really have any complaints about removing optical drives. I would rather use that space for better CPU (cooling) and/or a discrete GPU. I wish something like the ASUS G74, better yet the ENVY 17, would just shave that weight off and leave the optical drive as an external.
adder7712
macrumors 68000
No, a stand-alone Thunderbolt docking station with everything (Ethernet, MDP/HDMI, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, Firewire etc.).
I just don't get the MR community. Why does everyone laude the removal of the SuperDrive? I would still want it even if it's rarely used, it's less of a fuss to plug-in a USB CD/DVD drive.
Plus, I don't see why you would thumb down comments that are against Apple's crusade on DVD drives, ever heard of opinions?
No Optical Drive = Better GPU, battery, design, +++
SamIchi
macrumors 68030
Considering they has Airs, MacBook, and MacBook pros for about 2 years I don't this is too many models, but I would agree that they probably won't do that.
Vantage Point
macrumors 65816
If this is a new 15" MA then great. If this is the replacement for the 15" MBP then I will move back to Windows where I have some options. I want a large HDD drive, possibly two, and still use the DVD drive, several times just today. I don't need to drop a pound and and a 1/4 inch to have a trendy looking device, I am can handle the weight, really easily.
Also, I hope they keep both regular and high resolution 15" since I can only use the regular resolution. The high res hurts my eyes and is unusable. I had a 27" iMac and had to sell it due to severe eye strain. Apple can't design products based mostly on looks and for those with youthful eyes unless they are fine with losing their older market.
Let there be choice!!!!
Also, I hope they keep both regular and high resolution 15" since I can only use the regular resolution. The high res hurts my eyes and is unusable. I had a 27" iMac and had to sell it due to severe eye strain. Apple can't design products based mostly on looks and for those with youthful eyes unless they are fine with losing their older market.
Let there be choice!!!!
gnasher729
Suspended
No problem, but not the way you describe it.
Thunderbolt doesn't allow transmitting Firewire or USB data, but it gives direct access to the PCI Express bus in the computer. So any ports _inside_ the computer would be useless for this. However, a clever designer could take all the stuff that makes a Firewire PCI Express card, and all the stuff that makes a USB 3.0 PCI Express card, make it small enough to fit into a hub, and then build a hub that connects to the computer via Thunderbolt and has one or more Firewire and one or more USB 3.0 ports.
So basically you can't use Thunderbolt to access hardware that is already inside the computer, but anything that you could do with a PCI Express card inside a MacPro or other desktop computer you can do in a box that connects to the computer via Thunderbolt.
And since I still have a couple thousand CDs to go
Having an MBP _with_ internal drive, if I had a couple thousand CDs I would buy a cheap external drive to avoid wearing the internal one out, and to get a higher speed. (I used to rip CDs uncompressed for maximum speed, then compress them overnight).
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!¡ V ¡!
macrumors 6502a
I suspect that those University and College book publishers should offer an iTunes U option able to be retrieved via a unique code contained within the book.
Most cars now comes with AUX and USB Port either options or standard equipment with the CD Player. Its a transition method that is all. All my music CD have been ripped and are on HDD and USB key rather convent to take that USB key and plug it directly into my car Audio USB port or Home/Work Stereo system with a USB port.
Scratched too many CD in the car back in the day and the old iPod HDD use to take a while to start-up during very cold conditions. Yes, I should bring the thing indoor during winter however with my USB key I do not have such problems.
Fine removed the ODD, however is
going to stick more mSata Blade SSD sticks or are they just going to make it thin for the sake of being thin and light, or maybe a bigger battery. Who knows?