Apple Retail Stores to Use Local Mac Pro Servers to Distribute Lion to Customers?

[MacRumors]

Earlier this month, it was reported that Apple might be inviting customers into its retail stores to download OS X Lion when it launches, offering users with no or limited broadband access a means of acquiring the new operating system.

In addition to hard drives containing OS X Lion for installation on store computers, some of Apple's retail stores are also reportedly receiving new maxed-out Mac Pro machines, according to 9 to 5 Mac. The report speculates that the Mac Pro machines may be used for local caching of Lion for delivery to customers coming into the store to purchase the new operating system from the Mac App Store.

Furthermore we've heard rumblings that some stores will be receiving maxed out Mac Pro towers to be used as Lion distribution caching centers (speculation here). Some believe that these stations would allow customers to purchase Lion (3.5GB) from the Mac App store and download it directly from the store server in minutes rather than hours it takes over a normal broadband connection.

The new hard drives containing Lion have also been said to contain three separate versions: Normal, Pro, and Joint Venture. The different versions would be installed on various machines throughout the stores based on their roles within the store layout. Basic machines would presumably receive the Normal version, while higher-end machines showing off more advanced apps would receive the Pro version. The Joint Venture install would presumably be reserved for those machines utilized by the program of the same name, which focuses on businesses.

Article Link: Apple Retail Stores to Use Local Mac Pro Servers to Distribute Lion to Customers?

 

[King Flamez1]

I'm thinking of going to my local Apple Store just to use the maxed out Mac Pros

 

[KALLT]

In my opinion, this is a meagre solution for a problem that we should not have in the first place. Just offer copies on DVDs and let customers decide what works out for them. They should be encouraged to buy Lion via the App Store, not forced.

 

[Cougarcat]

9to5Mac: Stations for Downloading lion at the apple store (rumor)

From 9to5Mac:

We’ve heard rumblings that some stores will be receiving maxed out Mac Pro towers to be used as Lion distribution caching centers (speculation here). Some believe that these stations would allow customers to purchase Lion (3.5GB) from the Mac App store and download it directly from the store server in minutes rather than hours it takes over a normal broadband connection.

MacOS X Server and internal builds of Time Capsule allow for Software Update Caching, so this is certainly something within Apple’s capabilities.

This would certainly alleviate some of the download-only concerns about Lion, if true. Guess we'll find out tomorrow.

Edit: Please delete, discussion is here.

 

[Rocketman]

I'll bet you a buck Apple offers slightly higher priced DVD's. I further suspect they will wait for 10.7.1 to address at least one layer of bug fixes before they add physical distribution to the mix. I feel based on public feedback to date some users actually "need" physical distribution and I suspect Apple knows that and wants to wait until a known good master exists for that.

Rocketman

 

[Daguerratype]

I'm thinking of going to my local Apple Store just to use the maxed out Mac Pros

You won't actually get to use the maxed out Mac Pro, it will just be server tucked in the back somewhere of the store that delivers the update. I used to work at the West 14th Street store (in NYC) and helped set up the system of using a Mac Server to re-image computers in the store. Before that imaging the machines one at a time for a firewire Hard Drive was how it was done for every machine in the store.

 

[roadbloc]

Not a bad idea if this rumour is a reality. However them with iMacs and Mac Pro's are pretty screwed. The ability just to burn the install to a DVD at a store would be preferred.

The 4GB download is the only thing stopping me from upgrading. My internet simply will not be able to take it.

 

[Tucom]

The new hard drives containing Lion have also been said to contain three separate versions: Normal, Pro, and Joint Venture. The different versions would be installed on various machines throughout the stores based on their roles within the store layout. Basic machines would presumably receive the Normal version, while higher-end machines showing off more advanced apps would receive the Pro version. The Joint Venture install would presumably be reserved for those machines utilized by the program of the same name which focuses on businesses.

Wait is this like Windows 7 Home Premium Business, and Ultimate

What do "Normal, Pro, and Joint Venture" mean?

Anyone know?

 

[ericmooreart]

A nice gesture, but a patch work solution at best. Just sell a 39.99 dvd

 

[Mrguidogenio]

Wonderful!
Oh wait, in Argentina there are no Apple Store and My Internet Connection is about 1 Mb.
Thanks you, Apple

 

[Laird Knox]

Wait is this like Windows 7 Home Premium Business, and Ultimate

What do "Normal, Pro, and Joint Venture" mean?

Anyone know?

I don't believe it refers to retail versions. Just different versions used to image the various workstation within the store. For example the pro version probably has Final Cut and similar software in the image.

 

[baryon]

Wait is this like Windows 7 Home Premium Business, and Ultimate

What do "Normal, Pro, and Joint Venture" mean?

Anyone know?

No, all it means that the hard drives come with demo stuff in addition to Lion, such as iPhoto libraries, Apps, and the "Screen Saver" demo that Apple has on their store machines that show demos of stuff.

On a MacBook Air you won't expect to see a demo of Photoshop, but rather iPhoto. And on a Mac Pro you'd probably want to see demos os hardcore apps, not just photos of dogs and stuff.

 

[Battlefield Fan]

Conversation at Apple, "So rather than distrubute Lion on DVD we are going to spend $3 million on over 300 maxed out Mac Pros."

 

[adamtouzani1996]

Wait is this like Windows 7 Home Premium Business, and Ultimate

What do "Normal, Pro, and Joint Venture" mean?

Anyone know?

As the article tells, these will only be installed in the Retail Store computers. For example, the "Normal" one might be installed in MacBooks, which usually are only used for simple tasks, such as web browsing. But the "Pro" version might be installed in MacBook Pros which can run higher-end apps such as Final Cut Pro (not that it is still professional; seems like as if it should be called iMovie Pro). "Joint Venture" is a program Apple offers for businesses, and the retail stores might install it in certain computers so they can show how macs can help peoples' businesses.

The version customers are going to get is the same as everyone.

Hope this help

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

I'll bet you a buck Apple offers slightly higher priced DVD's. I further suspect they will wait for 10.7.1 to address at least one layer of bug fixes before they add physical distribution to the mix. I feel based on public feedback to date some users actually "need" physical distribution and I suspect Apple knows that and wants to wait until a known good master exists for that.

Rocketman

That would make sense. The people who don't upgrade their OS until a year after it comes out aught to get 10.7.3 on their install disk or so (it seems like it takes Apple that many versions to actually iron out every bug.)

 

[cms2]

No, all it means that the hard drives come with demo stuff in addition to Lion, such as iPhoto libraries, Apps, and the "Screen Saver" demo that Apple has on their store machines that show demos of stuff.

On a MacBook Air you won't expect to see a demo of Photoshop, but rather iPhoto. And on a Mac Pro you'd probably want to see demos os hardcore apps, not just photos of dogs and stuff.

This is my interpretation as well. My, Mac people get jumpy close to a major release! I should know, I'm one of them...

 

[Rapscallion]

I have to cross the border into the USA to go to the nearest apple store and I'm not even sure I’d be getting the correct version for my country or not; this is almost convenient but not quite, Apple should give us a choice to download the software only and/or purchase a hard copy if we wish.

 

[pdjudd]

Conversation at Apple, "So rather than distrubute Lion on DVD we are going to spend $3 million on over 300 maxed out Mac Pros."

Considering they are probably internal assets, its probably much cheaper than that. Not to mention that DVD production is not a Zero Cost venture.

 

[pdjudd]

I have to cross the border into the USA to go to the nearest apple store and I'm not even sure I’d be getting the correct version for my country or not; this is almost convenient but not quite, Apple should give us a choice to download the software only and/or purchase a hard copy if we wish.

The version is the same globally - there has never been different versions for different countries.

 

[xgman]

They also said something about 3 images. What would be the difference between the "Pro" and "Normal" Lion installs?

 

[mrapplegate]

They also said something about 3 images. What would be the difference between the "Pro" and "Normal" Lion installs?

The addition of the server could make it a "Pro" install.

 

[Battlefield Fan]

Considering they are probably internal assets, its probably much cheaper than that. Not to mention that DVD production is not a Zero Cost venture.

A DVD can be had for a couple of cents these days. To mass produce these coppies can be made in the cost of the software. You think they don't include that in the factor of figuring out how much to charge?

Apple employees only get a 30% discount which more than likely represents all profit made. Thats still OVER $2.1 million spent...

 

[TMay]

I see a flash drive in the future

Considering they are probably internal assets, its probably much cheaper than that. Not to mention that DVD production is not a Zero Cost venture.

Given the choice, I would prefer a flashdrive vs a DVD and either over my meager 2.5 mb/s connection, and Apple could crank those out at low cost, albeit they would be a bit more than a DVD.

Here' hoping.

 

[the8thark]

A nice gesture, but a patch work solution at best. Just sell a 39.99 dvd

Apple removed the Floppy drive and people complained but today we are glad they did. Apple is now moving all their software to the App Store. And people are complaining. But I'm sure in a few years we'll all look back and be glad Apple made this move.

Personally I'm glad Apple made the move. Even with my POS internet.

1. It's very green. No world resources and extra cost wasted on the media and packaging.
2. Less chance of a day zero update needed. Cause the time between release version shipped and ready for sale is now zero.
3. Apple does not have to worry about shipping. So it can be released when it's ready and not have to worry about shipping all the discs.
4. You as a consumer don't have to hang around for the postman or go to a store to get Lion. Just start the download, then live your normal life and come back a few hours or maybe closer to a day later and it'll be done.
Cheaper cost for the consumer.
5. No chance of people getting the release version of the OS early. Cause there's no physical shipments to hijack and store staff members can't take their copy early.
6. The release time can be any time in the day now. Not when the Store opens up. Also you can start the download when you want to. Not be constricted by Store or postman hours.
7. No need for an external dvd drive if you own a MBA.
8. Getting the digital distribution channel working correctly now. So in the future when that's all there is, they will have it working perfectly. Unlike the competition.

And probably more which I can't think of now. But I made my point. Even with a POS net connection this new disc-less OS is a very good idea.

 

[SimonTheSoundMa]

This is nothing new, they have done this for several years.

I lost all my data when I installed OS X Leopard on a MacBook. After the Apple Store managed to recover about 2/3 of my files, they got a network cable from under the Genius Bar, re-imaged the computer, including other software I had like Logic, Office etc. Took 20 minutes.