Lol, the elitism in this thread stinks. Not everyone lives in a cosmopolitan area with FIOS and 50 Mb broadband. Ever tried downloading large amounts of data at a "free" wifi spot like Starbucks? You WILL GET THROTTLED. Happens every time you try to download megabytes of stuff after the first 5 or so megs the speeds get chopped.
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Apple to Eliminate Retail Box Software Inventory
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Lol, the elitism in this thread stinks. Not everyone lives in a cosmopolitan area with FIOS and 50 Mb broadband. Ever tried downloading large amounts of data at a "free" wifi spot like Starbucks? You WILL GET THROTTLED. Happens every time you try to download megabytes of stuff after the first 5 or so megs the speeds get chopped.
I bought a second hand copy of Logic Express 9 recently for less than half the normal retail price.
Sure, because I'm sure Apple will cater to you.
Since when is a blatant inconvenience a "security blanket"? Sure, go ahead and make me download all of Final Cut Studio because twits on this website are going nuts over the MacBook Air and the prospect of a prosperous Mac App Store being the ONLY source of Mac app aquisition.
hmm, I have only 20/20 MB FIOS ... does this mean now, that I don't belong to the elite?
Time to check my upgrade options ....
Customer: "Hello , I've just bought a MBP, and want to buy iWorks"
Apple helpline: "Ah yes, its available on the Mac App Store, or the products page of Apple.com"
Customer: "I don't have the Internet, I can't get them from there"
Apple helpline: "Ah ok, I'm sorry sir but all I can say is 'Sucks to be you', thank you for calling Apple"
Apple helpline: "Ah yes, its available on the Mac App Store, or the products page of Apple.com"
Customer: "I don't have the Internet, I can't get them from there"
Apple helpline: "Ah ok, I'm sorry sir but all I can say is 'Sucks to be you', thank you for calling Apple"
Big boxes and manuals... The good ole days
I remember getting my first Adobe Creative Suite years ago... It came in a big, heavy, impressive box with the CD's in a really nice full color container too...
A full color, illustrated, huge manual and other stuff...
It was nice, and sort of a status symbol, to display lots of software boxes on shelves. Kinda like showing off all the cool stuff that your PowerMac had in it.
I love the instant gratification and convenience of the downloadable software, but the feeling of actually owning something you can touch and display is gone.
My Apple Aperture 1 came in a big box with a Manual. Version 2 came in a CD-Sized Slim box with just a 3 page quick-guide. Version 3, I downloaded.
Kinda makes u feel like you are getting less for your money.
Same thing goes for Stock Photos. I remember buying CD's and DVD's with Stock images back in the day. You can't get those anymore. With everything becoming internet-based, stock websites give you access to so much more than the available content of a CD. And you get to pick exactly what you want.
Again, the same for music. Records are dead and CD's are almost gone for ever. I don't even use CD's in my car anymore. I have a 10GB Hard Drive JukeBox in my Audi, plus 2 SD Card Slots and iPod connectivity. I could easily have over 150GB of music in my car. Half of the size of my entire iTunes library, instead of a handful of CD's on a visor or a few cassettes or a couple of 8-Tracks.
I guess the future is getting away from retail boxes, or any media container at all.
I remember getting my first Adobe Creative Suite years ago... It came in a big, heavy, impressive box with the CD's in a really nice full color container too...
A full color, illustrated, huge manual and other stuff...
It was nice, and sort of a status symbol, to display lots of software boxes on shelves. Kinda like showing off all the cool stuff that your PowerMac had in it.
I love the instant gratification and convenience of the downloadable software, but the feeling of actually owning something you can touch and display is gone.
My Apple Aperture 1 came in a big box with a Manual. Version 2 came in a CD-Sized Slim box with just a 3 page quick-guide. Version 3, I downloaded.
Kinda makes u feel like you are getting less for your money.
Same thing goes for Stock Photos. I remember buying CD's and DVD's with Stock images back in the day. You can't get those anymore. With everything becoming internet-based, stock websites give you access to so much more than the available content of a CD. And you get to pick exactly what you want.
Again, the same for music. Records are dead and CD's are almost gone for ever. I don't even use CD's in my car anymore. I have a 10GB Hard Drive JukeBox in my Audi, plus 2 SD Card Slots and iPod connectivity. I could easily have over 150GB of music in my car. Half of the size of my entire iTunes library, instead of a handful of CD's on a visor or a few cassettes or a couple of 8-Tracks.
I guess the future is getting away from retail boxes, or any media container at all.
USB Sticks would be a start. I think you could eliminate the dvd box by maybe a 1/10th ish, if a usb was packaged instead of a DVD.
As far as cost goes how much do you think the usb stick for mba cost over a DVD?
As far as cost goes how much do you think the usb stick for mba cost over a DVD?
Agreed. These days there is little point to looking at the boxes or packaging. You can find better info online. Boxed software is going to be technosaurus rex in a few years--it's a lot of money to package and ship and return and play all the games with physical property. Since it is easy to download, use download.
I think there should always be a hardcopy option for those who want it.
The ONLY program I ever missed manuals on is the Creative Suite. The online manuals aren't as impressive or easy to use for me, for some reason. All other stuff is great without manuals.I remember getting my first Adobe Creative Suite years ago... (with) A full color, illustrated, huge manual and other stuff...
I guess the future is getting away from retail boxes, or any media container at all.
that comes included with the computer at no additional charge...hasnt been updated in ages, but of course when it does it will be avail through the Mac App Store as well...
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You can gift apps and music etc, could you not do this with software in the future? The MAS is still taking baby steps but precursors are in the other stores!
dogcowx said:
You can gift apps and music etc, could you not do this with software in the future? The MAS is still taking baby steps but precursors are in the other stores!
People aren't that ignorant. For example, sales on macgamestore.com went UP after the Mac App Store went live. So much for paranoid conspiracy theories, eh?
A DVD costs a few cents, a USB stick costs a lot more.
--Eric
I'd guess the usb stick costs more to make than a iPhone bumper and they sell those for $30.
http://www.speedtest.net/result/1147024563.png
With bandwidth like this, it took me 9 months to figure out my MacBook Pro DVD didn't function at all.
I have only a few DVD's - Office, Windows 7, iWork, iLife and Bento.
Once installed, I need only my TimeCapsule, my Drobo and Carbonite to avoid using the DVD drive.
I bought a second hand copy of Logic Express 9 recently for less than half the normal retail price.
The problem is that I couldn't sell mine
have you used the Mac App store yet....Doesnt sound like it...Mac App Store...you find the app you want, type in your password, and then it auto downloads, and installs and puts the icon on the dock, and youre done...and if you need to reinstall it then the purchases tab gives you the option to click install previously purchased apps, and install on your computer again. Simpler then locating the disc and worrying if its damaged or not....Mac App Store is the better way to go 100%
Yeah. that would fly this is what PC companies do. They sell you a machine with the hard drive more than 1/2 full of unwanted trial or demo software (or limited use until you buy a license). Thus why they are slow. And try getting rid of the software. Most of the uninstallers leave remnants around to cause other problems or just take up drive space. If I had a nickel for every PC that someone asked me to wipe the drive and just install the Windows operating system. Even at that - the restore partition has all the demo/trial software in the install. So you have to have the OS CD with only the OS on it.I don't see Apple going this route.
What I do see feasible....
For those who do not have broadband access, and those usually buying their boxed software at the same time as their machine:
When they show you the app store, allow you to make purchases and install right there. Of course their is still the issue of MacOffice and Adobe which is pushed more than the Apple alternatives (like iWork, Aperature, etc). But maybe Apple will also have a USB DVD to install it right then and their for you.
But like me, I am not sure how many can dish out over $1000 for the machine and $1000 or more in software the same day.
I think they should have stations where you can buy / download in store - but you are limited to the amount of time you can spend at the station.
There are quite a few users that do not even use Exposé.Off topic: Just saw the "Mission Control" in Lion.
Everyone chooses where they want to live based on completely different criteria. There are costs and benefits to every location. If you live far from a city center, convenience will not be near the top of your list of criteria. You just might have to ask a friend who lives near the city to get you what you need.
In my state, they put a referendum on the ballot last year to tax the whole of the state so that people who lived in rural areas would have better access to emergency medical facilities. It failed. It shouldn't be a financial burden on me that people want to live in the boonies.
Apple shouldn't have to maintain legacy goods and services to suit the needs of an extremely small number of customers.
Stupid idea. First of all - not everyone has a good enough connection to download such huge files. Secondly - not everyone has an internet connection! Some of my Apple-buying friends live near the moors where they can't get broadband.
And worst of all - in the UK its just the Apple stores that sell boxed applications.
A very silly move that's too far ahead of its time.
And worst of all - in the UK its just the Apple stores that sell boxed applications.
A very silly move that's too far ahead of its time.
The problem is that I couldn't sell mine
I got mine from CEX but they seem to sell well on eBay UK.
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Having to download Logic Studio? Ugh. No thanks. That would also likely put me on probation by my Internet provider. There is no way downloads that large are sustainable yet.
Having to download Logic Studio? Ugh. No thanks. That would also likely put me on probation by my Internet provider. There is no way downloads that large are sustainable yet.
I'm all for them ditching the optical drives. To the people complaining that not everyone has broadband....well true....but should that stop Apple from moving forward? I say no.
Anyways, they wouldn't completely phase it out at once.
Anyways, they wouldn't completely phase it out at once.
Honestly, Apple knows the number of copies they sell in their store vs. online. And, they know which way the momentum and market is going. They're making a smart decision, a business decision, based on statistics and the future. They're not going to stick with boxes in their stores if that is the old model for selling software.
If you want the box, order it online.
If you want the box, order it online.