Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple to Eliminate Retail Box Software Inventory

jrcsh6 said:
one of the same arguments i have against itunes. it's killing music cd's and video dvd's. there are some serious negatives like this.
i agree these discs are just dust collectors for the most part after installation but people need to think of the other side of it.

long live physical media, the superdrive and that "dead tech" - Blu Ray!:D



that would be me!
Click to expand...

Don't forget that there will usually be a market for left-for-dead technology.

The resurgence of record players is a perfect example, although I suppose in this case, it's related to what I and many other people consider bringing back a better sound.

It's funny that you mention killing of music cd's and video dvd's - but remember that these distribution technologies replaced music cassettes and VHS cassettes and before that vinyl records, 8 track tapes and betamax tapes. In every case, you had people making the same argument. What happens when...what will we do if...you shouldn't change because...

Technology keeps moving forward and generally improvements happen with each subsequent change.
 
It's the future

Apple will take the "no optical drive in all Macs" leap very soon. Without selling software on the floor of retail stores it'll only prove that it's entriely possible to go without CDs and optical drives. It'll also, of coarse, stay an optional accessory. The pros outweigh the cons tremendously and I'm personally really excited for this transition. Think of it...an i5 13" MacBook Pro with 14 hour battery-life (because of no optical drive) and it'll only weigh 4 lbs. It'll be here sooner than you all think.

Also, the future of Apple is the MacBook Air, remember? SSD, long battery life, no optical, lighter than competition, and thin robust frames...:)
 
ZebOfMac said:
I would much rather have a physical disc that allows for failure of a drive.

Personally the loss of not being able to have that physical disk make the value of a product go down in my opinion. I will not be buying software at the Apple Store anymore.
Click to expand...

You know, since they stop selling software in the Apple Store, it probably won't hurt them if you stop buying software there :D

Anyway: there won't be any 'loss' since you can always re-download
 
joepunk said:
What happens if ones hard drive crashes and most of your applications were downloaded and you have no backup? I know I have read it but I forgot where and what I read. Will start searching again.
Click to expand...

If you have no backup you got exactly what you deserved. And if you have no backup then chances are your CDs or DVDs cannot be found either.
 
Paradigm Shift.

"When Mac users encounter anomalies which cannot be explained by the universally accepted paradigm within which progress has thereto been made."
 
jmgregory1 said:
Don't forget that there will usually be a market for left-for-dead technology.

The resurgence of record players is a perfect example, although I suppose in this case, it's related to what I and many other people consider bringing back a better sound.

It's funny that you mention killing of music cd's and video dvd's - but remember that these distribution technologies replaced music cassettes and VHS cassettes and before that vinyl records, 8 track tapes and betamax tapes. In every case, you had people making the same argument. What happens when...what will we do if...you shouldn't change because...

Technology keeps moving forward and generally improvements happen with each subsequent change.
Click to expand...

Your own example is flawed. Your exam ples are data moving to better physical media, this is an event that causes physical media to go away. There is a diference.
 
Correct me if I'm wrong...

...sorry in advance - I'll admit I've skimmed this thread. So I walk into an Apple Store, buy a Mac, the assistant then unboxes it, sorts out all my emails etc, than puts it back in the box and I walk out with it?

If that's the case,
(a) how long does that take?!, and
(b) I like getting home and unboxing my virgin equipment!!!

Discuss.
 
Uh... I rely on my boxed software for restores and what not. I'm supposed to re-download all my software everytime my computer has issues? I don't think so.
 
jmgregory1 said:
Don't forget that there will usually be a market for left-for-dead technology.

The resurgence of record players is a perfect example, although I suppose in this case, it's related to what I and many other people consider bringing back a better sound.

It's funny that you mention killing of music cd's and video dvd's - but remember that these distribution technologies replaced music cassettes and VHS cassettes and before that vinyl records, 8 track tapes and betamax tapes. In every case, you had people making the same argument. What happens when...what will we do if...you shouldn't change because...

Technology keeps moving forward and generally improvements happen with each subsequent change.
Click to expand...

You know, it seems many people don't like change or are afraid of change. They rather stick to what they know and are not open for new improved things.
 
If as I assume the d/l of an app is tied to your apple ID and the hardware identifier ,

what happens to your apps when you chance the computer do you have to re buy them ?

this scenario happens with Time Machine backup with a new machine
 
jinjo235 said:
Apple will take the "no optical drive in all Macs" leap very soon. Without selling software on the floor of retail stores it'll only prove that it's entriely possible to go without CDs and optical drives. It'll also, of coarse, stay an optional accessory. The pros outweigh the cons tremendously and I'm personally really excited for this transition. Think of it...an i5 13" MacBook Pro with 14 hour battery-life (because of no optical drive) and it'll only weigh 4 lbs. It'll be here sooner than you all think.

Also, the future of Apple is the MacBook Air, remember? SSD, long battery life, no optical, lighter than competition, and thin robust frames...:)
Click to expand...

That to me would really suck, Now although even I prefer digital downloads, this would mean a lot of the software/music/games you already have for example on dvd's you wouldn't be able to use. It would mean buying it again digitally.. Not to mention the strain it would put on your bandwidth. Also it would be a really big issue for those who have dial up, in some places you can only get dial up and DSL or Cable is not an option..

It would be interesting to see how Apple handles it if it does infact happen.. I do think that in some time we probably will abandon the dvd drive, but imo doing it now may not be the best idea..
 
What happens if you don't have broadband?

What if you no longer wish to use the software and move to another package, how do you sell the item you have already bought to recoup some money?
 
macgeek18 said:
Uh... I rely on my boxed software for restores and what not. I'm supposed to re-download all my software everytime my computer has issues? I don't think so.
Click to expand...

If you need to do this that often, you should probably burn the downloaded software on DVD :rolleyes: ... best thing is to invest into a cheap external harddrive and store it there, if you really need to reinstall every other week
 
jmgregory1 said:
With the cost of zip drives being what they are, I'm surprised the market hasn't shifted to this already, although this too is just a temporary solution that will be eliminated at some point.
Click to expand...

Zip drives??? :confused:

zip_250mb_usb_drive_media.jpg
 
Mister Snitch said:
Well, you got me there. But let's get real. You might as well try to run a Mac without electricity as without Internet service these days. Besides, you're an iPhone collector. You can use your iPhone as a 'net hub (Verizon has this now, AT&T will soon). Problem solved. You're just complaining to hear yourself complain.
Click to expand...
i wasn't really complaining i just wanted to make some funny statement which is more or less true. but you are 100% right a mac (or any pc )without an internet connection is as useless as a car without its engine. and yes in everything else fails theres always the hotspot feature.
 
Lordedmond said:
If as I assume the d/l of an app is tied to your apple ID and the hardware identifier ,

what happens to your apps when you chance the computer do you have to re buy them ?

this scenario happens with Time Machine backup with a new machine
Click to expand...

You can re-download.
 
Lordedmond said:
If as I assume the d/l of an app is tied to your apple ID and the hardware identifier ,

what happens to your apps when you chance the computer do you have to re buy them ?

this scenario happens with Time Machine backup with a new machine
Click to expand...

downloaded software is not tied to your hardware identifier - MAS downloads can even legally be installed on every freaking machine you own without paying again and without punching in 128 wired letter and number combinations to ensure that you really bought the DVD (and cross checked against the server).
 
it would be interesting to see how much of the price of for example "filemaker" goes to apple when it is sold in their store... i can't believe that it's 30%!
 
Lordedmond said:
If as I assume the d/l of an app is tied to your apple ID and the hardware identifier ,

what happens to your apps when you chance the computer do you have to re buy them ?

this scenario happens with Time Machine backup with a new machine
Click to expand...

Mac Store apps work on any Mac you register with your Apple ID. It's actually awesome, because I can now have Aperture on all THREE of my Macs at the same time, for $79. I originally only could use it on my main home Mac, and it was more than twice that cost.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back