Macbook Pro. Late 2011 vs Upcoming 2012.

[lewisflude]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Thunderbold require an additional controller anyway? USB 3.0. would be handy, but I couldn't care less if a machine didn't have it.

 

[MagicBoy]

Thunderbolt does require a controller chip. Given it's more important to Apple than USB3 then it gets priority. The MacBook Air gets a less capable chip due to heat and space constraints.

Ivy Bridge does not implement USB3 on the CPU, it's on the companion PCH chip (or southbridge in olde speak).

 

[lewisflude]

Right, I'm taking the plunge guys. Buying the MacBook today!

 

[natejohnstone@g]

It's been rehashed many times, but Apple is known for "prematurely" killing off obsolete tech ahead of the industry. Floppy disks and Zip disks are among the more prolific.

Your opinion is completely valid, but unfortunately, your usage patterns likely are in the minority of Mac users. Not to say that no one needs a SuperDrive (I certainly use one on a regular basis), but very few will regularly need a SuperDrive when MOBILE. And that, I believe, is the key.

Will there be instances in which an integrated SuperDrive is necessary while mobile? Of course. Will those cases compose a significant percentage of usage scenarios for mobile users? Probably not.

So in this context, Apple will be sacrificing a technology they have shown to be more-than-happy to accelerate towards obsolescence (thereby strengthening its digital retail channels). All this while allowing them to trim form factors, add different components and/or improve battery life, save on manufacturing costs, and bring large margins selling a peripheral for those who need a SuperDrive.

I see your argument. But I think people are wrong when they say Apple will want to kill the ODD now to force people to buy from iTunes or what not. One of the main selling points for iTunes has always been than you can burn a copy of the music you buy from them. Without an ODD, you wouldn't be able to do that. And people still use CDs! Most people use CDs in their cars still, just for one example.

"People can just buy externals." They won't. They'll just piss and moan that the new MBPs don't have optical drives like they should. And many will probably have to buy a PC instead.

MOST COMPUTER USERS ARE NOT UBER-NERDS, folks! Most computer users don't get all their tv shows from bittorrent and store their music on a Cloud. And some (many professionals, students) literally need ODDs for work.

Another false assumption that many here are making is that everyone who buys a MBP already owns a desktop computer. Maybe that was true once upon a time, but these days computers like the MBP a true desktop replacements, and many (most?) use them as such. So people want their MBPs to have everything they need.

Killing the ODD new would be one redesign too soon. Starting a phase-out, I could see. Do so by adding a 15" MBA. If all a buyer really cares about is mobility, then they'd have 3 sizes of MBA to choose from, and all the "Pro" users would still be happy.

On a totally separate note, I really hope Apple doesn't take out the Firewire 800 port from the new MBPs! THAT is a port I use. I don't know if I'll be using a TB port even by the time I'll be selling that new 2012 MBP.

 

[maflynn]

Right, I'm taking the plunge guys. Buying the MacBook today!

Congrats and enjoy 🙂

----------

Strange the way Apple seems dedicated to keeping the obsolete USB 2.0 alive and kicking while everyone else moves on to 3.0

Isn't that because Apple uses the intel chipsets and they will not fully embrace USB 3 until Ivy Bridge. I could be wrong on this, but when I last looked at motherboards Intel was still using usb 2

 

[strwrsfrk]

I think people are wrong when they say Apple will want to kill the ODD now to force people to buy from iTunes or what not. One of the main selling points for iTunes has always been than you can burn a copy of the music you buy from them. Without an ODD, you wouldn't be able to do that. And people still use CDs! Most people use CDs in their cars still, just for one example.

"People can just buy externals." They won't. They'll just piss and moan that the new MBPs don't have optical drives like they should. And many will probably have to buy a PC instead.

MOST COMPUTER USERS ARE NOT UBER-NERDS, folks! Most computer users don't get all their tv shows from bittorrent and store their music on a Cloud. And some (many professionals, students) literally need ODDs for work.

Another false assumption that many here are making is that everyone who buys a MBP already owns a desktop computer. Maybe that was true once upon a time, but these days computers like the MBP a true desktop replacements, and many (most?) use them as such. So people want their MBPs to have everything they need.

Killing the ODD new would be one redesign too soon. Starting a phase-out, I could see. Do so by adding a 15" MBA. If all a buyer really cares about is mobility, then they'd have 3 sizes of MBA to choose from, and all the "Pro" users would still be happy.

You make some valid points. There's a bigger picture, though. And ultimately, whatever you or I as individual users (and since we're both regular MacRumors posters, let's assume we are at least in the upper 20% of technically aware consumers), our usage patterns are not necessarily relevant if they fall into what Apple perceives as the minority. While we can only speculate as to what Apple's ideas are, we can look at trends and precedents. I will attempt to respond to your points paragraph-by-paragraph below:

The idea of obsoleting the SuperDrive specifically to kill of physical media is indeed absurd. However, Apple does not sell physical music, movies, or television shows. Therefore, assuming people buy CDs/DVDs specifically because they have an optical drive (which is a leap, IMO), Apple stands to make more money if iTunes becomes the preferred media marketplace for everyone who no longer buys disks. It is simply one additional reason Apple stands to gain from killing the ODD.

Most people when doing a cost-benefit analysis will probably not choose a) to completely switch computing platforms over a $79 (at worst) peripheral or b) decide to purchase a second machine specifically because of a $79 peripheral. Some consumers will piss and moan and some will consider purchasing a different machine, but cost is a major deciding factor. Ultimately, people considering a smaller form factor computer are probably less likely to balk over a $79 upcharge than an entirely different type of machine or - heaven forbid - a second computer.

I agree with your general premise, but again, this is overlooking what many would categorize as "mobile" vs "stationary" activity. I don't know anyone who rips TV shows or movies primarily while on the go. They do it at their desks.

I've seen little to suggest that people on these forums assume everyone has a second computer. Quite the opposite. But "desktop replacements" are called that for a reason. What computers people use as their main machine is totally their business, but it is a choice that they make. And if someone buys a machine designed for maximum portability to use as a desktop replacement, they must assume it will not be designed to meet a desktop's every capability.

This might actually happen, if they move forward similar to the great MacBook axing of 2010/2011. It would be a big win for consumers, who either can choose exactly what they want and/or ease themselves into the change ala a transition period. Whether Apple does this remains to be seen - they hate congesting their product lines - but I would not argue against it.

 

[throAU]

on USB3...

I have had a couple of work machines with USB3 using third party (i.e., non-intel) controllers running Windows.

Verdict: troublesome. Some devices don't work in USB3 ports using the third party controller.

I suspect this is part of the reason why apple are waiting for it to be built into ivy bridge - the driver support out there for the third party chips is flaky at best, and "flaky" is not what apple want in their hardware.