yes there are slot loading blu-ray drives. only 1 place sells them for mb and it is $1000 but apple can get them a lot cheaper if they wanted to put them in. just about all desktop computers have it if you pay $800+
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MacBook with Blu-Ray, Networked HDTV from Apple?
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yes there are slot loading blu-ray drives. only 1 place sells them for mb and it is $1000 but apple can get them a lot cheaper if they wanted to put them in. just about all desktop computers have it if you pay $800+
By that logic, you could say Apple has good reason to start manufacturing cat toys.
I was asking why Apple would get into this market, not how it could be justified.
The whole thing with the disappearance of "Computer" from the name is getting way too much mileage. It wasn't surprising and it's no more indicative of Apple's long-term plans than the fact that for years before it, iPod+iTunes were their fastest-growing and perhaps most profitable sector at Apple. They run the single biggest online media store in the world - of course they're not solely a computer company anymore.
This would be great if true. The most likely thing to make me buy a new mac right now is Blu-ray support (I'm on my 3rd PS3 in one year(!) and have a growing collection of BDs).
Some points:
1) If you're not interested in Blu-ray, fine, but don't be a spoil-sport for the many people who want great quality HD video and don't have super-fast internet connections and/or high bandwidth allowances.
2) Apple Computer inc is no more. They changed their name to reflect they don't just make computers anymore - consumer electronics beyond the iPod+iPhone does make sense at some point, especially when its tied so closely to everything else they are doing as a TV would be. I mean they already make a product with 'TV' in the title, it's not exactly earth-shattering news if they considered making actual TVs.
3) A HDTV doesn't have to cost the equivalent of a 30 inch display at 50 inches or whatever. It would presumably be 1080p, no higher resolution necessary - it'd be a TV not a computer display.
4) Apple might wait until there are slot-loading BD drives, fair point. But that could be Tuesday, or it could be early next year, and they might be amongst the first ones to know about it. So it makes no sense to rule out where the puck will be tomorrow based only on where it is today, as it were.
Some points:
1) If you're not interested in Blu-ray, fine, but don't be a spoil-sport for the many people who want great quality HD video and don't have super-fast internet connections and/or high bandwidth allowances.
2) Apple Computer inc is no more. They changed their name to reflect they don't just make computers anymore - consumer electronics beyond the iPod+iPhone does make sense at some point, especially when its tied so closely to everything else they are doing as a TV would be. I mean they already make a product with 'TV' in the title, it's not exactly earth-shattering news if they considered making actual TVs.
3) A HDTV doesn't have to cost the equivalent of a 30 inch display at 50 inches or whatever. It would presumably be 1080p, no higher resolution necessary - it'd be a TV not a computer display.
4) Apple might wait until there are slot-loading BD drives, fair point. But that could be Tuesday, or it could be early next year, and they might be amongst the first ones to know about it. So it makes no sense to rule out where the puck will be tomorrow based only on where it is today, as it were.
While many may not use a BD, others want it. To a certain degree we all buy computers with components we do not want or ever plan to use. I suppose a lot of people said the same thing when DVD RWs came around.
IMO Apple needs to seriously update specs to give potential switchers who still see Macs as overpriced that final push to come over to Macs. If Apple prices are closer to PC prices without sacrificing quality or compromising Apple's core usability values, then it will be a good thing. I think it is appalling that Apple sells a $1100 notebook without a DVD RW.
So, if the MacBooks get Blu-ray, does this mean they are going to be 16:9 ratio now?
Because Blu-ray just won't work with displays of any other aspect ratio?
I'd love to see Apple release a TV. I'd say just like the iphone, it would shake up the market especially if they included an integrated Apple tv box and the ability to acess internet wither via wifi or ethernet.
The thing with tvs at moment is that new ones are continually coming out that state they offer improved picture quality and smoother viewing. The thing is, there's only so far this can go. Sooner or later consumers wont be able to tell the difference in picture quality anyway.
So yeah, I think this rumoured Apple networked TV could be the way forward. It will no doubt look great but also offer consumers something different from the competition.
Thing is though, with something as major as this, surely the earliest we will see this is macworld 2009........
Just my 2pennies worth
A mini or any other Apple laptop lets you do this already. I have and iMac and clam shell my Macbook under the TV and control it with screensharing. My cable box has a DVR already I just don't get the point of the whole Apple TV concept.
"Support Blu-ray"
I agree with KindredMac. I think Apple might even offer it as an external add on. It's good nonetheless. People can always go buy a $200 BD drive and get an encloser to go with it. Plug it into their MacBook and tah dah! Blu-Ray on MAC!
Anyways, I wouldn't want to pay another $600-$1000 to get blu-ray, so it better be JUST an option. I remember this time last year, it cost $700 to add a BD drive to the freakin' desktop!!! So no way I'm going to spend that much money on something that'll cost $500 less this time next year!
I agree with KindredMac. I think Apple might even offer it as an external add on. It's good nonetheless. People can always go buy a $200 BD drive and get an encloser to go with it. Plug it into their MacBook and tah dah! Blu-Ray on MAC!
Anyways, I wouldn't want to pay another $600-$1000 to get blu-ray, so it better be JUST an option. I remember this time last year, it cost $700 to add a BD drive to the freakin' desktop!!! So no way I'm going to spend that much money on something that'll cost $500 less this time next year!
So, if the MacBooks get Blu-ray, does this mean they are going to be 16:9 ratio now?
I hope so. Even $500 POS Acers have 16:9 screens.
Backwards It Got You've
Apple does note appeal to "Jane Average" as you previously mentioned.
Now, take a second and think about your current cable provider's User Interface... Yup, sucks doesn't it. Blurry kinda? And clunky? Horrible colors? Yeah, that's the one. Well, a slick Apple UI would be one of the very first enhancements we would get to our everyday TV lives.
"Countless time and energy" as you previously mentioned would not be spent developing this product. It's not an iPhone. There's no revolutionizing anything here. Apple would basically need to combine a few of the products they already have, develop a nasty UI and it's good to go. They've been making gorgeous HD displays for years. This feature set actually "is" a small feat. The only reason you think it's not, is because Apple hasn't made it available in their "technology is simple" approach yet. Don't base your opinion on Sony, Sharp or LG... They have their photocopiers on high as well.
As far as Apple making TV's for cable providers to rake in the earnings, do you pay Apple for the internet? Or mobile phone service? Do you think Apple would have the business know how to partner with a company like Comcast? Or the Dish network? Of course they do. If Apple wanted to offer a unique service like visual voicemail in a different vertical, then I'm sure either or both television providers would hop on board. If not jump at the bit to build out a custom chunk of their network for Cupertino.
I see this happening. When, not sure. But it's inevitable.
Apple does note appeal to "Jane Average" as you previously mentioned.
Now, take a second and think about your current cable provider's User Interface... Yup, sucks doesn't it. Blurry kinda? And clunky? Horrible colors? Yeah, that's the one. Well, a slick Apple UI would be one of the very first enhancements we would get to our everyday TV lives.
"Countless time and energy" as you previously mentioned would not be spent developing this product. It's not an iPhone. There's no revolutionizing anything here. Apple would basically need to combine a few of the products they already have, develop a nasty UI and it's good to go. They've been making gorgeous HD displays for years. This feature set actually "is" a small feat. The only reason you think it's not, is because Apple hasn't made it available in their "technology is simple" approach yet. Don't base your opinion on Sony, Sharp or LG... They have their photocopiers on high as well.
As far as Apple making TV's for cable providers to rake in the earnings, do you pay Apple for the internet? Or mobile phone service? Do you think Apple would have the business know how to partner with a company like Comcast? Or the Dish network? Of course they do. If Apple wanted to offer a unique service like visual voicemail in a different vertical, then I'm sure either or both television providers would hop on board. If not jump at the bit to build out a custom chunk of their network for Cupertino.
I see this happening. When, not sure. But it's inevitable.
I see your point, but its all about convergence of different technologies all in one device.
Bit like you can get Time capsule instead of buying Airport extreme + ext HD.
End day consumers go mad for the right convergence devices. Just look at camera phones.
*disclaimer : I know cameras on phones cannot beat dedicated cameras like for like, but you get my drift*
You'd be surprised how many people use all caps and say WOOT!, and are 100% serious.
Really? I am actually surprised that a 1920x1080 resolution film cannot play on 16:10 ratio.
An Apple television set is almost definitely not coming. It makes absolutely no sense. Firstly, as I understand it there is actually very little profit made on TV sets because the market is so competitive (afaik). Secondly, the buying public has absolutely no aversion to buying boxes to attach to their TVs, so combining the ATV box into a TV set gives Apple basically no additional customers. If combining the two devices made any business sense at all then Sony would've been selling TVs with integrated playstations for years already.
There very well may (or may not) be big changes coming to what Apple offers on its consumer video front, but simply stuffing an ATV into a TV set is not what they're gonna be doing. I can imagine things like Apple adding DVR capabilities to OS X, or adding an integrated blu-ray player to its cinema displays, or other things like that. But Apple will almost certainly not be offering a TV set.
...unless they are. Apple has surprised me before.
There very well may (or may not) be big changes coming to what Apple offers on its consumer video front, but simply stuffing an ATV into a TV set is not what they're gonna be doing. I can imagine things like Apple adding DVR capabilities to OS X, or adding an integrated blu-ray player to its cinema displays, or other things like that. But Apple will almost certainly not be offering a TV set.
...unless they are. Apple has surprised me before.
Would cable providers allow apple to change their GUI based on the TV you have? Unless Apple is a cable provider I just don't seei it. Although I agree I use sky in the UK and the interface is utterly horrible.
why would you want to lose screen estate just to avoid a little bit of letter box when watching movies?
What do you mostly use your laptop for?
I just don't get it
Here is the difference (image source: Wikipedia):
16:9 ratio on the left and 16:10 ratio on the right.
I like both.
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personal rant:
how about updating the software, even if only on the final cut pro level, to allow blu-ray creation for the growing number that have HD camcorders?
And would Apple put them in laptops before desktops?
how about updating the software, even if only on the final cut pro level, to allow blu-ray creation for the growing number that have HD camcorders?
And would Apple put them in laptops before desktops?
Personally, for photo editing and other tasks that may require side-by-side viewing I like wider screens.
Again, not something that all would want, but it is on my wish list.