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MacBook with Blu-Ray, Networked HDTV from Apple?

I hope the Blu Ray drives aren't read only, the main reason I would want on is for the additional storage that DVDs can't match. Eventually games and other formats that migrated to DVD are going to have to move onto Blu Ray or something like it. I would like to be able to download everything I need or want, but that isn't entirely feasible yet.

Hint: If software makers offered a more substantial discounts for downloading their stuff, I would buy a lot more. Removing the need for physical production, transportation, and share cost with the distributor saves a lot of money.
 
emaja said:
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.
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Apple doesn't need to compete with the likes of Dell on price, that's what most of you want, they are able to differentiate their products from Dell, HP, and charge as much as the consumer can bear, if you don't like their prices go elsewhere.
 
I can't see Apple making their own TV for exactly all the reasons above by JtheLemur.

However I think it could be possible that Apple might parter with a TV manufacturer, like Sony, to produce an TV with an Apple device built into it. Sony already have all the infrastructure in place in terms of repair, delivery etc.

Last time I went into an Apple Store there were loads of Sony Bravias connected to Apple TVs. Why not take the next step and combine the two products.
 
Adjei said:
What is so exciting about making television, I mean I don't see any way Apple could enhance the current televisions out there to make them any better, they shouldn't even get anywhere near making televisions.
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The thought of streaming all my iTunes content to a TV with no added box is kind of appealing, but I bet that's not enough for some people. As much as I want it to happen, I don't think Apple will release an actual TV
 
Loge said:
I really don't see Apple making televisions at the best of times; it's a low margin, highly competitive, saturated market. In the current economic climate, zero chance.

Blu-ray support is good though, I don't want it now, I may do in the future.
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People said the same thing about Apple prior to them going into the phone market. I wouldn't doubt Apple doing something based on what other manufacturers do now. Apple has a way of redefining the market when they come out with new products.
 
Adjei said:
Apple doesn't need to compete with the likes of Dell on price, that's what most of you want, they are able to differentiate their products from Dell, HP, and charge as much as the consumer can bear, if you don't like their prices go elsewhere.
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That arrogant,pissy attitude of telling people to go elsewhere just doesn't work to well these days. :rolleyes: Well, they are competing for customers, aren't they. I don't expect them to match prices with the Dells of the world, just be within a few hundred dollars for identical specs.
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I think a lot of people have voiced out why Apple will not just make a TV + Apple TV box integration. I do agree that it makes absolutely no sense if it was just that. Why compete with the market on the same thing?

But let's look at it from another view.

What is the cost of making an LCD TV + Apple TV. Since the LCD TV will incorporate most of the components from the original Apple TV. The selling price of this beast will be nothing more than just Apple TV + LCD panel. Which shouldn't be more than $200 (including a better graphic cards) more than the Apple TV if going by how cheap LCD panels are and how cheap it is to incorporate that into the current 20" iMac.

But this is not what Apple will innovate here. Maybe, let's suggest.

Let's put in an iSight camera, a special Mac OS X for TV, a web application (iChat upsize maybe) where you can chat with your friends about the current Heroes episode, ability to surf the web. And talk to your friends via the web.

What Apple will want to do is to

1) Sell more of its Apple TV boxes

2) more importantly, they want to sell its movies and music from the iTunes store.

3) increase it's Mac OS X share market.

4) updated Apple TV progamme that allows one to talk about the TV shows via special section of the interface at the iTunes store or special sections of the OS X programme.

5) Integrated email, Safari.

6) Games (new controller)

7) VoIP applications

8) the usual Youtube.

What Apple won't do.

1) Allow a tuner or ability to connect to your TV box.

2) Allowing one to record any programme.



What Apple wants will be for anyone to replace their TV with their version of TV box with internet access and more. They want you to do things differently..or rather...how many of us watch TV and surf the web at the same time??? Split the TV screen to 3 parts. 50% for the TV show via iTunes catalog, split the next 50% into half for ichat messages (video or not) and websurfing or email.

The catch here is how fast the speed of the net will be..and not how fast the processor will be in the combo AppleTV + LCD. Or for that matter..how great the LCD screen will be. It is how integrated everything will be with just one LCD screen.

We are transiting from having a TV..to having an entertainment computer TV.
 
Chupa Chupa said:
People said the same thing about Apple prior to them going into the phone market. I wouldn't doubt Apple doing something based on what other manufacturers do now. Apple has a way of redefining the market when they come out with new products.
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The iphone is different, these are products people get excited over especially young people, and Apple was able to bring something new and exciting with the iphone. I just don't see them doing that with televisions, I mean how many people do you see getting excited over televisions, they are boring.:p
 
Half Glass said:
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?
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Oh my word, i totally agree. What's the point of having HD capabiility in your movie editing software if you cant burn it on an HD compatiable disk? It makes no sense to me.

Also, i agree with many others that an apple branded tv would probably be to expensive. Though apple is known for making good products, theyre NOT known for making cheap ones. No ones going to pay 1499 for tv with a built in :apple: tv in it when they can get a decent Vizio for 749 and add on an :apple:tv for 229. I think apple should just stick to what theyre doing and concentrate on doing it well.
 
ukmacpro said:
I can't see Apple making their own TV for exactly all the reasons above by JtheLemur.

However I think it could be possible that Apple might parter with a TV manufacturer, like Sony, to produce an TV with an Apple device built into it. Sony already have all the infrastructure in place in terms of repair, delivery etc.

Last time I went into an Apple Store there were loads of Sony Bravias connected to Apple TVs. Why not take the next step and combine the two products.
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I actually see this happening. Steve Jobs said (paraphrasing) that Apple would rather partner with companies who are already doing things properly rather than going it solo treading in new waters.
 
Bubba Satori said:
That arrogant,pissy attitude of telling people to go elsewhere just doesn't work to well these days. :rolleyes: Well, they are competing for customers, aren't they. I don't expect them to match prices with the Dells of the world, just be within a few hundred dollars for identical specs.
.
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Yes you should go elsewhere if you find the prices expensive, no one is forcing you to buy anything, Apple is able to charge the prices they do because consumers are willing to pay for it, if their products weren't selling they would be competing with the likes of Dell on prices and you would find Macs as cheap as Dells. Apple is able to differentiate their products from the competition and therefore charge higher prices, if you don't like their prices, you are more than willing to go buy a Dell or HP. If I want a BMW but can't afford it, what do I do, I go and buy a Toyota and move on with my life.
 
Adjei said:
...I mean I don't see any way Apple could enhance the current televisions out there to make them any better...
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Obviously, the User Interface and Feature Set of the software is the appeal, not the television itself.
 
It's Apple, Inc not Apple Computer Inc

DeekinBlooz said:
Networked HDTV via a new Apple TV device is something Apple might do. But to design and sell a TV itself? IMHO, Apple should keep its eye on the ball and keep beating up the Windows market steadily. We don't need Apple televisions, Apple toasters, Apple refrigerators, Apple clock radios, Apple lamps, Apple dishwashers, Apple toilets, etc. More importantly, it would distract them from their assault on the Windows domination!
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Apple is no longer focused solely on the computer industry. Microsoft is a competitor for operating systems, but it's not their sole competitor.

Apple is not going to develop the things mentioned. However, they definitely want to get into the living room (as evidenced by Apple TV), so I can see this rumor of an Apple-branded HDTV as somewhat credible. I don't think it's going to happen soon, but I can see them looking into it.
 
Blu-ray Macbook and MacBook Pro ain't gonna happen.

What kind of benefit will blu-ray add for a laptop? The screen isn't big enough to see any quality difference. Blu-ray players are still $300 on their own, sales on blu-ray discs are off (still very low at this point). So who would this be for? A very insignificant amount of users. When they add blu-ray it will be once FC Studio has been updated to handle blu-ray and then it will only be an option in the Mac towers. Apple gains NOTHING if they add blu-ray to a laptop. They want you to buy movies from iTunes.

As far as the TV...The idea is cool, but Apple will have to work very hard on selling their display. They still have legal issues concerning the laptop and iMac screens.
 
Since we are all just throwing out ideas.

What if you could get the AppleTV interface onto a "cable card" with 802.11n capability? Plus some software improvements.

Granted you would only have streaming capability from an iTunes library. As has been mentioned here several times the trouble it would be to actually enter into the TV market.

It is only a matter of time before TV watching will be a more internet based event than it is now.
 
Adjei said:
Well said, Blu-ray has to be one of the most overrated things ever, especially on laptops.
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I'm so tired of hearing about blu-ray, the thought of buying blu-ray anything leaves a bad taste in my mouth, kind of like sauerkraut
 
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