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Built in optical drives still have a place in today's use, but it's clear that the optical drive's days are numbered. I'd guess that it'd be appropriate to phase it out within the next 2 years.
 
My 0.02c.

I once was asked to perform as DJ for an event at my school. I was given a list of songs I need to have ready, as well as when to play certain songs, et cetera. I also was responsible for microphone levels and such. Pretty basic setup.

Right before everything was set to go live, one of my teachers ran towards me with a CD in his hand, asking me to change the playlist with the songs found on the CD. Now imagine if I had to tell him I can't, because I didn't have a optical drive in my computer? It was a surprise to me, as I never had anything to do with CDs. It was all just iTunes and my MacBook Pro.

Thing is, sometimes it just happens and you need something as simple as a optical drive. And at those times you may not necessarily have that external optical drive with you. I'm not saying that we should stick to legacy formats forever. No, it was good that the floppy died, but as far as I remember back in 2000 the floppy disk was pretty much useless anyway. CDs are still pretty darn useful, so it should be retained if possible. Much like the ExpressCard slot is still found on the 17-inch MacBook Pro. I strongly believe that far less Mac users have touched an ExpressCard device than a CD / DVD. Prove me wrong.
 
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Goodbye, optical drive. If Apple just released new Minis without it, you can bet they'll be doing the same to the rest of the Mac line-up.
 
Looking good now that they will finally drop it from the next version of the mb pros :) Hope they don't go and just make it skinny instead of using the space to add extra battery.
 
My 0.02c.

I once was asked to perform as DJ for an event at my school. I was given a list of songs I need to have ready, as well as when to play certain songs, et cetera. I also was responsible for microphone levels and such. Pretty basic setup.

Right before everything was set to go live, one of my teachers ran towards me with a CD in his hand, asking me to change the playlist with the songs found on the CD. Now imagine if I had to tell him I can't, because I didn't have a optical drive in my computer? It was a surprise to me, as I never had anything to do with CDs. It was all just iTunes and my MacBook Pro.

Thing is, sometimes it just happens and you need something as simple as a optical drive. And at those times you may not necessarily have that external optical drive with you. I'm not saying that we should stick to legacy formats forever. No, it was good that the floppy died, but as far as I remember back in 2000 the floppy disk was pretty much useless anyway. CDs are still pretty darn useful, so it should be retained if possible. Much like the ExpressCard slot is still found on the 17-inch MacBook Pro. I strongly believe that far less Mac users have touched an ExpressCard device than a CD / DVD. Prove me wrong.

nop one is saying to completely get rid of them, just not have it built in. i would love an external drive for the rare times i would need an optical drive. i would just keep it in my computer bag. theyre very small and thin
 
nop one is saying to completely get rid of them, just not have it built in. i would love an external drive for the rare times i would need an optical drive. i would just keep it in my computer bag. theyre very small and thin


You've just described the macbook air.

Can see why more room would be an advantage though... It could also explain why people replace theirs with SSD's
 
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I'm wondering...should they just keep the optical drive in the 17in. MBP? There's enough space as is. And do you think they'll get rid of the optical drive in their higher-end desktops, such as the iMac and the Mac Pro? Thanks.
 
And do you think they'll get rid of the optical drive in their higher-end desktops, such as the iMac and the Mac Pro? Thanks.


I think in a few years time they will. Once software and media is widely available online. It also gives a chance for ISP to improve there connections. I have been thinking about a world without physical media for about ten years.

I think Apple will hold off getting rid of the CD drive on the iMac because for most it acts as a main computer. They will be available in the Mac Pro for production companies and such. physical media will keep the quality.
 
I think in a few years time they will. Once software and media is widely available online. It also gives a chance for ISP to improve there connections. I have been thinking about a world without physical media for about ten years.

I think Apple will hold off getting rid of the CD drive on the iMac because for most it acts as a main computer. They will be available in the Mac Pro for production companies and such. physical media will keep the quality.

I don't know. It will take a long time, if ever, to completely give up physical media. Having an actual disk that won't fail and is "yours", securely and completely yours, is something that people won't give up easily.

Databases and sites get hacked all of the time. Your physical media won't. Time will tell though.
 
I don't know. It will take a long time, if ever, to completely give up physical media. Having an actual disk that won't fail and is "yours", securely and completely yours, is something that people won't give up easily.

Databases and sites get hacked all of the time. Your physical media won't. Time will tell though.

What are you talking about? I'm not talking about storing everything in the cloud. I'm talking about purchasing software and media from the cloud once you get it you can always backup to a hard drive.

Databases and sites don't do backups on dvd's.
 
Why not just buy a MBA if you don't want the ODD? Someone help me to understand. The MBP is a pro machine, it needs to include all the tools in the box IMHO.
 
What are you talking about? I'm not talking about storing everything in the cloud. I'm talking about purchasing software and media from the cloud once you get it you can always backup to a hard drive.

Databases and sites don't do backups on dvd's.

I know that; I'm just giving reasons as to why people will still want to hold on to physical CDs in the future, no matter how cheap online storage is and how fast the internet is.

Hard drives fail. CDs don't. I'm not saying you're wrong or anything, however I think, until something "better" comes along (and I mean in terms of price and stability), CDs will be here.

They aren't the "best" at doing multiple things, as for many, the standard HD has long surpassed them. However, at other things such as distributing information/media and storing information, the disk format is a tough one to beat.
 
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