Sign that next MBP will have Blu-Ray

[Jigsawjammer]

Going all digital and losing physical media won't happen. I hate digital music and for the last 12 years, I've bought and listened mainly to records. You can not beat the sound- it is an exact copy not converted. Digital music sounds crappy (at least iTunes digital music) and you don't realize it until you get a pristine piece of vinyl on your audiophile turntable. On the back of the old Capitol records lps from the '60s had a statement that said that this record could never go obsolete and they are right. Conveinent to own only records- of course not but that is what Audacity is for to copy it. And I swear it sounds better that way then downloading a digital version- the "highs" aren't so high that it makes my head hurt after awhile. Not only that, holding the packaging while listening to something is awesome when you first buy something which is why we are going to see whole album liners with download of an album soon (I read that here on the front page awhile back)

excuse any mistakes- typed on my iPhone

 

[applemax]

I'm planning on buying a 15" MBP soon - if Apple were to announce Blu-Ray in MBPs in the future, could I put a drive in my current MBP?

 

[MrPeanut]

It'll be a miracle if the next macbook ships with any optical drive at all.

I think that is a load bull. I think the idea that it will have blu ray is again a load of bull as well.

 

[MacModMachine]

Going all digital and losing physical media won't happen. I hate digital music and for the last 12 years, I've bought and listened mainly to records. You can not beat the sound- it is an exact copy not converted. Digital music sounds crappy (at least iTunes digital music) and you don't realize it until you get a pristine piece of vinyl on your audiophile turntable. On the back of the old Capitol records lps from the '60s had a statement that said that this record could never go obsolete and they are right. Conveinent to own only records- of course not but that is what Audacity is for to copy it. And I swear it sounds better that way then downloading a digital version- the "highs" aren't so high that it makes my head hurt after awhile. Not only that, holding the packaging while listening to something is awesome when you first buy something which is why we are going to see whole album liners with download of an album soon (I read that here on the front page awhile back)

excuse any mistakes- typed on my iPhone

yes the difference is so much great between digital and record....give me a break.

 

[jamesryanbell]

I have been saying and being berated for months now that blu-ray is coming next year. Looks like I was right as usual.

Based on what? The original post is nothing more than a rumor.

And secondly, chances are, you're wrong.

Everything people in the know have seen point to the REMOVAL of optical drives altogether.

 

[Gabriel GR]

I like analog machines. Not because of their clarity but because of their warmth, even if that is at a cost on fidelity. Also placing an LP on a turntable, putting the head on the track etc is somehow an event unlike poping in a CD or double clicking a file. I am sure there are many others like me but I can't see any way this affects the computer or the music market...

Anyone who collects, either music or movies will not feel good about dismissing the physical media. When it comes to computers though it is inevitable.

 

[jamesryanbell]

Going all digital and losing physical media won't happen. I hate digital music and for the last 12 years, I've bought and listened mainly to records. You can not beat the sound- it is an exact copy not converted. Digital music sounds crappy (at least iTunes digital music)

I'm a full time musician for a living, and I agree that MP3s are a far cry from an uncompressed wave file. Having said that, with flash memory continuing to become ridiculously inexpensive (I have a 64GB flash drive plugged into my laptop now that I paid less than $100 for....now imagine the price in even a year, much less 2-3), and the capacity surpassing the capacity of physical media (even a 50GB Blu-Ray disc isn't going to be that big in even 2-3 years from now compared to available storage with flash memory and hard drives), I believe that iTunes will eventually increase the quality little by little until there's very little difference between the real CD and the barely compressed (if at all) media. It'll at the very least become an option (like iTunes Plus used to be). I really believe that we're moving toward an uncompressed digital world, without physical media.

Of course, all of us are guessing, so no one is "right" just yet.

 

[cmaier]

I think that is a load bull. I think the idea that it will have blu ray is again a load of bull as well.

I didn't mean to suggest the next MBP won't. I'm just pretty sure that's the way apple is heading. the air has no drive, and the tablets likely won't, and (as i've said) in a couple years i think only the mbp's will have them, and the mb's won't.

 

[Jigsawjammer]

I like analog machines. Not because of their clarity but because of their warmth, even if that is at a cost on fidelity. Also placing an LP on a turntable, putting the head on the track etc is somehow an event unlike poping in a CD or double clicking a file. I am sure there are many others like me but I can't see any way this affects the computer or the music market...

Anyone who collects, either music or movies will not feel good about dismissing the physical media. When it comes to computers though it is inevitable.

I agree totally- that's why record studios have expensive machines to try to put the warmth back into the music.
To macmod- there is a big difference and you should try to hear one day for yourself. I couldn't live without digital music just saying that quality and wanting physical media won't see us moving away totally. If you look hard- most bands have a vinyl release of their newest albums which records died off technically what- 25 years ago?

Uncompressed music might be a big difference and you might get some warmth back but technically speaking- a record is an exact copy of the sound not one converted to 0's and 1's

 

[waywardsage]

I'm a full time musician for a living, and I agree that MP3s are a far cry from an uncompressed wave file. Having said that, with flash memory continuing to become ridiculously inexpensive (I have a 64GB flash drive plugged into my laptop now that I paid less than $100 for....now imagine the price in even a year, much less 2-3), and the capacity surpassing the capacity of physical media (even a 50GB Blu-Ray disc isn't going to be that big in even 2-3 years from now compared to available storage with flash memory and hard drives), I believe that iTunes will eventually increase the quality little by little until there's very little difference between the real CD and the barely compressed (if at all) media. It'll at the very least become an option (like iTunes Plus used to be). I really believe that we're moving toward an uncompressed digital world, without physical media.

Of course, all of us are guessing, so no one is "right" just yet.

Yes, but optical media is as cheep as it can get. It's plastic with a metal foil coating. Much cheeper to manufacture than a USB drive. And it probably always will be. Sure, a 2GB stick is less than $5. But a burnable DVD is pennies! A burnable Blu ray will be that cheep soon too.

 

[jfyrfytr25]

everyone is missing the point.

we are talking about apple, not the whole world right.
when it comes to apple, they are going to phase out optical drive, period.

that is what they want and that is what they will do. they have a plan, they want to move media fully digital and it dont matter whats popular, whats expensive or not expensive. it helps their digital media plan to eventually loose optical drive, so they will.

maybe not next rev. or the one after. But, it will happen.

it will not matter how many people scream and cry, they are a technology company that pushes technology forward. they are not making money if it stands still or even goes backward.

thinks of this. apple was the first to drop floppy drive out of their machines. how many screamed about that, did they listen? no, and do you miss it today? hell no...

 

[xIGmanIx]

everyone is missing the point.

we are talking about apple, not the whole world right.
when it comes to apple, they are going to phase out optical drive, period.

that is what they want and that is what they will do. they have a plan, they want to move media fully digital and it dont matter whats popular, whats expensive or not expensive. it helps their digital media plan to eventually loose optical drive, so they will.

maybe not next rev. or the one after. But, it will happen.

it will not matter how many people scream and cry, they are a technology company that pushes technology forward. they are not making money if it stands still or even goes backward.

thinks of this. apple was the first to drop floppy drive out of their machines. how many screamed about that, did they listen? no, and do you miss it today? hell no...

i agree that apple wants to get rid of physical media, but only to bolster THEIR sales on their digital market place. pushing technology forward is to incorporate the latest technology, and right now that is BD. Apples reason is business, consumers reasons are technology. the floppy drive and BD are nowhere near comparable items, because at the time, CD-ROM's had already been a commodity.

 

[Buskape]

I would really enjoy a bluray drive in my macbook, it would be then the perfect media center, thats the only thing it lacks of, a bluray drive, if i already had one i could rent the bluray movies at the local video shop and watch 1080p movies instead of the 720p content available online.

 

[jfyrfytr25]

i agree that apple wants to get rid of physical media, but only to bolster THEIR sales on their digital market place. pushing technology forward is to incorporate the latest technology, and right now that is BD. Apples reason is business, consumers reasons are technology. the floppy drive and BD are nowhere near comparable items, because at the time, CD-ROM's had already been a commodity.

but you have answered your own question right there. apple wants to drop optical to drive digital media which they have a HUGE stake in right now.

if they drop optical and it forces 5% of the market to begin using itunes for their media, that is millions on top of millions they will generate a year.

BD, they have no vested interest in. they not only have to pay for licensing to put it in their machine, if they do they don't make anything on the movie sales.

you need to realize that bd is still very expensive. not only for the players, but the media, and the to the equipment needed to be able to enjoy the full benefits.

we are still in a recession. and it is far from over. Illinois unemployment is 11%

there are alot of people out there that dont care about having the BEST quality you can buy for their movies. a regular DVD for $13 in a $40 player is enough for them. therefore downloading a movie on to their computer is enough also


with that aside. Apple does not want it, they have said that their research shows consumers moving away from optical media, and they have been very clear they have no interest in the licensing issue that comes with BD.

i would have to find the interview on youtube, but it is there.

 

[xIGmanIx]

with that aside. Apple does not want it, they have said that their research shows consumers moving away from optical media, and they have been very clear they have no interest in the licensing issue that comes with BD.

there was just a statistic released and posted on macrumors how physical media still makes up to 70% of the market, so iTunes isn't taking over anytime soon. Apple is just spreading FUD since EVERYONE is licensing the product and players can be had at sub$200 prices and BD as low as $12 for new releases. Some TV's get you a free BD player.

 

[getz76]

I agree totally- that's why record studios have expensive machines to try to put the warmth back into the music.

Sorry for the tangent, but I cannot keep silent on this topic.

It has more to do with the way modern engineers and producers are using the equipment than the actual equipment itself. Want a organic, warm sound? Record an entire band without full isolation mixed down to four tracks in a good room.

I have been on both ends, as an engineer and a musician. As an engineer, clients want more tracks, more isolation... they want perfection of each component rather than a great composition.

As a musician, I have been pushed to do retakes or have witnessed edits to my "scratch tracks" because my "1" was 3ms off from the kick drum and we needed to quantize or else it would sound "sloppy". Engineers would rather procrastinate and "fix it in the mix" rather than spending the time to get the mix sounding great to begin with.

Blaming the equipment is weak, but it is a very prevalent argument. Get the right band, a good room and a live take. Solves all of the problems.

 

[Thunder82]

i dont know anyone who would rather a blueray then a digital copy.

I find that extremely hard to believe.

I don't want a bunch of uncompressed DVDs whoring space on my precious notebook drive, let alone a bunch of 1080p Blu-Rays. Lets see, I could fit about .. 10~ on my 500GB scorpio blue? Even if i had a beast of a NAS, storing all of my DVD & Blu-Ray discs would be a feat. I agree with a lot of what you've posted here, but optical drives aren't going anywhere in 2-4 years. Not to say Apple won't try to phase them out in this time frame, but theres no prayer the rest of the industry will. (especially music & movie labels/producers, they are ALWAYS fighting change, especially one that might initially increase piracy)

 

[jfyrfytr25]

there was just a statistic released and posted on macrumors how physical media still makes up to 70% of the market, so iTunes isn't taking over anytime soon. Apple is just spreading FUD since EVERYONE is licensing the product and players can be had at sub$200 prices and BD as low as $12 for new releases. Some TV's get you a free BD player.

i am not saying you are wrong. apple probably is spreading that. i said "their" research shows.

all am saying is even though the rest of the industry is going one way, and optical drive may be around for years to come.

I think apple standing to gain from the obsolessance of optical drive, is going to try to push the envelope and drop them.

at the very least, they will keep them the way they are and snub BD.

apple has never been a follower, they have been a trend setter. some of the trends dont catch on but they try anyway. i believe they will try this.


when it is all said and done it dont really matter. i dont know what they are going to do better that you know. anything we say is speculation and only time will tell.

just stay neutral, that way you dont get let down if they dont adopt.

 

[xIGmanIx]

i am not saying you are wrong. apple probably is spreading that. i said "their" research shows.

all am saying is even though the rest of the industry is going one way, and optical drive may be around for years to come.

I think apple standing to gain from the obsolessance of optical drive, is going to try to push the envelope and drop them.

at the very least, they will keep them the way they are and snub BD.

apple has never been a follower, they have been a trend setter. some of the trends dont catch on but they try anyway. i believe they will try this.


when it is all said and done it dont really matter. i dont know what they are going to do better that you know. anything we say is speculation and only time will tell.

just stay neutral, that way you dont get let down if they dont adopt.

agreed or the true neutral is i could buy a PC to satisfy that need, being as i am a fan of windows 7 as well and windows compliant hardware manufacturers have made Blu Ray available for at least two years.

 

[Akira1980]

yes the difference is so much great between digital and record....give me a break.

Depends on what you are listening with. If you are listening from mp3 player, you won't notice any difference. But there are people who have great speaker system or nice pair of headphones. With quality equipments, you can hear big difference between low and high quality sound source.

P.S - If you add nice DAC and nice amplifier with your headphones, you will notice even bigger difference.

 

[Shake 'n' Bake]

For downloads to take over, we need at least 1 GB/s internet connection. I know that's not coming for a long time, at least in in the USA. With a disc, I can put it in my player, an in a matter of seconds, be watching the movie. With a download, at least for now, I've got to wait for a really long time. Even with BitTorrent, it took me weeks to download a 7.5 GB file.

 

[adamjackson]

I use my optical drive once a year.... (when I do a yearly reinstall of my OS for spring cleaning)

The clank / vibration of the optical drive, the sudden drop in free battery life and heat associated with it often throw me off because frankly it looks and feels archaic.

Just like hard drives, moving parts are becoming a thing of the past.

I love my MacBook Air and Macbook Pro but if Apple can shave 6 ounces and .2 inches off the MacBook Pro by removing the opitcal drive I'd be fine with that. I'd still own a $99 Superdrive for that once a year OS restore but once Apple starts digitally distributing OS updates then it'll all be over.

 

[Gabriel GR]

For downloads to take over, we need at least 1 GB/s internet connection. I know that's not coming for a long time, at least in in the USA. With a disc, I can put it in my player, an in a matter of seconds, be watching the movie. With a download, at least for now, I've got to wait for a really long time. Even with BitTorrent, it took me weeks to download a 7.5 GB file.

1GB/s? Give me a break. So you can't wait say half an hour to download and watch a HD movie? Does it take less time to rent it or go buy it? 50-100mbps will cut it and with FiOS it's not so far away.

 

[cmaier]

For downloads to take over, we need at least 1 GB/s internet connection. I know that's not coming for a long time, at least in in the USA. With a disc, I can put it in my player, an in a matter of seconds, be watching the movie. With a download, at least for now, I've got to wait for a really long time. Even with BitTorrent, it took me weeks to download a 7.5 GB file.

But that's an artificial dichotomy and a false choice. There will come a point where most things are streamed via networks, and what's left over can be distributed on cheap read-only semiconductor ROMs. The price of read-write flash is rapidly decreasing - much faster than is the cost of optical media. And optical media only increases in capacity at huge intervals, requiring whole new standards each time.

 

[Akira1980]

1GB/s? Give me a break. So you can't wait say half an hour to download and watch a HD movie? Does it take less time to rent it or go buy it? 50-100mbps will cut it and with FiOS it's not so far away.

Well, blu-ray movies can be up to 50GB... Unless you want the heavily compressed picture and sound. And honestly, you can't compare the picture of HD downloaded movies with Blu-Ray HD. (I have PS3 and Apple TV connected to 52" HDTV) Not to mention the HD downloaded movies only have stereo sound VS 7.1 HD-DTS/TrueHD.