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Sonnet Announces Thunderbolt Dock With Internal Drive Bay and Blu-Ray Drive
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It'd be cool if they offered a version with no optical drive at all and included mounting hardware for a second internal drive, at say a $30 discount (optical drives are really cheap, now).
This would also let you install your own Blu-ray recorder, since the Blu-ray drive Sonnet is offering is only a BD-ROM drive. Of course Sonnet could also offer a model with a Blu-ray recorder themselves...
Considering the major market for this dock is Mac users, a version that better matched Macs, in silver without the blue/red/green plastic in the front facing ports, would also be welcome.
After Belkin added and then removed eSATA from their Thunderbolt dock is this the first one to actually have those ports?
This would also let you install your own Blu-ray recorder, since the Blu-ray drive Sonnet is offering is only a BD-ROM drive. Of course Sonnet could also offer a model with a Blu-ray recorder themselves...
Considering the major market for this dock is Mac users, a version that better matched Macs, in silver without the blue/red/green plastic in the front facing ports, would also be welcome.
After Belkin added and then removed eSATA from their Thunderbolt dock is this the first one to actually have those ports?
Then don't buy it.
I'm not, hence the comment: "I just need an adapter: 1 thunderbolt -> 2 thunderbolts..."
why are you trying to confuse yourself?
While I have no desire for a blueray drive as my mac has a magical ability by where HD films just appear in the downloads folder
, I hardly think watching a film on my 27 iMac (spoiler, that's a big ass computer ) with a Phillips 7.1 surround sound system is a poor experience.Ripping,
imagining uses beyond your own limited scope isn't exactly rocket science.
also, lots of people have great sound systems, or machines integrated into htpc setups.
how do you feed your apple tv?
Dead??
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1415117/2...istorical-sales-figures-and-comments-here-new
Apple just wants to herd people to iTunes.
Streaming media looks and sounds like garbage on anything but junk tvs, sound systems and computer screens.
And many don't have a fast enough connection to get the garbage.
No matter how many times the lie is told about BD, it's still a lie to those can think for themsleves.
And how's that Junk HD download working for your data cap? LOL
Give it up already.
you allready have 2 thunderbolt ports. Dock--> monitor, 2nd tb port to monitor
you also have hdmi out, and there are various adapters on the market.
Just wait till 4K is standard. You can't stream 4K at the rate people will want to watch it. I downloaded a 4 minute clip and it was 900MB. Now make that a 2 hour movie.
This is great. It truly transforms a Macbook/Air/Pro into a desktop computer. It basically is a desktop computer minus the processor & ram. It is not inexpensive but for all one gets it isn't overpriced either given the flexibility of having the hard drive, disc drive and the 2 esata ports for hooking up a raid enclosure.
Please!
Stop it with the optical media hate! Quit praying at the altar of Steve Jobs.
Yes, it will go away someday as will desktop PCs, notebooks, OSX and Windows.
A/V enthusiasts will continue to use Blu-Ray, CDs and Records...yes, LPs.
Until the tech and cost benefit catches up with the quality, many will refuse to compromise.
Stop it with the optical media hate! Quit praying at the altar of Steve Jobs.
Yes, it will go away someday as will desktop PCs, notebooks, OSX and Windows.
A/V enthusiasts will continue to use Blu-Ray, CDs and Records...yes, LPs.
Until the tech and cost benefit catches up with the quality, many will refuse to compromise.
Looking at this again, I agree the optical drive should be optional. Yes it wouldn't save too much money but... (assuming it's using an SATA port) it would leave the option open for another hard drive or SSD. Plus the optical drive is a laptop one, I currently use a full-size external drive for the added speed. But no complaints, that can be plugged into one of the nice eSATA ports
On a related note... has anyone with a non-USB 3.0 equipped Mac had success in using USB 3.0 devices via one of these TB docks? For example, my 2011 iMac only has USB 2.0. By using one of the already available Thunderbolt docks (or this one) has anyone gained USB 3.0 capability, or does it simply clock down to USB 2.0 speeds? Thanks!
Update: Sad to see that the system requirements state OS X 10.8.2 is required. Maybe this isn't final? I'm still on 10.7 and have no intention to upgrade due to compatibility issues with some hardware and software.
On a related note... has anyone with a non-USB 3.0 equipped Mac had success in using USB 3.0 devices via one of these TB docks? For example, my 2011 iMac only has USB 2.0. By using one of the already available Thunderbolt docks (or this one) has anyone gained USB 3.0 capability, or does it simply clock down to USB 2.0 speeds? Thanks!
Update: Sad to see that the system requirements state OS X 10.8.2 is required. Maybe this isn't final? I'm still on 10.7 and have no intention to upgrade due to compatibility issues with some hardware and software.
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These prices are ridiculous. Considering that I can get a Motherboard with Thunderbolt and loads more ports, expansion slots, &c for less than $200. This much simpler piece of technology should be much less. After all it's just a dock not a full computer.
this is exactly what I have been hoping for in a usable thunderbolt dock for my rMBP.
It has an optical drive for converting my 100+ dvd/Bluray collection, a 2 TB drive for my iTunes library and still allows me to have 2 thunderbolt ports as well as MUCH more expansion options while at home.
This looks to be the best thunderbolt dock so far and I will definitely be saving up to pick one up ASAP.
It has an optical drive for converting my 100+ dvd/Bluray collection, a 2 TB drive for my iTunes library and still allows me to have 2 thunderbolt ports as well as MUCH more expansion options while at home.
This looks to be the best thunderbolt dock so far and I will definitely be saving up to pick one up ASAP.
I didn't specify Mac. And I know that Apple won't provide it.
But yes, I want a computer that has a Blu-ray drive. Just like I want a computer that has a substantial sized hard drive, even though alternatives are available; and even if Apple decides to eliminate that option.
So you're saying that at 900MB for a 4 min clip to a 2 hour movie streaming is terrible. So with that math they are going to be able to put 27GB worth a movie on a disc...Your logic is unflappable.
Can you legitimately purchase all the parts (not simply a motherboard) - case, power, etc. and assemble it to function like a dock and not have it work as a computer (no boot up, OS, etc.)?
Nothing sounds better and more pure or better than Vinyl. No matter how many crazy gadgets I get and newest tech, I will never, ever, not in a million years give up my vinyl collection.
You either have incredibly acute vision or you're sitting way too close to your screen.
Ripping copy-protected DVD and Blu-ray discs is illegal in most countries; in some cases (like where I live) it can also carry a prison sentence.
Maybe lots of people around you do, but most people only use what came in the box with the PC.
Movies, TV shows and music that are in my iTunes library. Also, Internet radio stations. Isn't that how most people use it?
It's gear & prices like this that make me wonder if Thunderbolt will ever really catch on. It's been over two years since Apple started shipping Macs w/ Thunderbolt; you'd think there'd be a lot more Thunderbolt accessories at decent prices by now.