Clutter is not the point of this debate. The point is the technology is still commercially available and accessible to those who need it.
Somehow I seriously doubt Apple doesn't think about thinness and lightness in all of its product lines.
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What to expect from iMac 2012 - Discussion
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Clutter is not the point of this debate. The point is the technology is still commercially available and accessible to those who need it.
Somehow I seriously doubt Apple doesn't think about thinness and lightness in all of its product lines.
When Apple preemptively killed the 5 1/4" floppy, the logical successor was already in place, and you could already find software on it - the 3 1/2".
When Apple preemptively killed the 3 1/2" floppy, the logical successor was already in place, and you could already find software on it - the CD. And adding DVD did not require killing the CD.
What logical successor is in place to preemptively kill the CD/DVD? What else does software come on? What else do movies come on? What else does music come on? The network, sure, but a non-network solution must also exist. You can't get MS Office on the App Store. USB sticks? Do they come in boxes, other than Lion itself?
Asking most of your customers to buy an $80 peripheral to increase desk clutter (which IS a consideration), for something they will need for probably the entire life of the computer, is not a smart move.
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I'm sure said article talks about using an existing device you own that still has a drive.
When Apple preemptively killed the 3 1/2" floppy, the logical successor was already in place, and you could already find software on it - the CD. And adding DVD did not require killing the CD.
What logical successor is in place to preemptively kill the CD/DVD? What else does software come on? What else do movies come on? What else does music come on? The network, sure, but a non-network solution must also exist. You can't get MS Office on the App Store. USB sticks? Do they come in boxes, other than Lion itself?
Asking most of your customers to buy an $80 peripheral to increase desk clutter (which IS a consideration), for something they will need for probably the entire life of the computer, is not a smart move.
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I'm sure said article talks about using an existing device you own that still has a drive.
Agreed.
See above quote. Blu-Ray discs are quite reliable (almost scratch-proof), speedy, they are big, but they are certainly not unpractical.
I shouldn't have to buy an accessory for something that should have originally been included. Plus, the cord on that thing is awfully small. What if it falls or accidentally unplugs? How are you going to fit a blu-ray drive in that, it's going to HAVE to get bigger. Just because there's an alternative DOESN'T mean it's a good one. Just because you don't need a physical drive doesn't mean they should take it out and force people to buy an external one.
EDIT: Isn't it called a ALL-IN-ONE? as in, What I need in a computer (besides mouse & keyboard) is already there, no accessories needed?
Mac App Store. iTunes. Digital.
Not yet, but MS Office on Mac App Store is definitely in the works:
https://www.macrumors.com/2011/11/2...working-on-office-for-ipad-and-mac-app-store/
There is no hard evidence that it is "most of the customers". On the contrary, I bet if you broke down the percentage of iMac users that actually use the ODD, I bet there would be a good chance it would be less than half, which is enough for Apple to ditch it and move on. They already did with the Mini. iMac wouldn't be too far off.
The fact that Lion broke a record history for Apple for most adopted OS X upgrade, all digitally, is good supporting evidence that "most" of Apple's users have already moved beyond optical media.
https://www.macrumors.com/2011/10/04/6-million-copies-of-lion-purchased-via-mac-app-store/
Nope, built in not required.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4410
"An optical drive (MacBook Air and some Mac mini computers require an external optical disc drive to install Windows 7)."
It wouldn't be any different with an ODD-less iMac. Hook up the Superdrive with a single USB cable, pop in the W7 disc and you're off.
It's an All-in-One that caters to the majority of the crowd. As mentioned earlier regarding the sales data of Lion, it is the fastest, most adopted OS in the history of all OSes ever sold, and thats a good number supporting Apple's direction.
"This is 80% more than Snow Leopard."
"For another metric, we measure adoption. If you look at Windows 7, it took them about 20 weeks to reach 10% of their base. It took Lion 2 weeks."
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....And the majority of all-in-one buyers are families/computer newbies, who might still have music on CDs, or precious family moments on DVDs, or educational software for their kids on CDs, or their movie collection on DVDs. Taking out the optical drive will just hurt it. Like I said, I can understand removing the optical drive for the smaller more compact models and lightweight models (Air and Mini), but it's really risky and impractical at this point in time. Flash Storage and Digital downloads may be the future, but it certainly isn't "now".
It is now actually. Majority of the people buy songs from iTunes (hence iTunes being the number 1 distributor of music worldwide). Same goes for movies with Netflix and Hulu and iTunes. Hell even Youtube sells you movies. You can make the case for bluray disks, but Apple never supported them in the 1st place. Apps and educational content are all downloadable throught their respective sites and in the app store. Families started using USB sticks long time ago (greater capacity, faster interface, much more portable than optical media).
The fact that they removed the optical drive from the MacMini shows where they are headed with all their macs.
Hi everyone, I'm new to Macs, so please excuse my lack of knowledge. I'm wondering if I should wait for the new iMac or purchase the current model. My current laptop is dying slowly but surely, and I'm not sure how much longer I can hold out for the 2012 iMac.
From reading the posts, most people here expect the new iMac to be introduced sometime after IvyBridge is released, which is reportedly going to be in April. Currently according to the MacRumors Buyer's Guide, it has been 281 days since the last model was released, with an average of 273 days between prior model releases. I'm just wondering if anyone thinks there will be a minor refresh/upgrade before IvyBridge, and then a more significant upgrade later this year after IvyBridge? The only reason I'm asking is because I do see that there were 2 new models released in 2009 (in March and October). Any thoughts would be appreciated!
I realize that no one outside Apple really knows, but I guess I'm hoping for some more experienced Apple users to say either (1) "yes, 2 new models in 2012 is a possibility, with a refresh before IvyBridge" or (2) "that possibility is so exceedingly unlikely"/"not going to happen."
Thanks!
From reading the posts, most people here expect the new iMac to be introduced sometime after IvyBridge is released, which is reportedly going to be in April. Currently according to the MacRumors Buyer's Guide, it has been 281 days since the last model was released, with an average of 273 days between prior model releases. I'm just wondering if anyone thinks there will be a minor refresh/upgrade before IvyBridge, and then a more significant upgrade later this year after IvyBridge? The only reason I'm asking is because I do see that there were 2 new models released in 2009 (in March and October). Any thoughts would be appreciated!
I realize that no one outside Apple really knows, but I guess I'm hoping for some more experienced Apple users to say either (1) "yes, 2 new models in 2012 is a possibility, with a refresh before IvyBridge" or (2) "that possibility is so exceedingly unlikely"/"not going to happen."
Thanks!
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I haven't been keeping up with this thread. Instead of going through 10 pages, can't you just tell me if it is or not?
A redesign was rumoured last year and the iMac is probably overdue for a new look. That said, to my knowledge there have been no part leaks etc which suggest a new form factor.
We are close to the expected date of launch and although Apple is known for its secrecy they do struggle to lock down the entire supply chain. In fact there haven't been any iMac related leaks/news stories for a couple of months. My gut feeling is that any significant change to design would be a subject of rumour by now.
How would we know? None of us work on the iMac design team, and even if we did, we wouldn't be able to tell anyone about it.
According to the buyer's guide, today now marks the second longest amount of time we've ever had to wait for a new iMac model refresh for the aluminum and glass design, which was first introduced in 2008. The longest wait period was 309 days. We now stand at 281.
Given the rumors that Ivy Bridge may launch early April, if Apple were to release the models then, that would them mark this as the longest refresh cycle, just shy under a year since last update.
The iMac is Apple's best selling desktop, so I'm sure they'd like to prioritize a release soon once Ivy Bridge is available. Assuming Ivy Bridge is released in April, I really don't see Apple ending Spring without an iMac release and waiting for an entire year to update.
Given the rumors that Ivy Bridge may launch early April, if Apple were to release the models then, that would them mark this as the longest refresh cycle, just shy under a year since last update.
The iMac is Apple's best selling desktop, so I'm sure they'd like to prioritize a release soon once Ivy Bridge is available. Assuming Ivy Bridge is released in April, I really don't see Apple ending Spring without an iMac release and waiting for an entire year to update.
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No, they removed the optical drive to slim the model down. Apple (or anybody for that matter) is too smart to just drop support for CDs. Maybe in the far future, but sorry to break it to you; physical media is going to be here for a while.
no, it will be removed from all mac computers by 2014, so two year time frame
its over, get over it, deal with it
i really dont understand all the fight in this matter? its like apples taking away screens bigger than 13' or a ability to use a mouse
i'm betting that 70% percent mac users use odd 5 times or less a year, and apple knows that, so deal with it
the future of the optical media is blu ray, apple will never adopt blu ray, isnt that telling you something?
macbook air removed it (have been extremely successful, apple knows that), now mac mini removed it, next is macbook pro and then imac, by 2014, so get your mind straight, its about time that you move away from spinning disks for good (ssd, flash, broadband)
I'm also waiting. If you have a computer that actually WORKS? Why spend money on a new computer now when there will be a better model within ~2.5 months?
I'm not gonna spend $2900 right now when I'll get a better CPU and GPU for the same amount, or maybe less, quite soon.
I'm not gonna spend $2900 right now when I'll get a better CPU and GPU for the same amount, or maybe less, quite soon.
I would like to see blu-ray in my iMac. Sharing the drive woule eliminate the need for them in my MBP so there'd be more room for other "stuff". LOL
I agree, although the MBA never had an ODD to remove. You can pretty much bet that the ODD will be gone from the laptops very soon, hopefully replaced by another HDD/SSD slot or at least more ports on the 17" model.
I do however doubt that the last vestiges of the desktop computer will have it for a few more years to come, (i.e. the iMac and MacPro.) I can see the 21.5" lossing the ODD, but if Apple is going to continue to push the 27" iMac as a professional workstation then it's going to need that ODD.
The Mac Pro will never and should never lose it's ODDs, or at the very least, keep the slots and allow the end user to choose what to put in it.
Rather than moaning about it being the second longest refresh period, just be grateful they're not just giving us a bump on the current processor architecture. And the speculation that one might come out tomorrow or whenever is more or less unfounded. Best to watch for the availability dates to slip on the website, then you can say with more certainty that a refresh is coming.
Unless internet subscriptions become free (or really, really cheap) WITHOUT download limits, physical media will continue to exist.
Furthermore, I'm part of an 'older' generation (42 years old) and I still prefer to buy my music on CD, rather than on iTunes. Same with DVD's and BluRay.
A digital download has no value for me. There's no difference between a legally downloaded music album and a pirated one, there's nothing you can actually 'touch'...
When you go buy a CD in the shop, you get a nice case, a booklet, etc. The actual experience of 'opening' a new CD or DVD is also part of the buying experience.
It's all in my head, I know, but I guess you'll have to live with physical media a bit longer, at least until most people of my generation are dead and buried