I'm big on this stuff and jumped into the whole DVD-R thing when the drive was a 2X at $500. Usually, it's a few main things:
1. OS Support, which will be in October.
2. Software support. There is a few now, but when OS X and iLife is compatible, that's the time to take the plunge.
3. Lower prices. Where I shop: http://www.dfwdepot.com/opticstor/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=68_17_131&products_id=250
$949 for a slim Blu-ray is a bit hard to swallow for a $599 Mini. When prices go down to about $199 (which should be around late this year or early next). A Mini (or hopefully a newer Mac equivalent) with OS X, iLife, and a Blu-ray (or really hoping, a Super Multi Blu with HD DVD-RW support also) is feasible. The desktop models will be cheaper and should show up earlier (October?)
Last Friday in the Fry's ad they had the Philips Blu Ray burner for $450.00. Also, I find it interesting that Final Cut Studio 2's DVD Studio Pro 4 supports HD DVD blue laser replication but there is no mention of Blu Ray. http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/dvdstudiopro/mastering.html
Maybe when they mention HD DVD they are referring to High Definition DVD's in general and not the HD DVD format.
Also, why are you looking for a Blu Ray burner? If its for home movies, I have successfully burned a 10 minute home movie recorded with a Canon HV10 onto a DVD-R as an HD DVD disk and played it back on my Toshiba HD-A2. I edited it in iMovie, but had to use a PC with Movie Factory 6 to actually burn in HD DVD format. It looked excellent at 1080i. This is the way to go for now since the quality is the same and the disks are cheap. A DVD-R will hold up to 30 minutes of High Definition video.
BTW, I am indifferent as to which format wins, I am just playing with the least expensive way to get into HD disks.
Last Friday in the Fry's ad they had the Philips Blu Ray burner for $450.00. Also, I find it interesting that Final Cut Studio 2's DVD Studio Pro 4 supports HD DVD blue laser replication but there is no mention of Blu Ray. http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/dvdstudiopro/mastering.html
Maybe when they mention HD DVD they are referring to High Definition DVD's in general and not the HD DVD format.
DVD Studio Pro 4 lets you create industry-standard images for SD and HD DVD replication, including dual-layer (DVD-9) as well as single-layer discs. Replicate to traditional red laser formats or double the capacity on your HD DVD disc by using the blue laser format.
Thank you for your answers. When a MBP is released with BR, we'll sell our current 3 computers and pick up 3 MBPs. We do a lot of HD work and the limiting size of single layer DVDs... well... let's just say that BR is going to be a godsend.