New Apple Hardware...No Blu-ray Offerings

[marzetta7]

Hmm. Wow. As much of an Apple fan that I am, I seriously question Apple's move with no Blu-ray offerings in their new computers released today...

http://www.apple.com/macmini/

http://www.apple.com/imac/

http://www.apple.com/macpro/

Not even a Blu-ray drive option when you build a Mac Pro! I mean c'mon! I've been seriously waiting for a long time for a Blu-ray drive in a Mac, and unfortunately, it doesn't appear this will happen at this rate until 2010. That kind of sucks.

What do you all think of the chances of having a Blu-ray drive upgrade option toward the latter part of 2009 given the simplified licensing structure for Blu-ray? I know Apple has been a critic of the licensing fees, but now that it has been simplified, I thought Apple might jump in. We'll see I guess.

[FlipperWasIrish]

Yes, it could happen, and there again pigs may learn to fly.

I would advise not holding your breath for this to happen.

What will be, will be, when it will be.

[marzetta7]

Originally Posted by FlipperWasIrish

Yes, it could happen, and there again pigs may learn to fly.

I would advise not holding your breath for this to happen.

What will be, will be, when it will be.

Thanks for the insight. What I'm trying to understand is what the hold up might be. Is it licensing? Is it the lack of or delay of readied software for Blu-ray authoring? Will we see it come the release of Snow Leopard? Or is it perhaps just a strategical move based on Apple's desire for downloads to become the norm?

So, while I appreciate the concept of pigs developing wings and learning to fly, I was looking for people's thoughts on the subject of what Apple's reasoning might be to not include Blu-ray in their new hardware offerings this late in the game.

[FlipperWasIrish]

Originally Posted by marzetta7

Thanks for the insight. What I'm trying to understand is what the hold up might be. Is it licensing? Is it the lack of or delay of readied software for Blu-ray authoring? Will we see it come the release of Snow Leopard? Or is it perhaps just a strategical move based on Apple's desire for downloads to become the norm?

So, while I appreciate the concept of pigs developing wings and learning to fly, I was looking for people's thoughts on the subject of what Apple's reasoning might be to not include Blu-ray in their new hardware offerings this late in the game.

I'll leave you to discuss the subject as you wish. Looking for a reason for "why" I understand. I wish you luck in your search.

[caliminius]

Originally Posted by marzetta7

Thanks for the insight. What I'm trying to understand is what the hold up might be. Is it licensing? Is it the lack of or delay of readied software for Blu-ray authoring? Will we see it come the release of Snow Leopard? Or is it perhaps just a strategical move based on Apple's desire for downloads to become the norm?

So, while I appreciate the concept of pigs developing wings and learning to fly, I was looking for people's thoughts on the subject of what Apple's reasoning might be to not include Blu-ray in their new hardware offerings this late in the game.

You asked what the chance was of a Mac with Blu-Ray by year's end. It seems like he give you a pretty clear opinion on the matter.

As for why, ask Apple. Just don't expect the answer to be the truth.

[pacificvibes]

Originally Posted by marzetta7

Thanks for the insight. What I'm trying to understand is what the hold up might be. Is it licensing? Is it the lack of or delay of readied software for Blu-ray authoring? Will we see it come the release of Snow Leopard? Or is it perhaps just a strategical move based on Apple's desire for downloads to become the norm?

So, while I appreciate the concept of pigs developing wings and learning to fly, I was looking for people's thoughts on the subject of what Apple's reasoning might be to not include Blu-ray in their new hardware offerings this late in the game.

you answered your own question...Apple has iTunes...Apple wants that to be the norm for HD movies and such, remember they have the Apple TV so having BD out is major competition.

[Bobby Henderson]

I think some Apple's new products, particularly its 17 inch "unibody" MacBook Pro, are quite laughably out of touch.

Obviously Apple is making a glaringly stupid mistake by refusing to incorporate Blu-ray combo drives and Blu-ray burners into its computers. All the other major PC manufacturers are moving forward with lots of Blu-ray offerings. I was in Sam's Club just a few days ago buying a copy of Killzone 2 and noticed most of the HP desktop PCs on the shelf had either Blu-ray combo drives or full blown Blu-ray burners. Some of the notebooks even had them.

Another big problem with the MacBook Pro, its "green" battery. You can't remove it. That's a big problem. If the battery malfunctions you're stuck sending off your system to Apple or at least dropping it off at the nearest Apple Store. Most notebooks, Macs included, have the occasional crash which requires removing the battery to get the computer to reset itself -otherwise it just won't restart. One of these kinds of crashes will leave you stuck shipping off the computer to the shop for repair.

It's more and more obvious Apple has lost touch with the market of creative professionals and scientific users and is instead directing its products toward people who are merely fashion conscious. An Apple notebook is turning into more of a clothing accessory rather than a powerful tool to help get work accomplished. Apple is going to cut its own throat with this smug, out of touch idiocy.

[pacificvibes]

Originally Posted by Bobby Henderson

I think some Apple's new products, particularly its 17 inch "unibody" MacBook Pro, are quite laughably out of touch.

Obviously Apple is making a glaringly stupid mistake by refusing to incorporate Blu-ray combo drives and Blu-ray burners into its computers. All the other major PC manufacturers are moving forward with lots of Blu-ray offerings. I was in Sam's Club just a few days ago buying a copy of Killzone 2 and noticed most of the HP desktop PCs on the shelf had either Blu-ray combo drives or full blown Blu-ray burners. Some of the notebooks even had them.

Another big problem with the MacBook Pro, its "green" battery. You can't remove it. That's a big problem. If the battery malfunctions you're stuck sending off your system to Apple or at least dropping it off at the nearest Apple Store. Most notebooks, Macs included, have the occasional crash which requires removing the battery to get the computer to reset itself -otherwise it just won't restart. One of these kinds of crashes will leave you stuck shipping off the computer to the shop for repair.

It's more and more obvious Apple has lost touch with the market of creative professionals and scientific users and is instead directing its products toward people who are merely fashion conscious. An Apple notebook is turning into more of a clothing accessory rather than a powerful tool to help get work accomplished. Apple is going to cut its own throat with this smug, out of touch idiocy.

Mac are great for productivity...how are they not, because they dont want to incorporate Blu-ray???

[marzetta7]

Originally Posted by caliminius

You asked what the chance was of a Mac with Blu-Ray by year's end. It seems like he give you a pretty clear opinion on the matter.

As for why, ask Apple. Just don't expect the answer to be the truth.

That he did, and I thanked him. However, in addition to the answer to that question, I had more inquiries that would hopefully encourage thought provoking debate and/or reasoning.

To the latter statement, well, you know darn well that me asking Apple won't get me very far. That's why I posed the questions to the forum...to hear their opinions.

[FlipperWasIrish]

Originally Posted by marzetta7

That he did, and I thanked him. However, in addition to the answer to that question, I had more inquiries that would hopefully encourage thought provoking debate and/or reasoning.

To the latter statement, well, you know darn well that me asking Apple won't get me very far. That's why I posed the questions to the forum...to hear their opinions.

I am fine with the OP answer to me. No problem at all. Again, good luck discussing your opinions of this issue. As for you asking Apple, I agree that would get nowhere at present. Perhaps, and I stress perhaps, a truthful answer to your question will come out by the end of the year "by Apple", anything is possible.

[marzetta7]

Originally Posted by pacificvibes

you answered your own question...Apple has iTunes...Apple wants that to be the norm for HD movies and such, remember they have the Apple TV so having BD out is major competition.

Understood, but what I don't understand here is that Apple is on the BDA, and from my understanding is on the patent licensing pool for H.264...

http://www.design-reuse.com/news/200...-standard.html

Current patent holders to MPEG LA’s AVC Patent Portfolio License include Apple Inc.; DAEWOO Electronics Corporation; Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute; France Télécom, société anonyme; Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.; Fujitsu Limited; Hitachi, Ltd.; Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.; LG Electronics Inc.; Microsoft Corporation; Mitsubishi Electric Corporation; NTT DoCoMo, Inc.; Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation; Panasonic Corporation; Robert Bosch GmbH; Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.; Scientific-Atlanta Vancouver Company; Sedna Patent Services, LLC; Sharp Corporation; Siemens AG; Sony Corporation; The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York; Toshiba Corporation; and Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.

...which, in my mind, it would make sense that they take advantage of the Blu-ray market that utilizes this codec heavily--thus more royalties for Apple. In my opinion, they are trying to play a balancing act with getting royalties from downloads and from Blu-ray, but all the while not really supporting Blu-ray. I think if they try to play this way too long, and say, if Blu-ray were to fail or not become as successful as DVD, they essentially will shoot themselves in the foot by aiding in the destruction of a certain royalty market--Blu-ray.

Just some thoughts.

[marzetta7]

Originally Posted by FlipperWasIrish

I am fine with the OP answer to me. No problem at all. Again, good luck discussing your opinions of this issue. As for you asking Apple, I agree that would get nowhere at present. Perhaps, and I stress perhaps, a truthful answer to your question will come out by the end of the year "by Apple", anything is possible.

Thanks FlipperWasIrish. I appreciate your feedback and thoughts.

[SkantDragon]

It would hardly be the first time in Apple's history that they walked away from huge sections of market share they had built up because of some other agenda.

[Clark Kent]

It has been obvious for a period of time that Apple seriously does not want Blu-ray to succeed and only joined the BDA initially to oppose Microsoft. Their actions clearly demonstrate they want downloading to be the future. I would not expect to see a BD drive anytime soon in an Apple machine.

[Bobby Henderson]

Originally Posted by pacificvibes

Mac are great for productivity...how are they not, because they dont want to incorporate Blu-ray???

As strong as the Apple brand name may be, the company's high priced products are not in any way above customers scrutizing their ratio of features to price level and comparing that to the competition.

Combine that situation with the worsening situation for Apple in the creative computing marketplace. Apple is getting pummeled in the highest end, most prestigious sectors of that marketplace by companies like Autodesk and Eyeon Software who make superior tools that don't run on Mac-based hardware. Apple's tent-pole software suites like Final Cut Studio are becoming increasingly threated by Adobe and others. Adobe's Production Studio suite features Blu-ray authoring capability. Adobe is working with Red Digital Cinema on native support for its d-cinema camera systems. Apple is standing still while its rivals are not.

With being so focused on iTunes, iPods and iPhones, Apple is painting itself into a corner with the rest of its computing business. The main selling point with the new 17" MacBook Pro? A "green" battery. Woo hoo. They're wanting upwards of $3000 for the thing while you can buy similarly equipped 17" notebooks with Blu-ray combo drives from some other PC makers for less than half that price.

[Chevypower]

Originally Posted by Bobby Henderson

As strong as the Apple brand name may be, the company's high priced products are not in any way above customers scrutizing their ratio of features to price level and comparing that to the competition.

So Bugatti Veyron versus Chevy Cobalt - as long as they both have ABS, A/C and electric windows, I can say the Cobalt is better for the money, and therefore the better car.
I really wish the Windows operating system was as good, and I wish there was something as good as Final Cut Studio 2 for the PC.... but there isn't yet. Or I wish somebody less arrogant than Steve Jobs would take over Apple, and give customers what they want.

[pacificvibes]

Originally Posted by Bobby Henderson

I think some Apple's new products, particularly its 17 inch "unibody" MacBook Pro, are quite laughably out of touch.

Obviously Apple is making a glaringly stupid mistake by refusing to incorporate Blu-ray combo drives and Blu-ray burners into its computers. All the other major PC manufacturers are moving forward with lots of Blu-ray offerings. I was in Sam's Club just a few days ago buying a copy of Killzone 2 and noticed most of the HP desktop PCs on the shelf had either Blu-ray combo drives or full blown Blu-ray burners. Some of the notebooks even had them.

Another big problem with the MacBook Pro, its "green" battery. You can't remove it. That's a big problem. If the battery malfunctions you're stuck sending off your system to Apple or at least dropping it off at the nearest Apple Store. Most notebooks, Macs included, have the occasional crash which requires removing the battery to get the computer to reset itself -otherwise it just won't restart. One of these kinds of crashes will leave you stuck shipping off the computer to the shop for repair.

It's more and more obvious Apple has lost touch with the market of creative professionals and scientific users and is instead directing its products toward people who are merely fashion conscious. An Apple notebook is turning into more of a clothing accessory rather than a powerful tool to help get work accomplished. Apple is going to cut its own throat with this smug, out of touch idiocy.

I dont want this to start going into a Apple VS PC debate because we've had enough of those. I have had both PC and MAC and IMO I think that Apple is a better product, I dont have, or had in this case; any of the problems I did with PC. Again this is just my experience and opinion.

[PEDXING]

I have a question for everyone regarding the new mac mini. Is there any kind of HD output for the display? Like, if I got the mac mini could I connect it to my 46 inch Sharp Aquos and use that as my computer monitor? It'd be really great if I could do that and basically have a new mac without spending $1500 for a macbook or imac.

[dadkins]

Originally Posted by Chevypower

So Bugatti Veyron versus Chevy Cobalt - as long as they both have ABS, A/C and electric windows, I can say the Cobalt is better for the money, and therefore the better car.
I really wish the Windows operating system was as good, and I wish there was something as good as Final Cut Studio 2 for the PC.... but there isn't yet. Or I wish somebody less arrogant than Steve Jobs would take over Apple, and give customers what they want.

"as good as" is subjective.
Adobe is as good as or better.
Sony Vegas is also as good as or better.

As for the last line in your post, that explains quite a bit in just a few words.

[Kyo28]

At the point we've come now, I think it's just plain bad business for a hardware seller to ignore blu-ray drives all together. I don't mean to say that every single model needs to incorporate one, but at least the high-end models should.

I've been a loyal Toshiba notebook customer but their continued refusal to offer even one single model that has a blu-ray drive may just be the reason for me to switch brands at my next purchase. Especially in the case of Toshiba I understand it's a bitter pill to equip their notebooks with your competitor's parts, but not doing so in the long run will make them lose market share. Customers won't forever be happy with 'just' a DVD drive, just like they weren't forever happy with 'just' a CD drive.