iMac, Mac Pro Rumored to Drop Optical Drives
Apple may be phasing out the optical drive in its desktop computers.
Specific notes in Mac OS X Mountain Lion's configuration files are hinting to an update for Apple's iMac and Mac Pro desktop computers. The files make note of unreleased iMac (iMac13,0) and Mac Pro (MacPro6,0) models, both of which are now expected to drop the optical drive altogether.
AppleInsider notes that Apple's Boot Camp Assistant "references the plist to display a listing of newer Mac models with EFI-level support for booting a legacy operating system from a USB flash drive." Of course, that is a feature already supported in today's models, but the explicit description suggests that Apple may be specifically targeting a bootable Windows 7 volume from an image file - and not a DVD anymore.
The file references disk drive free systems such as the Mac mini and the Macbook Air at the same, time which fuels rumors that Apple could be taking the step of ditching legacy optical drives. We know that Apple isn't shy of killing technology it does not believe or want anymore. It did so with the floppy drive in the original iMac. Back then, Apple already played with an "iDrive" as a cloud storage product in 1998, which did not work that well due to the lack of generally available broadband connections.
Given broadband speeds today, as well as cheap flash mass storage, it is not unreasonable to believe that Apple may be considering the departure from the optical drive. It would even support its business model in an effort to move its users to the iCloud service.
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Wolfgang Gruener is an experienced professional in digital strategy and content, specializing in web strategy, content architecture, user experience, and applying AI in content operations within the insurtech industry. His previous roles include Director, Digital Strategy and Content Experience at American Eagle, Managing Editor at TG Daily, and contributing to publications like Tom's Guide and Tom's Hardware.
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twelch82 I can see dropping the optical drive in an ultrathin notebook, but in a desktop machine?Reply -
ojas Well, another reason to add to a list of why Apple desktop computers hardly sell in Asia (except maybe South Korea and Japan)...Reply -
ricardok So, does anyone else uses their optical drives?? I don't.. And for more than 2 years already..Reply -
molo9000 Leaving optical drives out of laptops saves a lot of spaces and weight, but is there really a big advantage to leaving it out of the iMac? Guess you can make the edges a bit thinner if you don't need to include the drive...Reply
They are right, that very few people need optical drives anymore, but having at least one of those ancient contraptions in your household might still be worth it.
btw: Isn't the bigger news that they are still updating the Mac Pro? Weren't there rumors that they wanted to kill it? -
phatboe US MS users should laugh if Apple goes through with this. With the way MS is doing business these days if Apple goes though with this MS will surely follow.Reply -
scannall otacon72So they're going to phase out the optical drive, charge the same price, then sell an external optical drive with some proprietary plug for $300. After what happened to Honan I'd trust Apple to keep my data safe....right.Reply
You mean like this one? http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD564ZM/A?fnode=5f
Oh wait. It's $79, and uses USB.... Hate on bro. You're a pro. -
theabsinthehare I only used the ODD in my latest build to install Windows for the first time. In fact, I unplugged the sata/power connector even though the drive still sits in the case because it's been 3 years and it hasn't been used once. Installing the OS is faster from a thumb drive anyway.Reply