Now that Apple has conquered the 11-inch and 13-inch form factor with the MacBook Air, there are rumblings that the company has set its sights on a super-slim 15-inch notebook computer that’s nearing completion -- but it’s not likely to be part of the Air lineup.
MacRumors is reporting that Apple is in “late testing stages” on a new, ultra-thin 15-inch Mac notebook. Although that immediately brings to mind visions of the new MacBook Air models which are available in 11-inch and 13-inch form factors, the 15-inch model is expected to arrive with MacBook Pro branding, possibly “alongside a thin 17-inch model” as well.
“Many now expect that Apple's design choices in the Air will eventually make their way to the MacBook Pro product, with the use of integrated SSD and lack of optical drive being the most notable changes allowing for such a thin design,” the report claims. “While we don't know for a fact, we expect that any future ‘ultra thin’ laptop from Apple will also dispense with a built-in optical drive. As evidenced by its recent release of the optical drive-less Mac mini, Apple has no problem leaving physical media behind.”
Following MacRumors’ lead, TUAW has also fueled speculation about this new 15-inch model, claiming it may arrive by Christmas with MacBook Pro branding, with an equally thin 17-inch model also available. One thing’s for sure: Fans of the optical drive are likely to be unhappy campers soon…
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Qaanol
July 27, 2011 at 12:08pm
Makes perfect sense. Think about it. If they’re not going to add a Blu-ray drive, there’s no sense keeping a lowly DVD drive. And at this point it’s pretty clear they’re not going to add a Blu-ray drive (except possibly to the Mac Pro—but even then it’s likely to be a BTO option). Message is straightforward: you want an optical drive, you buy the optical drive you want. It’s cheaper from a 3rd party than from Apple, and it’ll be the drive that fits your needs. For most people most of the time, that’s “no drive required”, or more accurately most people only need one optical drive among all the computers in the house. No need for a dedicated optical drive attached to every machine.
Chris_M
July 27, 2011 at 10:58am
I have a first ed. Macbook Air and I also have the optical drive for it. I have honestly used that thing 10 times in the years that I've had my computer, so if they do decide to do this, there are options.
Theo
July 27, 2011 at 6:16am
I want to say that I can't see this happening, but the more I think about it, it seems possible. I have a mac book pro, but to be honest, I don' t use the optical drive nearly as much as I did, oh.. 3 years ago. The only time I use it now is to burn a dvd, or to rip one, which doesn't happen a lot. Will there be some growing pains? Absolutely. But what is change without them?
On another note, this seems to keep in step with the disturbing trend that Apple has been doing. Lion, FCPX, and now this.. it makes you wonder if Apple even cares about the professional sector now. I got a MBP because it was a PRO, because I needed more features than the regular line up. I guess only time will tell.
wishtobeadev
July 27, 2011 at 6:07am
Why would they get rid of optical drives????? There are still a lot of people that use optical drives for work. Until the developers of software that you need a cd for, no computer can go completely cd-less.
