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Apple Special Event: MacBook Pro, iMac and Mac mini Models Updated
It’s only been a little more than a month since Apple’s last press event. Granted, the last one was for the iPhone 5 and not a major hardware update for Mac computers and iPad models. It’s still rare to have Apple reveal so much in such a short amount of time.
This event was particularly different in terms of the sheer number of updates. The MacBook Pro line was given a 13.3” version with a Retina Display. The iMac models went on a diet and became enviously thin. Even the Mac mini models received some much needed attention from Apple and finally received a quad-core processor.
13.3" MacBook Pro Gets Retina Display
While the 15.4” MacBook Pro got the Retina Display treatment earlier this year, the 13.3” MacBook Pro with Retina Display finally caught up. Measuring 0.75” thin and weighing just 3.57 pounds, the 13.3” MacBook Pro with Retina Display is 0.2” thinner and weighs almost a pound less than the 13.3” MacBook Pro.
The 13.3” MacBook Pro with Retina Display comes with—you guessed it—a Retina display. The 13.3” screen features in-plane switching (IPS) technology and LED backlighting for a wide 178° viewing angle and vibrant color. It has a 2560 x 1600 native resolution, with four times the pixels of the standard MacBook Pro display and makes it the second-highest resolution on a notebook. The crown goes to its big brother, the 15.6” MacBook Pro with Retina Display. With 227 pixels per inch, the 13" MacBook Pro's Retina display boasts more than 4 million pixels, which results in high-resolution images with pixel-to-pixel accuracy. The Retina display reduces glare up to 75 percent while still maintaining accurate color and quality. In fact, the Retina display has a 29% higher contrast ratio than the standard MacBook Pro display, resulting in deeper black levels and rich, vibrant color.
The 13.3” MacBook Pro with Retina Display comes standard with a dual-core 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 processor, but you can choose to upgrade to a dual-core 2.9 GHz Intel Core i7 if you require more power. There’s also 8GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 RAM. For standard configurations, you can choose between 128GB or 256GB of flash storage. You do have the option to upgrade to 512GB or 768GB if you require more storage space.
When it comes to wireless connectivity, the 13.3” MacBook Pro with Retina Display lets you connect to 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi networks while the Bluetooth 4.0 technology lets you connect to all your favorite wireless peripherals. For ports, the 13.3” MacBook Pro with Retina Display comes with two Thunderbolt ports, two USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI port and a headphone port. There’s also the MagSafe 2 power port for safely charging your 13.3” MacBook Pro with Retina Display.
All 13.3” MacBook Pro with Retina Display computers come with the Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion operating system installed as well as a one-year limited warranty from Apple. The 13.3” MacBook Pro with Retina Display computers are available starting today!
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The New iMac: Thinner and Faster
It’s been a year since the iMac line got a proper update and Apple didn’t disappoint. The new iMac models feature a ridiculously thin frame, measuring a mere 5mm around the edges. While they do get thicker toward the middle, near the stand, the new iMac models have 40% less volume than their predecessors.
The displays of iMac models have always been impressive, so it’s no secret that Apple retained the philosophy of “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.” However, Apple changed the way they put the display together, so that the LCD itself is 5mm thinner than before. Using an advanced process called full lamination, Apple eliminated the 2mm gap between the LCD and the glass. Full lamination also helps eliminate glare and provides up to 75% less light reflection than previous iMac models.
The new iMac models still come in 21.5” and 27” display variants. The 21.5” model comes with a 1920 x 1080 native resolution and the 27” model comes with a 2560 x 1440 native resolution. Both the 21.5” and 27” iMac models come with in-plane switching (IPS) technology and LED backlighting. The vivid, accurate color and deep black levels are accentuated by the edge-to-edge glass.
When it comes to processors, you’ll have a choice between a quad-core 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5 and a quad-core 2.9 GHz Intel Core i5 processor (configurable to a quad-core 3.1 GHz Intel Core i7) for the 21.5” model. The 27” model features a choice between a quad-core 2.9 GHz Intel Core i5 and a quad-core 3.2 GHz Intel Core i5 processor (configurable up to a quad-core 3.4 GHz Intel Core i7). Both the 21.5” and 27” iMac models come with 8GB of 1600MHz DDR3 RAM, but can be configured up to 16GB on the 21.5” model and up to 32GB on the 27” model.
For graphics cards, the 21.5” model can either have an nVIDIA GeForce GT 640M GPU with 512MB of discrete memory or an nVIDIA GeForce GT 650M GPU with 512MB of discrete memory. The 27” model can either have a nVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M GPU with 512MB of discrete memory or an nVIDIA GeForce GTX 675MX GPU with 1GB of discrete memory.
When it comes to ports, the new iMac models have an SDXC card slot, four USB 3.0 ports, two Thunderbolt ports and a Mini DisplayPort. While the 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 jack allows for a wired Internet connection, you can also use the 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi for wireless connectivity. The Bluetooth 4.0 technology ensures that the included Apple wireless keyboard and Magic Mouse (or Magic Trackpad, if you choose to go that route) work flawlessly.
The new iMac models come with traditional 1TB 5400 rpm or 7200 rpm hard drives for the 21.5” and 27” models, respectively. However, there’s now an option to upgrade to a new Fusion Drive. Apple’s Fusion Drive combines a high capacity hard drive with a high performance flash storage drive. The Fusion Drive automatically and intelligently manages your data so that frequently used apps, documents, photos and other files stay on the faster flash storage, while infrequently used items move to the hard drive. This results in shorter boot times, faster application and file access. If you would rather go all flash storage, the 27” model allows you to get up to 768GB in flash storage space.
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All new iMac models come with the Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion operating system installed, as well as a one year limited warranty from Apple. The new iMac models will be available in November 2012.
Mac mini Goes Quad-Core
The Mac mini rarely gets the attention its bigger brothers, like the MacBook Pro and iMac models get, but it still holds its own when it comes to compact computing. The Mac
mini now comes in a quad-core variant. It has a quad-core 2.3 GHz Intel Core i7 processor. The processor can be overclocked up to 3.3 GHz, thanks to Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 technology. You can even choose to upgrade to the quad-core 2.6 GHz Intel Core i7 processor. This processor can be overclocked up to 3.6 GHz, thanks to the same Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 technology.
The quad-core version of the Mac mini comes standard with a 1TB 5400 rpm hard drive, but you can opt for either a 256GB solid-state drive or try one of Apple’s Fusion Drives. As mentioned before while discussing the new iMac models, Apple’s Fusion Drive is the combination of a 1TB hard drive and 128GB flash storage. Fusion Drive automatically prioritizes which apps and files get saved to which part of the drive, for shorter boot times and faster application, as well as file access.
The Mac mini comes with 4GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 RAM, but can be upgraded when ordering or later on, when you decide you need more. You just have to pop out the bottom panel and you’ll have access to the RAM slots. The Mac mini is configurable to 8GB or 16GB.
For connectivity, the Mac mini features 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. There are also four USB 3.0 ports, a FireWire 800 port, a Thunderbolt port, an HDMI port, a 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 jack, a SDXC card slot and audio in/out ports. The Mac mini also has an IR receiver.
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All Mac mini models come with the Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion operating system installed as well as a one year limited warranty from Apple. The quad-core Mac mini is available starting today.
Your Thoughts
What are your thoughts on Apple’s recent updates on the MacBook Pro, iMac and Mac mini models? Are they tempting enough for you to upgrade from your current computer? What other changes are you most excited about, and which changes are you least happy with? Are there any features you would like to see Apple add in future models? Let us know in the Comments section, below!
| 13.3" MacBook Pro with Retina Display |
21.5" iMac | 27" iMac | Mac mini | |
| Processor | 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 Dual-Core 2.9 GHz Intel Core i7 Dual-Core |
2.7 GHz Intel Core i5 Dual-Core 2.9 GHz Intel Core i7 Dual-Core 3.1 GHz Intel Core i7 Quad-Core |
2.9 GHz Intel Core i5 Quad-Core 3.2 GHz Intel Core i5 Quad-Core 3.4 GHz Intel Core i7 Quad-Core |
2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 Dual-Core 2.3 GHz Intel Core i7 Quad-Core 2.6 GHz Intel Core i7 Quad-Core |
| Cache | L3: 3MB L3: 4MB |
L3: 6MB | L3: 6MB | L3: 3MB L3: 6MB |
| Memory | 8GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 RAM | 8GB or 16GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 RAM | 8GB, 16GB or 32GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 RAM | 4GB, 8GB or 16GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 RAM |
| Graphics | Integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 | nVIDIA GeForce GT 640M with 512MB GDDR5 nVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 512MB GDDR5 |
nVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M with 512MB GDDR5 nVIDIA GeForce GTX 675M with 1GB GDDR5 nVIDIA GeForce GTX 680MX with 2GB GDDR5 |
Integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 |
| Display | Widescreen | Widescreen | Widescreen | N/A |
| Size | 13.3" | 21.5" | 27" | N/A |
| Backlight | LED | LED | LED | N/A |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:10 | 16:9 | 16:9 | N/A |
| Finish | Glossy | Glossy | Glossy | N/A |
| Native Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1440 | N/A |
| Supported Resolutions | 1680 x 1050 1440 x 900 1024 x 640 |
Not Specified by Manufacturer | Not Specified by Manufacturer | N/A |
| External Resolution | Up to 2560 x 1600 on two screens | Not Specified by Manufacturer | Not Specified by Manufacturer | N/A |
| Dual Display | Yes | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| Video Mirroring | Yes | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| Hard Drive | Flash Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 768GB | 1TB 5400 rpm Hard Drive 1TB Fusion Hard Drive |
1TB or 3TB 7200 rpm Hard Drive Flash Storage: 768GB 1TB or 3TB Fusion Drive |
1TB Fusion Drive 256GB Solid-State Drive 500GB or 1TB 5400 rpm Hard Drive |
| Ports | 2 x Thunderbolt 2 x USB 3.0 1 x MagSafe 2 |
2 x Thunderbolt 4 x USB 3.0 |
2 x Thunderbolt 4 x USB 3.0 |
1 x Thunderbolt 4 x USB 3.0 1 x Power supply 1 x FireWire 800 |
| Display | 1 x HDMI | 1 x Mini DisplayPort | 1 x Mini DisplayPort | 1 x HDMI |
| Audio | Stereo speakers Dual microphones 1 x Headphone |
Stereo speakers Dual microphones 1 x Headphone |
Stereo speakers Dual microphones 1 x Headphone |
Built-in Speaker |
| Flash Media Slot | 1 x SDXC | 1 x SDXC | 1 x SDXC | 1 x SDXC |
| Network | None | 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 | 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 | 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.0 | Bluetooth 4.0 | Bluetooth 4.0 | Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Webcam | 720p FaceTime HD Camera | 720p FaceTime HD Camera | 720p FaceTime HD Camera | None |
| Operating System | Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion | Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion | Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion | Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion |
| Keyboard | 78-Key backlit keyboard | Apple Wireless Keyboard | Apple Wireless Keyboard | None |
| Pointing Device | Multi-touch trackpad | Magic Mouse or Magic Trackpad | Magic Mouse or Magic Trackpad | None |
| Battery | Built-in 74W lithium polymer Up to 7 hours on a single charge |
None | None | None |
| Power Requirements | 100 to 240V AC, 50 to 60 Hz | 100 to 240V AC, 50 to 60 Hz | 100 to 240V AC, 50 to 60 Hz | 100 to 240V AC, 50 to 60 Hz |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) |
12.35 x 0.75 x 8.62" / 31.4 x 1.9 x 21.9 cm | 20.8 x 17.7 x 6.9" / 52.8 x 45 x 17.5 cm | 25.6 x 20.3 x 8" / 65 x 51.6 x 20.3 cm | 7.7 x 1.4 x 7.7" / 19.7 x 3.6 x 19.7 cm |
| Weight | 3.57 lb / 1.62 kg | 12.5 lb / 5.68 kg | 21 lb / 9.54 kg | 2.7 lb / 1.22 kg |
Comments
I have been with Mac since 1994 spending mass $ and promoting them before anyone liked Mac as so many of us professional videographers and graphic people have for years. I feel we have helped make Apple what they are today, only to be left out to go bankrupt.
Ya have an external DVD/Blu Ray burner but DVD Studio Pro will not work from external drives and it's IEEE 400 and they got rid of all those ports so now my 4 of my 6 cameras will not hook up to them either and even if I purchased an external burner it would take up one of the ports I need for my camera, external hard drive, keyboard since I hate wireless and a port to process USB drive orders.
Other clueless decisions they made is The new FCP X will not work in "non controllable device" so when capturing live sporting events that go non-stop I would miss parts while changing cards or tape since the capture stops. They need to actually talk to people before they make changes. It seems like they are just brain storming on how to be fresh and hip w/o even checking to see what the actual users want and need.
Any suggestions?
NOTE:
Most of use barely get by financially so to say we have to purchase thousand of $ of extras or a $10,000 MacPro system is like saying it's OK your kids wont need food or cloths for 3 years. I have 8 Macs and for them make blind changes like this is like being imprisoned by a bunch of corporate stuff shirts putting us through endless costs that will put us out of business. So bummed!
Jeff
Hi there!!!! I'm kind of in the same place as you are... I haven't been with mac for that long, only 2004 but yes I’ve always bet on the mac… I do weddings and companies.
I believe apple guys forgot the audio/video guys. They make an amazing computer just to check your facebook status... I have iPhone and iPad for that.
Don't get me wrong I think is great that they have a policy towards common users. It's normal that as a common user, when you enter the apple world, having what they give you is a great option cause they've thought about every detail in order to make your experience of use easier and definitely great. For me it’s always been a plus.
For weddings the DVD optic drive option is not only necessary but fundamental. The momentum that a DVD represents, with the face of the bride on the DVD or whatever, and a book with the wedding photos, is irreplaceable. Now a days there are web options and facebook or twiter options added for the wedding experience. But a solid book with “brochured” copies of photos and DVD’s can’t be replaced in that experience.
The iMac 27” will be part of a business decision. Grabbing a DVD solution from a laptop it’s not a bright idea. At least they could do an “in” and an “out” connector on the device so it just wouldn’t block port… I need it to be plugged all the time!!!! I think 4 USB 3.0 and 2 Thunderbolt is a low count of ports I need to have a lot of gadgets plugged. Although Firewire 800 and 400 work with thunderbolt through adapter. But if as you say DVD studio got problems with bluray and final cut X can’t record live I might have to go Avid on this mac and find a windows sony solution for bluray… Clients are asking for it and soon DVD will be out of the picture for BluRay...
Sorry to repeat but I need the optical drive... Wish I could say go to the cloud to clients but most of them don't undertand a thing!!!! Brides want a DVD with their face on it. A horse breeder that I work for went and bought a blu ray and his kid said to him "we've got that in the PS3", his kid has ipad, mac book, ipod touch, the lot.... The one that pays regrettably doesn't understand.
I can't take the job of converting this people to new technologies. They get mad and eventualy stop calling me because they feel stupid. I need the clients. I need the bussines. I used to be able to charge for an editing studio and cameras... In this economy I can't any more...
It's not only about a simple system it's about bussines and the capacity to be able to charge for something. I used to have Mac Pro solutions that I had to sell because it wasn´t profitable enough. I used to do TV. Can't buy a mac pro cause I can't charge it. iMac will give me a chance of comming back... At least I hope so...
It's not just complaining, is the reality, I need solutions not religion... Just accepting stuff won't do...
Bussines is bussines they do theirs and it's fine by me as long as they let me do mine. Many people will say or think that for that type of necessities we will be provided by a tower mac pro solution.
But again, in this economy and turn of events of the digital world that is a solution that’s for a few lucky people that can charge for their equipment. More and more these days the payment of photo/video work it’s a global low payment that has no consideration for the equipment that you use. Since that’s a common coin in the profession, I as a professional, tend to go low cost in equipment in order to make a job viable of profit…
The new iMac is great!!!! It's only that it could be excellent!!!
Cheers!!
The new iMac is great!!!! It's only that it could be excellent!!! I agree with you
are you still pissed apple dropped the floppy drIve too? have all *8* of your old macs with optical drives / whatever connection you are moaning about suddenly stopped working since these new macs were announced? just because the progress apple are pushing doesnt suit your individual outlook, doesn't mean its not considering what users want. no-one is forcing you to upgrade. get some perspective.
Thankfully, the Mac Mini still has a FireWire port. – Although, you haven't listed the server version(s). I always buy those for the faster processors, faster HDD and the inclusion of two hard drives. Usually worth the money, even if one chooses to install a client OS. And at least you can easily access the RAM slots.
What would make me buy a new machine today? A new Mac Pro.
Apparently, Tim Cook told David Pogue: We haven't forgot our pro users, we are working on a new release for later next year. – Hmmm...
I'm happy with my 2010 model Mac Pro (long live Snow Leo!). Yet, I'd like a second tower.
Wa da ya think, B&H? Should I hold my breath until late 2013?
Maybe they will cut loose a few engineers to work on a user friendly tower, like the MP, now that every other line is saturated with models. Any takers ?
It's is hard to comprehend that they are putting 5400 rpm hard drives in ANY apple product. I thought apple was supposed to be a premium brand? 7200 rpm drives are pretty much standard on most PCs except for the really low end ones.
I also think doing away with the optical drive is a bad move. I still watch DVDs on my PCs and burn CDs and DVDs on occasion. Yes they offer the USB optical drive but that kind of defeats the purpose of having a "All in One" computer doesn't it?
My wife and I each have an iPhone 4. My kids both have iPod Touches so I am not an apple hater by any stretch. I guess I just am not so enamored with them that I think using low end hard drives and forcing me to buy an external optical drive equates to a premium product with a premium price.
Apple is using 5400 rpm drives to reduce power consumption (more "green", longer battery for mobile), and also reduce heat which results in lower fan noise, thinner designs. They look to SSD drives as the solution to performance while maintaining lower noise and lower power consumption... but not everyone wants to pay for SSD drives. They now offer the Fusion Drive HDD + SSD drives with automatic tiering.
Apple never looks to directly match the offerings of comparable PCs, but rather to offer something that meets their own goals for computing.
"Apple is using 5400 rpm drives to reduce power consumption (more "green", longer battery for mobile), and also reduce heat which results in lower fan noise, thinner designs."
Then why do the 27" iMacs have 7200 rpm drives? Also, iMacs are not mobile devices.
I hope things get better from this day to the day it's available. They've made a good machine but I don't like the way they resolved the ports... In a 27" display 4 USB and 2 Thunderbolt, it's a little count.... Besides I have Firewire 800 devices (external hard drives) and firewire 400 (cameras). I'll have to get the extra USB DVD Drive and adaptors from thunder to fire and USB hubs to make it work.... Or plug and unplug all the time...
I bought firewire devices in the first place because they are faster and because I've always used mac. I feel like this is "universal software" all over again...
They make a powerful computer that handles big files and renders faster but they take away ease of use from their ports, forgetting the audio/video guys in the most simple things.
Think it's unfair that we have to wait for new models, pay what they want and not been delivered with a full flash memory, and a hybrid system instead...
I work with this stuff some customers even have asked of me blu ray. Do I have to do the dirty work of converting them to the cloud???
I think they ask too much from the profesional customers... The sad thing is I'll end up buying all the stuff and they'll take it like they where wright all along....
I have made investments in Firewire 800 hard drives. There are 2 solutions...
1) Many external drives do offer SATA or eSATA in addition to the Firewire. A USB 3.0 to eSATA adapter would give you a much faster interface than FireWire 800 and would actually be an improvement.
2) Apple also sells a Thunderbolt to FireWire 800 adapter for $29. This would also solve the problem of connecting to Firewire video cameras and other firewire devices.
Yeah I know!!! I said "I'll have to get the extra USB DVD Drive and adaptors from thunder to fire "on my original message.
My intention is to buy a Drobo Thunder all together with the iMac. Soy buying adapters and DVD optical it's just a walk in a park.
Still I believe apple guys forgot the audio/video guys. They make an amazing computer just to check your facebook status... I have iPhone and iPad for that.
The iMac 27” will be part of a business decision. Grabbing a DVD solution from a laptop it’s not a bright idea either. At least they could do an “in” and an “out” connector (2 USB or Thunder) on the device so it just wouldn’t block port… I need it to be plugged all the time!!!!
16 gb ram makes the new mini very tempting, but I wish Apple would return to having a built-in optical drive on the Mini. If it had that, I think I would upgrade.
same as anonymous Thursday, I love my mac mini and want to keep a built-in optical drive too. iAPPLE do uAPPLE, O.K. "Apple do we have your attention yet, we are not the kids that want your goods, we are the parents that buy your goods for our children and our selves, do you hear us now!"
I see no CD/ DVD reader writers on any of these specs. That is absolutely essential to me. Have I over looked, or has Apple done away with that?
The newly announced Apple product all have no optical drive anymore. Apple has slowly ben moving away from disc media. You can purchase an external optical drive if needed.
Why should I buy the IMAC from B&H and not directly from Apple Online store?
What is the advantage from buying from B&H?
Apple's online store is more than dependable. B&H's online store is more than dependable. My B&H iMac purchase came with (free) Parallels software. The overall difference is obvious; the total retail price point is always appealing, sometimes/often in line with Amazon.com's pricing.
I don't really need speedy delivery nor do I worry about damage in route. All of the Apple products are shipped with care and along with identical packaging/materials.
I thought the same thing when Sony came out with their all new tablet. I pre-ordered thru B&H and had the device almost 3 months before Amazon advertised it for sale. By the time most other stores advertised it or had it, I was ready to trade mine in for another model with more effects. B&H will definitely get it to you first, than take care of you once you have it.
The two most prominent reasons to purchase from B&H would be competitive pricing and pre and post sale customer service which includes our online live chat service.
B&H does not charge sales tax (for out of state addresses) and members of NAPP get free shipping.
I have waited for the new i-Mac to come out. Unfortunately it came out without an optical drive. For those of us who deliver video to our customers on DVD/Blue Ray this is a very large disappointment. We are now going to have to cobble together a bunch of wired devices (like the old Commodores) to make the disks or possibly go to a PC instead of the Mac. I can't believe they have such disregard for the people who have to make their living using these products and for those who teach production and editing. At this point I am considering eliminating the entire Mac set-up and going to another editor and different computers because of their program change (FCP-X), and the problems it has created with our cinema classes along with the fact that most places who were using Mac and FCP-7 have either kept the program until their machines wear out or have switched to Avid or Adobe products or other editing systems. This means that 3 years from now, when our students graduate, they will have to learn a whole new editing system. Not smart on Mac's part at all. They may be rich now, but, if they don't do something pretty quickly, by next fall we will no longer be a Mac shop. It is too bad, they had a really good machine.
You are a small minority. Oh-yeah, I forgot to say I'd prefer that they still had a floppy slot too.
Commodore my ###. Troll.
If you should require a CD/DVD drive on your iMac, Apple sells a matching external drive for $79 that can read and burn CDs/DVDs.
Apple is always looking forward, analyzing current trends, and many consumers are opting for sharing and delivering photos via the internet. While this is especially true for consumers, Pros are starting to do the same. Web services such as Zenfolio are becoming increasingly popular that offer client proofing online. Generic services such as DropBox, Google Drive, Microsoft SkyDrive, and so on all offer the ability to store, share, and send groups of large files over the internet.
Also don't forget that USB flash drives continue to drop in price and greatly exceed the capacity of CD-ROMS and DVD drives for only $5. Apple has never offered internal Bluray drives. USB drives can even be branded and placed in attractive cases. For delivery to clients.
Lastly, keep in mind that the iMac is targeted at Consumers. The Mac Pro at the moment continues to offer optical drives and much more flexibility to Professionals that really need it. The Mac Pro should be getting a complete redesign/refresh next year.
Chuck, I agree with your assessment on Apple dropping the optical drive from the i-Mac. I, too, was eager for the next generation but was surprised to see Apple drop the device from the new line-up. I will be moving to high-end PC to do my work because I do not want to cobble together a bunch of wire devices nor do I find Apple's recent line of software (Aperture and Final Cut Pro) to be worth the trouble or the commitment. What are they thinking?!
I’m an apple user since 2004 and I need DVD on the iMac. I do weddings and brides want a DVD with their face on it… The DVD they provide at your cost will block a USB port that I need for other stuff… Firewire will need adapters also extra from your pocket... Good machine thou. Think it’ll be really fast. Shame they don’t think in audio/video people anymore…
Why not just use a usb hub. Very inexpensive and neatly tucks on desk. Then plug whatever USB you need.
That’s a great Idea that’s what I was thinking too. But think is not a good excuse for the apple techies; given the DVD optic drive solution, only 2 more USB would be perfect and wouldn’t need no hub… Think it’s not much to ask from a 27” computer….
Because the Mac Mini has a limited hard drive capacity, it would be useful if the thunderbolt port came with an input compression option.
Between the USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt ports, you can connect as much space as you could ever need to the Mini without sacrificing any speed as compared to an internal hard drive.
Further, on the mini internal hard drive can be upgraded, or even a second one added internally.