Apple's desktop-bound iMac and Mac Pro computers could be about to lose their disc drives, configuration files in OS X Mountain Lion reveal.
An Appleinsider reader noticed the cryptic clue, which appears in a configuration .plist file that's used by Boot Camp Assistant, a bit of software that helps you install Windows on your Mac.
The file details newer models of Mac computers that can boot up an older operating system from a USB drive, handy if your computer lacks a disc drive. While a few Macs in the list do have slots for a CD or DVD, most are models that lack that disc-chomping capability.
Nestled among those models numbers are two that refer to Macs that haven't come out yet, the IM130 -- reckoned to be the next iMac -- and the MP60, which is thought to be an upcoming Mac Pro. It's far from conclusive, but does raise the possibility of professional-grade Apple gadgets devoid of disc holes.
The iMac was notably left out in the cold when Apple recently refreshed its lines of fancy computers, shivering in the snow outside the Apple family home and pressing its nose against a frosted window pane to watch the MacBook Air and all-new retina MacBook Pro dancing around a Christmas tree with Tim Cook.
The Mac Pro meanwhile was given a cursory processor boost and a snifter more memory, but hasn't been given a significant upgrade since 2010. Updates for both are tipped to arrive next year.
Apple appears to be driving out disc drives with its other computers, but would shedding this once-crucial port from its desktop machines be a smart move?
I can't remember the last time I stuck a CD in my computer, but I remember the cruel lesson taught by the browser-only Chromebook laptop -- just because you don't think you use something (like a bit of software or a certain port) very often, doesn't mean it won't prove totally crucial in the near future.
Could you manage with no disc drive? Tell me in the comments or on our Facebook wall.
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Comments 19
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Peter Hudson 13 August, 2012 14:06
Makes sense, It's the way apple computers seem to be going.
Doesn't bother me too much. Can't remember the last time I used a disc in my computer
Vasiliy Zbaratskiy 13 August, 2012 14:27
i don't actually remember when was a last time I had use disc drive... get all I need directly from internet... understandable it might be an issue in places with limited connectivity
anonymous 13 August, 2012 15:47
Hmm the only problem I see with this are things like movies, now I know we're in the process of moving from disc to optical but I doubt people are going to be willing to pay again to have their old DVD's on the laptop or computer; people will still want to watch films they own in their bedroom, or theatre performances that parents may want and organisations selling the DVD's to the parents. Just a thought.
anonymous 13 August, 2012 16:08
The only time you need it it will be crucial.
Also what about giving someone a computer game as a present to play, they still come on disc.
Burning a CD to listen to in the car?
anonymous 13 August, 2012 16:30
I work in Construction,thus we very often receive large amounts of data on discs as the files are way to big to be sent by email.
Hope they keep the disc drive as why kill a good technology?
anonymous 13 August, 2012 16:48
I wonder how much they'll be charging for the iBurn device they'll be offering as an option...
Call me crazy, but normally features are added to new versions of things, not removed from them!!
Apparently Macs are used by creative types..... the sort who would send out large files like tiffs and raws to clients
They won't be too happy to find out they now have to fire a few gigs worth over data over the internet rather than pop a disc in the post
I could understand if there was an advantage to this, but it just smacks of Apple yet again telling their customers what they can and can't do
anonymous 13 August, 2012 17:32
I think as a culture we are largely moving away from the need of optical drives on computers. Mostly things are moving to the cloud. As far as burning CDs to listen to in the car, well, most peole have iPhones/iPods, smartphones or other MP3 players and have no need to make a CD when you can just as easily make a playlist and save yourself the clutter of all these burned CDs floating around in your car. The "advantage" of this is not customer related. I think it largely being used by Apple to push people to their cloud network. With all that being said, I actually do remember the last time I used an optical drive. It was to use an ISO file to reinstall a unrooted, stock firmware on my phone after my backup was corrupted (let me tell you that sucked and took forever to fix). However, there are still advantages for customers to have them but I have to ask, if you really really need one, couldn't you just get an external CD burner? I mean they are only $10-$20. Not really gonna break the bank here...
anonymous 13 August, 2012 19:24
I am very disappointed in Apple. As a business owner, I need to upgrade our computers and assumed Apple would upgrade their iMac during the last WWDC conference in June. Now I have to read rumors that there may be a new iMac in September. Now what happens if there is no iMac in September? Do I just sit back and wait until next year? No other computer company works like this. All other companies give us concrete, set due dates and times for new releases and upgrades. I am not the only business that has this problem with Apple. I have read many other comments and posts online from other businesses who have had it with Apple and are turning to PC's like Dell, HP, and others. I am starting to think that Apple has a corporate attitude much like a college campus "Ooooh, let's make everything secret. Let's be mysterious and make everyone wait." Well guess what Apple, you have lost another consumer of your products. Your business attitude is very unprofessional and lacks any type of sympathy, understanding or courtesy for your customers. Thank God you have gadgets to sell (iPhones, iPads, iPods, etc...) because the tide is turning and people and businesses like me are tired of guessing and waiting while we desperately need to upgrade our computers. SHAME ON YOU Apple. You need a wake up call and I hope everyone who reads this copies this and passes it along. If you can't be reasonable and professional like all the other computer companies and tell us whether or not an upgrade is coming for all your products, than you deserve to lose customers.
anonymous 13 August, 2012 20:11
In general has no use, but if you want to write some music CD for your car? What??
Well fortunately i have my external dvd writer.
anonymous 13 August, 2012 20:53
You have to think, most people using MP's aren't you're average consumer who just looks at Facebook and plays on angry brids with their computer.
I produce music and sending raws over or burning a master cd for duplication is an essential step of the process. Generally no-one likes cloud transferring as so emme services essentially own your works once uploaded ooto their servers.
I have collected who've pointed out Final Cut X has ditched the DVD authoring program that was once bundled with it.
It certainly seems that way, only once we stop using optical disks, much like no-one uses cassettes anymore, is when it will be nessesary. You have to think right now for porofesisional purposes, there isn't an alternative I can think of that would work with the current environment in the industry.
anonymous 14 August, 2012 05:52
But why haven't they done that for the macbook pros, which need disk drives far less than desktops. I think they may do what they did with the MacBook pros and release an iMac that's super skinny which could have a retina display, but I doubt the mac pro will loose the disk drive, because it's shoe not need to be smaller or lighter so there would be no point in doing it.
damien2501 14 August, 2012 09:20
you can get cheap mac compatible external disc drives for about £20 for those who need one, which tbh wont be that many people.
activ8 14 August, 2012 09:25
Well if they remove the optical drive the only reason will be to shave a few pennies off of their build costs.
Personally i still use CDs / DVD's and whilst i love my MBA's its still a right royal pain in the backside to have to plug in an external device.
Mind you come to think of it, apple seems to think as long as the base machines look pretty it doesnt matter how many cables and dongles you have hanging off of the damn thing!
anonymous 14 August, 2012 12:20
Last week I ripped recently bought cd's to my computer ; tonight added 8 cd's from my public library to my computer. If Apple does drop o drives, will I have to buy an external hard disk?
billfred 14 August, 2012 20:45
@anonymous 13 August, 2012 16:30
It's called a USB drive.
billfred 14 August, 2012 20:47
@anonymous 13 August, 2012 16:48
They already sell an external disc drive. And it's not very good apparently. Get a 3rd party one.
billfred 14 August, 2012 20:48
@anonymous 13 August, 2012 19:24
I'm sorry, do all your computers stop working after 1 year of use? No. Good. Then shut it. No the majority of other companies set a date, then miss it, several times.
billfred 14 August, 2012 20:51
We've been sending data sticks & larger HDD to clients with larger data files on for years now. Don't see the problem.
anonymous 15 August, 2012 15:26
I love the way the diehards are all making excuses saying buy an external drive its no bother, its only an extra £20 or whatever, or you dotn need it really any way etc etc.
Ha Ha Ha
thanks for making me smile.