Apple's Mac Mini Marks End of DVD Era?
A stealth move by Apple could signal the end for DVD drives in computers. Releasing its new product line up last week, the new Mac Mini is notably missing its DVD drive, joining the Macbook Air in Apple’s mix of drive-less gadgets.
The Macbook Air has never had an optical drive in its hardware, but rather offers a separate optional drive that can be operated via USB. By dropping the DVD drive, the Macbook Air is known for being one of the lightest and most travel friendly laptops.
Commentators have said that the decision to exclude an inbuilt optical drive allows computers to be that much smaller, lighter and less expensive.
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And with the growing trend favoring USB drives and digital downloads, the DVD drive may be on its way to being phased out.
When Apple removed the floppy drive from the iMac in 1998, it was met with protest, but eventually the change was accepted and floppy drives were phased out on all PC’s.
Today users may more readily welcome the modification, but many do still rely on the convenience of an inbuilt DVD drive. Users such as home theatre enthusiasts, or those who enjoy watching movies during flights may feel concerned by the move, but most would happily give up their inbuilt DVD drives for a more-convenient, lighter and cheaper laptop.
“The Mac Mini looks like it’d be the ideal home theater PC … [but] having access to Hulu, Boxee, iTunes and Netflix is just half of the story. There aren’t too many HTPC owners that never pay their local Redbox a visit,” said Nilay Patel via Engadget.
Apple’s new OS X Lion has also gone diskless and is only available for download, further indicating that Apple aims to continue phasing out DVD drives over the coming years.
