Apple "actively courting" Sony for slot-loading Blu-ray drives?
By Nilay Patel 
posted February 29th 2008 9:54PM
posted February 29th 2008 9:54PM
We know, we're getting tired of Apple Blu-ray rumors as well -- they're right up there with refreshed Cinema Displays in terms of rumor persistence -- but until Steve and the gang actually shove a drive into a machine we're stuck with them. The latest says that Apple is actively pressing Sony for slot-loading BD-R drives but quality control issues are gumming up the plan. Reportedly, this latest ho-hum MacBook Pro refresh was to feature BD-R drives, but all Sony could muster up were Blu-ray / DVD±RW drives, which Apple refused. That seems a little odd, frankly -- now that the format war is over and the competition's already shipping mid-range laptops with slot-load BD-R drives, you'd think Apple would want to cash in that Blu-ray Disc Association membership card with whoever can supply the drives. As always, we'll see when we see -- it's gotta happen sometime, right?[Image courtesy of dadako.com]
Will someone answer this question: Is the quality of watching HD movies over DVD movies on a 13/15/17 inch screen that much better? If no, then that is probably a reason that Apple would wait for the burner. The value added with a Blu-ray burner is much larger than the value added with a Blu-ray player (at least for the Macbook side of things).
It's probably a prudent move by Apple since the drivers for BD may still be an issue. Perhaps BD may affect battery life on a laptop - just guessing on this?
I think Apple wants to ensure their computers are stable and function before adopting a new hardware.
Perhaps BD may affect battery life on a laptop - just guessing on this?
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Absolutely.
I think apple should spend more time getting rid of non dvd burners before they start putting uber pricey blu-ray burners in any macs.
Why doesn't Apple go look for other manufacturers? Why is Sony incapable of giving Apple BD-R drives?
Hmm... I'm skeptical.
hey did u guys know that april 1st is a tuesday? xD i bet apple will like bring out somthing ultra cool and then just say its a joke :")
Does no-one else think it remarkable that Apple doesn't want another drive from their best friends Matstita? Could this finally bring an end to uncrackable region locking?
I hope so... Who knows, the drives Sony (finally) produce for Apple might even meet the DVD forum's standards. Support for 8cm discs would be nice too - other slot-loading drives can manage it, why not Apple's?
If its true that Apple is going after Sony for the drive its kind of funny & a slap in the face for Sony. Apple prides itself on having well designed & powerful computers. Something Sony also prides itself on. Now Apple asks a direct competitor to make a computer component for them. interesting.
How much would a BD-R drive jack up the price of the already exorbitant MacBook Pro? I know Apple always wants to be on the bleeding edge, but damn.
After bashing vaio at MacWorld, Apple wants a piece of Sony's blueberry pie? You gotta work on your diplomacy, Steve.
The answer is somehow contained in the fact that FCP Studio has no upgraded version of DVD Studio Pro which is still stuck at 4.
I think Apple has not interest in BD and not even for storage. That also explains the hidden SATA ports on the MacPro Jan edition as the best if not all 3rd party BD burners need SATA. Seems odd to have hidden the ports, though there is a way round it. But it's not pretty.
And I do think BD cuts into AppleTV
Besides we don't need BD for backup either.
i'm fairly sure one can buy a stock Macbook Pro and buy an aftermarket slot-loading BD-R drive to fit themselves... it's like the case for the external superdrive for the Air, it's available if you want it, and people that could care less aren't forced to pay the premuim.
"Well, we're waiting"
As far as I know they already have a slot loading Blu-ray burner from Matsushita (Panasonic) - UJ-225. You can buy it for only $950 a piece and its compatible with the Macbook Pro (and Macbook for that matter).
Big corporations (particularly in Japan) do strange business dealings like that. Sony directly competes with Microsoft in the gaming realm and supports Linux in the PS3, while they make software for and sell computers with Windows. They are also partners with Toshiba in the development and manufacture of the Cell processor, but were in a heated battle with that very same company over Blu-ray vs. HD-DVD.
"As always, we'll see when we see -- it's gotta happen sometime, right?"
Uhm... NO! Matter of fact, it's gonna happen on a tuesday ;)
Oh no! We can't have FAT Apples. So, rather offer the latest tech, Apple much rather have people wait. Design over function = Apple.
"We all want a Blu-Ray writer. But why can't we have a reader in the meantime?"
Because the whambulance drivers would be out in force if there were two BD updates in the same year, obviously.
I think Sony would be nuts not to do everything they can to make Blueray significant as soon as possible. Maybe they could make a deal with apple and get some Playstation/Walkman integration with iTunes and iTMS as part of the deal.
If Apple really want to add BD-R Drive into their lines of computer, they could use Panasonic's drive. It's slot loading and write both BD-R and BD-RE.
http://www.panasonic.com/industrial/computer/storage/optical/models/uj225b.asp
After bashing vaio at MacWorld, Apple wants a piece of Sony's blueberry pie? You gotta work on your diplomacy, Steve.
Really hope the aTV gets a BD slot. Then I'd just have a cable box and an aTV.
Personally, I don't think a slot is a negative for the iTunes rental market. If you have a disk you are not going to rent it and you need a way to play it. If you don't have a disk, download is way more convenient. Apple can't stop people from having disks, but any aTV in the home makes a rental more likely. Apple should just for ways to make aTV more attractive. A lot of people are going to go out now and buy their first BD player. Better to be in that wave of purchases than competing with it or after it. People don't want a lot of clutter in their living room - that means fewer boxes and remotes. A device that plays disks and does all that aTV does would be awesome...