MBP with dual layer superdrive

[littlekenneth]

Hi,

I wondered if anyone have heard anything about when will the 15" mbp come out with the dual layer superdrive. I remember before apple discontinue the 15" powerbook, they used dual layer... any rumor on the mbp and dual layer? Thanks

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

My guessing would be with the Rev B MacBook Pro although I wouldn't count on it coming out until September this year at the earliest.

 

[Josias]

I never rwalized they were so crappy. 4x? No DL? WTF? This is like the MacMini G4 superdrive. Shame on ye!

 

[littlekenneth]

I heard there are problems with the new Macbook pro, I am guessing they are rev A. When the rev B going to come out, does it mean they are gonna fix the problem and add more features to it? I am excited about the MBP but don't know if it's worth the wait.

 

[unixfool]

It's apparently a form factor issue. I don't consider that a problem, especially since I (and most others, apparently) don't use dual layer anywhere in my house. You guys might want to search the forums, as this has been hashed through many times.

 

[celebrian23]

The vast majority of users will never ever burn a DL disc. Thus why for the vast majority of people it's not a loss of features- most would never use it anyways.

 

[asherman13]

I heard there are problems with the new Macbook pro, I am guessing they are rev A. When the rev B going to come out, does it mean they are gonna fix the problem and add more features to it? I am excited about the MBP but don't know if it's worth the wait.

Depends on if you need it now or not. If you can, and are willing to (especially if money is an issue), I say wait.

The Rev. A problems of which you speak are in a small number of MacBook Pros, and most (screen hum/whine) can be fixed, such as by turning off a processor core or keeping both cores running at all times; the problem seems to be caused by a powered yet idle processor core.

EDIT Oh, and form factor is the reason why there isn't a dual-layer SuperDrive in the MacBook Pro. A dual-layer drive would require 3 milimeters more space, and it wouldn't fit. I know, it sounds small, but I'd personally rather have a single-layer drive than have a bulge under my wrist.

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

Although I've had a dual layer DVD writer for years I don't think I've ever written a dual layer disk. They're just too expensive when compared to single layer disks. I'm sure its only going to become less common as HD-DVD and Bluray disks take over and eventually come down in price.

 

[the Helix]

but if...

Although I've had a dual layer DVD writer for years I don't think I've ever written a dual layer disk. They're just too expensive when compared to single layer disks. I'm sure its only going to become less common as HD-DVD and Bluray disks take over and eventually come down in price.

You're probably right, but if you could have the feature, why not? It is nice to be able to back up important (legitimately purchased) DVD movies without having to compress them or leave them on a hardrive.

The DL SuperDrive on my 15" PB (last revision) works great and fast.

 

[tribe3]

you can get this baby for cheap: http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?pid=10071 and burn with the on-board drive only if you really have to.

Anyway, I remember when I got my Ti PB with combo-drive and a couple of months later Apple came out with the superdrive, I received an email from them offering to exchange, upgrade, (for a big chunk of money).
I guess they'll give the same option when a slim DL comes standard in a revision 'b'

 

[mlrproducts]

I've had dual layer drives for years. You want to know when I burned my first DL disc (and purchased one)?

When I was backing up iLife 06 DVD. All the OSs have fit on regular CDs and DVDs thus far, but using iLife 06 was the first time I had to use a DL disc, and I didn't want to split up the files like I sometimes had to do before the 700MB cd-r came out. Ahhh.... the memories of yesteryear.

 

[ieani]

I think optical drives are on there way out as networking and home media servers will take their place. Apple sees this happening and is beginning to phase out the costly technology.

 

[Kingsly]

since I never had a DL drive I dont miss it... but I really like the 1" form factor... sexy.

 

[Demon Hunter]

I think optical drives are on there way out as networking and home media servers will take their place. Apple sees this happening and is beginning to phase out the costly technology.

I don't think we're that far yet...

Isn't the 1" thickness the same as Rev. D 17"? Which had DL? What am I missing here.

 

[Spectrum]

Isn't the 1" thickness the same as Rev. D 17"? Which had DL? What am I missing here.

I've been thinking the same for a while. The only explanation I came up with was that the 17" has more space in front of the keyboard to fit the height of the DL SD that the 15" does not. Sort of the same reason why the 12" never had a DL-SD in it either (as far as I remember...) - even though it is thicker - the drive is too much tucked up under the keyboard.

 

[mmmcheese]

I've been thinking the same for a while. The only explanation I came up with was that the 17" has more space in front of the keyboard to fit the height of the DL SD that the 15" does not. Sort of the same reason why the 12" never had a DL-SD in it either (as far as I remember...) - even though it is thicker - the drive is too much tucked up under the keyboard.

I suspect that even though there's only a 0.1" difference in thickness, that the screen is thicker than the powerbook, and the body is thinner...because it looks a lot thinner than a powerbook when it's open. If this is the case, then the new machine would have been thicker than a powerbook if the body was the same thickness.