Poll: Is the lack of Blu-ray playback keeping you from buying a Mac?

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 11th 2009 at 12:00PM

Alright, Steve may have called Blu-ray "a bag of hurt" but Microsoft's Laptop Hunting mom & son duo (ad embedded after the break) looked pretty happy to see it in their new VAIO laptop. The Apple / Blu-ray rumors flying since the format launched have amounted to very little and for now it's up to iTunes to take care of ones legit HD movie fix, so we've just got to know, is that enough to send you running to XP, Vista or Windows 7? Vote, then let us know why in the comments.

Filed under: Polls, Blu-ray, Media PCs

Tags: ads, apple, blu-ray, laptop hunters, LaptopHunters, mac, microsoft, pc, poll, vaio

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Neutral

Deadhouseplants @ Apr 11th 2009 12:14PM

No, the lack of being able to run the software I need is preventing me from choosing Mac. The Apple tax is preventing me from choosing Mac. The cramming of AppleCare down my throat (which begs the question, if Macs are superior to PC's, why do they push AppleCare so much?) is preventing me from choosing Mac.

I think a lot of people misunderstand the Blu-Ray format. I choose the Blu-Ray format not just for the increased quality of picture, but also the increased quality of audio. It's hard to find a laptop or desktop that can produce the same audio quality that is equal to my home theater. My laptop is for work, if I want to watch a movie, I put the laptop away, and go into my home theater.

Lowest Ranked

Big John @ Apr 11th 2009 6:54PM

"No, the lack of being able to run the software I need is preventing me from choosing Mac."

I don't doubt this claim, I'm just curious what you want to run.

"The Apple tax is preventing me from choosing Mac."

Yes, the same exact hardware on a Windows-based system will almost certainly be cheaper. However, you already are basing your purchase decision on factors outside of just the hardware. People using the Apple tax argument in a laundry list of Mac complaints confuse me because of this. Please elaborate.

"The cramming of AppleCare down my throat (which begs the question, if Macs are superior to PC's, why do they push AppleCare so much?) is preventing me from choosing Mac."

Funny, never had AppleCare shoved down my throat. It's an option when you buy a system, yes. No one is forcing you to buy it. Hell, Best Buy's coverage plan is "shoved down my throat with a nightstick" compared to AppleCare.

"I think a lot of people misunderstand the Blu-Ray format. I choose the Blu-Ray format not just for the increased quality of picture, but also the increased quality of audio. It's hard to find a laptop or desktop that can produce the same audio quality that is equal to my home theater. My laptop is for work, if I want to watch a movie, I put the laptop away, and go into my home theater."

Then you get it SO RIGHT! I want to believe you here, but without elaborating you just seem to be bashing for no reason above.

Neutral

Ogden2k @ Apr 12th 2009 1:36PM

I agree. I also do not choose Mac because I am an IT tech that grew up with Windows and Macs and chose Windows due to the better interface, larger choice of software, games, etc.

Neutral

Eric @ Apr 13th 2009 11:11AM

Name one single piece of software you use that won't run on a Mac. I can name thousands that won't run on your PC. Not that I need thousands. But my Mac can run anything your PC can (unless you're using some proprietary high-end 3D modeling app that requires a specific graphics card not available on Macs, which means, what, maybe 10 applications in the world?).

That doesn't mean you should go out and buy a Mac. If you're happy with your PC, great. But please stop repeating this crap that isn't true.

How are you playing back higher-quality music on your Blu-ray discs? Are these store-bought discs, or are you burning them yourself? Because if it's the latter, I would be interested in knowing more. I am getting a Blu-ray burner for my Mac Pro and would like to try what you're doing that allows higher quality music.

I'm in agreement that the home theater is the place to go for that kind of entertainment. Even though my computer is next to my HDTV, I'd rather watch my music videos on my TV.

Neutral

Ian @ Apr 30th 2009 10:59PM

I completely agree. I also find it easier to find cheaper quality hardware for x86 desktops. Also I do wonder why people call a windows box a pc when pc just means personal computer. It also is easier to do game development and programming on a windows or linux box and since that is my profession it really makes it easy for me to choose.

Low Ranked

MidnightDT @ Apr 11th 2009 12:16PM

fuck mac.

the lack of games for mac is keeping me from buying a mac.

Low Ranked

Big John @ Apr 11th 2009 6:54PM

This, from a guy with a Ron Paul '08 avatar. Yikes.

Highly Ranked

MidnightDT @ Apr 11th 2009 6:57PM

and ? what does ron paul have to do with games or macs?

Neutral

eric f. @ Apr 12th 2009 10:40AM

What does games have to do with this articles question about Blu-ray?

Lowest Ranked

MidnightDT @ Apr 12th 2009 11:30AM

ericf,

the question was does the lack of blu-rayplayback keep you from buying a mac? I voted "something else" and said lack of games does. you got a problem with that? fuck off

Neutral

Wes @ Apr 17th 2009 12:16PM

@Eric
Well, remember that games DO come on blu-ray discs for a particular console. Its entirely probable that as PC games get larger and start to span 3-4 DVDs, they may someday give you the choice of 1 blu-ray disc versus 4 dvds.

You know, similar to how the transition occured between 3-4 CDs or 1 DVD. At first both where available and slowly it moved to the later only or the later being produced in like a 10:1 ratio.

Neutral

Nick @ Apr 11th 2009 12:49PM

The lack of real HD support is keeping me from choosing WINDOWS. Sure there's a hassle involved, but if I need to, I can pull an HD movie off my BD drive and rip it into whatever I want on my linux machine. No content protection schemes, no HDCP monitor crap, just the freedom I've become accustomed to with open source.

DeadHousePlants, you are absolutely right though, I can't see any reason why someone would forsake the fantastic audio of blu ray for the shit that pumps through a computer, but the fact is that there are some computer audio schemes that are the only real option if you want to bitstream HD codecs to your reciever. It burns me up from time to time that I have to use the decoder in my PS3 for all of this when I spent good money on a reciever that could do it....

The real downside here is that apple can't really enter the HTPC market until it gets blu ray down. I'd never buy one, but if apple were to cross apple TV with a good networked computer that can play non-itunes material and blu rays, that would be a marketable item...

Neutral

Lazarus Dark @ Apr 12th 2009 9:35PM

How do you rip Blurays on Linux? I thought AnydvdHD was windows only?

Highest Ranked

Spinfusor @ Apr 11th 2009 12:54PM

No, because I have a BDP-2500 and a PS3 for Blu-ray playback.

Highly Ranked

MSM @ Apr 13th 2009 12:52AM

I second that, but I would like to see a BD drive in my MacBook Pro because I had a really had a boring cross continent flight with my laptop because I wanted to watch some of the new movies I had in my library, I had to choose some older DVDs to waste the time, since all of my recent purchases were on BD...

Having a BD drive isn't that big of a deal, but sometimes it could come in handy :)

Neutral

Befugalled @ Apr 11th 2009 12:57PM

You really need a optical sound out too if you add bluray, why miss out on the sweet 5/7.1?

Neutral

Turd Fergasson @ Apr 12th 2009 4:42AM

Befugalled what's your point?

All the Macs have optical out connection, you are not missing out on the "sweet 5/7.1" Your comment just sounds a bit stupid.

Highly Ranked

FNG @ Apr 12th 2009 10:37AM

hey turd, optical can't do HD audio. you sound a bit stupid.

Lowest Ranked

Turd Fergasson @ Apr 12th 2009 2:32PM

FNG

He didn't say anything about HD audio you homo, he just said you really need an optical - which the macs do have.

you just sound gay.

Neutral

FNG @ Apr 12th 2009 5:21PM

turd, are you 12 years old or what? how can a post or statement be gay? oh yeah, since you are reading and posting on an HD blog, do some research. he said 5/7.1 saying 7.1 means HD audio. I've never known of a 7.1 soundtrack being sent over optical.

Neutral

Turd Fergasson @ Apr 13th 2009 9:56AM

So then FNG,

Tell me which discs have you heard then sending a 7.1 soundtrack over HDMI - have you heard any 7.1 soundtracks, or are you just talking out your ass? What research do I need to do? What kind of audio track does 7.1 mean, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-MA, maybe it's uncompressed LPCM which you could send over analogue outputs.

Optical connects are obsolete when it comes to HD audio, so why don't you stop trying to 1-up me and shut the hell up.

Turd F.

Neutral

FNG @ Apr 13th 2009 11:53AM

how am I trying to 1 up you? You don't know your shit, simple as that. I'm done with this post, and with you. have fun with your optical audio

Neutral

Turd Fergasson @ Apr 13th 2009 12:43PM

TNG

Have fun with your dick FAG

Low Ranked

Turd Fergasson @ Apr 16th 2009 4:25AM

Hey TNG

Dolby Digital EX supports 7.1 playback. Dolby Digital EX is NOT an HD audio format.

now suck it up and spit it out you homo.

Turd

Neutral

demon @ Apr 21st 2009 5:50PM

DD EX is not "7.1" or "6.1", it's 5.1 with additional channels matrixed in. Not like say, DTS ES 6.1 Discrete, which is actually 6.1 channels, or the BD specific formats which can all do 6.1 or 7.1 channels.

Highest Ranked

aznbensonboy @ Apr 11th 2009 1:09PM

What happened to "I'm a PC!" option?

Highest Ranked

Naveed @ Apr 11th 2009 1:17PM

Lack of HD-DVD playback is keeping me from buying a Mac. That Batman Begins disc isn't going to play itself.

Highest Ranked

SimbaDogg @ Apr 11th 2009 1:20PM

i'm sorry...maybe this is the drunkness still in me, but i would totally go home w/ that kids mom

Highly Ranked

Nick @ Apr 11th 2009 5:36PM

Why not just take her right there on top of the laptops?

Neutral

Rogue_Genius @ Apr 11th 2009 8:22PM

it's the drunkeness. she's an uglee.

Highest Ranked

JoN @ Apr 12th 2009 3:09AM

the mom is hot... but I'd rather have the Best Buy girl :)

Neutral

minimalist @ Apr 11th 2009 1:46PM

I honestly could care less about watching BD's (or DVD's) on my desktop or my laptop. Video is something I really only mess around with when I have the time to invest in which case I want to sit on my couch and watch it on a large screen with a good sound system.

I used to like the IDEA of portable video but the REALITY has proved not all that great. At first I ripped tons of my DVD's to my hard drive using handbrake but then I discovered I never really looked at any of them, except on my large screen TV in which case all that time transcoding was just wasted because I already had the disc.

The one exception is why I need to fly and then I'll jut rent a movie for my iPhone or Macbook and be done with it. Its a lot less hassle than transcoding or hauling around discs. Besides, at 13" who can tell HD from SD anyway?

Highest Ranked

Donna Again @ Apr 11th 2009 1:55PM

Until Blu Ray becomes the Standard for PC games, there's no need to have a HD supported Laptop or PC. Unless you have a 40" display or something.

Highest Ranked

gameforall @ Apr 11th 2009 2:02PM

1. No, the lack of Cold hard cash.
2. I have a PS3 to watch movies
3. Why waste picture quality on a 13/17 inch screen
4. The only reason to have BR on a laptop is for backup and the writing speeds aren't there yet.

Low Ranked

Video Master 2 @ Apr 11th 2009 2:27PM

I use Macs because they are superior to ANY PC. Blu Ray is for my PS3.

Neutral

DJ Jenkins @ Apr 11th 2009 2:21PM

Watching HD movies on my laptop is not a huge concern for me. What IS a huge concern for me is having a great computer that runs well and works like it should; and for me that is my Mac. I never plan on buying a Windows PC because of all the bad experiences I have had on them. The quality of Macs is so worth the price, which is why the market right now says that for all computers sold over $1000 Apple has 66% of the market.

Highly Ranked

Brad @ Apr 14th 2009 9:08PM

That sounds like a made up statistic. If that were true, since Macs have less than 6% of the total online market (according to W3C - http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_os.asp), that would have to mean that the market under $1000 is at least 100x the market over $1000. While that's certainly possible, I don't think that's the case.

Or maybe people who spend more than $1000 on a mac never take it online. That would exclude them from W3C's statistics.

Where did you hear such things?

Neutral

matt @ Apr 21st 2009 10:05PM

@Brad:

No, actually it means that the market would have to be roughly ten times the size. Your math is wrong, as is the other poster's understanding of the market. Apple does indeed hold somewhere in the vicinity of 2/3 of the *US* >$1000 market and has a *US* market share of about 8%.

We'll say roughly 6.5% of US market share is on Macs priced over $1000 and take the 66% figure at its face. That means that the whole segment is 10%, or one-tenth of the overall PC market, which is roughly correct.

Worldwide, that's going to vary (Apple's market share is lower, roughly 6% globally; computer pricing varies in foreign markets such that US$1000 is a questionable metric).

So in fact those numbers do generally add up and are essentially correct. That doesn't really have any bearing on whether Blu-ray matters on Macs.

Since Blu-ray computers overall, notebook and desktop, are sitting at under 2% (hell, BD penetration in the living room is still under 10% in the US), it can't possibly matter yet whether Apple or any PC OEM offers BD drives.

Neutral

jnoel @ Apr 11th 2009 3:26PM

I like to shoot and edit HD footage. I need to be able to burn Bluray after im done.

I have a macbook, but all my workstations are Vista.

Neutral

Brent @ Apr 11th 2009 3:34PM

I would have considered a Macbook if any of them supported blu-ray playback. Granted, watching a movie on my laptop is something I do somewhat rarely, but I like having the option there so I can buy movies on blu-ray only and have that playback option whenever I need it.

Neutral

MarkHawk @ Apr 11th 2009 3:49PM

With Digital Copies coming in many of my movies, I Blu-ray player isn't a real concern when I buy a Mac. Normally it's going to be for work and that is where my concerns will take priority.

Highest Ranked

mitchelljd @ Apr 11th 2009 4:57PM

honestly, I really want to get a new Macbook Pro, but ... there is no blu-ray support. so i am left to continue waiting.

Apple is stonewalling the technology to protect it's iTunes movie store and it is very frustrating. it is time to embrace the technology!! also... let consumers decide. apple ought to just start using Superdrives which can read BD discs without writing, they are economical also. if people want to upgrade to a BD drive that can burn discs let them pay a slightly higher amount and include that in the top of the line models.

Apple is behind the times here. and it shows ... they used to lead in technology. now they are slow laggards.

and honestly, i don't like Digital Copy that much, maybe once in a while, but it takes up too much space on my laptop hard drive. i'd rather get a BD movie without that and pay less. movies that are brand new with digital copy in the box generally cost 35-40 list price. i'd much rather get a flick for less.

APPLE IT IS TIME DAMMIT! SUPPORT BLU-RAY PROPERLY!

Neutral

Big John @ Apr 11th 2009 6:54PM

"Apple is stonewalling the technology to protect it's iTunes movie store and it is very frustrating. it is time to embrace the technology!!"

To which I say... digital delivery. It's time to embrace the technology! Yes, Apple would rather you use iTunes to get your HD media. Saying that Apple isn't embracing a technology in a timely manner is a silly argument here.

"also... let consumers decide. apple ought to just start using Superdrives which can read BD discs without writing, they are economical also."

Consumers *are* deciding, with the huge torrent of HD video sales via iTunes. There isn't a huge clamour for BD on the Mac. The poll here is incredibly skewed (we're on a HD content blog). Consumers marketwide don't really care for BD on their systems.

"Apple is behind the times here. and it shows ... they used to lead in technology. now they are slow laggards."

Talk to me in five years when damn near everything is being delivered digitally to most of the consumer market, as the current trends indicate is happening. Netflix just increased their BD pricing because not enough people are grabbing the BD versions of media to justify the increased inventory. Yes, this leads to a chicken/egg argument but that is their justification.

"and honestly, i don't like Digital Copy that much, maybe once in a while, but it takes up too much space on my laptop hard drive. i'd rather get a BD movie without that and pay less."

The market disagrees with you here. Consumers LOVE digital copy. Add to that, most readers here are familiar with how to manipulate video and convert it -- it's not all that hard to convert the stuff to a format and quality/file size of your choosing. You want that three hour movie in 100MB? No problem, but the quality is going to take a shit.

"movies that are brand new with digital copy in the box generally cost 35-40 list price. i'd much rather get a flick for less."

Sounds like you need to start shopping elsewhere for your media, you're a fool if you're paying list price.

"APPLE IT IS TIME DAMMIT! SUPPORT BLU-RAY PROPERLY!"

The market respectfully disagrees.

Highest Ranked

minimalist @ Apr 12th 2009 12:21AM

"Consumers *are* deciding, with the huge torrent of HD video sales via iTunes."

Please provide proof that any significant number of people are buying HD movies from iTunes. Renting, maybe. But buying? No way.

It didn't take a genius to read between the lines when Apple congratulated themselves during a recent keynote on all the TV shows sold that they neglected to mention the number of movies sold. Hint: when a company doesn't say anything about sales in a particular division that means there is nothing to get excited about. And that was just for their overpriced SD movies at 15 bucks a pop.

So I'm supposed to get excited about paying 20 bucks for compressed 720p crap with substandard sound wrapped in a nasty DRM straightjacket? Thanks but no thanks. This is a bold new future that doesn't sound all that futuristic to me.

Highest Ranked

Turd Fergasson @ Apr 12th 2009 4:55AM

To Big John:

"To which I say... digital delivery. It's time to embrace the technology! Yes, Apple would rather you use iTunes to get your HD media. Saying that Apple isn't embracing a technology in a timely manner is a silly argument here."

To which I say, you are stoopid if you think digital delivery will be comparable to Blu-ray content in the next 5 years. Sure you are being given and HD frame size, with data rates smaller than what is on a DVD. If you think the bandwidth to deliver comparable data rate to blu-ray will exist in 5 years then I'll come and live in your fantasy land.

It may be convenient to accept digital delivery - but it will be the consumer that will end up with an inferior product.

Highly Ranked

mitchelljd @ Apr 12th 2009 10:34AM

I am not arguing against digital delivery, i use it on my Apple TV and macs all the time, but ... i also know the value of great 1080p disc based format. Blu-Ray is excellent and has alot more to offer than just a 720p download with no extras and a basic Dolby Digital audio track. and i know the great side of rentals on HD or regular download. i think it has its place as well, especially on titles i don't want to buy digitally or just rent.

Blu-Ray is much higher quality. it just is. and i don't want to have to go digital on a movie i bought on BD. or even rented on BD. i just want the ability to use my technology the way it ought to be used.

Apple ought NOT decide for its consumers here. instead they are choosing to be anti-consumer and anti-technology by being wholly selfish in their agenda to stonewall Blu-Ray integration for playback of content. not only is it ridiculous, but it is costing them some sales.

it is nice to see others are holding back on upgrading their equipment because of it.

Neutral

Garst @ Apr 11th 2009 5:03PM

The lack of a mat screen is keeping me from buying a Mac. And don't even bother mentioning the 17-inch Macbook Pro. I'm not spending a minimum of $2,800 so I can get a computer with a viewable screen. I can see the sun reflecting off the road at sunrise and sunset; it looks like the roads are paved in gold. IT'S BLINDING! There is no way I'm going to get something with a glass screen.

Neutral

Stan @ Apr 11th 2009 5:06PM

don't want a mac, and you couldn't even give me one...had one once and hated it....long live the PC!

Neutral

Big John @ Apr 11th 2009 6:54PM

Sounds like someone's bitter over an experience they had at some point in the past. I'll assume this was 10 years ago with OS 9, since you conveniently left out when you had a bad experience, what the problem was and any kind of detail that would steer you in the direction of anything but a blathering Windows fanboy.

Feel free to jump in here with your experience and prove me wrong (I honestly hope you do).

Neutral

Stan @ Apr 11th 2009 8:19PM

no it wasn't ten years ago with OS 9 though that was a crappy OS also. with A pc I can buy from whoever I wish to buy from be it HP or Dell, or even Gateway along with a few other companies. Where can you buy a mac from?...Why just Apple, who will sale you a overprice desktop or laptop, with very few options. Why with PC I can even easily build my own and put xp or vista on it, my choice. and I don't have to wonder if windows is not going to support what I put on.Hey you can keep buying the overpriced mac's, thats your problem, since you seem to be a Blathering apple fanboy, form the post I've seen you put up..

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