Apple goes download only for Lion (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

Apple has launched the latest version of its Mac operating system - OS X Lion - through its online app store.

It is the first time that the company has not issued new system software on disk.

Users without an internet connection, or whose link is too slow, will be given the option to download the file in an Apple store later this month.

For customers who want a physical copy, Apple is offering a memory stick version for an extra £25.

Editor-in-chief of Mac Format Magazine Graham Barlow said that many users viewed their OS disks as a "security blanket" in case something goes wrong with their machine.
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more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14221817




Backup disk? We don't need no stinkin' backup disk! :eyes:

[HopeHoops]

1. That MIGHT have something to do with the new Mac Mini not having a fucking optical drive!

[alfredo]

3. The MacBook Air has no optical drive. Internally, the Mini is not much

different than a MacBook. The Thumb drive and the cloud will replace them. Anyway, external drives are very cheap.

Give it a few years and this will be the size of the Mini.

[emulatorloo]

2. Make your own backup disk. That is what I will do. I am happy I don;t have to mail order it

or drive to the Best Buy. Because those were my only options before.

[alfredo]

4. Using it now. So far, so good. I like the new features so far.

Don't like the text in Cal. Not enough contrast with the background.

Air Drop looks like it will be useful.

[Sherman A1]

5. My thoughts were that this is a cost control method

for Apple. Think of all the disks that are not being manufactured, packaged, shipped, labelled, warehoused, re-shipped, inventoried, handled numerous times and alike.

This saves Apple a ton of money by cutting out the labor involved in the processes above which means a whole lot of work saved by Apple and jobs no longer needed (or can be re-purposed for other things).

The upside is the savings actually being passed onto the consumer by reducing the price of the software by almost 2/3rd's of previous upgrades.