Earlier this month, it was reported that Apple might be inviting customers into its retail stores to download OS X Lion when it launches, offering users with no or limited broadband access a means of acquiring the new operating system.
In addition to hard drives containing OS X Lion for installation on store computers, some of Apple's retail stores are also reportedly receiving new maxed-out Mac Pro machines, according to 9 to 5 Mac. The report speculates that the Mac Pro machines may be used for local caching of Lion for delivery to customers coming into the store to purchase the new operating system from the Mac App Store.
Furthermore we've heard rumblings that some stores will be receiving maxed out Mac Pro towers to be used as Lion distribution caching centers (speculation here). Some believe that these stations would allow customers to purchase Lion (3.5GB) from the Mac App store and download it directly from the store server in minutes rather than hours it takes over a normal broadband connection.
The new hard drives containing Lion have also been said to contain three separate versions: Normal, Pro, and Joint Venture. The different versions would be installed on various machines throughout the stores based on their roles within the store layout. Basic machines would presumably receive the Normal version, while higher-end machines showing off more advanced apps would receive the Pro version. The Joint Venture install would presumably be reserved for those machines utilized by the program of the same name, which focuses on businesses.
Top Rated Comments
No, all it means that the hard drives come with demo stuff in addition to Lion, such as iPhoto libraries, Apps, and the "Screen Saver" demo that Apple has on their store machines that show demos of stuff.
On a MacBook Air you won't expect to see a demo of Photoshop, but rather iPhoto. And on a Mac Pro you'd probably want to see demos os hardcore apps, not just photos of dogs and stuff.
Personally I'm glad Apple made the move. Even with my POS internet.
1. It's very green. No world resources and extra cost wasted on the media and packaging.
2. Less chance of a day zero update needed. Cause the time between release version shipped and ready for sale is now zero.
3. Apple does not have to worry about shipping. So it can be released when it's ready and not have to worry about shipping all the discs.
4. You as a consumer don't have to hang around for the postman or go to a store to get Lion. Just start the download, then live your normal life and come back a few hours or maybe closer to a day later and it'll be done.
Cheaper cost for the consumer.
5. No chance of people getting the release version of the OS early. Cause there's no physical shipments to hijack and store staff members can't take their copy early.
6. The release time can be any time in the day now. Not when the Store opens up. Also you can start the download when you want to. Not be constricted by Store or postman hours.
7. No need for an external dvd drive if you own a MBA.
8. Getting the digital distribution channel working correctly now. So in the future when that's all there is, they will have it working perfectly. Unlike the competition.
And probably more which I can't think of now. But I made my point. Even with a POS net connection this new disc-less OS is a very good idea.