Apple Brings OS X Lion To Physical Media: $40 Price Premium?

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Ray
50.25% (Neutral)
Member Topic Starter

2011-08-17T05:48:33Z

Is this Apple's way of admitting that not everyone actually has access to a fast enough Internet connection to stomach the idea of downloading all software, ever? The thought of making their latest OS a download-only affair may seem cute to technophiles, but how practical is it? At around 4GB, it's not exactly quick for those with non-broadband, and even basic cable packages can take a solid chunk of time to download. And then, there's bandwidth caps to consider. Whatever the reason, Apple has caved and produced the OS X Lion USB Thumb Drive.

Basically, it's a USB key with OS X Lion on it. There's still no DVD package, but those in need of buying OS X 10.7 on some sort of physical media now have an option. The only quirk? Apple's charging a huge premium for the USB key versus the download version. Those that download will only be charged $29; if you buy this USB stick, it'll set you back $69. Quite the stiff premium for physical media!

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kid007
50.25% (Neutral)
Member

2011-08-17T07:16:30Z

Still Cheaper than any DVD-EXE from Microsoft :)

Marco C
56.75% (Neutral)
Administration

2011-08-17T11:01:09Z

That all depends on how you look it it. Microsoft doesn't charge for service packs. You could buy Windows 7 Home Premium for $100 and have it updates with the latest service packs throughout it's life, whereas you'd have to spend $30-ish for each incremental update on OSX.

OMEGADraco
50.25% (Neutral)
Member

2011-08-17T20:32:10Z

This is sad considering the USB stick they are storing the OS install on probably only costs them about 5 dollars. I could see a $10 premium to cover the stick and packaging.

@Marco this is true that Microsoft does not charge for service packs though typically they are mostly security and functionality fixes and do not add features. If I remember correctly Lion added many features to the Mac OS.

Inspector
50.25% (Neutral)
Member

2011-08-18T23:52:34Z

Um, can you reuse the usb after installing it? can always just transfer the file to a disk and reuse the usb. But ya those apple tax :(

digitaldd
100% (Exalted)
Advanced Member

2011-08-19T09:52:25Z

Inspector wrote:
Um, can you reuse the usb after installing it? can always just transfer the file to a disk and reuse the usb. But ya those apple tax :(

Then why not just buy the downloadable DMG file for $30 and transfer it to a $5 USB stick?

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