With or without an optical drive?

[circa81]

My next Mac will be a laptop, and I will NEVER need the Macbook pro's
power. I just web-surf and listen to music mostly. I only use the optical drive to watch dvds. But I have a separate player for my much larger TV now. So for say 99 percent of the time, an optical drive would be unnecessary. But I would buy apple's separate optical drive; which I think is a good idea. On my present computer, a first generation Mac Mini, the DVD drive is obviously obsolete now, especially when it comes to Blu-Ray. But what if a like in 2 years a new optical format comes out, or at least a much faster version? If I had a Macbook I would be stuck, never being able to upgrade the internal drive. If the Macbook's optical drive was easily upgradable, then this would be a no brainer. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Drag'nGT]

There is no need for Blu-ray in a computer now nor in the next 3 to 5 years. This is coming from a huge blu-ray advocate, but seriously there isn't. HD movies are the only things that need that kind of space right now. Computer programs... nope.

Also, you can upgrade. Even the Mini has a blu-ray now. http://fastmac.com/slim_bluray.php

I would like to know if you need the drive to be portable like the Air's was made to be or will it just sit on your desk 90% of the time? If so, OWC has external blu-ray drives. http://eshop.macsales.com/Search/Search.cfm?Ne=5000&Ntt=Blu-Ray&Ntk=Primary&Ns=P_Price|0&N=6866

 

[Maks]

What does this have to do with the MB Air? How is the DVD drive on your Mini obsolete now? What software are you installing that comes only on Blu-Ray? Of course in 2 years something faster will be out...this is a computer we are talking about. Something faster will be out in 6 months...you can't base your decision on what may or may not come in the future. Go with what suits your needs best for today.

 

[circa81]

Thanks Drag; I guess that that really answers my question. Although I wish Apple made there optical drives easily removable for upgrades.

 

[Brooklyn8]

Optical drives are not something you should be concerned about. By the time BluRay becomes a computer standard, the Mac you purchase today will be obsolete.

Or who knows if bluray will ever be the standard. Awhile ago my friend bought an Acer laptop with an HD-DVD drive planning to be ahead of the game. Oops.

 

[dubhe]

I have the Superdrive with my MBA and think I have used it twice in the three weeks I have had it. The problem is there are times you will need it so unfortunately you have to buy.

I wouldn't worry too much about future technologies, your MBA will hold its value well, just sell it and buy a new one