Originally Posted by
mikew99
I base it on my personal experience. I used to have a 3lb subnotebook with an external optical drive, and I regretted it. Not only was it cumbersome to use the attachment, but there were several times when I was travelling without it (didn't think I'd need it) and ended up wishing I had it. One time was at a conference when they had given out software demos that I couldn't install; another time was in Japan where I had bought music CDs (unavailable in the US) that I wanted to listen to right away, but couldn't.
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When I was doing my Japan gig around eight years ago (same time I joined FT!) I was traveling with a Toshiba Portege sub-notebook. It had an external cd-rom and you really needed CDs in those days. I basically needed it all the time thus a real pain.
I couldn't tell you exactly when it happened, maybe 5 years ago for me, I just didn't need it for work anymore. I hear you regarding buying a unique music CD and really wanting to listen to it.
I admit to carrying the external optical drive, but it's in the 'backup' electrical bag that goes in the the checked luggage and I've yet to use it on the road. Now that I think about it, I'll be leaving it at home next trip. Worst case is I absolutely MUST have a locally attached DVD, I'm not more than 15 minutes away from an Apple dealer in most major cities and the unit's not that expensive.