Laptops Without Optical Drives

[unigirl]

Hi all

I need to buy a new laptop with a screen size of 15 to 17 inches that would cost somewhere between £500 to £1000. I've been very surprised of the number available that don't have an optical drive.

I've always used an optical drive but I can see that so much software is available nowadays to download from the likes of Microsoft and Norton etc, an optical drive may not strictly be necessary. USB keys have also taken up the role of uploading stuff to laptops.

Could I have some opinions about this please? Are there any real disadvantages in not having an optical drive that I'm overlooking? I've seen some really thin, attractive looking laptops without optical drives but functionality is more important to me than flashing the latest bit of kit around.

Thank you

[Aquariel]

I think there are a few disadvantages that immediately come to mind:

Firstly, you may already have a collection of software or games on CD or DVD that you might want to install. Otherwise, you may have to buy them again to download them.

Also, you might have a collection of music CDs that you want to rip to put on your MP3 player (if you haven't already done that). Again, you don't really want to be purchasing them again to get a downloaded version when you already have the CDs.

The same goes for DVD or BluRay films you might want to play on it.

If none of the above matter, then get one without a drive. Personally, I would rather have one just in case!

[bibblebub]

if you are not using your current optical drive much then an external optical drive is a fairly cheap option should you find that you need one at some time in the future http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=external+optical+drive