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..but the explicit inclusion of the optical drives suggests these companies are hearing something from their customers that Apple does not. That is, if Apple is listening..

Customers complained about the lack of a floppy drive and ADB ports in the original iMac. Listening is not Apple's strong suit, but Apple's ability to turn a deaf ear finally got us to a better place (without floppies). Sometimes, Apple knows best. Remember when they removed modems, too?

How many times have you used your CD/DVD player in the last 6 months? For me, it's been only to watch a DVD, but that's only because I have Netflix. If a full online version was in place for Mac, I'd do that instead.

I own a MacBook air, and I am *happy* I don't have to lug around the weight of an optical drive all day long. If I want an optical drive, I'll get the external plug in one. Apple is taking us to "the cloud." I know that sounds "pie in the sky" but you have to go with them on this. They are really up to something good.

Jack

You are darn right I remember Apple?s leaving out modems from the Intel ?books. I am still angry about it. Some of us don?t have high speed or WiFi in some places we travel. So when I bought a MacBook I had to pay extra for an external modem AND have to drag it along when I travel. And to make it even worse the modem is not a very good shape for travel packing. The lack of a modem was also the deal-killer for a friend I had almost convinced to try a Mac as his next computer.

Leaving out a modem is not the same as leaving out a floppy. When the floppy was discontinued, people had other options they could buy. But without a modem, when you travel to someplace that does not have high speed or WiFi, you can?t just buy a high speed or WiFi system.

Apple is right leave out the optical drive on the Air. There are other alternatives one can use to get data in and out and the weight and size savings are fairly significant. Leaving out the modem on Intel ?books was arrogant as the cost and weight savings are minimal for them. Same for leaving out the hi-speed port on the Air. Even the places I travel that have high speed do not have WiFi--and I would not trust the security of a public WiFi even if it was available. Apple sometimes seems to only want cool urban people to buy their computers. The unwashed masses can go elsewhere.

I am trying to figure out how omitting a modem (a design and cost choice) is "arrogant".

"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." - Inigo Montoya

I used that word because the person I was trying to interest in getting a Mac exclaimed, "That's so arrogant!" when I told her Apple was not including a built-in modem in the new MacBooks. And it seemed to fit. It is sort of like, "We're high-and-mighty Apple. We do not need to include features that only lessor beings might need. People who might travel to smaller cities or stay in less expensive hotels or motels where only old fashioned telephone lines are available." Sure it was a business decision. But I think it was as much a decision to try to keep their market upscale and even a bit exclusionary than it was to save, what? $10 on an internal modem. And if it was not deliberate for that reason, then it was arrogant in another way, that the people at Apple do not know how much of the country lives, they think everyone has high speed and WiFi available everywhere.

It's the same reason a BMW requires premium gas. Sure they could have made an engine with the same horsepower run on regular gas but it was a business decision to "keep their market upscale and even a bit exclusionary"

That's what luxury goods are. You can carry your checkbook in a paper bag as well as you can in a Louis Vuitton purse, but the Louis Vuitton will cost more because they want to "keep their market upscale and even a bit exclusionary"

Actually, they probably thought that the modem port looked ugly, was becoming unnecessary and they'd rather put in wireless. Open a laptop and you'll not find a ton of extra room. Also, $10 in parts cost equates to $40 to the end user once you load it up with the burden of having it on the BOM, the manufacturer having to purchase it and hold it, placement costs etc. I can tell you that when it comes to electronics, EVERY component is considered, every little resistor and capacitor; every connector and little wire. They all add up, even if you're having a robot put it on.

Finally, I can't remember the last time I had to use a modem. I stay at cheap hotels exclusively and even a Red Roof Inn has free wi-fi. If your hotel does not, go park next to one that does!