is the optical drive supposed to be a feature if so are there still industries where people need it for their laptop or is it a consumer focused feature
I don't know if DVDs are still popular in Japan, but the music industry over there is at least still almost 100% based on CDs. Streaming music isn't really a thing in Japan, I believe due to very conservative rightsholders. It's probably the same for other media too.
Compromised probably not add some weight yes for sure even though it is very little. I stopped using optical drives a long time ago and favor USB sticks these days. I sell computers as part of my daily routine and you would be surprised just how many people still ask for one in a new system.
My thoughts are just because I do not use a optical drive any more does not mean others don't. I guess the drive in this laptop would make a nice chip bag holder for people like us that do not have any other use for them or a coffee cup holder I guess but mobile drives are so flimsy that it would have to be a very small cup of coffee.
I’m with everyone else...I thought cheap external drives that remove the bulk from the laptop and put that almost identically sized bulk into a slim little square pretty much killed the desire to have an internal drive.
Poor layout? Are you talking about the number pad on the right side? If so there are actually a lot of people that use the number pad even in 2020...:)
The 3 column pseudo-numberpad. For people who don't use it, having it means the useful keyboard is off center. For people who do use a numberpad, changing the layout like that breaks touch typing and is somewhere between a random western European layout and Dvorak layout in brokenness.
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kallinteris - Friday, February 7, 2020 - link
is the optical drive supposed to be a feature if so are there still industries where people need it for their laptopor is it a consumer focused feature
Valantar - Friday, February 7, 2020 - link
I don't know if DVDs are still popular in Japan, but the music industry over there is at least still almost 100% based on CDs. Streaming music isn't really a thing in Japan, I believe due to very conservative rightsholders. It's probably the same for other media too.tipoo - Friday, February 7, 2020 - link
Even so, I'd just use an external drive so the entire laptop isn't compromised the 99% of time you're not ripping or burning an optical disk.eek2121 - Sunday, February 9, 2020 - link
Not to mention the fact that it is a DVD drive. A Blu-ray burner would make more sense.rocky12345 - Monday, February 10, 2020 - link
Compromised probably not add some weight yes for sure even though it is very little. I stopped using optical drives a long time ago and favor USB sticks these days. I sell computers as part of my daily routine and you would be surprised just how many people still ask for one in a new system.My thoughts are just because I do not use a optical drive any more does not mean others don't. I guess the drive in this laptop would make a nice chip bag holder for people like us that do not have any other use for them or a coffee cup holder I guess but mobile drives are so flimsy that it would have to be a very small cup of coffee.
mobutu - Saturday, February 8, 2020 - link
rarely need a cd/dvd on the go so an external drive would be 100x better.Samus - Saturday, February 8, 2020 - link
I’m with everyone else...I thought cheap external drives that remove the bulk from the laptop and put that almost identically sized bulk into a slim little square pretty much killed the desire to have an internal drive.konbala - Saturday, February 8, 2020 - link
They love DJssheh - Saturday, February 8, 2020 - link
I'm for optical drives in laptops. If nothing else, it's an available expansion bay for an extra HDD or SSD.Sad to see Asus using a keyboard with poor layout, unlike their usual one.
eek2121 - Sunday, February 9, 2020 - link
If the laptop is designed right, you don't need an expansion drive.sheh - Monday, February 10, 2020 - link
It sure is nice to be able to use two drives.rocky12345 - Monday, February 10, 2020 - link
Poor layout? Are you talking about the number pad on the right side? If so there are actually a lot of people that use the number pad even in 2020...:)sheh - Monday, February 10, 2020 - link
No. I'm talking about the key sizes and locations in the area that includes the 4 arrows, RCtrl, keypad 0.sheh - Monday, February 10, 2020 - link
And the Menu key (which is missing here).sheh - Monday, February 10, 2020 - link
...and keypad Enter, Plus, and the rest.DanNeely - Monday, February 10, 2020 - link
The 3 column pseudo-numberpad. For people who don't use it, having it means the useful keyboard is off center. For people who do use a numberpad, changing the layout like that breaks touch typing and is somewhere between a random western European layout and Dvorak layout in brokenness.Clodely - Friday, February 12, 2021 - link
Du coup , il ne peut pas lire les Blu-ray ?