why would you build a computer without an optical drive?

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sandydaugherty

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Oct 8, 2015
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The choice of cases with optical drive slots for ITX and M-ATX builds is diminishing, and some require me to give up an external drive slot for water cooling. Does that mean that case manufacturers see the extinction of this device looming?
 
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DonkeyOatie
ODDs are already obsolete for computer use. I have a single, cheap ($25) USB 2.0, ODD for external use when I occasionally needed it. USB memory drives have more capacity, are more reliable, and are cheaper, today. DVDs are more long-term durable, which is why I still have one drive.

With services like Steam, there is so much less need.

None of our school builds here: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2625445/build-log-consolidated-middle-school-builds.html have an ODD.
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DonkeyOatie

DonkeyOatie

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Sep 16, 2014
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ODDs are already obsolete for computer use. I have a single, cheap ($25) USB 2.0, ODD for external use when I occasionally needed it. USB memory drives have more capacity, are more reliable, and are cheaper, today. DVDs are more long-term durable, which is why I still have one drive.

With services like Steam, there is so much less need.

None of our school builds here: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2625445/build-log-consolidated-middle-school-builds.html have an ODD.
 
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Rogue Leader

Rogue Leader

It's a trap!
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Dec 22, 2014
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When it comes to the size you're looking for, most people want it as small as possible, so removing those drive slots helps sell cases. TBH I put one on my Compute when I built it 4 years ago and I can say I've used it maybe 10 times. At this point you can get a cheap USB CD drive for the same price and just plug it in if and when you need it.
 
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norseman4

norseman4

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Mar 8, 2012
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Many people only used the ODD for OS and software installation and media consumption. (Either playing a CD or DVD, or ripping it to your machine, for personal playback, of course.)

It's getting easier and easier to install the OS from a USB stick now, with retail IE10 only coming in either a download or USB stick, no ODD. Music distribution is steadily moving towards online distribution, with movies being the same. Then add the availability of quality (and fast) external USB powered ODDs ...

Internal ODDs are becoming less of a 'thing' now since there are so many options that start to negate the need.

That said, the internal volume that would be taken by an ODD, even a slimline version is being seen as free-space to either utilize in an alternate way, or get rid of entirely.
 
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