I personally don't use it that often (about once per month to rip a CD), but I know many people that still need them. In fact for a computer with that price tag I'd expect a BluRay drive to be included.
Finally it was not because people wouldn't want an optical drive in their iMacs, but merely because Apple wants them to purchase their media online in the iTunes store.
But as I said, it's not so much about the optical drive. My main concern is the missing upgradability.
For what "price"? As I already stated above, you're getting every bit of what they are charging you and more in these iMacs.
Yes and no with the iTunes store. True, they are pushing all digital, but so is everyone else. Optical media is a dying format and Apple is just being proactive about it. I have had this iMac since launch and NOT ONCE have I missed the optical drive. I know my experience is not the same as everyone else's, but I know that some people are also just looking for something to bitch about.
And now you have the option to actually buy your precious blu-ray external. Something I would personally never even consider using and would jack up the price on the purchase I already made.
The missing upgradeability is a factor, yes. But that is usually the case for an all in one. They are not meant to really be toyed with. Buy a tower or a mini if you need to mess with the insides.
Lastly: it isn't that it is not a good deal and a great computer. Sure, YOU don't like it and don't have to buy it, but it is an exceptional piece of hardware regardless of any opinion. People just want every detail done their way and when it is not, they BLAME Apple. It is such a weird mentality.
Consider this. How many people REALLY need a blu-ray drive? For what? To watch movies? Don't most of those people already have a TV setup for that? And what are the percentages of people that use an iMac for their only TV viewing that is that much into blu-ray?
How many people REALLY upgrade their iMacs themselves? I am sure the percentage is higher on this one, but I GUARANTEE it is still minuscule in the grand scale versus how many people bring their computer to Apple, purchase Apple Care, or just sell their older Mac (for a very fair price, mind you) and just upgrade by adding the amount they would have spent on the upgrade and getting something new.
Just people wanting to bitch is all.