can I disconnect the optical drive to save battery life?

[seydurin]

I've been longing for a bit longer battery life, and I was just wondering if removing/disconnecting the optical drive would make a difference. I don't need it, and common sense says I could just disconnect it.

Anyone have a clue?

 

[GGJstudios]

It doesn't draw energy if you're not using it. It would make no difference.

 

[lauph]

Also, if there is no media in the drive, pressing the eject key gets no response from the drive, implying that the drive is sleeping or whatever you wish to call it.
Several OS updates ago, pressing the eject key would make the drive go through some noisy mechanical process.