Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Thunderbold require an additional controller anyway? USB 3.0. would be handy, but I couldn't care less if a machine didn't have it.
It's been rehashed many times, but Apple is known for "prematurely" killing off obsolete tech ahead of the industry. Floppy disks and Zip disks are among the more prolific.
Your opinion is completely valid, but unfortunately, your usage patterns likely are in the minority of Mac users. Not to say that no one needs a SuperDrive (I certainly use one on a regular basis), but very few will regularly need a SuperDrive when MOBILE. And that, I believe, is the key.
Will there be instances in which an integrated SuperDrive is necessary while mobile? Of course. Will those cases compose a significant percentage of usage scenarios for mobile users? Probably not.
So in this context, Apple will be sacrificing a technology they have shown to be more-than-happy to accelerate towards obsolescence (thereby strengthening its digital retail channels). All this while allowing them to trim form factors, add different components and/or improve battery life, save on manufacturing costs, and bring large margins selling a peripheral for those who need a SuperDrive.
Right, I'm taking the plunge guys. Buying the MacBook today!
Strange the way Apple seems dedicated to keeping the obsolete USB 2.0 alive and kicking while everyone else moves on to 3.0
I think people are wrong when they say Apple will want to kill the ODD now to force people to buy from iTunes or what not. One of the main selling points for iTunes has always been than you can burn a copy of the music you buy from them. Without an ODD, you wouldn't be able to do that. And people still use CDs! Most people use CDs in their cars still, just for one example.
"People can just buy externals." They won't. They'll just piss and moan that the new MBPs don't have optical drives like they should. And many will probably have to buy a PC instead.
MOST COMPUTER USERS ARE NOT UBER-NERDS, folks! Most computer users don't get all their tv shows from bittorrent and store their music on a Cloud. And some (many professionals, students) literally need ODDs for work.
Another false assumption that many here are making is that everyone who buys a MBP already owns a desktop computer. Maybe that was true once upon a time, but these days computers like the MBP a true desktop replacements, and many (most?) use them as such. So people want their MBPs to have everything they need.
Killing the ODD new would be one redesign too soon. Starting a phase-out, I could see. Do so by adding a 15" MBA. If all a buyer really cares about is mobility, then they'd have 3 sizes of MBA to choose from, and all the "Pro" users would still be happy.