>>Most people who buy this will not have a clue it hasn't got a optical drive, so when they want to buy software for it what will they do - ah! they will use the App Store!
There is absolutely no connection between the app store and the lack of a dvd drive in the mini. All Apple software will eventually be through the app store (not offered on disc) and as for 3rd party apps, they can be purchased as downloads from the original vendor or only through the app store. Your argument is nothing but a rant and completely invalid.
>don't these corporate morons realise we actually 'know' whats going on?
I really don't think you do. You're just stuck on old technology that is in the process of being phased out and Apple is way ahead of you and has seen the light already, keeping the costs down on the mini. You're just having a hard time adjusting to the future and need to blame someone else for moving forward when you weren't prepared to do so. It's ok, you aren't alone. Time heals.
Get used to it, DVD's are on their way out, just like floppy disks.
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Hmm - you obviously didn't read 'why' I need an optical drive, and who are Apple to say 'now' is the time for optical disc reading/writing technology to be dropped! Are you really serious about optical discs being old technology? The vast majority of people who buy Macs are middle aged and middle class - they wouldn't know a USB external drive if it jumped up and bit 'em - they will just buy media from iTunes store and applications from the built in app store. And also are you really serious when you say there is no connection between the app store and the lack of an optical drive in the Mini - boy have they got you brainwashed. Go look at the revenue Apple make out of selling Mac Mini's, Macbooks, iMacs - then go look at how much they made on the iPhone app store last year!!! Get with the plot - of course we won't be sticking DVD's and CD's in the slot in five years time, but right now we do and the only alternative on the Mini is...? Now if there was an Amazon App Store on the Mac Mini, built in as an app that downloaded and installed seamlessly any app you wanted, well, who am I to complain, but you know I don't see Amazon getting that app authorised by Apple do you!?