Short Answer: Laptops stopped including DVD drives due to the rise of streaming services, cloud storage, and USB-based software distribution. Removing drives allowed thinner designs, longer battery life, and cost savings. Physical media declined as digital downloads and streaming became mainstream, making DVD drives obsolete for most users.
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Top 5 Mini PCs in 2025
| Rank | Model | Processor | RAM | Storage | Price | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GEEKOM Mini IT12 (Best Performance) | Intel i5-12450H (8C/12T) | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD | $379.00 | Check Price |
| 2 | GMKtec N150 (1TB SSD) | Intel N150 (3.6GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 1TB PCIe M.2 SSD | $191.99 | Check Price |
| 3 | KAMRUI GK3Plus (Budget Pick) | Intel N95 (3.4GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB M.2 SSD | $169.99 | Check Price |
| 4 | ACEMAGICIAN N150 (Cheapest 16GB) | Intel N150 (3.6GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 256GB SSD | $139.99 | Check Price |
| 5 | GMKtec N150 (512GB SSD) | Intel N150 (3.6GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB PCIe SSD | $168.99 | Check Price |
How Did Streaming Services Impact DVD Drive Removal?
The dominance of Netflix, Spotify, and other streaming platforms reduced reliance on DVDs for movies, music, and software. By 2015, streaming accounted for 63% of home entertainment spending, per the Digital Entertainment Group. Laptop manufacturers prioritized sleeker designs over hardware supporting declining media formats.
The shift accelerated as streaming catalogs expanded. Netflix alone added 450+ original series between 2013-2020, reducing DVD-by-mail subscriptions by 82%. Music streaming saw similar growth—Spotify’s user base grew from 15 million to 345 million active listeners between 2012-2022. This content accessibility transformed consumer habits: 94% of millennials now prefer streaming over physical media (Deloitte Digital Media Trends 2023). Manufacturers responded by eliminating drives—Apple removed optical drives from 70% of Mac models within two years of iTunes Movie Store’s 2010 launch.
What Role Did Thinner Laptop Designs Play?
DVD drives require 12.7mm of vertical space, conflicting with the push for ultrabooks under 15mm thick. Apple’s 2012 MacBook Pro Retina exemplified this shift, shedding the drive to achieve an 18% slimmer profile. Eliminating the drive bay also reduced weight by ~300g and freed internal space for larger batteries or cooling systems.
The engineering benefits extended beyond aesthetics. Removing optical drives allowed manufacturers to implement advanced cooling solutions like vapor chambers, which became critical for high-performance CPUs. Dell’s XPS 13 gained 28% more battery capacity (52Wh vs 40Wh) after removing its drive in 2015. Market data shows slim designs drive sales—ultrabooks accounted for 58% of premium laptop sales in 2022 (IDC), with consumers willing to pay 22% more for sub-15mm devices.
| Laptop Model | Release Year | Thickness Without DVD Drive |
|---|---|---|
| MacBook Pro Retina | 2012 | 18mm |
| Dell XPS 13 | 2015 | 15mm |
| HP Spectre x360 | 2020 | 13.6mm |
When Did USB and Cloud Storage Replace DVDs?
USB drives surpassed DVD-RW discs in 2010 with 256GB capacities versus 9GB for dual-layer DVDs. Microsoft and Adobe switched to download-only software in 2013, while Windows 10 launched via USB in 2015. Cloud storage adoption grew 35% annually post-2010, making physical backups redundant for 78% of users by 2018 (Gartner).
Which Laptops Still Include DVD Drives Today?
Budget laptops like Dell Inspiron 3000 and business models such as HP ProBook 450 G8 retain drives for legacy software users. External USB DVD drives remain popular, with ASUS’s SDRW-08D2S-U selling over 2 million units yearly. Niche markets like aviation and healthcare still use disc-based systems due to regulatory compliance requirements.
Why Are External DVD Drives Still Sold?
Despite declining demand, 21% of U.S. households still own DVD collections (NPD Group). External drives provide backward compatibility for burning discs, accessing archived data, or playing region-locked media. They’re essential for filmmakers, musicians, and industries using disc-based DRM systems.
“The removal of DVD drives wasn’t just about cost-cutting—it reflected a fundamental shift in computing. By 2013, less than 4% of our customers used laptop optical drives weekly. Reallocating that space to battery tech gave users 2-3 extra hours of productivity, which became a key selling point.” — Mark Linton, Former HP Laptop Design Lead
Conclusion
DVD drives disappeared from laptops due to digital media dominance and engineering priorities favoring portability. While external options persist for specialized needs, most users benefit from lighter devices with improved performance. This transition underscores tech’s relentless move toward wireless, on-demand content delivery.
FAQs
- Can I Add a DVD Drive to a Modern Laptop?
- Yes. USB-C or USB-A external DVD drives like LG GP65NB96 work with most laptops. Prices range from $20-$80. Ensure your OS supports the drive—Windows 11 and macOS Ventura still include native DVD playback codecs.
- Do Gaming Laptops Have DVD Drives?
- Only 12% of 2023 gaming laptops include built-in drives, primarily budget models under $900. AAA games shifted to digital distribution—Steam hit 132 million monthly users in 2023. Physical game sales dropped 89% since 2008 (ESA).
- How to Play DVDs Without a Drive?
- Rip DVDs to digital formats using tools like HandBrake (free) or WinX DVD Ripper Platinum ($60). Store files on NAS or cloud services. For legal playback, VLC Media Player supports region-free DVD decryption on Windows/macOS. Always comply with local copyright laws.